KAYLA'S POV- THREE YEARS LATER.
I was running late, and it was all because of the freaking traffic. I glanced at the clock on the dash of my car and blew out a shaky breath. I had a little over fifteen minutes to make it seven miles across the small town and with the traffic; it didn't seem possible.
Not when the cars ahead of me were at a standstill, with multiple horns blasting and the shouts that filled the air did nothing to move the traffic. How I lost track of time was not much of a mystery to me. I had lost track of time and the bar where I worked was busy, busier than usual for a Thursday, one of the worst days of the week. I and the other girls there had to work harder tonight, and it took me a while to get off my shift.
Rumors were, a bunch of multi-billionaire investors were in town for a new business deal, and the bar I worked at was the perfect place for dodgy business meetings and backhanded deals. It wasn't the most outstanding bar in the town, but it was the only bar where shady men in suits came during the night.
I ignored it mostly and did the only thing I did. I was a complete stranger to the darker side of life and I surely didn't want to get familiar with it or care about their illicit deals.
The engine of my Chevy sputtered, reminding me of my beat-up engine and I chuckled when it blew out a plume of fume from the exhaust my smile turned into a wistful one as I looked at the wipers that were stuck halfway, unable to completely clear the foggy screen. I picked up a small towel and outstretched my hands outside to clean the glass.
When the car in front of me moved, I rolled my tires to move forward.
My legs couldn't stop shaking as I thought about the extra fee the daycare would charge me.
Extra fee I couldn't afford right now.
"Fucking hell, move!" I joined the sea of angry drivers to scream. I didn't know who or what I was shouting at, but I felt immensely better.
Screaming always helped.
I reached across and fished my phone to call the daycare and let them know I would come late. I couldn't afford the fee, but I had no choice but to pay it, so I could keep Estelle there. A sigh left my lips as I calculated the bills I had to pay and the money I had left.
"Fuck." I cursed softly.
I couldn't let my grandma know about my piled-up bills. I wanted to go through this phase on my own, with no chip-ins.
I was no longer the young and naïve nineteen-year-old Kayla; I was a twenty-two-year-old adult and mother, and I needed to act like one.
I told the daycare I'd be late, biting my lower lip when they disclosed the fees, and then abruptly hung up.
My whole body refused to relax as my car crawled through the traffic.
Thirty minutes later and I was pulling my car into the parking lot of the daycare, I stepped out and jogged through the chilly air into the building.
I smiled with relief when I saw who was standing in the waiting area with my daughter. My tensed body relaxed and my whole mood changed when my eyes landed on her. She giggled when she saw me, her cheeks deepening from her dimples and her green eyes sparkled with innocence. She mumbled and thrashed as I ran to them, trying to get to me faster. I instantly took her into my arms, placing her on my hips with my arm wrapped around her. I peppered kisses all over her round face. After signing off on the fees to go straight to my invoice, I left the daycare.
I was thankful it was the last day of the week and I had Saturday and Sunday off. I was tired and I wanted to spend the next two days resting and having a mother and daughter time with my girl.
Being a single mother was tough, but I couldn't decide if it was even tougher in a new town and as a young mum. The judgemental stares and hushed whispers always followed me wherever I went.
Nothing was ever good enough and there was never enough time to balance things out.
But I always coped and I never regretted my decision to keep Estelle and the life I chose to live.
Sure, I wished things were different but that was just wishful thinking and reality was a cruel bitch.
I hurried to my car, placed Estelle into the car seat in the car, adjusted her coat, and strapped her up. She gave me a grin as I moved her bangs out of her forehead and she giggled when I leaned down to kiss her nose before shutting the door.
I jumped when a car door slammed close behind me and I looked behind me to find striking blue eyes staring at me, I shivered at the hard look in the eyes and I dragged my gaze down to find a sharp jaw with a full beard and full pink lips, he had broad shoulders and a muscled torso encased in a gray cashmere sweater that probably cost half of my closet, black pants that hugged thickly corded thighs and Italian loafers on his feet.
