Chapter 6

Emilia

 

It’s been two days. Two very long hopeful days. Every time I heard a motorcycle. My heart would climb into my throat and I would watch in desperation hopping it was him.

But every time it wasn’t. Grabbing the dishes off the table. I make my way to the kitchen. Jasper looks up from the sink and gives me a smile.

“How's it going Emilia?” He asks.

Jasper is in his late forties. A father of three girls. He’s also Alice’s husband. A nice man almost fatherly. I give him my best smile.

“Great Jasper. Everyone has been really nice.” I reply with a smile.

“Good, good. You let me know if anyone’s bothering you okay?” His voice is firm and kind.

I give him a nod. Depositing my dishes into the sink. I walk back into the dining room. I stop in my tracks. Right there in the corner booth is Beau. Scanning the menu, he hasn’t noticed me yet.

I feel a thrill move up my spin and fear sink in my belly.  He’s here. After two days, he’s finally here.

My feet move on their own accord. I find myself standing in front of his table in no time at all. I haven’t taken my eyes from him since I noticed him. I will him to look up at me. Please, please look at me.

When those chocolate brown eyes focus on my face. My heart starts pounding hard. I smile. My stomach in knots. What if he doesn’t like me?

Maybe that’s why he hasn’t been around in days.

His face lights up. A crooked grin curving his lips. His eyes settle on mine. My stomach erupts in butterfly’s.

“Hey darlin. How have you been?” he asks in his deep gravelly fuck me voice.

My smile gets bigger. Darlin. He called me darlin. “Good. Better now that you're here.” I say before I can stop the words from escaping. I didn’t want him to know I missed him. I felt like a stalker.

The smile on his face turns full blown. “I missed you too darlin.”

My heart skips a beat. He missed me. It was nice to be missed. I don’t think anyone has missed me before.

“Are you hungry?” I ask. Ugh. Of course, he’s hungry. He wouldn’t be here otherwise. At least I don’t think he would be here otherwise.

“Yeah, sweetheart. I’m hungry alright.” The heat in his eyes as they rake my body has me shiver in need.

“What would you like?” I ask. My voice suddenly husky.

“You. A burger will have to do for now.”

“You want fries?” I ask. Trying to keep the tremor out of my voice.

“Yeah, sweetheart. Bring me a beer with that, Shipyard, please.” his eyes hold mine captive. I have to physically force my eyes to the notepad in my hand.

“I’ll get this order in. Oh, I forget. What do you want on that burger?” Feeling like an idiot. I blush deeply. Keeping my eyes focused on my notepad. I didn’t want to see the laughter in his eyes.

“Hey sweetheart its ok. I didn’t tell you.”

“I’ll take ketchup, mustard, pickle, onion, make that grilled onions, cheese and bacon. Hold the rabbit food,” he says.

My heart swells. He didn’t find me funny. He didn’t laugh at me. He was sweet and attentive.

“I’ll get that right in for you.” I smile sweetly. He made me feel good. Safe and wanted. A feeling I’ve never really felt before.

Rushing to the kitchen. I give Jasper his order. “Everything alright Emilia?” The concern in his voice makes my eyes well. Blinking it back. I look at him.

“Everything’s great Jasper. Just amazing.” I say through the prominent smile on my face.

He gives me a nod and gets to work on Beau’s order. Rushing back out into the dining room. I collect his bear and all but run to his table.

I set his beer on the table with a frosty glass. He looks up at me with a smile. “Thanks sweetheart.” such endearments. No one has ever talked to me in such a way.

My heart swells a little more. It’s so easy to like Beau. He’s sweet and kind. It’s almost a contradiction. He rides this badass bike, wears a leather cut, and carry’s this huge knife.

“Want to go for a ride with me darlin when you get off work?” he asks.

My head is nodding violently, and my mouth is talking on its own accord. “Yes! I would love that.” I say loudly. I couldn’t help it. I was excited. He wanted to spend time with me. Wanted me on his bike.

“What time do you get off sweetheart?” his voice is deep and husky. The words ‘get off’ reminds me of the other night when I touched myself. Touched myself with thoughts of him and me.

Blushing hard I reply. “About an hour.”

“I’ll hang out here. If that’s okay with you darlin.” another endearment.

I scream yes in my head. Realizing he can’t hear my thoughts I reply with a quiet I don’t feel. “Yes.”  

The door opens and a man wearing a suit walked in. I reluctantly leave Beau. Going behind the counter. I grab a menu. Expecting the man to take a seat in one of the booths, it startles me when I see him sitting right in front of me.

His eyes rake my body lewdly. I feel a sliver of fear as he takes me in. This man has a bad vibe to him. Almost evil. The evil feeling slivers all over my body making me feel slimed in it.

I shudder a little in disgust. I try to hide it. The way the man is looking at me. The smile on his face makes it obvious I failed.

“What can I get for you.” I try to sound happy and cheerful. I paste a fake smile on my face.

“Coffee. Black.” he replies. His voice low. Dark.

Turning to the coffee pot I grab it and a clean mug. Walking back over to him, gently placing the cup in front of him. I quickly pour the coffee. I try to step back. When his hand shoots out, grabbing my wrist.

Panic wells up. “Don’t I know you from somewhere?” he asks in that dark voice.

“No. I don’t think so.” I say, tugging on my hand. Out of the corner of my eye. I notice Beau standing. A fierce dark look on his face.

The man must have felt the danger.  He release’s me with a muttered “Sorry. My mistake.” Then he reaches for his cup and taking a gulp. It must have burned. The coffee was really hot. He didn’t even blink as he took another gulp.

He finishes the cup in three gulps. Placing it down in front of him, he taps it. I take that as a sign he wants it refiled.

“I’ll have a burger with fries. Everything on it.” he says.

I get the distinct feeling he’s not going anywhere anytime soon. I write down his order and escape to the kitchen.

Jasper picks up on my mood. I wave him away. Really, I don’t like that guy out there and I don’t want anything to happen to Jasper.

Grabbing Beaus order I walk back out into the dining room. Beau is still sitting at the booth in the corner. I sigh in relief. I place his plate in front of him.

His hand shoots out, grabbing my hand in a gentle hold. He pulls it close to him and examines my wrist. It was red and bruising slightly.

He looks from my wrist to the guy at the counter. A snarl on his face. It’s the first time I’ve seen him look so angry. He was terrifying and yet not. A small part of me blossomed under that anger.

“You okay sweetheart?” he asks gently. A complete contradiction to the look on his face. I give him a warm smile and nod. Not trusting my voice.

He rubs my wrist trying to soothe the sting. “Emilia.” I hear behind me. The scary man is staring at me. How did he know my name? Panic rises inside me. Then I remember the name tag. A small amount of relief course’s through me.

“Coffee.” There’s no please. It wasn’t a question it was a demand. Beau stiffens slightly. I look back at him and smile. “It’s okay Beau.” I say.

After filling the scary man’s cup. I wander back into the kitchen. I pretend there’s important stuff needing stocked. There’s not. Not really.