My Jaded Love, Forbidden Love

Chapter 6

Mikayla POV

The sun feels warm against my face, and the soft breeze brushes against my skin, bringing with it the smell of my dad's roses that grew beneath the front porch; the vibrant coral color makes the yard look bright. The sound of the wooden rocking chair creaking as I rock back and forth, enjoying my morning coffee, bounces off the roof of the wraparound porch. The rich aroma of the coffee fills my senses, and I feel relaxed. The coffee tastes rich and smooth, just how my dad always made it. I watch the world pass me by, waving at the neighbors as they walk their dogs or jog past. I had forgotten how friendly everyone was at Silver Lake Falls.

“Fùck, my head is killing me.” Tripp groans as he sits down on the rail of the porch opposite me.

I take a sip of my coffee whilst eyeing my brother. To say he was wasted last night, you couldn’t tell today; his eyes looked so bright and full of life, and his face looked fresh and joyful. It was almost annoying how fresh he looked, considering the state he was in last night. If that were me, I would be green around the gills hiding in my bed until my head no longer wanted to wish me pain.

“Where are you going?” I asked, noticing he was wearing a pair of scruffy jeans and a high-vis vest.

Tripp was an accountant; he didn’t wear workwear; he wore a suit.

“Work.” He replied.

He brushed his hand through his hair whilst looking at his reflection in the window, ruffling it up. He was always vain, but I really couldn't say much; I was the same.

“Where do you work?”

“With Rafe, when I moved back, I wanted to do something different.”

My stomach dropped hearing his name. I had spent most of the night thinking of him, the way he looked at me, the way he smelled, and the way his voice sounded as my name rolled off his tongue.

“Oh, I bet that’s fun.” Rafe and my brother used to get up to all sorts of trouble when they were younger. I remember Dad going ballistic at Tripp because he and Rafe thought it would be a fun prank to steal the AV teacher's car keys and take his car for a joyride. Even then, he was always on my mind. I would be so excited when Tripp would tell me he was sleeping over, and I would deliberately walk around in my skimpy shorts, hoping he would notice me. I feel like I'm right back there again, trying so hard to get Rafe's attention.

“It’s alright actually; I quite like working with my hands.”

I could just imagine Rafe working with his hands, his big, strong, manly hands. I shook my head and cleared my throat, pushing out all those thoughts that were about to turn dirty. I had some serious issues. How could I turn an innocent conversation with my brother into Rafe's hands roaming my body?

“So did you and Rafe have a good night?” I asked, wanting to hear more about Rafe.

The sound of a car engine made me look up and past my brother. A black truck parked at the end of the path, and my heart began to race as I noticed who was sitting behind the driving wheel. Time seemed to slow as Rafe got out and walked down the garden path toward us. He wore something similar to Tripp, and I felt saliva flood my mouth. He looked ridiculously good in that vest, broad shoulders, confident stride, like some kind of walking temptation.

“Morning, Darling.” He smiled, making my stomach flutter and my heart stop beating. The way he says darling does something to my insides; I can feel them clenching with desire. How can one word make me feel so turned on?

“Good morning, Rafe.” I smile back. I can feel my cheeks heating up; what the heck was wrong with me?

“How was your first night back home?” He asked as he climbed up the stairs and sat close to Tripp on the rail. His eyes locked onto mine once again, and everything around me seemed to dim, like someone had dialled the world down just so I could see him. I couldn't hear the birds singing or Mrs. Watkins shouting at her husband to hurry up anymore, and I couldn't feel the warm breeze or smell the sweet roses. All I could smell was his aftershave, all I could hear was his voice, and all I could feel was his eyes connecting with my soul.

“You were scrèaming,” Tripp says, making the world snap back into place.

Rafe’s brows pulled together, and he leaned slightly toward me, concern flooding his face. I felt my cheeks flush; I had hoped Tripp had forgotten about my nightmare. He couldn't even walk in a straight line.

“It was just a bad dream.” I lied. “I did hear quite a few profanities coming from your room, though. I take it you both had a good night.”

Rafe’s back went rigid, his shoulders stiffened, and his eyes dropped to the porch floor. The shift in his body language was subtle, but it felt like a door slamming shut.

“It was ok. Are you ready?” He abruptly asked Tripp as he stood up; my heart sank. I didn’t want Rafe to leave; I wanted him to stay here so I could speak to him or just look at him. Fùck, I was in trouble.

“Yeah, I will just go get my stuff.”

Tripp’s boots thudded against the wooden porch. I heard the door open and close and felt excited to finally be alone with Rafe. It felt like a storm was brewing; you could feel the electricity in the air between us.

