Xavier’s POV
Curious about the pretty little thing sitting next to me; distracted by the sun on her skin and watching her tuck a long strand of her brown hair back behind her ear... I don’t hear her ask the first question. Skyla clears her throat, snapping me back to reality. “Sorry, what?” I ask her.
Laughing as she repeats herself “Why does everyone call you Mathis?”
Xavier: “It’s my last name... is this a date?”
Skyla: “If it means you won’t ask that again, sure... why does everyone call you by your last name? Military?”
Xavier: “Dad’s a piece of work. Why did you agree to come out today?”
Skyla, looking down at the table with a shrug: “I guess I was tired of eating alone all the time.”
Well that wasn’t at all what I was expecting to hear, I’ve got to fix this before we go downhill any faster.
Skyla: “Any other family in town?”
Xavier: “Old man comes and goes, and Eloise... she's seventeen.” “What about you, any family nearby?”
She flinches just a bit as she considers her answer; looking down at her hands as she spins a tiny silicone ring on her left hand before finally meeting my eyes.
Skyla: “Just me. I guess we should actually go back to the basics. What is… your favorite color?’
Xavier: “Black. Favorite ice cream flavor?”
A few more back and forth questions later and I’ve learned she too loves Halloween, the color red and mint-chocolate chip icecream. Skyla favorite movies feature zombies, she hates cherries, and hiding a few tattoos. She’s definitely more relaxed now, her smile no longer faltering. She’s beautiful.
“Any girlfriends I should be aware of?”
Shrugging, “Met a girl recently actually, too soon to tell. How ‘bout you?”
She smiles.“Girls aren’t really my type. When was your last serious relationship?”
She's shocked to learn I haven't dated anyone serious in years, most relationships lasting a few months at best. I admit it's my fault, casual has just been easier.
“That’s a shame” she hums. The heat in her gaze catching me off guard. Our friendly game taking on a new tone as the bright sun of the late afternoon has faded into a warm orange glow; her amber eyes reflecting it so well. I smile as she fixes her hair again, “We better get you home, I’ve got to head off to work soon.”
She checks the time on her phone before asking me “What do you do that you have to go to work now?”
“I work at a bar on the otherside of town, usually security.”
I stand and clear the table, waving goodbye to David before offering her a hand to help her stand. I can’t hide the smile on my face as she takes it, only hesitating a moment as she looks up at me. She watches the few people still shopping and milling about. No doubt noticing the looks and whispers she’s getting for daring to be seen with one of the Mathis men.
As if sensing me tense up under the hateful stares, it’s one of those things you only pretend to get used to, she uses both her hands to lift my arm, ducking underneath to snuggle up close to my side. God, this feels perfect... like she was made for me.
She whispers “It seems you have a fan club.”
Laughing at her comment “They’re probably trying to decide if you know who you’re with, or...”
She stops cold, planting her feet. Losing my train of thought as I look down at her confused. What’s wrong? The mischievous look in her eyes catches me off guard. What are you up to?
Before I can gather my thoughts and finish what I was saying Skyla grabs the collar of my leather jacket, pulling me down, as she stretches up on her toes to press her lips to mine. Shock fades away quickly as I decide to play along.
Wrapping one arm around her waist and placing the other hand behind her head, I pull her closer, hoping to deepen the kiss. She smiles, parting her lips and inviting my tongue to meet hers. The kiss is full of lust and teasingly wicked; she giggles into my mouth as passersby gasp and groan their displeasure at our show. She breaks the kiss almost as fast as she initiated it, but doesn’t step away from my hold.
Proudly smiling, Skyla says “That should give them something to talk about for a little while.”
Narrowing my eyes “You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you?”
“I guess it’s too bad you’re off to work and we’re only a block away from my place then, isn’t it?”
Guiding her gaze back toward mine with my finger gently pressed under her chin “Any time you want to give them something to talk about just let me know.”
Leaving my arm wrapped around her waist, she doesn’t protest me holding her close as I walk her to the backdoor; she thanks me again for dinner as she punches in the key code. Wait! I catch her hand before she can disappear inside.
Leaning down and kissing the top of her head, I can’t help but laugh at myself, the move feels so cheesy now. Finally asking “Since you agreed this was a date, would you be up for a second one sometime?”
A sweet smile and playful wink have me hopeful, until she replies “Nah.”
She laughs at my, no doubt, shocked face before holding out a card towards me. A business card? Clearly recognizing the confusion on my face, she explains “My cell number is on there you adorable idiot.”
With that she’s gone inside and I’m walking back to my motorcycle; headed to The Wolf’s Den bar for my shift. Doesn’t matter how the rest of the night goes, nothing is ruining my mood.
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