Page 35 of Whiskey and Honey (Empire Records 1)

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Cole

The morning is already a bitch with little to no sleep. Lyla was rattled when I found her on the cold floor of the bathroom last night and she never fell asleep, so I didn’t either. I feel helpless and I fucking hate it. I want her to feel safe. To know without doubt I’ve got her. I would never let some threatening old fuck lay a single finger on her, but she’s still worried which means I have to do more than just tell her I’ll protect her; I’ve got to show her, which might mean finding the scumbag Howard Stapleton my damn self.

She told me the name of the detective and a few vague details of Howard’s family life, or lack of. She remembered a girlfriend of his and even had her phone number so I’ll start my boy Roger, who’s ex-military and a current PI, on that first chance I can get a minute to call him.

Today we meet Sam and Elliott at the warehouse for any last-minute details they want for the future retail space. This is the perfect distraction for my girl.

Handing her a huge cup of steaming black coffee, I listen in on the design details. She’s taking the lead on this one just like I’d hoped.

“The back wall will be this color of dark teal to match the upstairs loft and have these three works of art from a local artist. The upstairs will be more laid-back and instead of a lot of different clothing items, it will look more like a lounge, and I was thinking of adding cucumber water and a jukebox.”

I watch her visibly swallow. This was her big idea, but she was so scared to mention it she almost convinced herself it was a bad idea.

“That way the spouse or loved one that’s waiting will be able to choose the music in the store.”

Sam starts clapping and bouncing on his toes, clearly impressed just like I knew he would be.

“Lyla, that is a brilliant idea! I thought we would use that old loft for extra storage. A lounge would set us apart from the other retailers on the block. Spouses will be hurrying the shoppers out of all the other stores and plant it nice and comfy here.”

“Right, and the longer they’re here, the more they will shop,” Elliott adds, much calmer and with a greedy smile.

“Exactly.”

That clearly gives her the confidence boost she needed, and she’s off explaining the rest of the details for the next hour.

I excuse myself, make my call to Roger and a few crews I have around the city. I debate calling Marcus. I want to apologize, but I know he doesn’t want to hear it. At least not yet. I hate how much it hurts Lyla, and I miss the fucker. Him and I have been thick as thieves for the past year and part of me feels lost without him running in and out of my daily life. I don’t miss the clubs, but I do miss football games on the couch and grocery shopping we always did together. Before I head back inside, I notice a black SUV that’s driving really slow by the warehouse. Blacked-out windows and Illinois plates. I stay close to my truck as they pass, not speeding up until they pass the stoplight at the end of the street. I take my phone out to snap a picture just in case.

* * *

“Hey, baby.”

Lyla wraps her arms around my waist as she meets me in the kitchen, already dressed in her soft pajamas. “What smells so good?”

“I attempted dinner, but it’s now in the trash. I won’t lie. I ran over to that Italian restaurant you like to make up for it.”

I look down at her sheepishly. She laughs as she pushes up to her toes to kiss me. I meet her halfway happily. After all the stress lately, I’ll do anything to help distract her.

“It smells amazing. Thank you.”

“You bet. I was thinking maybe tomorrow night you and I go on an official date.” I throw it out there as I turn for the plates. I can’t believe this woman still makes me nervous, but she does. I turn around to find her staring at me with her head tilted to the side, not in question but an adorable and confusing look on her face.

“A real date, huh? What did you have in mind?”

I clear my throat, feeling something I don’t really want to address right this second and brave the next phase of my plan.

“It’s a surprise.” I say this casually as I spoon the pasta onto our plates. I grab the still warm garlic bread, and she stops me, resting her hand on mine and looking deep into my eyes. Seconds pass without a word, and her eyes suddenly change to a different kind of hunger. She slides my hand around her waist, and I can’t help the splitting grin across my face. She pulls my hand lower to her ass, and I squeeze as she presses her body to mine.

“I would love to go out with you, Cole. Anytime, anywhere.”

Then she kisses me. Hard. I pick her up onto the counter but instantly stop and look to the front door and back to her.

“Fuck, baby, you got me so hot right now but let me take you to bed.”

This instantly kills the mood. Neither one of us wanting Marcus to walk in on us again. I watch her smile fade quickly and she looks to the floor. I reach and take her chin in my hands and press my forehead to hers. No words are necessary. I’m thankful she doesn’t push me away in favor of Marcus. I wouldn’t blame her, but it would fucking kill me. I’m an unworthy asshole to have her affections, and I swear I won’t ever take that for granted.

She slides down off the counter, and we eat dinner. The food is great, and we make light talk about construction projects I’m working on and design ideas she wants to bounce off me. I love that we can talk shop together. I’ve never met a woman who wouldn’t roll her eyes at me when talking about work, but Lyla loves it just as much as I do. She tells me all about the meeting and how Sam and Elliott seem to be just as thrilled about all her ideas. I tell her all the time she’s a genius at design, but she always shrugs it off. Now she seems validated and beams with excitement.

We head to bed late after talking for hours and fall into each other like nothing outside our room even exists. She is a dream I never want to wake up from.

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