She doesn’t even look up as she makes a drink for the customer. “Mila is busy. She’s working with someone on an order, so you need to give her a few minutes.”
“I thought she met with people for orders in the back booth.” I point to the empty table we sat at not too long ago.
Setting the drink on the counter, Mara gestures to the customer, then addresses me. “We were busy a while ago, so she took him back to talk in the kitchen instead. You just missed the rush.”
I ignored everything else she said after hearing the wordstook him back. Who ishimand why is he back there with my girl?
Shoving through the kitchen doors, I ignore Mara’s warning shout for me to stop. I’ll be damned if my girl is alone with some fucking guy. How dare Mara let someone back here with her like that. He could be a serial killer for all she knows, and my sweet Sunshine could be his next victim. Maybe.
Two heads whip in my direction at the sound of the door slamming against the wall. I take in Mila’s stunned expression briefly. As soon as I see she’s in one piece and okay, I turn toward the guy I’m about to rip apart. The guy who is about to be the opposite of okay.
“Who the fuck are you?” I all but snarl.
He’s a bit on the younger side with dark hair and eyes. He’s lean but not scrawny and stands a little taller than Mila. If I had to guess, he’s about five feet eight. It doesn’t matter; he could be ten feet tall, and I’d still rock his shit if he touched my girl.
“Kash!” Mila scolds me, then turns toward the interloper. “I’m so sorry, Mateo.”
“You jackass.” Mara bursts in, shoving my arm. “Are you insane?”
Whirling around to her, I narrow my eyes, “Areyouinsane? You just left her back here with some guy. Don’t you care about her safety?”
Looking around me, Mara glances at Mila. “Is he fucking serious?”
“Sadly, I think so,” she responds with a sigh.
“I think some of that ink covering your neck damaged your brain, pretty boy.” Mara jabs a finger into my chest. “That’s Mateo.”
“Who the fuck is Mateo?” I all but shout.
“Hi. I’m Mateo,” a masculine voice sounds from behind me.
Spinning around to face him, I take a step forward. “Good. Take note of that, Mara. I’m glad someone knows what name to put on his tombstone because I’m about to shove him in one of those ovens and get rid of him.”
His eyes widen briefly and then the fucker startslaughing. “Oh, Mila, I can see why you like this one. He’s entertaining. Definitely worth your time.” He has a slight accent, but I can’t place it exactly.
“I’m not sure how much I like him right now,” she deadpans, folding her arms across her chest. “What are you doing, Kash?”
“I could ask you the same thing, baby. You’re back here with this guy”—I wave in his direction—“when I know you meet with clients out there.” I point back toward the dining area.
Her eyes flare, and I suddenly realize I’ve only ever seen the angry expression currently on her face once before. It was the one she wore the night we had dinner at her parents’ house.
“I only meet the troublesome or needy clients out there,” she retorts, which is rude because she made me sit out there, twice. Just to add insult to injury, she continues, “Only the best clients get to come into the kitchen.”
Oh, I’ll come inher kitchen, after spanking her sassy little ass.
“Mateo’s family owns the best Italian restaurant in town, La Stella,” Mila explains.
I’ve heard of them. The family-owned restaurant puts anything I’ve ever attempted to make to shame. Their ravioli is so good; I could eat a tray of them and not think twice. And don’t even get me started on their cannoli.
“Not that I owe you an explanation, because I’m at work and all, but his parents’ thirtieth anniversary is in a few weeks, and he wanted to surprise them with a party and cake. I don’t do them often, but they love my lemon raspberry cake, and he wanted to order one. Do you need something right this second, or should I have Mara toss you out? After you’ve apologized of course.”
Standing in the middle of her kitchen, Mara staring at me, Mila looking mad, and Mateo looking absolutely amused, I decide that if I’m in for a penny, I’m in for a pound.
“It’s Mara’s fault. She said you were back here with some guy, and I didn’t know his intentions.”
"Good grief, Kash.” Mara grabs my arm. “You ink boys are all impossible. We’ll wait out here, Mila.”
As she all but drags me out, I turn to glare at Mateo’s stupid face one more time. “If you touch her, I promise you won’t be attending your parents’ party, or any other for that matter. I will end your existence.”
