by L. M. Carr
“Why haven’t you come in to the diner?”
I debate telling her the truth that seeing her hurt like a son of a bitch.
I wave goodbye to my sister who steps into the back of a cab before I look at Remy.
“Are you hungry?” I ask.
She shrugs as her eyes meet mine. “A little, but it’s too late to eat.”
“Too late? Midnight is the best time for breakfast. Let’s get out of here,” I suggest as I hesitantly wrap my arm around her petite shoulder, placing a quick kiss on her temple, inhaling the sweet scent that is all her.
I sigh quietly when Remy’s arms snakes around my waist as she leans her cheek into my chest. I feel her body shudder against mine.
I kiss the top of her head. “Your hair’s damp.”
She answers flatly before she digs into her back pocket and sends a text to Simon. “I took a late shower.”
I slide her hand into mine as we walk away from the bar. “For what it’s worth, I missed you.” I should drop to my knees, wrap my arms around her waist and grovel, apologizing relentlessly for my irrational behavior. I know it’s something I need to work on. I’m just grateful she’s willing to give me another chance.
Remy’s smile widens. “I missed you, too.”
“We have a lot to learn about each other, don’t we?” I bring our clasped hands to my mouth and kiss her knuckles lightly. The feel of her hand in mine makes my heart beat faster.
“Yeah, I guess. You shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. You should’ve asked me instead of shutting me out,” she whispers with a sad tone.
“I know.” I agree before I add, “But you could’ve called me you know.”
She looks at me as if that’s the most ridiculous thing she’s ever heard.
I stop and wrap my hands around her tiny waist, pulling her in closely to inhale the scent at her neck. “I want to know everything about you.”
Almost as if she’s talking to herself, she mumbles, “Be careful what you wish for.”
Remy
TWO WEEKS LATER on a Saturday morning as my shift comes to an end, I push past the swinging doors that separate the dining area from the kitchen and take off my apron, shoving it into my backpack along with the loaf of stale bread.
Confused, I glance around. “Hey, Paco. Where’s my bike?” I ask the dishwasher who barely speaks English.
He simply shrugs his shoulders and looks away nervously. I open the door to the basement and call after Lenny, asking the same thing. He balances boxes in his arms as he climbs the steep stairs and says, “Don’t know.”
What the hell? A bike doesn’t just disappear. I push the back door open wide to see if my bike is there, but what I find instead is Shane sitting on a mountain bike. My forehead furrows as my eyes rise in question.
“Hi!” I smile brightly as I walk to greet him.“What are you doing here?”
“I came to see you.”
I grin. “I just saw you a little while ago when you came in for breakfast. Did you forget?”
“No. I definitely didn’t forget.” He pulls me close, angling my head to meet his mouth. What starts as a slow kiss quickly turns into a mad frenzy when his hands begin to roam down my back. I cup his face and bring the affection to a close when the back door slams against the building. I look back to see Paco carrying out the last of the morning’s garbage.
The dishwasher utters an apology and keeps his eyes down.
“No worries, Paco.”
“So what are you really doing here?”
“I have something for you.” Shane dismounts the bike and holds it out as if it were on display. “Happy Birthday.”
I laugh. “Uh…it’s not my birthday.” I inspect the brand new, bright yellow mountain bike with fat tires designed for rugged terrain.
“I know.” He shrugs. “But I didn’t want to wait until November to give it to you.”
“Shane,” I sigh. “I can’t accept this.”
“Why not? Your bike wasn’t safe to ride.”
“Because it looks… expensive,” I say as I read the name Cannondale.
“It wasn’t.” He nods his chin, prompting me to get on the bike. “And besides, if I want to buy my girlfriend a gift, I will.”
It’s the first time a label has been used. I’ve never been anyone’s girlfriend. I take a deep breath and meet his kind blue eyes; eyes that are doing crazy things to my body. I straddle the long metal bar and silently wish something else were between my legs. I lean over and give him several kisses. The first on his lips, the second on his jaw, the third, a lingering one on his neck.
