Jessie had already been at work for a good hour it was now seven a.m Eric walked in about five minutes ago firing up some other machines. He ran back out to his car to grab his charger for his phone and blue tooth speaker for some light music for the back ground. Jessie didn't think no one had entered the café yet. She was so lost in her own world singing along to her phone which wasn't up that much playing Nobody by Keith Sweat. She nor Eric saw Noah, Axel, or Xavier come in and take their seats in Xaviers favorite spot. They sat quietly as they watched her dance around so consumed in her own world with a voice of an angel. That was until the door opened to revealing Eric an dLexi starring at her. Jess looked straight at them none of them skipping a beat.
"Who can treat you like me?" Jessie sang in a sexy voice loudly to them. "Nobody." "Who can give you what you need?" Eric sang back. "Nobody." Who can love you all night long?" Lexi sang out. "Nobody baby." They all started laughing with each other until they heard clapping to the side of the café and the jaws dropped. "Oh look people. Good morning. Gentlemen we'll be right with you." Eric said happily as he took a skip to behind the counter to give Jessie a kiss on the head. "You have the voice of an angel my little dove." He said as he turned and washed his hands. The men actually got up to come order at the counter. "Good morning boys, Xavier." "Good morning. He's right you got the voice of an angel. It was pretty cool seeing you be so free like that in your own element." "Uh thank you. I didn't know you guys came in here I'm so sorry if you had to wait." "No, we enjoyed the show, beside we have plenty of time no where special to be." Noah said smiling deeply. Catching a glimpse of Eric still dancing around a little bit still singing to the ending of the song. "I'm Noah by the way Noah Bently. Nice to meet you Jessenia. This Beast here goes on and on about you it's nice to have a face to the name." Xavier elbowed Noah's side. Having him humble over a little coughing still laughing causing Axel to smile deeply. "Oh well, nice to meet you Noah. I hope you heard good things." She said winking to Xavier.
"Well if we going to be out to embarrass me might as well keep this train going and introduce you to me cousin and other best friend. Axel Graves" Hand shakes went around. "Well it's nice to meet you all but I have to run to the office so be a babe and grab me a muffin for the way?" Lexi asked pouting with a please look. "Sure thing doll." Jess said winking back at her. "You live down the way from don't you?" Lexi asked. "ya I do actually. Didn't think you noticed me." Axel said a little surprised. "Ya ok, we gotta shut her mouth so she don't catch no flies when you go outside." Eric said with a chuckle. After rewashing his hands. "Hey Eric I think the oven needs to be checked." Lexi snapped as everyone all laughed. Causing both Axel and Lexi to blush.
"You need a napkin maybe, might got a little drool right here." Axel said playful wiping the corner of her mouth. "Alright enough of all that. Thank you for my muffin. I'm out before y'all find a way to make this worse." Lexi said throwing her peace up behind walking to the door. "Hey you walking?" "Ya I usually walk to work and here because it's all rally close by." "would you mind if I walked you?" Axel asked with a little bit of hope in his eyes and sweat down his palms. "If you sure, I wouldn't mind some company." Lexi said tiliting her head. "Let's go." Axel said holding the door open for her.
"He didn't even order anything." Noah said laughing. "Well guess he wanted to stay obvious than." Eric said laughing with everyone else. "So what can we get you fine boys today?" Eric asked playfully. "I want a ice blended mocha the way you like and them cinnamon rolls you just made I could smell them coming in the door. Smells great baby girl." Xavier said looking at her. Getting lost in the smells of the café. "That's what this damn make that two. Of all of it." Noah said getting lost in the smell too. You could hear the rumbling from both of their stomachs. Making Jessie and Eric laugh at them. "Better add a slice of that apple cinnamon loaf cake you pulled out too. One for each of us please baby." Xavier asked. "Sure, go ahead and take a seat we'll bring it right out." They turned and walked away to their seats. "Baby, your pet names now. I love it. I also feeling that piece of eye candy to his side. So does he prefer the taco, or a burrito." "I just met the guy right now in front of you I haven't had the time to know if he likes to jump the pogo stick there my friend. Go find out." Jessie said giggling to Eric as the started to work on the order.
