Sucker Punched (Resilient Hearts Series Book One 1) (4 page)

It’s all starting to feel a little strained. “I thought she was your girlfriend or maybe it was your birthday and someone hired you a stripper. I felt bad interrupting your lap dance.” I joke, trying to lighten the mood, which seems to work, until three of his large strides later, he’s in front of me. My back is pushed up against the counter, and with his arms either side of mine, he pins me in. My legs go weak, so I have to grasp his huge arms to stop myself from falling. His face is so close to mine that I can feel his breath skating across my cheek. The scent of his aftershave is so good. Beth always says to make sure to sniff a potential date. I have no idea why; she’s weird like that. I can’t look at him this close; it’s all so intense.

He clears his throat, as if being this close to me is affecting him also. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”

He dips his head in close, and I know he’s going to kiss me. I’m worried because I think I will let him. “It’s none of my business whether you do or don’t,” I whisper.

I hear a throat being cleared from the doorway. “Caitlin, I’m sorry to interrupt you, but it’s getting busy again, and I could really use your help out here,” Kiaya says. I can see she regrets asking me, but now that the lure of his charm has been broken, and I’m relieved. Ethan was about to kiss me, but it’s really not a good idea right now. It’s only been a matter of months since escaping the most fucked up relationship of my life, and I need more time to get over it.

Ethan hasn’t moved a muscle and still maintains eye contact. “I’m working tonight, but can I see you tomorrow?” I snap out of the spell he just had me under.
What am I doing?
See him tomorrow? No way, I can’t do that, so I lie.

“Sorry, I can’t do tomorrow; I need to help my neighbor, Grace, run some errands.”

“Well, how about Sunday then?”

This man may be my dream come true and just the person to pull me from the nightmare I struggle with every day, but I’m far from ready to let him into my life. I’m just going to have to lay it out there for him, be honest. I move out of his arms and back up towards the door. ”Look, I’m sorry but it’s not a good idea. Bye.” I hurry into the shop, leaving him standing there, alone.

I feel like a massive bitch.

The pungent aroma of coffee hits my senses as I go back behind the counter after bolting from Ethan. I busy myself with orders trying, but not succeeding, to forget the fact that Ethan is still in the back room. Ten minutes after I walked out on him, he must have realized I wasn’t coming back. The door swings open taking Kiaya by surprise and nearly knocking her flying.

“Sorry,” Ethan mumbles to her before storming out of the shop, not looking at me, and not saying another word. I don’t see him again for the rest of the day.

I have mixed emotions about this fact. On one hand, I’m relieved. I needed to get away from him and gather my thoughts before I do something I may regret. It isn’t going to take much for me to lose control with him and give into my desires, which I know can’t happen for many reasons. It’s fast becoming an awkward situation that seems to get worse and more intense each time I’m around him. On the other hand, I want to see him. I’m going to have to admit to myself I do like him, but I’ll keep that revelation private for now, if not forever. It’s better for everyone if I stay far away from Ethan Kendricks.

The rest of my weekend I spend isolated away in my apartment, so it goes by without any drama, thankfully. Ok, so I’d locked myself inside my apartment, that way I couldn’t bump into anyone. It was lovely, peaceful, and quiet with just me and my Kindle. Monday morning comes around all too quickly. I decide I need to devise a plan to keep my distance from Ethan without being rude. I will do my best not to be alone with him. If I bump into him and have to talk, I will say
hello
—even make small talk if needed, but that will be it. And under no circumstances will there be any kissing.

FIVE

Caitlin             

Three times I find myself at the gym and alone with Ethan over the next couple of weeks. He always manages to time it just right, coming out of his office just before I enter the room to train. I always follow the plan, a simple
hello
and leave. Every time I do this, the look of disappointment and rejection he gives twists at my stomach, but I tell myself it’s for the best. This is a brilliant but simple plan, and it works well. Right up until Ethan devises his own plan. The sneaky bastard!

My weekend has yet again been peaceful and quiet, but the dreaded Monday morning has come around too quickly. Meeting Kiaya in the parking lot, we walk into the shop together. Len has opened up and is already sitting at his booth in the far corner, his earphones firmly in place. Len waves but says nothing as we busy ourselves switching on the coffee machines and other appliances, and then begin setting up for the day. The morning rush begins, and it is a particularly busy shift.

Over the last week, Ethan has taken to coming in every morning while I try my best to keep away from him. It takes all my willpower to keep to the plan, and it’s getting harder by the second. He seems to grow better looking every single day, if that’s even possible. Every time I think of giving in, I see Stephen’s face, and my resolve hardens. My counselor recommends it’s time to start letting people in. I promise to try, but it’s easier said than done. Trusting anyone, let alone a man, is not going to be easy for me. Even the thought of it utterly terrifies me. For weeks now I have worked so hard at keeping my distance from Ethan, but when the morning rush comes and goes, I actually find myself looking for him. Disappointment washes over me when he never shows up.

