Unbreakable Soldier

Rum'n'Raisin

--------Layla’s point of View--------

After my relaxing bath, in which I belted out some of my girl Kelly Clarkson. (Of course) I am dressed in denim jeans and my favourite leather jacket and ready to go to Al’s diner to get some lunch. I walk into the diner and go sit at my favourite booth. I look up just as some douche bag walks in wincing with his arm in a sling. We make eye contact as he slowly walks towards me. He is obviously in pain and it takes while for him to reach me before he speaks.

“Mind if I sit here? I won’t take up too much of your time I promise” Damon asks looking ashamed.

 He looks tired, sore and sincere. I fold my arms across my chest and shrug “It’s a free country!” He struggles to get into the booth but I make no move to help.

“Look…….. I’m real sorry about last night I was a bit s**t faced…….. That’s no excuse……. But I would never lay hands on a normal woman” he says trying to justify his actions.

“Normal woman?” I say narrowing my eyes in on him giving him a chance to explain.

“I…..ah….shit……you know….a not club w***e woman! Besides I have seen the damage you can inflict on grown ass men and I’m not stupid. It WAS however stupid of me to even try and intimidate you like that…..” he stammers out.

“Go on” I gesture for him to continue.

“So I would like to introduce myself properly and I hope to start over….. If that is ok with you?” He says sincerely and I’m down right shocked. I unfold my arms from across my chest and lean forward a little nodding at him to proceed.

“Ok right… I’m snakes but ah.. You can call me Damon if you prefer?” He holds out his hand to me and I smile. “It’s lovely to meet you Damon I’m Layla” we shake hands then he goes to stand.

“Look in took you 10 minutes to sit down the first time. I don’t mind if you stay and have some lunch” I say sweetly. He smiles big and exhales a breath he mustn’t have realized he was holding in.

Then he chuckles “Hahaha yeah it did take a while to get down and getting up is even harder so thank you layla I will accept your lunch invitation.”

I spot AL and smile with a nod yelling out “2 laylamarrees please papa”

“Papa?” Damon asks

“Yeah” I smile answering.

“What the hell are laylamarrees?” Damon seems intrigued

“My signature dish” I say proudly with a wink.

“Not trying to poison me I hope” he says dubiously.

“I thought we were starting over Damon? Besides if I wanted you dead there are far better and more fun ways to go about it” I laugh and he nervously laughs along saying “I have no doubt” He smiles. Our food comes out and it is pleasant.

“So you clearly have some training ! what are you army? Navy?” Damon asks

“Something like that” I shrug

He looks impressed as we keep chatting and eating. Turns out Damon looks after his mama as well as some club business. His mum has dementia in its later stages but that doesnt stop him from reminding her who he is daily, and I admire that.

“Now that was the best f*****g burger I have EVER had” He sits back rubbing his full belly and I do the same. “Bloody oath” He laughs and I smile when a voice interrupts us.

“Hey love …….you good?” Jase says looking between Damon and me.

“Hey Jase yeah we are great…. Have you met Damon?” I ask.

Damon nods at Jase “Jase”

Jase nods back “Damon”

There is an awkward silence for a minute when Damon pipes up “Layla was a pleasure but I should be getting back”

“Thanks for keeping me company” I smile and eventually he is up on his feet and slowly walking out of the diner. He left a $50 on the counter and I smile.

“Sooooo you are friends with him now?” Jase asks. “Starting over is what I call it” I explain.

“I take it Beast did that to him?” Jase says raising an eye brow. “Probably” I say nonchalant shrugging.

“Are you and Beast a couple?” Jase forces out.

I think to myself for a minute pondering the thought…. I mean we didn’t discuss it and I’m not 100% ok with club life…. I don’t know what we are but I do know I love him. I must be lost in my head for a while because Jase speaks up again “The answer should be a simple one Layla” Jase sounds a little flat.

“But it’s not…..I mean I know we love each other, but we don’t have a title it’s a little complicated right now.” I finally say confused a little.

“So you would be perfectly ok with him f*****g club whores?” Jase asks knowing the answer.

My eyes shoot up to his “NO I wouldn’t be ok with that, but like I said we haven’t discussed anything about a ‘relationship’ so to speak” I sound unsure.

He shifts in his seat a little and grabs my hands over the table. “Look Layla it is obvious I like you a lot…… and I want you to be happy. I want what is best for you and I don’t think THAT club life is what you really need. I’m sorry if I’m being too forward I just need you to know you have options. I am one of those options Love” He strokes my cheeks gently searching my eyes.

I smile at his sweet gesture “Jase you are hot as hell and there’s no denying our attraction….” I begin

“BUT” Jase sighs impatiently.

“But I love Beau and I may not know who or what we are yet but it would be wrong to lead you on… so for now my heart is taken. I’m sorry Jase” I say sadly… why was that so hard to say?? Why does my heart hurt when I see how disappointed he is?

“Can we still be friends love?” he asks sadly

“Of course” I smile at him.

He lifts up my hand and kisses the back of it softly. I feel a small electric current run up my arm…. What the f**k was that?? He looks into my eyes and I smile.

“How about a walk love?” I ask. “I’d love to “Jase answers.

