17
Kelly
I thought it would feel funny to wake up with someone else in my bed, but instead, it was the most comforting feeling in the world for me. Damian had his arms wrapped around me when my alarm clock went off early in the morning. The temptation was great just to shut it off and crawl back to him, let myself get swept up into his arms, and spend the morning with someone like I have not done in a very long time. By the time the snooze alarm was going off for the third time, I knew I had to face the reality of getting out of bed to start my day, as much as I didn’t want to.
Every time I went to pull away from his hold on me, Damian pulled me back towards him, letting me feel his naked body flush against mine. I finally turned myself around carefully, so I was facing him, my breasts pressed tightly against his chest, and I kissed him sensually enough to rouse his body and cause him to open his eyes.
“Damian, I have to get up,” I said as I pulled myself away and off the bed. The cool air from the ceiling fan began to reach my naked flesh as I stood next to my dresser, causing me to shiver.
“Just stay in bed with me,” he pleaded, trying to coax me back towards him.
“I have to get showered and get to the bakery.” I wandered into the bathroom to turn the shower on and let the water get hot.
“Are you sure?” Damian said as he now sat up on the edge of the bed. I could see the strong definition of his muscles as he sat there, and another chill ran through me, this time making me want to get back into bed with him.
“I’m the baker, remember? If I’m not there, half of our stuff doesn’t get made. Besides, mornings are when we make all our money. I’m needed there.”
Damian rose from the bed and stood in the bathroom door, blocking me from entering. He had a playful grin on his face and placed his hands on my hips, pulling me towards him, so our bodies meshed once more. As we kissed, his hand moved slowly down my back until it reached my backside. He cupped my buttocks, drawing me even closer to him. My body was quivering in delight as his lips moved from my mouth to my neck.
“Damian, you have to stop…” I moaned lightly.
“Boy, you really make it hard on a guy,” he said with a laugh, breaking free of me and letting me pass into the bathroom.
“I try,” I said, glancing down at his obvious arousal before I closed the bathroom door.
I tried to shower quickly, but all the time I was going through the motions I thought about the man in my bedroom waiting for me. I knew I was falling quickly for him, faster than I had ever done with anyone else in my life. Normally, something like a relationship would scare me off since I was always so focused on work and my family, but there was something different with Damian, something unique and special, something I wanted to let in my life.
When I got out of the shower, I wrapped a towel around myself, expecting to go out into the bedroom and flash Damian as he lay on the bed. Unfortunately, I opened the door, and the room was empty, and my bed was made. I quickly dressed in my casual work clothes and walked out into the hallway. I immediately smelled the fresh aroma of coffee brewing and smiled.
I stood in the doorway to the kitchen and watched as Damian poured cups of coffee. Alice was sitting dutifully by his side, grateful to have a companion other than me in the morning.
“You know,” I said as I walked into the kitchen, my bare feet on the cool tile floor, “I almost fell over when I saw my bed made. I rarely do that myself. Thanks.”
“Old habit I have,” Damian said to me as he handed me a hot mug. “My mother always made us make our beds even though we had staff in the house to do it. She said there was no reason to have someone else do what we were perfectly capable of doing ourselves.”
“Smart lady,” I said, sipping the hot coffee. “Unfortunately for you, you missed me standing there in just my towel.”
“Now that is unfortunate.” Damian put down his coffee mug and walked towards me. “Kelly, these last few days, they have been incredible. I’ve never wanted to be with someone like I am with you.”
I put down my coffee on the counter and snuggled into his chest.
“I… I feel the same way.”
I turned my face up towards Damian, and we kissed once more. Emotions were surging through me, and for a moment, I thought about forgetting about the bakery, taking his hand, and marching back into the bedroom, staying there for days. I slowly broke our kiss breathlessly and stepped back.
“I have to get moving,” I said, taking a long sip of the coffee before slipping into the shoes I had by the kitchen doorway. “You’re welcome to stay and finish your coffee. I’m sure Alice would love the company.”
“I should probably get home myself,” Damian replied. “I’ll take a nap and rest myself up for later.”
“And just what is going to happen later?” I asked slyly, knowing Damian was walking close behind me, watching me as I walked out the front door.
“I know what I’m hoping will happen,” he said, grabbing me around the waist and lifting me up, carrying me out onto the porch. I heard myself scream a bit and start laughing, the sound echoing loudly into the early morning air.
Damian carried me down the steps and next to his truck before placing me down.
“Do you want a ride?” he asked me. I realized my scooter was still at my mother’s place.
“No, it’s fine. It’s not like it’s a long walk or anything. The morning air might do me some good anyway, help me to think clearly so I can concentrate on baking instead of…” my voice trailed off as my left hand ran down across Damian’s chest once more.
“Last chance,” he said to me with a smile. “We can run back inside or hop in the truck and just disappear for the day.”
“Very tempting.” I planted a quick kiss on his lips before I started up the driveway.
“I’ll stop by the bakery later,” Damian said. “Save a jelly donut for me.”
“You bet,” I said.
I switched on the penlight I had on my keychain so that any cars that drove by me could see me as I walked and made my way towards the boardwalk. I watched as Damian drove past me, slowing down as he went by, and I gave him a smile and a wave.
I was right – the cool air did help me clear my head some, and it wasn’t long before I was thinking about what to make for the day and what needed to be done at the shop as I walked along and reached the boardwalk.
I climbed the steps about half the way to the bakery and walked on the boardwalk the rest of the way. I could see the glimmer of the sunrise just starting to peek out over the ocean, and the beauty of the orange and clear blue sky made me stop and look.