“So what have you been up to for the last 10 years, Rafe?” I asked.

His eyes locked onto mine again, and my breath caught in my throat—he actually took my breath away. I could hear the blood rushing to my ears, and my heart hammered against my chest. I was surprised he couldn’t hear it. No one had ever affected me this way before, not even Jared, and after Steven, he was my longest relationship.

“Nothing, just working and making a home.” He answered.

“Making a home?” I asked, curiosity pricking me. Tripp never mentioned Rafe being married, and I saw no ring on his finger. And even though I knew he wasn’t, I wanted to be sure.

“Yeah, I bought a plot of land just outside of town, and I built a house there. You should come see it sometime.” His eyes never left mine, and the air between us felt thick, and that slow smile that danced across his lips made my chest tighten.

“And what would your girlfriend say to that?”

His lips twitched, and my stomach fluttered; a playful look flickered in his warm brown eyes.

“I don’t have a girlfriend.” He whispered, and just like that my body ignited. God, his voice was the sexiest sound I had ever heard, but when he whispered, I would have laid down right there and then and let him take me however he liked.

“Maybe I will then.”

“I will look forward to it."

Silence filled the space between us, thick and charged. His eyes sparkled with that hint of danger, making my insides tingle. Even outside, in the open air, it felt hard to breathe. I couldn't look away from his intense gaze; I was hypnotized by the gold specks that looked so beautiful as they caught the sun's rays, like pots of pure, rich honey.

“Right, I'm ready.” Tripp declared as he stepped back onto the porch with a tool bag in his hands.

The trance shattered, and the sounds of the world around me came flooding back. I could now hear the birds tweeting along with the swooshing of the leaves on the tree; I could hear Mrs. Watkins's car driving away down the road; and I could once again smell the sweet roses and my rich coffee, but none of them compared to Rafe's manly scent.

Rafe smiled, but it wasn’t one of those smiles that you give to someone when you're being polite; this was a smile that made my whole body tingle. His smile made my whole body hum with delight, and that glint in his eyes promised mischief.

“See you later, Darling.” His voice was deep and husky and made my insides melt.

I watched Rafe walking back to his truck, enjoying the view of his fine aśs.

“Any plans for today, sweetheart?” My dad's voice startled me from my daydream. I turned to look at him to see a small smile on his face.

“I, um, no. I was going to…I need to find a job.” I stuttered, heat crawling up my neck.

His lips curled up, amused, like he knew exactly what I had been thinking. Shít.

“Rafe is a good man.” He said as he sat down on the chair next to me. My mouth dropped open. I was so obvious that even my dad knew I was fantasizing about Rafe, which meant he knew. Shìt.

“I don’t care!” I lied.

Dad’s eyebrows lifted, and his smile looked condescending, sparking my annoyance.

“John is looking for some help if you’re interested.”

“He is.” Dad nodded his head, making my annoyance vanish and my lips curve up into a beaming smile.

“Thanks, Dad. I will go see him.”

The sun feels unforgiving as I stroll across the car park and into John’s. I had forgotten how hot summers were here; I could already feel the sweat beginning to coat my forehead. I push the door open with my body, and as soon as I step inside, the cold washes over me, refreshing my body, and the urge to stay standing beneath the air conditioner is strong. But the need for a job is stronger. Inside is quiet; only a few people sit at the bar drinking. The sound of the pool balls clacking together ricochets off the beige-colored walls, which have metal beer signs and pieces of local history hung up on them. Maria comes out from the kitchen smiling at me; she is carrying a tray full of chili fries, and my mouth waters as the familiar smell drifts up into my nose. I can almost taste the scrumptious, crispy, deep-fried delicacy John's was well-known for.

“Mikayla, what are you doing here?” She asks as she puts the fries down on a table of young girls; even though this is a bar, it also serves food. Many of the kids come here during the holidays or weekends; I used to spend a lot of free time here myself. I just wish it were with better company and not Steven. He has tainted all of my happy memories, but I am determined to make new ones, happier ones, and I pray to God I make them with Rafe.

I step in further, heading for the bar where John is wiping down the dark wooden top; the smell of his citrus polish makes the bar feel fresh.

“I was wondering if you had any jobs. I can work any hours, and I have experience.”

“Are you sure you want to work here?” John asks.

“Are you kidding? I love it here; I have some of my happiest memories here with Dad, Tash, and Tripp.”

John glanced across the room at Maria. They shared a silent exchange. Then he turned back to me.

“Can you start tonight?” John asked, making me squeal and jump up and down with excitement.

“Yes, I can start tonight. What time?”

“5” Maria answers.

“I will see you at 5.”