I noticed that as I ran my gaze over him, he was also doing the same to me, my clothed skin prickled under his gaze and I suddenly felt naked. I looked up and I wasn't surprised when I found his heated gaze on me, his eyes turned a different shade, one that brimmed with unbridled lust, and every part of me clenched.
As if realizing what had just happened, his jaw clenched harder and his lips curled.
In disgust, lust, or anger at himself, I had absolutely no idea.
I snapped out of my daydreaming when a little body walked between us.
I looked down to find a little girl, around six years old, staring up at the mountain of a man before me. She had the same blue eyes and dark hair as the man standing in front of me and she was pissed. I could tell by the way her small hands folded over her chest and her lips were in a pout.
I looked up to find a pink tint on my stranger's cheeks.
I smiled, I guess I wasn't the only one ruffled.
I watched as she looked between the stranger, who I beginning to think was her father or guardian. She gave him an impatient look, and pointed to the backseat of their car.
There was a little communication going on here.
I could tell when the stranger's eyes widened a little. Then he said, "Sure, hunny. Let's go get your ice cream."
His voice was rich and husky voice and I was getting a little breathy from it.
Jesus. What the fuck was wrong with me?
I cleared my throat and my sexy stranger gazed at me but I refused to meet his eyes, instead, I met the blue eyes of the younger version of him. The female version.
"Hello." I gave her a little wave and a friendly smile.
Only to be met with a blank stare before she turned her back to me and stared at him. He scooped her into his arms and tucked her into the seater in the backseat.
Then he gave me a nod and a small smile in apology, and my stomach dipped in excitement.
I watched as he rounded the black BMW, my eyes trained on his tight, round behind, gazing at it while he never looked back.
It wasn't until he started his car and drove off I shook my head and blew out a deep breath while simultaneously asking myself what the hell had just happened.
I had just met a freaking millionaire, judging by his expensive taste in clothes and loafers.
I must've looked stupid standing next to my beat-up car, wearing worn-out clothes and shoes, lusting after a man who treated people like me as objects before dumping us in the trashcan.
Fuck, what if he was married?
I was lusting after a man who could've been married, for heaven's sake, Kayla!
This was very much unusual considering the mess I just pulled myself from.
Getting attracted to a man who looked as powerful and dangerous as my hot stranger was a huge ass no in my books.
I looked around to make sure no one was had watched what had just happened. I sighed in relief when I didn't see anyone.
I chose this daycare because it was in the quieter and nicer part of our little town. It was more expensive, but it was better than the ones nearest to the bar I worked at and the ones close to the apartment building where we lived. The distance didn't matter if my daughter was cared for and looked after adequately. So it was easier for me to meet strangers like him here.
I stepped into the car and held my breath as my car engine rumbled aggressively and threatened not to start, but then it started and I backed out and drove out of the lot, rejoining the traffic.
I looked down at my clothes and winced. I must've looked stupid to the little girl and her dad.
I must've looked like a freaking beggar.
It had been months since I last saw my grandma and, if she should see me, she would clutch her pearls and gasp in horror.
I looked horrendous, tired, and exhausted.
I always took her calls straight to voice mail. I knew how insistent she could be if she wanted to help.
I drove through the city, past the city center, and down the lower end where my apartment building was situated.
It was a run-down building, owned by a corrupt landlord who would rather use his money to buy and snort drugs than pay for the things that needed repairs in the building. But it was cheap and affording anything else was impossible.
It was growing darker by the time I pulled into the lot outside the building, it was much colder now and I rushed to pick Estelle and her bag from the backseat, curling my body over hers to protect her from the weather before jogging inside the building and taking the stairs.
Once inside, I locked the door and slid the bolt for extra measure. I placed Estelle in the playpen set up in the living room and put on the TV. It was old, with a crackdown on the left side that disturbed the cartoon on the screen. Loud and happy voices came from the coco melon playing on the screen and it distracted Estelle while I rushed to the kitchen to prepare dinner for us.