The shop always gets quieter around 10:30, about an hour before the lunch rush. So at 10:30 a.m. on the dot, Len, who has paid no attention to us all morning, suddenly says, “Caitlin, by the till is a coffee order for the guys at the gym. Can you make it up and take it over, please?”

What?
“Since when do we make deliveries?” I ask, trying to make a joke of it, but there’s nothing funny about it. Not at all.

“Since Ethan started paying a fee on top of the coffee bill. Can’t say no,” he replies, still reading his paper.

I huff out a long breath. “Can’t Kiaya do it?” I plead. “You wouldn’t mind would you Kiaya?” I ask, crossing my fingers behind my back.

Kiaya begins to say she won’t mind doing it, but Len butts in. “They’re paying for you.”

I think steam comes out of my ears, if that’s even possible. “What? I’m not property; you can’t just sell me, Len.” To say I’m seething is a massive understatement. I’ll never be anyone’s property to command again.

This comment seems to get all of Len’s attention because now he’s staring at me, seemingly regretful. “Well, Caitlin, if I had known you’d get this upset delivering coffee, I would never have said yes. Ethan has already paid up for this week, but if it’s too much for you then I’ll just give it back.”

“How much is he paying?” I ask, a little curious.

“A hundred bucks a week on top of the coffee. I was going to split it between you and Kiaya.”

“Really?” says Kiaya, sounding hopeful. Well, I didn’t expect him to do that.

I don’t care about the money, but I don’t want to take easy money away from Kiaya either. I know it’s a trick to get me alone, and Ethan thinks he’s being clever. I’ll have to be clever, too, and stay one step ahead of him. How hard can it be?

“Ok,” I finally say walking over to the till as I begin to make the order.

Although I have agreed, I’m still fuming. If Ethan Kendricks thinks he’s going to get away with this, he is sadly mistaken!

Ethan

I’m focused on the security monitor as I anticipate the arrival of my sexy as sin delivery girl, Caitlin. I haven’t been able to concentrate on anything all morning, and the time has dragged on. I can barely contain my grin or the bulge in my pants as I imagine those long legs of hers wrapped around me. She’s a tough one to crack, I’ll give her that, but I’ve never been one to give up easily.

Spotting movement on one of the security cameras, it alerts me that Caitlin is making her way into the gym, and she’s carrying my coffee. I can’t help chuckling; this is probably really pissing her off, but I can deal with her. For some reason I can’t seem to fathom, she just won’t get out of my head. If having her deliver refreshments the rest of my sorry life is the only way to see her, then so be it.

I have given Roman and Asher strict instructions to send Caitlin up when she arrives, so I lean back in my chair and wait. Five minutes later, I begin wondering what the hell is taking so long until finally, movement flashes across the camera screen. It’s Caitlin, and she has a huge smirk on her face. Waving up to the camera as she struts next door, her ass sways seductively with an empty carrier in her hand. What the hell? Where’s my coffee?

Not long after, Roman walks into my office, grinning from ear to ear and holding a coffee cup. I’m disappointed she hasn’t brought it up herself.

“Is that my drink? I told you to send Caitlin up,” I snap at him, my good mood growing increasingly sour by the second.

Roman flops into the chair opposite me with a thud. He’s looking so smug it pisses me off. “Nope this is my coffee; you’re not getting any,” he says, taking a sip.

“What the hell do you mean I’m not getting any?” My voice raises. “I paid for her to deliver three coffees to me, here.” Stabbing my finger on the screen I continue with my rant. “That was Caitlin I just saw walking in with three cups, so where the hell is my drink?”

Roman chuckles. “I told you this was a stupid idea, brother. She brought the drinks here, and you’re correct; there were three of them. According to her, that’s all she was instructed to do.”

I’m trying my best to hold in my frustration when I demand to know where the hell my drink is. In all honesty, I don’t give a shit about my coffee; it’s Caitlin I want.             

“You and Asher don’t get one,” he says with a shrug, taking another sip. “Caitlin said I’m the only nice one. So I got one, and the other two drinks she’s given to a couple of members downstairs.” He doesn’t even have the decency to hide his amusement.

I’m done talking about this with Roman. Sliding my chair back with an ear-shattering screech; I stand up, grab my phone, and stomp out of the office. I want my coffee, and I want to see Caitlin. Yes, I’m fully aware I’m acting like a spoiled brat, but I can’t bring myself to care. I can’t work her out. One minute she’s shy and awkward, and the next she takes no shit. I don’t care which of her personalities I’m about to be greeted with, either is hot as hell.

I see the exact moment it registers with her that I’m making my way over. It’s a look of pure horror, and then she’s running to the back. This shit has to stop; I have no clue why she’s avoiding me. I want answers, and I don’t think it’s too much to ask. I march right past the counter as Kiaya calls to me, something about only staff being allowed back there, but I ignore her. I pass Len and say over my shoulder while continuing on, “I didn’t get my coffee. Caitlin and I need to talk.” I don’t wait for his reply.

When I enter the back room, Caitlin is standing at the far corner of the room. I’m crazy for this woman. I’m also angry, and it’s not because I’m thirsty. It’s her avoidance that’s leaving me frustrated. But the look of complete terror on her face and seeing her body tremble stop me dead in my tracks.