"Ok, now I see why you drug my ass out here to the café this morning. Dude it was totally worth it to see that little karaoke show earlier. So Jess seems like a great girl. Light, fun, sexy, and she's totally over the moon or you evidently. That's gotta hit Ryder right in the nuts right?" They both laughed hard at that. "So um, what's the deal with that Eric guy?" Xavier looked at Noah with a deep smile. "Actually that is the whole reason I asked you here today. I've been thinking since I've gotten to know eric a little bit over the same time I have been Jes. I thought maybe you guys might hit off. So I drug you here today to check him out see if you feeling it." Xavier said shrugging. "Seriously You did that for me?"
"You my friend, bro I want you to be happy. I saw an opportunity and I saw a maybe shot so thought I give it to ya. So far what you think?" "I think he's fine as hell. I like what I see. He seems like he knows who he is an dis comfortable and happy. It's refreshing man." They watched in smiles as they busy bees brought over their order. It's still pretty hot on the loaf cakes so go ahead with the cinnamon rolls first." Thanks." They guys said. Xavier catching her hand before she walked away bring her closer for her to hear his low husky voice. "Does it bother you if I call you baby and or other things?" "No, it really doesn't it. I actually really like it I could really get use to it. I'm just trying not to go more red than I already am." "I like when you go red it's like having my own little strawberry vanilla swirl it's adorable. I was hoping you wouldn't mind the name calling, because I'm hoping you get used to quick. Thanks for the food baby." He said with a wink letting her go as she couldn't contain the blush anymore. As Noah smirking har at him.
"Damn dude you go tit bad. I never seen you interact with outside people this much before unless it's at the Circle even than you the strong silent, grumpy type. Damn I can't believe how fast Axe dropped us I'm telling the guys." Noah said. As Xavier smiled deeply. They couldn't keep their moans in their mouths. "Dude do they always cook like this from scratch?" Xavier nodded his head. "They got their culinary degrees in the city a little North of here about an hour at least up and hated their life out there so they came looking for better things in smaller places." Noah raised an eyebrow. "I asked them about four months ago where they learned to bake like this. They were both top of their classes. Yeah had hot shot restaurant everything." "They just left all that to come here. SO like what bad break ups or something?" "Maybe I thought that too. But they both said that deep down their hearts weren't made for the city and needed a change." Noah shook his head as they finished their meal and drink.
They threw away their trash and came up to pay. "Nope on the house boys. It's the least we can do since you had to see the little sing song earlier" "Hey that sing song was worth it. I wish everyone welcomed their customers like that." Noah said with a smile. "We can't just let you pay Angel." Xavier said looking at her. "It's on the house besides those items weren't on the wall yet there is no way to charge you for them until Ms. Ellie comes in to close later so again. It's on the house." Jessie said in a final sweet tone. "Alright baby you win now but I get the next one." "Compromise?" Xavier shoke his head. "Ok I can work with that." Eric was cleaning off their tabled with a rag as Noah came over to him. "Well if you won't take our money how about a tip?" "Nope your money is not desired nor required." He said smiling at him. "Alright than how about a phone number?" Eric coughed a little. "Sorry what?" "Well it's kind of hard to take you out if I can't get ahold of you to pick you isn't it?" Noah asked titling his head a little. "You seriously asking me out?" "Are you saying no?" "No, I mean ya, wait. Yes ugh, here." Eric said as he gave his phone to Noah to get his number. "Alright I'll text you later today. Don't leave me on read." He said and turned to walk out with Xavier.
