Translucent (34 page)

“Macallan, if you have it.”

His response causes me to pause. It’s not every day we have someone come into Fletchers and order the most expensive bourbon we keep in stock. I let my eyes wander down his body, taking him in. Judging from his size alone, I’d guess the expensive looking suit he’s wearing has been custom tailored. Everything about his attire screams money, while the expression on his face screams trouble. The sound of a person clearing their throat drags my eyes from the man’s impressive physic back up to those mesmerizing eyes. My blush grows worse at the realization that I’ve just been caught leering at this man.

“Oh my God, I’m sorry.” I spin around and grab the bourbon from the top shelf and proceed to pour it into a tumbler.

A chuckle from deep in his chest bursts forth as I slide the tumbler across the bar to him. “It’s no problem,
bella
. I love it when a beautiful woman is affected by me. And you are absolutely breathtaking.”

The warmth that pools between my thighs at the sound of his voice has never happened before. He’s right. Everything inside of me is affected by him, and that absolutely petrifies me. The fact that I find this stranger—this
man
—so appealing brings all of my instincts to run to the forefront of my mind. I feel like I’m being pulled in two different directions. Part of me wants to run fast and far away while the other part wants to stay exactly where I am, rooted in place in front of this gorgeous man.

“Th-thank you.” I stutter before averting my gaze away from him, looking at anything and everything other than his stunning face.

“Ah, I see that I affect you even more than I thought. I’m truly flattered,
bella
.”

I have to get away from this man. My palms are beginning to sweat, and all of my instincts are beginning to war with each other the longer he stands in front of me. He’s devastating to my wellbeing. “Is there anything else I can get you, sir?”

He leans into the bar and rests his elbows on it, causing his biceps to bulge under his suit jacket. He’s even more muscular than I originally thought. This man absolutely towers over me in size and strength. That realization causes both the excitement
and
the fear I am experiencing to sky rocket. “As a matter of fact, there is. I’d love to know your name. I’m sure it’s just as lovely as the woman who owns it.”

There is no way I’m giving him my name. No matter how strong his pull seems to be, the last thing I need is for him to know anything about me. Even if it’s something as simple as my name.

I open my mouth to let him know he won’t be getting my name, but am saved by the bell when Matt chooses that very moment to come back from the stock room. “Hey, baby doll. I’m back.”
Thank god for small miracles.

I use the interruption as my escape from the man who has this strange hold on me. “I’ll send a waitress over to your table when you’re ready to settle your bill, sir. Have a nice day.” With that, I turn on my heels and rush toward the break room, not bothering to look back.

It takes several minutes, but I’m finally able to get myself under control. Once the trembling in my hands stops and the blush fades from my cheeks and neck, I feel like I’m actually able to breathe normally again. I don’t understand what’s happening to me, how can I possibly be attracted so intensely to someone I’d never seen before?

Men cause nothing but pain. Men cause nothing but pain
. I repeat the words over and over in my head as I pace the concrete floor of the break room. It’s a mantra I’ve told myself for as long as I can remember. If I never let myself forget this then I’ll never allow another man close enough to hurt me ever again. I had no choice when I was younger, but I’m no longer that little girl trapped in a world that I’m desperate to escape. I’m an adult and I finally made it out on the other side. I will never allow a man to take my choice away from me again.

Men cause nothing but pain. Men cause nothing but pain.

“I get that you’re having some sort of crisis back here, but it’s been damn near thirty minutes and it’s starting to get busy out there.”

I look up to see Matt leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest and a worried expression on his face. “Sorry, Matty.” My voice is little more than a whisper.

In two strides, he’s across the room, pulling me into his arms. “It’s okay, honey. I’m just worried about you.”

I allow myself to soak in his affection only momentarily before pulling away. “Thanks, Matt. I’m good…really. You don’t need to worry.”

Matt lets out an exasperated sigh and gives his head a shake before placing his hands on his hips. “Baby doll, no offense, but you’re so far from ’good,’ it’s not even funny. I know we haven’t known each other that long, but don’t lie to me. It’s written all over that pretty face of yours. Don’t think Carmen and I can’t see that pain you keep hidden away.”

I know he’s right. To everyone else I’m just a quiet, shy woman, but Matt and Carmen have always known something lays deeper. Luckily, they’ve let me hold on to my secrets so far, never forcing the issue. I’m beyond grateful to the both of them for that. “Matt, please…”

I don’t even have to finish my sentence, he already gets it. Holding up his hands in surrender, he replies, “I know, I know, don’t ask. I’ll let it go this time Marley, I just want you to know that I’m here for you if you ever need me. I mean that.”

My eyes brim with tears at Matt’s words. I’ve never had a true family. There’s never been anyone in my life that loved me unconditionally or worried about me. When I met Carmen and Matt I never once expected either of them to beat at the walls I’d surrounded myself with until they finally made it through. They forced their way into my life and heart, and I’m so glad they did. For the first time in my life, I finally feel like I have a family. I just wish I was able to open up to them like they want. I wish I wasn’t so broken.

“I know, Matty. And I love you for that. I just…can’t, okay?” I desperately hope he understands why I can’t confide all of my secrets. I’m so scared that if he or Carmen find out some of the things I’ve done, they’d never look at me the same. I wouldn’t be able to live with that. I’ve survived so much in my twenty-two years, but losing Matt or Carmen? That would shatter me.

Matt places his hands on my shoulders and gives them a reassuring squeeze. “Okay, baby doll, enough with the serious. Get your cute butt out there and start making those tips. College courses don’t pay for themselves, you know.”

And just like that, everything is back to normal. I’m heading out of the break room when a thought hits me, stopping me in my tracks. “Matt,” I say as I spin back around to face him. “That guy—”

“He’s already gone, Marley. It’s all good.”

I know I should feel relief, but there’s a small part of me that’s disappointed I’m not going to see him again. Oh, well. This is definitely for the best. A man like that would be destructive to my sanity. No doubt.

He hooks his arm across my shoulders and drags me out of the break room. “One of these days, baby doll. One of these days. I’m gonna get you to talk if it’s the last thing I do.”

I don’t bother telling him not to hold his breath.