RHYLIE
Rushing out the door loaded down with all the baked goods, I look around the yard and notice I have to cut the grass soon. Maybe I can get Mason to do it for me on his day off. I'm still living in my childhood home after our parents died. We couldn't bare to sell it because of all the memories it holds. It's a beautiful four-bedroom home with a wrap-around porch. It has a swing that I love to relax on and catch up on my latest romance novel. I'm so lost in my thoughts with a mental list of things I need to get done, I fail to see my obsession before I hear him. And let me tell you, his voice is pure sex. Like you can sit and listen to him talk for hours.
“Morning Rhylie, let me help you with those”
I just stand there with my mouth open while he takes the bags from my hands and brings them to my car. Making sure I don't have drool on my face, I watch him walk away and let out a little whimper, that I’m hoping he doesn’t hear. Watching his ass that I’m sure you can bounce a quarter off of. He definitely doesn't skip a squat day. God, he’s so hot! When I saw Lucas moving in next door a year ago, I stood in my window and watched him lift his heavy boxes and felt no shame until my brother caught me watching. I got so embarrassed at being caught by Mason, that I hid for the rest of the day. Refusing to even answer the door to my brother who no doubt just wanted to laugh at me some more. He’s so hot and every girls fantasy, 6’4, 200 pounds of pure muscle and served in the Army with my brother before settling down here. Tattoos everywhere that give him the bad boy vibe and a killer smile to die for. He owns the bike shop Blackwood Customs across from Naughty Beans and on a daily basis I get to eye fuck him in secret. Finding the courage I finally look up and what I see steals my breath. Lucas is standing in front of me. I didn’t even see him move. I really need to stop spacing out so much.
“ Thank you for the help Lucas, I’m running a little behind today”
I hope that didn’t sound as breathless as I think it did. But from the smirk he's giving me, I know it did. Kill me now.
Winking back at me with his killer smile he walks away, gets on his Harley, and speeds off. I stand there like the idiot I am, watching him till I can no longer see him. Fuck, I’m late now Faith is going to kill me.
Pushing through the door to Naughty Beans Cafe I'm greeted by the greatest smell on earth, freshly brewed coffee. There’s nothing like the smell and it brings a smile to my face. I’m known for the best coffee in our little town and I couldn’t be happier with how my business has taken off. It’s why I wanted to try out the baked goods to give people something else to love when they come here. The more business the better, plus who doesn’t like a sweet treat to go with their coffee.
“You're late Rhylie, what took you so long? You were supposed to be here an hour ago”
I look up at the voice of my best friend Faith. We’ve known each other since first grade and have been attached at the hip. She’s beautiful, short blond hair with ice blue eyes and a heart of gold. When she found out what I wanted to do she was there every step of the way. She even took a business class with me to get an idea of what it all entails. What she doesn’t know is that I plan to offer her a partnership in the Cafe which will be my Christmas present to her this year. I can’t wait to see her face. I don’t know what I would do without her. She’s done so much for me when I lost my parents. Now she's dealing with her sick mom, trying to do everything she can for her but it hasn't been easy. She's gotten a nurse for when she can't be there but I know it's taking its toll on her.
“Sorry Faith, I got distracted this morning. I didn’t get much sleep last night with baking. I’m going to have to hire someone who can do the baking part-time or this won’t work.”
Putting down the baked goods, I start to put them in the display case I set up last night with my brothers help. I have everything from muffins, brownies, cookies, and cupcakes. I’ve worked hard to perfect those recipes over the years with my moms help and it’s time to test them out on the town. I don’t bother telling her about my run-in with Lucas because she doesn’t understand why I won’t just grow a pair and ask him out myself. Not that she has room to talk because she lusts after my brother though she hasn’t come out and said it. But me asking Lucas out, as if that is ever going to happen. Knowing me I’d probably say something stupid and embarrass myself. I’m such a spaz most days. I’m 5’2 with long black hair, green eyes, and curves. I highly doubt I’m his type. I choose comfort over dresses and definitely don’t do heels. I'm a walking disaster with flats on a good day. I don’t need any broken bones. Been there done that, never again!.
“Earth to Rhylie, daydreaming about a sexy biker again?” I look up to my bestie and see she has the biggest smile on her face. Narrowing my eyes at her.
“I have no idea what you're talking about Faith. I don’t have a crush on Lucas”. Deny, deny, deny. If she can do it with my brother, so can I.
“ Who said I was talking about Lucas?”
Dammit I walked right into that one. Grinning like the loon she is, she continues to talk as if I’m not planning her murder. Must not kill bestie, must not kill bestie.
“ I don’t know what the big deal is, just go up to him and ask him to dinner. What's the worst that can happen? I see how he looks at you when you're not looking”.
I hear the bell on the door but with my back turned I don’t see who walks in. But with my luck I really should have because the next thing out of my mouth wouldn’t have been.....
“ Look at me Faith, I don’t exactly fit the bill. There’s no way I’m putting myself out there to be shot down, it’s not happening.”
Then I hear his voice and I go red as a tomato while giving Faith the evil eye for not warning me. I’m so getting her back for this one. Wait till she wants to hide when Mason stops by, see if I help her again. Payback my dear bestie is a bitch.
“If someone doesn’t see you for who you are, they aren’t worth your time. Fuck them it’s their loss Ry besides you deserve the world.”
Turning around to face the object of my obsession I plaster on a smile.
“ What can I get you Lucas, the usual for you and Damon?” Because I’m totally not going to respond to what he said, I've embarrassed myself enough for one day.
Giving me a look I’ve never seen before he says:
“Yes please Ry, and I’ll also take two of each of your baked goods. Smelling them while carrying them to your car this morning it’s all I’ve been thinking about”
Is it just me or did something just pass between us? I don’t think he was talking about my sweet treats. Shaking my head at my crazy thoughts, I get his coffee order and box up his treats. Giving me his signature wink he walks back to his shop, all the while I’m staring at his ass. At the last minute, he looks back and catches me checking him out. I can hear Faith dying of laughter at me being caught watching him. OMG kill me now, he’s now full out grinning and something tells me I’m in so much trouble when it comes to Lucas Blackwood. And a part of me can’t wait to see it play out.