I smile when I hear him groan about how I drive him crazy.
“Thank you for the early birthday present.”
“You’re welcome. I was going to get you a helmet, but I knew you’d just argue with me.”
My mouth drops open as I defend myself. “I don’t argue with you.”
“No?” he asks, raising his eyebrows.
“No. I just have differing views. Mine are right and yours are wrong.” I chuckle, remembering our late night, playful banter about a variety of topics. I’ve declined the invitation to go to his apartment on several occasions because I know what’s going to happen. We’ll have sex and I’m not sure I’m ready for that. My body is ready and willing, but my mind is holding out because I’ve got so much on my plate as it is. I don’t think I need to add sex into the mix just yet.
Shane turns when he hears a patrol car pass by with its lights on and siren blaring.
His eyes widen in panic. “Shit. I’ve got to move my truck before I get a ticket.”
I look behind him, down the alley way. “What are you doing later?” I ask, hoping maybe we can do something together.
“Nothing later, but right now I’ve got to get to the dump.”
“The dump? Why?”
“I’m dropping your bike off,” he says seriously before the laughter he’s trying to hide erupts.
“That’s so wrong. That bike was good to me! Can I at least say goodbye?”
“No. Now give me a kiss. I’ll call you later.” He traces a line down my cheek and I cover his trembling hand with mine. I search his eyes for some sign, some explanation for the small tremor. Nothing. His eyes give nothing away and after a quick peck, he’s gone and I’m left standing in a dirty alley with the biggest smile on my face but questions on my mind.
I pedal in a small circle, adjusting to the feel of the new bike. When I stop, I see Jenna and Lenny standing there grinning at me.
“You guys knew?”
“He’s so sweet!” Jenna comments as she eyes my new ride.
Lenny retorts. “He seems all right. But don’t let no man sweet talk you.”
“Never!” I reply to Lenny as I say goodbye and ride off to enjoy an afternoon in the park for my weekly meeting with Romeo and Juliet.
THE DAYS FLY by, giving in as they meld from one to another with little distinction. Classes have begun and I’m feeling overwhelmed but thankful that I will graduate in May. I was more than disappointed when Shane had to cancel our date last week because he needed to drive home to Connecticut to be with his sister. I wish he would’ve asked me to go, but he left Friday after work and I can’t afford to miss any time at work.
“Jenna, let’s go. What’s with you?” I whisper as I squeeze by with a carafe of coffee.
Jenna stands there punching keys at the register, having to start over again for the third time. Lenny’s warning that he’s running out of patience is well- warranted. I’d be a little ticked, too, if I had to make at least four dishes over again because she got the orders mixed up.
“I miss Collin,” she pouts with a loud sigh.
“Collin? Shane’s friend?” Jenna doesn’t usually get this hooked up on guys she sleeps with, but they were inseparable when he was here and they talk all the time.
“God, he was so good.”
I snort, “I’m sure he was.”
“Shut up! Not just with sex
…he was real.”
“You know what’s real?” Lenny barks. “This food is real. Go deliver it, will ya!”
My eyebrows shoot up and I give her a look that carries little sympathy. We can’t screw things up for Lenny; this place is his bread and butter.
“Sorry, Len.”
The door chimes and Shane walks in wearing his running shorts and a blue and white UCONN T-shirt. I smile instantly when he reaches into the bowl for a mint. He grins as he removes the plastic before popping it into his mouth.
“You’re up early on Saturday morning. Why didn’t you sleep in?”
“I couldn’t sleep. It was hot.”
“I’m hot?” I ask playfully.
“Not you. I mean…yes, you’re hot,” he blurts, his eyes blinking rapidly as he backpedals his words. “The air conditioning in my apartment wasn’t working right.”
“Shit! Son of a bitch!”
I turn to the source of the loud cursing and find Lenny with a dirty dishrag wrapped around his hand and blood dripping down the side of his arm.