Jessie looked at the door and than eric than the door. "That was smooth as warm butter on a dinner roll. Ohhh eric gonna get some." "Ugh no Eric is not." He said blushing. "Really, what he save his contact name as?" She asked hand on her hips. "Hold on." He said as he looked through it. "Daddy with hearts on the both side of the word." "Ohh eric gonna get some." Jessie said doing a little dance going back to singing Nobody by Keith Sweat at eric who joined her and pass the work day on quickly.
After a couple days of waiting and anguish of the day to come. It was finally here. Friday night. She had just got home and showered. Lexi had picked her outfit a black casual flowy dress that went down to just above her knees. Lexi was wearing something similar but Jessies was a halter top and Lexi's was a strap. Eric himself even looked dressy in his nice dark grey button down and his dark washed jeans. You could see every muscle he had at it's glory. "Ok I know why you guy s are here dressing me up, but where are you guys going to tonight?"
They looked at each other. "We, huh, we actually got dates too." Lexi said with a smile." Eric blushing hard. "Axel and Noah?" They nodded. "So what's going on there?" She said as she applied eyeliner as Eric put a wolf necklace on her. Jessie was obsessed with wolves. As Aleixa curled her hair loosely while leaving it down to wave and curl her hair was light brown color with a few mixed colors that was one was one of her best features. Besides her blueish green eyes. "Well mainily I think fr both of us it's just been some texting back and forth. Just going to see how tonight goes maybe after a couple dates, we could be triple dating in the future." Lexi said. They looked at each other and let out the dorkeist squeal they could just to calm their nerves. "Ok wish us luck we got to go?" They hugged her good bye." She made sure she had her cell phone, keys inside her purse with just what she thought was enough cash. And her debit card just in case. Than she heard the knocking on the door.
"Wow. Xavier said as she stood behind it. "I mean hi. You look beautiful." Thank you I didn't know where we were going is it too much I can run up and change." No, baby it's perfect for where we going." "Are those for me?" She asked at the small pack of strawberries with a couple of lose mutlicolored roses on top. "Ya they are I remembered you and Ms. Ellie one time talking and you said you preferred fresh fruits or small flowers to bouquets. So I though I'd do both." "I really love than you I can't believe you remembered that. That was what months ago. Thank you Xavier. I'm going to poop this in some water and place these in the fridge if you would like to step in I'll be just a minute. He stepped in and looked around her two bedroom apartment. It had a house set up with two bathrooms one in the hall one in the masters, kitchen, dinning room combined in an open floor plan and a huge living room and a decent back yard, and front. "Ok All set." "You have a warm home it's very you. I like it." He said noticing all the pictures and warm colors surrounding the room. The smell of something tropical hitting his nose. It was so welcoming. "Thank you Xav." He held the door open for her as she walked out.
He asked for her keys so he could make sure the door was locked. And gave them back to put I her purse. Walking up to his truck she noticed it was lifted. She was 5'1 wearing flats and a nice dress. This man was easily 6'7 -6'8 his truck step went straight to her shin. Looking at him, looking back at her he smiled. "Don't worry baby I got you." He said as he opened the door and lifted her into the truck and buckled her as he shut the door to get in his side. "Thank you." She said softly. "Ok so in the next town about twenty minutes east of here is one of my favorite restaurants I was hoping you would like to go would that be alright?" "That sounds great." "I also thought it be fun to play twenty questions on the way over. There's still so much more I would like to get to know about you. SO thought we would start with the fun stuff." He winked. "Ok you go first." She said as he pulled out of the curb and onto the road.
"OK other than culinary do you have a degree in anything else? Or minored anything different?" He asked. "Actually ya business see my mom is a secretary at an accountant firm up in Atheo where I am actually from that city. So she made me study and minor a small degree in business for my back up plan just in case my pipe dream didn't plan out." Jess said as she used air quotes. "Damn she said that to you. Ya my mom and don't see eye to eye on hardly anything these days it just got worse in college. Ok so my turn ummm. Oh I got one. What is it you actually do? Like what's your job?" "Ok well I am a retired navy seal actually Axel you met already and two of my other buddies all are we served together and came back home together." That's wonderful but what are you doing now that your home?" "Ok well, see I'm kind of nervous to tell you so I just need to come out and tell you and if you want me to take you home and call it this now I'll respect that." "It can't be that bad Xav just tell me?" She asked raising an eyebrow watching a grown ass man get this nervous.