I forgot just how beautiful this place is, I thought to myself as I leaned against the boardwalk railing and looked at the sky. I could see a few birds flying against the sky, creating a picture-perfect setting.
I started on my way once again with a great bounce in my step. I came to the T-Shirt Cabana once again and saw that everything was still closed tight. The “Closed” sign had been taken down that normally hung on the front, and I wondered once again if everything was alright with Harry.
I went to the back of the bakery and tried the door and saw it was still locked, so I knew I was the first one here today. I entered and started my routine, putting my apron on, getting the ovens and machines going, taking my supplies out, and turning the radio on. I could hear myself quietly singing along, my hips swaying to the music, as I rolled out pastry dough to make turnovers.
“What has you in such a good mood this morning?” Jodie asked as she entered the kitchen.
I glanced up and smiled as I rolled out the dough to the best thickness for the turnovers before I grabbed the filling I wanted to use.
“I just love life, sis,” I said to her. I spread the apple filling onto the dough and gave perfect mounding portions to each piece I planned to cut.
“You’re adorable when you’re getting some on a regular basis,” Jodie answered as she put her apron on.
“Classy as always, Jodie.”
“You wouldn’t expect anything less.” Jodie grabbed a few trays of cinnamon buns we had proofing in one of the refrigerators and put them out on the counter before sliding them into one of the ovens.
“I take it you had a good night last night?” Jodie asked me.
“Jodie… I can’t even put it into words. Damian makes me feel like every part of my life is perfect. He doesn’t judge; he likes me for me, not what I do for a living, what I look like, or where I live or how much money I have. I just want to spend time with him, and when I’m not with him, I want to be with him, you know?”
“Kelly, are you in love with him?” Jodie asked me seriously.
I stopped folding turnovers long enough to look at her as she stared at me.
“I am, Jodie. I know that sounds crazy after a few days, but I am in love with him. He’s everything I want – caring, responsible, funny… and sexy as hell.”
We both laughed as we went back to work, and a few minutes later Mom and Alex entered the back door, ready to start their days.
“Good morning!” I said happily while I placed the turnovers in the oven.
“Good morning to you too,” Mom said with a smile as she hung up her sweater.
“Good morning, little sister,” I said to Alex, patting her head as I walked past her.
“Who gave you happy pills this morning?” Alex grumbled as she walked out into the shop to start the registers.
Mom reached into her purse to pull something out and then walked over to me.
“I forgot this yesterday,” she said to me, handing me a stack of mail. “I stopped by the post office yesterday to pick up the mail.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I said, scanning over the stack. There were plenty of advertisements and the typical invoices that didn’t come in over email today. There was one large brown envelope on the bottom that I picked up and looked at, seeing it was from an address in New York.
“Did anyone notice the new surf shop that’s two doors down?” Mom asked. “I saw when we walked by that the place is cleaned out and closed up. I wonder what happened.”
“That’s odd,” I answered, running my finger under the glued flap of the envelope to open it up. “They haven’t been there very long. Too bad; they were some nice guys running that place. Do you know what’s up with Harry next door, Mom? The place has been closed for two days now.”
“No, I haven’t seen him,” she yelled from the storefront.
I pulled the pages out of the envelope and looked at them. The top page was a letter on official stationery. I read over the letter again, just scanning it at first, before I stopped myself and started reading with more earnest from the top again.
Dear Ms. Barton,
This letter is to inform you that as of September 1, 2018, ownership of the building you occupy will have transferred to our company, STW Enterprises. As the new owners of this property, we would like to inform you of our intention of creating new office space for our company at your location and the adjoining locations here on the boardwalk that were purchased as part of the transaction.
We hereby give you notice that your lease has been terminated and you will have sixty (60) days to close business and vacate the premises. As an incentive for you, should you vacate within the first thirty days of this notice, you will be awarded a cash payout of $75,000.00 as thanks from us and to assist you with any relocation efforts or future endeavors.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the phone numbers or email address listed in the header of this letter. Thank you for your attention.
Paul S. Austin
Chief Attorney, STW Enterprises
I was completely stunned. Beneath the letter were copies of my lease and pages to sign and submit should I want to vacate faster than the sixty days. I placed the papers down and just stared at them.
“What’s all that?” Jodie asked as she walked over to me. “You okay, Kelly?”
“They’re eviction papers,” I said softly. “We’re being told to get out.”
“What? They can’t do that. We have a lease with the management company.” Jodie picked up the papers to look at the letter herself.
“Apparently, they sold the property, and the new owners want us out. Not just us, but everyone around us. We have sixty days to close.”
“This can’t be real,” Jodie said loudly.
Mom and Alex came into the kitchen when they heard me knock an empty tray over and it clanged loudly against the floor.
“What’s wrong?” Mom asked.
“They’re going to make us close the bakery,” Jodie said with shock, passing the letter to Mom.
Jodie, Alex, and Mom huddled near each other, reading the letter over and over as I stood in stunned silence. Everything I had worked hard for and dreamed of was dashed in just a few sentences.
“Kelly,” Jodie said to me. “The company that bought the property… STW Enterprises… that’s Damian’s company.”
I grabbed the letter from Mom’s hands and looked at the letterhead. My stomach suddenly felt sour, and I wanted to throw up. I leaned over the sink for a moment as I breathed heavily. I didn’t know what to feel anymore as anger, resentment, and sadness all coursed through me at once.
I stood up, calmly took off my apron, and gathered up the paperwork.
“You keep working,” I said to Jodie, Mom, and Alex as I moved towards the back door.
“Where are you going?” Jodie asked.
“To see our new landlord,” I growled, slamming the door behind me.