“What happened?” I race to him and nearly slip on the greasy floor.
“Dammit. I sliced my finger right down the middle.”
I inspect his finger and see how badly it’s cut. “Len, you need stitches.”
“No, I don’t. I’m fine,” he says although I can tell he’s fighting the pain.
“Oh God! I can see the bone,” I shriek. “You need at least ten. Maybe more.”
Anxiety spreads across his face when he realizes I’m telling the truth. His old eyes scan the restaurant and I’m sure he’s wondering how he’s going to finish cooking.
“I can cook,” Shane says, appearing out of nowhere.
Lenny and I both turn with surprise on our faces.
Shane’s eyes are wide with concern as he turns his gaze from me to the stream of blood trickling onto the floor. He clears his throat and swallows hard.
“He can,” I insist, knowing that we don’t have another option at the moment.
“You sure?”
“Yes, sir. I’m sure.” Shane offers a tight smile and a nod of his head.
Jenna grabs her bag and leads Lenny out the back door to take him to the nearest hospital.
“Do you really know how to cook?” I ask skeptically.
“Would I lie to you?” He cocks his head to the side and bats his long eyelashes as the dimple in his cheek deepens.
I tell him where to wash his hands while I reach for an extra apron.
“Figures,” I chuckle when I see the only apron left. The words, “Kiss the Cook” are written across it. It was the gift Jenna and I gave Lenny last year for his birthday.
“Here,” I hold out the apron as he dries his hands before quickly slipping it over his head.
A smirk appears on his face just as he finishes tying the black apron around his waist.
“What?” I ask because I don’t understand the look on his face.
“I think you should do it.”
“You think I should do what?” I glance over my shoulder when the bell rings as new customers enter the restaurant.
“Kiss the cook.” He smiles and those gorgeous blues light with humor.
“Are you kidding?”
“Nope.”
I let out an exasperated sigh, roll my eyes and lean in to kiss his tanned cheek, but without warning, he turns his face and meets my lips. He pecks my lips once… twice and then wraps his hand around my back and pulls me close against him. The feel of his soft lips on mine sends chills down my spine. The taste of mint drives me crazy. With a mind of its own, my hand slides across the back of his head, my fingers grab his blond hair and I give in to his kiss. A needy moan escapes as my tongue slips into his mouth. I can feel his erection coming to life, hard and stiff.
“Remy,” he says.
I hum my response. I lose all sense of where I am.
“I think something’s burning.” I feel his lips flatten in a smile.
“Oh, shit!” I cry, releasing my hold on him when the smell of burnt eggs and pancakes wafts through the air.
“I’ll take care of it. Go take care of your tables.”
I smile quickly at him.
“By the way, you stole my mint, you little thief!”
Shane quickly moves into action, pulling the green order tickets down from the spinner to see what he needs to make. Orders are promptly made to perfection. We work together seamlessly, running Lenny’s diner during the breakfast rush. I catch him staring at me as I talk to customers or refill their drinks. An unfamiliar warm feeling fills my belly every time he smiles at me. I roll my eyes playfully and laugh when he calls “Order’s up” just like Lenny does. I like him…I like him a lot.
Finally when the last customers are gone, I flip the sign to “Closed” and lock the door before collapsing into an empty booth.
“Remy?”
“Over here.” From my horizontal position along the vinyl seat, I toss an arm up and wave it around in the air.
“Tired?” He leans against the counter, watching me.
“Exhausted is more like it!”
“Relax. I’ll clean up.”
I give him a pointed look as I yawn. “Just give me a minute and we’ll clean up together.”
Two hours later, I open my eyes and sit up to find the diner spotless, completely immaculate. The floor is swept, every table wiped down, even the stainless steel and windows shine. I scoot out of the booth and go in back to find Shane. Lenny’s kitchen has never been so clean with everything in its place. The back door swings open and Shane rolls the mop bucket in. The sounds of Nickelback’s song Trying Not to Love You plays through Shane’s phone. He reaches for his phone and lowers the volume, keeping his eyes cast down.
