Chapter 8.

POV: Coffee Date

Laila entered the coffee shop then made her way to the counter. “I'll have a large macha, full fat, and extra shot espresso and extra whipped topping please.

A warm voice echoed the heat of the body of the man leaning over to whisper in her ear, “you like creamy things. Good to know.”

“She giggled at the flirty voice and turned her head a fraction to meet the dark eyes she'd been fixating on for the last several days. “Nichol, nice to see you in the flesh again.” She eagerly ogled said flesh to toe.

“I can arrange for you to see my flesh in full,” he teased boldly. “Bring the whip cream. Not the hot coffee though. It could burn me. I'm not into pain.”

She laughed as he winked then ordered for a large black coffee and then paid for both of their drinks. Leaning against the counter as she waited for her coffee, she stared at him. She had seen him walk in the restaurant a week before and had noted his height. But standing this close to him, he was indeed a very tall man. He was also very well put together. His suit was tailored to his frame, and knowing Merlin’s penchant for expensive suits, she knew that the one he was wearing puts all the ones in Merlin's closet to shame. This man was on an entirely different plane altogether. Poised and polished, this was a version of a man Merlin was striving to achieve and he'd miss the mark altogether. She wondered how he would feel to know for the several days he had been her muse.

“You are ogling me, Laila.” He called out with a smirk. “Don't stop, I like it.”

She gave him a bold once over and sighed wistfully, "I'm an artist,” Nichol. I appreciate the finer things in life and you sir, are fine.”

He threw his head back and laughed loudly at her comment, drawing stares from other patrons of the coffee shop. “Laila, you're too much, and I love it. Come let's go sit and have a chat, you sweat, wonderful flirt.”

He extended his hand and she put hers into it and discreetly put a thumb drive between their palms. He raised an eyebrow at her actions but didn't release his hand until they sat down.

“How old are you?” She asked him as they took their seats, and she palmed her coffee cup. The warmth of it had nothing on the way he was studying her. She knew she had her hair in a messy bun and her clothes were appropriate for nothing more than dabbing in her pants yet, he was staring at her as if she was naked and she was enjoying the view. For the first time since she met Merlin Williams, she had a strong desire for another man, and it was tittiling.

“Thirfty-seven,” he answered.”

“I'm twenty-six.” She smiled as she looked happily at her coffee. She swiped her tongue out and licked the topping off.

“I know,” He grinned as he leaned back in his chair opposite her and stretched his legs out under the table, catching her feet between his calves.

“I checked.”

“Do you have kids?” She asked.”

“No.” He made a face,” haven't met anyone I wanted to have a family with. “I've had relationships which have run their courses but never felt the urge to recreate. I do like to practice though. “He stared hard at her and smirked when she wriggled in her seat.

She tried not to know how he practiced and gave up deciding she liked the imagery in her head. “I don't have kids either. I wanted a big family. At least three or four kids. My ex-husband said no kids until he was made CEO. He agreed if it didn't happen at the time he was thirsty -five, we could start.” She shrugged, “I'm incredibly grateful that we waited now.

“Perfect family?” How many boys and girls do you want?” He diverted her from the topic of Merlin.

“I'd like two boys and two girls, but really it doesn't matter to me. I will be a mom, I need to find the right guy first.”

Why be with a man who forces you to put your dream on hold for he’s?” Nicole asked bluntly.”

“I loved him.”

“Why?” He sneered, “he's got a rat face and he has the personality of a rock.

“People fall in love for all kinds of reasons, Nicole.”

“How did you meet him?” Did he save your life? Did you save him? Gratitude? It has be pity for you to sleep with him. He teased her as he sipped his coffee.

“Rose, Janka and I,” she paused with the retelling they're my best friends, went to celebrate getting into law school. We were twenty. She's gifted and had her BA completed and had gotten accepted. We celebrate by going to this fancy-ass restaurant we couldn't really afford. We didn't know the soup spoon from the salad fork.” She laughed at the memory. “Merlin was at the next table, and he gave me instructions and by the end of the night, I had given him my number. He was the perfect gentleman and nothing like the other guys in college. I'd hangout with artists and musicians, and he was refined and polished. He took me to gallery openings which were more fancier than anything I had ever seen and would tell me things such as how it would be someday with my art on the fancy walls. Eventually, I was putting my goals on hold. Once he made his come through, we could focus on mine. He has an image and present, and he'd buy my clothes and taught me manners far better than better than my mom ever did. He used to say we help each one be the best version of ourselves. The truth is he was molding me into his perfect wife, and I was nothing more than an arm candy.” But, she admitted quietly, “I loved him. I would have then anything for him because that's who I am as a person. When I love, I'm all in. I don't only love the best part of someone, I love all of them, the good, the bad and the ugly.”

“You're very passionate.” He said, he's dark eyes boring into hers. It's not a bad trait but it can be dangerous, because it can make you blind.”

“My dad,” She nodded. “I'm very much like my dad. He died when I was young. He jumped into life with both feet. The family always said you knew you were loved by him from a glance. He could make you feel special with a careful worded comment. “I always wanted to be as lovely as he was.”

She felt her lips curled,” but if you pissed him off or crossed, you wouldn't want to suffer the consequences. He was an all-or nothing man. If you crossed him. I will not tolerate being made a fool. His family too is very much like him.”

“They must be thrilled with your sister then?”

“They have all shunned her. She and Merlin got married on Saturday. My mom was the only family member in attendance. Not one of my many aunties, Uncles, or cousins showed up. She blamed me but they know how my dad would have reacted.

“Your mom went?”

“Yeah.” She felt bad for her because she's all alone now, but she knew what she was doing. She cheated with my husband on her wedding day and got pregnant.”

“No!” You didn't tell me it was her wedding.”

“It was,” she shook her head. “Moral of an alley cat.” She looked to his pocket meanfully, “anyways, like my dad, I burn bridges. I'm done with him, but I want him to pay. He wants to be CEO by thirty-five. I hope you find a way so he can't make it to the manager of a fast-food joint by sixty.”

“He laughed.” Laila, you and I are remarkably similar. I too, I'm a very passionate person. I love ferocity. My family means everything to me. I would do anything for them. Cross me though, and I'll rip your heart out and feed it to you while keeping you alive just for the fuck of it.

“Yikes,” She made a wide eye at him. “I promise not to get on your bad side, Nicole.” I only want to be friends, not foes.”

“Oh, Laila.” I feel we will become much more than friends.

She blushed as he maintained eye contact and smiled wolflishly at her. Her heart skipped a bit as she considered she too, she too wanted much more. Their subject turned to other mundane topics, but her mind was stuck on his comment and all the different possibilities. It was the best coffee date she'd ever had.