I quickly washed the dishes that I left the previous night and began cooking. I boiled the pasta and cooked the chicken in a cream sauce for the pasta and sauce I was making.
Once it was ready, I placed our plates on the table then picked Estelle from the floor, and placed her in the high chair at the table before taking the chair next to her.
The next few minutes, she turned into a mess with pasta and cream smeared all over her face and chubby little hands and I struggled to keep my cheeky smile in. I ate in silence and let her shove her hand filled with food in her mouth.
I stopped eating and picked up her plate to feed her properly.
Once our plates were cleared and washed, I switched off the TV and lights before getting Estelle and me ready for bed.
In the bedroom, it was dark and it had begun raining as I cradled my daughter to my chest. She curled into me, snuggling her face against my chest before letting out a little yawn.
It didn't take long for her to go right to sleep as I rocked her, and I got comfortable, placing the cover over us.
My eyes got heavier the more I thought about how it has only ever been Estelle and I against the world.
The last thing that flashed through my closed eyes as I drifted off, was a pair of piercing blue eyes.
And I then realized how much trouble Mr stranger was.
KAYLA’S POV Saturday comprised me going to Target to get a few food items for Estelle and I, a new vase for the pretty Daffodil flowers my old witty neighbor, Mrs. Winfield, gifted me in the wee hours of the day, and a few clothes for Estelle with the money her great-grandma sent on Monday - money that was forced into my hands. I then used the same money to pay a guy I met on the street who fixed the leaking ceiling in the bathroom and also the heater, I had given the scrawny-looking guy, who reeked of a mixture of weed and something pungent, a funny look and he gave me a crooked smile, show-casing stained brown teeth. "You're in safe hands, don't worry." He had said when he noticed my stare. And with how perfectly everything worked now, he did a pretty splendid job for a low cost. Life in this part of the town had its perks if you thought about it. After that, I got us both ready for the day, I dressed Estelle up in a green cottage swing dress and a sweater for the chilly even
I breathed out as I hurriedly tried to make coffee, no cream, for the graying old man standing impatiently across the counter. Sweat trickled down my back as his glare turned harsher. He muttered out a "Finally" when I passed the plastic cup to him before slamming his money on the counter. I gave him his change, and he rushed out like the cafe was on fire. This was a normal Monday morning in the cafe for me. Delilah snorted, and I turned to look at her. "You have the friendliest customers." She deadpanned, trying so hard not to laugh at the whole scene. "He seemed like such a sweet soul, that one." "They can be really intimidating. I got anxiety alone from trying to make his coffee." I chuckled nervously. "All back. No cream." Delilah said mockingly, imitating his grating voice, and I laughed. She wiped off the syrup on the corner of her lips. "Your waffles taste so good, by the way. You need to open up your own cafe." "Did Josh let you come to the shady part of the town all by
KAYLA’S POV "Holy shit-balls, this place is amazing!" Dee beamed. She grabbed my hand, grabbing me through the crowded nightclub, and she made a beeline for the VIP lounge upstairs. Once we reached the bottom of the stairs, a buff bouncer stepped in front of us with a glare, and his huge biceps stretched across his chest. With a huff, Dee slipped our passes out of her clutch and passed it to him. He looked down at the passes, back at us before letting us pass through the brass stanchion. Once we reached the top of the stairs, she tightened her hold on my hand and walked us to the right part of the lounge. The VIP lounge had little lighting and the bass of the thumping music was way quieter here. With red strobing lights and a small stage where sexy strippers were slithering up and down four steel poles while hundreds of dollar bills rained down on them, it gave a different vibe from what was happening downstairs. We walked passed a group of men seated on a luxurious red cushions