"I used to fight in a totally legal by the way fighting ring in high school and when I came home five years ago. I just went back and now I get paid to basically beat the crap out of people. I' was blown away when you didn't know who I was actually, mainly because a lot of my fights are televised and I get paid great money to go all over. I am undefeated for the full five years I've been doing this. Noah actually owns the place we fight at and for so he is kind of like my boss he sets everyone up kind of and even is in my group when we do groups. So there it is I'm a professional fighter I actually go by the name Beast in the ring. Do you ugh want me to take you home."
"So your like a famous boxer?" "No not just boxing MMA and other styles to. But ya basically." "You must have worked real hard to get where your at. Do you enjoy it?" "I get to work around and wit a lot of other retired vets and soldiers, and other people. I like to be around. We have a good time I get to travel with my best friends. After getting out of the service it felt nice to have some type of control of my life so ya. I like it. I have worked hard to get here. Everyday I try a little harder not going to be young forever.
"I don't think there isn't anything sexier than someone being able to what they like or love for a living. I think it's the sexiest thing in the world when someone can talk passionalty and excited with that sparkle in their eyes and that energy flows through them and you can't help but get sucked up into it to and get like a contact happy." Jessie said. "You mean like second hand happy?" I question with a chuckle. "Yes like a second hand happy." "No offense babe but that sounds like a bad porn name." "Well I wouldn't know I don't watch porn so I'll take you r word for it." She said causing us both to laugh. "Damn you got jokes, mean jokes too. Damn babe." I said shaking my head pulling in to the parking spot. "Please just wait there and let me come get you, I ain't going to be happy if you fall." "Ok. Thank Xav."
"Making his way over to the side of the truck. Helping her down. "This place smells great." She said taking in a deep whiff. The place was a romantic steak house with little streams and flowers flowing through them and candles on the tables outside on the deck where you could dance to the nice mixed music that had outside to keep the flow of everything going. "This is beautiful." "It's one of my favorite places to eat." He said pushing in her chair as the waiter gave them both a menu. She was surprise to find out it was cheap to big plates, low prices, and romantic as hell this man was amazing."
"So can I get you." The waiter said looking at Jessie. She didn't like the way people stared at Xavier when they came in but noticed that in the dark atmosphere it was almost hard to see all the scars on his face. Still wanting to stab the hostess who didn't cover her grotesque face. "I would like to have the New York strip steak well done, with a small green salad with only lettuce, avocado, and cucumber in it with Italian dressing on the side please and French fries. Please." "What to drink?" "A cherry coke please." "Sir?" He asked not looking at him. Cutting his tip in half Jessie thought to herself. "You know what I want what she is having just like that please." Xavier said handing both menus to the waiter.
"I can see straight through you know. It's ok I'm fine. I gotta say it's sexy seeing want to fly across this table and whoop ass in my honor though. Really Jes I'm used to it and it's ok." "It's not ok it's rude as crap. They need ot go back to either preschool or their mama and learn some damn manners, respect is a two street. Babe." He closed his eyes for a minute sand smiled deeply. "I liked that." He said lowly. "Liked what?" when you call me babe. I like it." "So tell me something about you." He said in that deep husky voice that makes her feel like she going to be needing dsome napins to wipe her seat. "Wwhat is it you would like to know?" She stuttered out. "How about the real reason you moved out here." Xavier asked. "Ok. Well the reason I gave is the truth but I guess the story behind it is pretty crazy but you should know. Ok well the short version is I was working at the best place in town and I had a boyfriend of almost just couple days shy of two years and I took my key to his place to get some recipe cards I just made up to try and found one my best friends straddling him still clothed though pawing at each other for dear life. So I packed my shit after having a very not so elegant conversation with them both and left him and her. When I brought it up to Lexi and my other tow friends they already knew and didn't want to tell me because it would rock the bout he cheated on me for four months eight different times." Xavier took a deep breath and leaned in more forward. As the waiter brought their drinks. "Thanks." He said and nodded for me to keep going.