He stands and holds out his elbow for me and I graciously loop my arm through. I pay at the counter and we head out. We are chatting and laughing when we pass by the ice-cream shop.

“Something sweet for my sweet lady” Jase says chessily.

“You read my mind kind sir” I giggle and he chuckles as we enter.

There are so many flavours to choose from. “Hey I have an idea, let me pick your flavor and you pick mine” I say excitedly. Jase smiles adding “But we can’t let the other know what we are picking!”

We walk along from opposite ends crossing in the middle before both whispering our orders to the server. She pulls a funny face and sighs as we turn our backs. “What did you get me love?” Jase asks cheekily “Shhhhhh” I hiss out. The server calls us over and we are both shocked as we say in unison “Rum’n’Raisin” we laugh as we both practically sang the flavour together. We share a smile and his eyes captivate me when he asks “How did you know it was my all time favourite?” I giggle “I didn’t I just know it’s my favourite!” we share a sweet quiet moment as we stroll down the street. We walk to the clearing by the creek and sit on the bench. This feels right and relaxing.

“So where were you before you came back here” Jase asks.

“Ahh a bit of everywhere I guess” I answer

“Were you in the army?” Jase asks genuinely interested.

“Yeah “I don’t give anything away and he chuckles “your one tough cookie Layla!”

“Cookies aren’t tough Jase” I smile at him. “It’s a saying Love!” he rolls his eyes. “Right ok sure it is” I say giggling. “IT IS!” he says loudly.

“And you? I know you weren’t born and raised here” I ask curiously.

“Oh and how do you know that?” He says raising an eyebrow.

“Because I was!! And I would have remembered you!” I smile.

“Oh would you now?” again he raises his eyebrow questioningly.

His eyes are amazing I find myself getting lost in them easily. I shake my head…

“AHA of course I’d never forget a pretty ice-cream covered face” I giggle out.

“Wha…….” Jase looks confused.

I smoosh some of my ice-cream onto his face and he looks down right adorable.

“Oh now you are in trouble!!!!” he says getting to his feet.

“Not if you can’t catch me” I say as I take off at full speed running all the way home. I’m sitting on my front steps as he comes running over to me absolutely exhausted he tackles me lightly and I am laying on my steps as he hovers over me still out of breath.

“f**k me! What are you made of?? That’s not even government issued speed!” he says between catching his breath. I let out a full bellied laugh as he pulls me back up to a sitting position.

“That was a dirty move by the way!” he says with a sexy smirk.

Our ice-creams are finished and I giggle as Jase still has some just under his jaw. I wipe it softly with my finger and lick it off. “mmmmm” I say enjoying the flavour.

“Hey…..” he says watching me lick my finger he groans a little staring at my mouth. “Come on please don’t do that “he asks barely able to contain himself. “Do what?” I ask innocently.

“Amy was right you are such a tease Layla” He says sighing running a hand through his perfect hair.

“Oh s**t yeah AIMS IS YOUR SISTER that’s pretty cool” I say casually

“Nice subject change…….but yes she is my sister and she is annoying!” he chuckles. He has a sexy deep chuckle that warms up my insides.

“I’m sorry Jase I wasn’t trying to tease you I promise…I will try to be mindful of my actions around you. I really like you Jase. I would love for us to be friends. You …….. We…….. This feels good that’s all” I say nudging his shoulder with my own.

“I would really love that Layla thank you” he nudges me back.

My body is screaming for him and it’s getting harder to keep my lips off his so I need to get away from him….it’s the right thing to do …. I love Beau!

“So I should go inside now thanks for a fun afternoon Jase. I will see you at the gym in the morning?” I ask standing abruptly.

He comes closer kissing my cheek sweetly “Yep I will be there see you tomorrow love” he steps back. My hand cups the cheek he just kissed and I feel hot all over “Bye Jase” I turn and go inside.

Once inside I close the door sighing still holding my cheek…. I need to shake him off! I go up to my room.

“I need some Kelly tunes” I say to myself. I get Google to play some tunes as I get into my room and start singing. “Guess this means you’re sorry, you’re standing at my door. Guess this means you take back all you said before. Like how much you wanted anyone but me. Said you’d never come back! But here you are again.”

*BANG*

*BANG*

*BANG*

I keep singing as I make my way to the front door….”Coz we belong together now, yeah, forever united here” “Pause please Google” I say as I open the door. Amy stands there with a wicked grin “Hey sexy”

“Hey Aims come in “I say with a smile. She comes inside and I close the door offering her a drink she takes one. We are in the kitchen and I can tell she came with a purpose.

“Spill it Aimz what’s up?” I eye her.

“I want you to teach me how to fight!” she lets it out as though she was holding it in forever.

“Why babe who is bothering you? Who do I need to kill?”I ask semi serious but she looks a little nervous..

“I just want to be stronger like you…” she says looking down

“Hey I’m happy to teach you some self defense babes” I say enthusiastically.

“Yes that would be awesome” she says excitedly.

“You sure you are ok Aimz?” I ask concerned,

“There is one more thing” she says coyly I look at her and smile gesturing her to continue.

“I love my brother so much but there is something you should know about him……” she says sounding like she doesn’t really want to say. Now I’m curious. What could it be?