“Hey. You’re up.”
I flush with embarrassment as I wipe the sleep from my eyes. “Sorry. I didn’t realize how tired I was.”
“It’s fine. I didn’t mind.”
“Where’s Paco?”
“I sent him home.”
“Well,” I reach for the mop, “at least let me clean the floor.”
“No, I’ve got it,” he counters, pressing the lever down to expunge the excess water.
“Shane! C’mon. Let me do something.”
“I’ve got it.” He lowers his face to meet me at my level.
I huff and put my hands on my hips, determined to block his way. “I have to do something. What can I do?”
“Fine. You can do something,” he finally concedes.
“Thank you!”
I reach for the mop so I can start cleaning the floor, but he pulls it back and stands there with a smirk on his face.
“What? You said I can mop.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Then what can I do?”
His smirk transforms as a devious grin spreads from ear to ear. “You can kiss the cook.”
Something in me snaps. Kiss the cook. With hurried steps, I close the space between us and smash my lips against his. I only hear the sound of the mop hitting the floor before the tidy kitchen is filled with the sound of our moans.
Shane lifts me and I wrap my legs around his waist, needing to be one with him as he consumes me. His hands roam over my back, pulling me against his chest while the other hand cups my ass. He takes a few steps forward until I’m between him and the freezer door. I can feel how hard he is through his thin running shorts. I have the desire to rub myself on him to sate the buzzing between my legs.
Oh, God. Kissing Shane is nothing like I’ve ever experienced before. He angles my face, prompting me to open my mouth for him. His warm tongue slides in and teases mine. My thoughts wander about where else I’d love to feel his tongue.
I cross my arms and pull at the hem of my polo shirt, yanking it over my head. His eyes drop to my breasts before he slides the material to the side. The combination of his lips kissing and his tongue swirling around my nipple feels incredible. I look up into his lustful blue eyes a
nd offer a silent nod of approval for him to continue. I want this. I need this.
I wrestle with the apron, moving it out of the way so I can run my hand along his length. The deep moans emanating from his chest encourage me to slip my hand into his shorts and stroke.
My name is whispered against my neck as he graces it with light kisses. “Remy, that feels so good.”
I move to kiss his neck until I finally reach his ear. “Shane, I want you.” I exhale loudly. “I want you so bad.” I feel as though I’m going to explode with desire for this man. We’ve skirted around going past a certain level of intimacy, but I’m done waiting. I want him.
He pulls back immediately and searches my eyes before attacking my mouth again.“Remy…”
“Please, Shane.”
Without warning, I feel his forehead press against mine as his breathing becomes heavy and labored. “Fuck...we can’t do this.”
Wait, what? What’s he talking about? My eyes fly open. “What’s wrong?”
He flattens his lips against mine and kisses me chastely before he takes my lip between his teeth. “Baby, I want you so bad, but not like this.”
To hide my humiliation and shame, my body stiffens as I pull my gaze away from his face and lower my eyes. “Please put me down.” I swallow the lump in my throat.
He doesn’t move. “Look at me.”
I shake my head.
“Please.”
Again, I shake my head.
“I want nothing more than to make love to you, Remy. I’ve thought a hundred times about how you’d feel underneath me.”
I listen carefully to his words.
“You’re not some random girl I can just fuck and let go.”
Finally, I look up.
“I like you.” His voice is soft and quiet. “A lot.”
I stretch my palms along his face. “I like you, too.” I don’t know if the word “like” is a good description for what I’m feeling. I think about him all the time and wonder what it would be like if I couldn’t see him or talk to him. I’d miss him for sure.
“I like these a lot, too.” He smiles as he looks at my breasts.
“Oh, my God! You’re a typical guy!”
“You have the most beautiful tits I’ve ever seen!”