I walked down the stairs and approached the VIP bouncer, asking for an exit. The burly man nodded to a black door on our right. I expressed gratitude through a smile and headed towards the door, conscious of his gaze fixed on me. Upon reaching the door, I pushed it open and stepped out into the refreshing evening air. Taking a moment to close the door behind me, I surveyed my surroundings and realized I was alone. I leaned against the wall; and let out a deep sigh, closing my eyes as I focused on my breath. "Fuck," I muttered. Today had turned out to be one of the worst days of the year, and we weren't even halfway through. It wasn't uncommon for people to make snide remarks about my financial struggles and being a single mother. Their disdain was all too familiar, even when I tried calmly to explain the circumstances. They often placed the blame solely on me. I wasn't stupid to say that Aidan alone was at fault. Even I recognized my own faults in the situation. The desire to rebe
We rounded the corner, and he guided into his waiting car. I didn't falter.Didn't utter a peep even when I climbed into the vehicle, and neatly tucked my knees together. I held my breath as I waited for him to get in beside me in the backseat. The minute he stepped in and clicked his seatbelt, the driver set off. The car got onto the road and the privacy screen went up. I looked to the side to find him rapping his knuckles against his knee, and it did not surprise me when I found his gaze on me. "Did you come to the club with anyone?" He asked, and it seemed I had forgotten how good he sounded because his stunned me. It was low and raspy, and husky, and it made me think about sex. Not just mediocre sex, but the best sex.Toe-curling, nails-breaking-in-the-sheets sex. Sex so fucking good you wouldn't walk the next day. Sex so hot, my current temperature was going to pale in comparison, and that was saying something because my temperature was hot as hell.Sex that I, unfortun
I laid back down, spread open my legs, slipped my hands down and parted my folds with them, showing him my wet opening.He looked at me for endless moments; our gazes trained on each other before he broke it and trailed his eyes down my body. The further he went, the darker his blue orbs got.He moved to the edge of the bed, and leaned into me, placing his hand next to me head. He used the other hand to wrap around neck and I whimpered when his gaze turned harsher and he tightened his hold a little.I had no clue why I found that so hot.He trailed that hand to my globes of my breast, trailed a finger around my areola and tugged hard on my nipple.My breathing came out as gasps and he locked his gaze on mine once again. "You want more?"I half-mewled my answer, "Yes."He got to work.Tugging and tweaking the hard points until I was soaking the sheet below me, and I was begging. I didn't know what I was pleading for. For him to stop or to make it hurt more, I had no fucking clue.He sl
The sound of the door shutting close jolted me awake.I woke up to find myself on the softest bed I had ever laid on in my twenty-one years of life.The black duvet was flung over the lower half of my body, and one of my ass cheeks was out on display since I was lying on my stomach with one of my leg arched high.I groaned as I struggled to open my eyes."Shit," I hissed. The light filtering into the room through the uncovered windows seemed way too bright for the morning.As my eyes adjusted to it, I made a quick perusal of the unfamiliar room and I groaned and closed my eyes as the memories of last night came flooding in.The dull ache in my head told me I'd had one too many drinks. With my eyes still closed, I took in a deep breath and his scent and the smell of sex filled my nostrils.I didn't believe in natural scents or pheromones until I scented his delicious essence. And right now? I wanted to breathe and live in it.The smell of sex reminded me of the night before.Of how he
"What?" Dee shrieked. Her smile dropped from her face as she stared. She leaned across the wooden table and snatched the small phone from my hands.The more she read, the wider her eyes got. "What the hell?" She muttered, "Why? They gave no reason whatsoever."I stopped listening to whatever she said after that.I was struggling to get a hold of myself.Working at the Cafe barely settled all of my needs, but it did get some of them out of the way.I stopped working at the bar a long time ago, and after having Estelle I got a job at the Cafe to settle some things.I dealt with the smaller bills from the money my Grandma sent to me.I didn't realize tears were already streaming out of my face until Dee whispered, "Aw, don't cry Kay-Kay. I'm sure they have a reason for letting you go." She reached over to grab my hands before saying, "Let's go there right now. I'm sure old Maggy wouldn't intentionally hurt you."I looked at her, past the blurriness of my eyes. "I-I don't know where to go