"So Lexi and I told them both off, Knowing how we're not close to our parents only our dads who are always too busy anyway, cutting off our friend tree and leaving Dimitri Lexi packed our crap and since we hated the city any way we came here. We hated the traffic, the rush, the prices, and the fake people." "I'm sorry you went through that but I am thankful you're here." "The real messed up think is I did everything for Chloe who was the city slut, and she got him so plowed wasted that she convinced the first four times he cheated on me that she was me. The other four was all him. I'm thankful it happened though he was going to propose that weekend and I thank God every day I saw the true colors before I took that bullet." She laughed.
"SO do you think you would have said yes to him?" "No I don't think I would have. See he was always wanting more with me to move in and stuff and after almost two years would only give him a key and one drawer at my place and accept the some form him. Something was always holding me back from jumping forward and I know now why. But than I think maybe that's why he cheated because I was holding back. The thing is I don't get the same feelings flowing through me for him as strong as I do for you." She said looking deep into his eyes. "I'm sorry was that to much?" Xavier too her hands in his lifting one up to place a kiss on the inside of her wrist. "No it's not too much, I feel the same way. I know what you mean." He said letting go of her hands. As the waiter placed their plates down as they continued small talk about their family and growing up. It was going by so quick and they were having such a great time. They had just argued about him paying the bill and waiting for the receipt.
"Look I know this is only our first date, but we've have known each other for six months and I think that counts. So I just wanted to. I don't ant to be just your friend and or that guy from the café. I want to ask you to be my girlfriend but if that's too soon for you I'll respect that and back down just only a little though. I can't stand the thought of anyone other than me being with you like this it just shakes me to my very core. I have this unknown need to protect you. I love everything about you, you are such a great person Jes. You are literally everything I've been looking for. So do you wanna be mine?" He asked with a unfamiliar look in his eyes it was worry concern nervousness, adoration even what she thought could be love.
"Xavier I think the six months counts to. I am so crazy over you it's ridiculous and yes it is our first date and this is kind of fast, but in so many ways it's not. I swear I think I known you forever. I actually go to work just to look out for you and that one smile you give me with your light conversation makes my whole day worth getting up for as bad as that sounds it's true so yes Xavier I will be your if you will only be mine." Jessie said. Both smiling like idiots big and bright he pulled her up into him for a deep kiss. And to hold her close to him kissing her deeply with his one hand cupped against jawline and face. The other around her waist having her close to him. The waiter made a signal to return his bank card and made his leave after thanking them for coming. "You want to dance with me before we go?" He asked playfully still with one arm around her waist. "I'd love to it's been awhile though I may be a bit rusty." She said with a giggle looking at the dance floor with random couples all over it slow dancing lost in the moment with their partners laughing. "That would make two of us. Come on baby let me spin you around. For at least one song and than well head outta here." "Sounds good."
Holding her this close. Being this close to him they both thought felt like right. Everything was right. He couldn't believe he waited this long to make a move but yet here she was, just waiting for him. His Angel.
All this time this is what she could have been doing if she had just spoken up and humiliated herself sooner. What was I so scared of? How did I wait this long for this beautiful human in front of me. How did I miss so many of the signs. She placed her head on his chest being so small was a little difficult but they made it work.
"Alright well I thin it's time we head back even though I would hate for this night to end. I'm having a great time." He said caressing her cheek with the nack of his hand looking at her lovingly. "Me too but I have got to open and be at the shop at six. So I guess it's time to go." He grabbed one arm around her waist and kept her close as they were walking out of the restaurant laughing. He stopped when he heard someone call her name.