“I’m sorry about the order, but you can’t buy me,” she chokes out, trying to sound confident but failing miserably.

I was about to give this girl a piece of my mind, but now I feel an overwhelming need to protect her even though I have no idea what from. Maybe she feels she needs protecting from me. That thought makes me feel like shit. Taking a calming breath, I try to compose myself.

“I’m sorry, Caitlin. The last thing I wanted to do was upset or scare you. I just really wanted to see you. That’s all.”

She relaxes a little but stays firmly in place, her eyes wary as she asks, “Why do you want to see me so badly?”

She looks terrified, and that’s the last thing I want. If I tell her I can’t get rid of the mental image of her naked and moaning underneath me, it may not help matters. So I omit that part when I say, “I’m not sure what I did to make you dislike me, so I was hoping to get a second chance to make things right.”

She frowns as she bites at her fingernails. “It’s not that I dislike you; I’m just a private person who likes to keep to herself.”

I can tell now is not the time to push her. She looks like a deer caught in the headlights. It’s best if I leave her alone, for now. “I see. I’m sorry I upset you; that wasn’t my intention.”

Caitlin is tall and athletic in her build, but backed up cowering into the far corner, she looks so small and vulnerable. It’s obvious there’s a lot more to her story, and it can’t be just because of me that she’s become so upset. Well, I hope it’s not all on me. She gives me a sad smile.

“Ok, I’m sorry for being so standoffish. I promise I’ll bring your coffee tomorrow.”

“You don’t have to do that.”             

“No, you paid for it. I’ll see you tomorrow,” she insists, but still keeps her distance.

It may make me an asshole, but I don’t refuse her offer. I want to see her again.

The next morning as the ticking of my clock alerts me it’s 10:30, I can’t keep my eyes away from the monitor. This time, Caitlin sticks to her word. As I see her enter the building, I revert back to a teenage boy when the nerves hit hard. I quickly check my hair and breath. Shortly after, there’s a gentle knock at my door. When she enters Caitlin says, “Hi, here’s your drink.”

I manage out, “Thanks,” in return. She quickly crosses my room and places the hot beverage on my desk. With that and an awkward half-smile, she’s gone.

It’s the same routine every day, until we get to Friday.

The storeroom at the back of the gym is a mess, and Donnie and I have the pleasure of cleaning it up. If something breaks, it gets packed away in here. By the looks of it, we have a few years of broken equipment to either fix or take to the dump. We manage to mend two broken treadmills. Some other stuff that’s not worth fixing is chucked in the back of my truck, when we hear a cough in the doorway. It’s Caitlin, looking stunning as usual with those legs that go for miles. What I wouldn’t do to have this woman feel comfortable around me so I could at least take her out sometime. Every day she appears to gain confidence in me, even if she’s still a little quiet. It probably helps I have stopped trying to get in her pants, like I did every other time before this week.

“Hi, Ethan. Roman asked me to bring your order back here. I brought you a muffin, too.” Her face shows a slight blush as she moves inside the room. “Sorry, Donnie. I didn’t know you would be back here. What would you like? I can go and grab you something.”

“It’s ok, Caitlin. Ethan brought me breakfast today when he picked me up.” Donnie says, as he continues to work on tightening a bolt.

“That was nice of you,” she directs to me.

“You sound surprised that I was nice,” I joke.

“Oh no, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that,” she stutters, looking embarrassed.

“Ethan’s the nicest person I know, and my best friend,” Donnie proudly states.

Caitlin smiles at me but says nothing. You could hear a pin drop. This is not the first time Donnie has said this; he’s a great kid. The truth is, I’m the lucky one.

Caitlin’s still looking at me when the most entrancing smile graces her face. She’s so beautiful, and she has no clue. God, I’ve got to get a grip. Whenever she’s around I can’t seem to think straight.

“You’re very lucky then,” she mentions to Donnie, but her eyes are still on mine, shocking the hell out of me. It’s the first time she’s ever said anything nice about me, and it seems genuine, too.

Donnie’s already focused back on his work, so he ignores her comment. “Don’t take it personally; he loves to fix things. It takes all his attention.”

She laughs, and I wish I could record that sound to listen to it over and over again. Caitlin sits on the edge of a table.

“You’re very good with him.” She’s let herself truly relax in my company for the first time.

“He’s a good guy. People can be shit to him, and that doesn’t sit right with me.”

She’s lost in thought and looks conflicted, but after a moment of watching Donnie engrossed in his task, I ask, “So, how are you finding living in Philly?” Caitlin doesn’t converse with me ever, and I secretly cross my fingers behind my back, hoping that this won’t make her run for the hills.

“It’s good, thanks. Everyone has been really welcoming to me. In fact, I’m going out tomorrow with Kiaya for a girly day. I’m really looking forward to it.”

I’m so shocked she’s finally talking to me that I lose the ability the talk back. Before I manage a reply, she jumps off the table.

“I better get back to work, Ethan. Len wants to know if you want the deliveries next week, too.”