Ever After Awaits (Layla) novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Layla POV

Tessa and 1 are having one of the best shifts to date. The patrons are all in a good mead, the tips are flowing, and we even have time for a catch–up lots and there.

I haven’t been able to tell her about the new developments in my life Le, the three hunky guys that are all vying for my attention. I’m notunistic though. that I’ll be able to give her a brief intro once the evening starts winding down.

When Cade saunters in a few hours later and throws a wink at me before he disappears into the back, Tessa immediately notices. When I can’t keep the blush from creeping up my neck along with the shy smile on my face, her eyes widen in excitement. Oh goody, Miss Nosy Pants will be interrogating me later.

The rest of our shift consists of helping customers, replacing used stock, cleaning relinquished tables, and Cade subtly flirting with me.

Every time he walks by me his hand drags across my lower back. As I reach for something on a higher–up shelf, he steps up behind me to get it for me while plastering his chest against my back, his sandalwood and grass scent rendering me temporarily mute,

There’s even a moment in the staffroom when he “corners” me. He pushes me up against one of the lockers, his left hand holding onto the side of my neck while his right hand digs into my plump hip.

The kiss starts slow and exploratory – as if he wants to memorize my taste, my reactions, and every whimper he elicits from me. But it soon turns carnal and consuming like he would rather suffocate than break contact with me.

–

My hands can’t decide between gripping the front of his shirt or combing through his hair. When my nails scrape against his scalp, the groan that climbs up his throat is guttural, and animalistic, and soaks my panties in an instant.

If the hissing of the coffee machine up front didn’t startle us, I would have most likely allowed him to take it much further, consequences be damned

Always the gentleman, he tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear, straightened my shirt, and then kissed me gently on my forehead before ushe me out the door. Looking over my shoulder just before the door closed behind me, I saw him leaning back against the lockers, his head tipped up, and ta deep calming breaths. I might have also gotten a peek at the substantial bulge in his pants.

Tessa’s mischievous grin when I returned to behind the counter suggested she knew exactly what we were up to back there. The warmth I could feel on my cheeks also didn’t help to calm her suspicions.

Later, as the last couple of patrons leave the shop, I step outside to bring in the pavement board but movement across the road catches my eye.

Straightening, I notice someone leaning against a big oak tree. It’s without a doubt the top half of his face.

a

guy: tall, muscular build, angular jaw, and even a ball cap obscuring

Under the cover of darkness, I can’t make out the person’s facial features, but I have this eerie feeling that they are looking straight at me.

Do you want to know the weird thing? His gaze doesn’t frighten me, his attention doesn’t put me on edge, and his stance isn’t one of malicious intent. I get the idea he’s only observing me – whether to glean more information or as a pseudo–guardian angel remains to be seen.

Deciding to leave him be, I pick up the board and head back inside, shutting and locking the door behind me before flipping the closed sign around.

Cade and I wait for Tessa to input the code and we all step We finish our final closing duties and go to leave via the back exit where the alarm panel; outside, waiting to hear the alarm activate and watching as Tessa makes sure all the locks are secured.

I can see the million–and–one questions in Tessa’s eyes as we saunter over to our respective cars in the back parking lot, but I have no intention of spilling all the beans in front of Cade. Girl–code prohibits it

“I saw on the schedule that you’re not working Wednesday. Do you have any plans for the afternoon?” I ask her as we stop next to her driver’s side door.

“I need supplies for a school project Mason has due next week, so I was planning on going to the hobby shop and maybe getting a mani–pedi afterward.”

“Well, if you wouldn’t mind company, I would love to join you?” Hopefully, the look in my eyes alerts her that I want to spend some alone time with her to clue her in on all my new drama.

Lucky for me, Tessa catches on and enthusiastically agrees with a little squeal and a huge hug. We

decide to finalize the details via text tomorrow before

Chapter 36: Layla POV

Cade and I watch her get in her car and leave.

Cade swings his arm over my shoulder, walking me to my car. “Whose Mason?”

“He is Tessa’s seven–year–old son. He has the chubbiest cheeks and a mop of curly hair. And even though he can be a hellion on a good day, I adore him

“And where’s his dad?“,

“He up and left Tessa while she was still pregnant with Mason. Until this day, she hasn’t heard a peep from him.”

“Shit, that’s fucked up,” Cade exclaims.

“Yeah, but Tessa has been a supermom through and through. Mason lacks nothing. And I try to babysit for her as often as possible, so she doesn’t drown underneath all her mommy duties.”

By the time I’m done speaking, we’ve reached my car. I unlock my door and toss my bag onto the passenger seat and when I turn around to say goodnight to Cade, he’s right behind me. Fortunately, my right hand is grasping the door frame, so I don’t startle and fall backward.

Cade takes advantage of my surprise and backs me into my car. His hands land on the roof, effectively caging me in.

“You keep getting more perfect by the day,” he says softly as his eyes roam every inch of my face.

“How so?” I ask breathlessly because having Cade this close to me is doing weird things to my insides stomach, my lungs have forgotten how to function as intended, and my heart skips every second beat.

–

a kaleidoscope of butterflies has taken off in my

“Not only are you beautiful, but you’re kind and generous. Not to mention caring and…” Before he can say another word, I go up onto my toes and tentatively.

He freezes for half a second before he takes over the kiss and devours me.

Chapter Comments

10