"Jessenia? Jessie is that you?" The woman asked walking up with caked up make up on and a dress that was a size too small to push out her chest in a very bright red color that went to barely mid thigh. Thiis woman was lacking modesty bad. It was gross he was really hoping she wouldn't touch Jes, he pulled her back a little in a defensive way. As both woman caught it. Causing Jes to smirk. "What are you doing here?" The woman who reminded him of a ring bunny asked looking at him like she was going to eat him like a meal, yet still look scared of him.
"Well it's a restaurant Chloe what do you think I'm doing here?" Jes asked in a mocking tone. "Right, right. So how you been? Whose your… friend she stretched clearly not approving of him. "I'm her man and she's been fine, and we were just leaving." "Oh well I don't wan tot keep you. I was hoping to have just a minute maybe with you Jessie so we could talk." The lady said in more of a pleading way. "I have nothing to say to Chloe. I don't want to talk to you what do you want from. You want me to forgive you for drugging and screwing my ex? Ok I forgive you. I don't wish for anything bad to happen to you Chloe but I don't ever want to talk to you. I am over what happened. I just can't stand you honestly not for what you did to me but for what you do to everyone all the time you're to fake and selfish and just because I forgive you doesn't mean I forget yu know what they say lessons learned and unlike some woman here I don't repeat my mistakes. Xavier I believe I am ready."
"You're him aren't you? You're the one they call the Beast In the arena?" Chloe asked grabbing his arm seductively charming way. "I don't like being touched by any one that's not her. SO kindly refrain yourself and please put something on because desperate is not a look that is working in your favor tonight Cady." "It's Chloe." She snapped rudely as they turned to walk away. "Whatever. Kelly." He said making Jessie laugh at her. "I'm sorry about that I didn't mean to make a scene or make anything awkward for you."
"Naw baby don't worry about I have a feeling that needed to happen since this is the first time seeing her since it did. You know my mama always says forgiveness is like a super power not many can have." "I know I really love your mama she's good people." "Well she thinks the world of you." He said as he got in and buckle her up and than himself. "In fact the same day I asked you out, I told my friends the four I talked about earlier. Than later my damn cousin screen timed my mama and she knew exactly who you were and was laying into me not to fuck this up." He said laughing causing her to smile deeply. "Really? Well speaking for myself I think tonight went wonderful." She said blushing as he reached out grabbing her hand to kiss the back of it. "I think it was perfect. Except I didn't want that Candy girl to touch either one of us she looked like she was sticky that was just gross. With all due respect honey your ex would have to be drunk the first few times to get near that with a ten foot pole. What an idiot." "Well that I think we agree on that together."
Walking her up to her door. She unlocked it turning on he porch light. Tossing her keys on the hook and purse tossed to the side table closeish to the door. "Well babe I had a great night with you. I'm so happy we did this and I gotta say I feel like this huge weight has been lifted now that you know about how I feel about you." "I had the best night I've had in like forever. I can't believe I waited this long to do this." Xavier said as he pulled her in for another deep kiss. "So we're really doing this right? You're all mine? I'm not going to like wake up and still be that pathetic guy in the corner of the café pinning for that beautiful baker?" Xav asked leaning in to pecking her lips again. Lost in his own little happy bubble. "We're doing this. I'm all yours. Will you please just text me when you get home so I know your ok?" She asked running her hand up his chest and around his neck slowly putting him through a new form or torture.
"I promise." He said "Now get in there and lock the door. I live close by so I'll be by the time you get settled in your bed I'll be settled in mine texting you. I promise." "Good night baby." "MMM." He growled. "Good night baby girl." He said one last sweet kiss. He waited until he heard all three locks turn to get in his truck and make his way home. They both got settled quickly texting for a few minutes before settling into sleep. She was his. He couldn't believe it. Still in shock he wrapped his arms around her, he claimed her, he kissed her, and it was all real. He was floating on cloud nine he was beyond happy. Finally feeling peace after so long. He feel asleep excited for the next day. To see his woman.