Kill Me Softly

Chapter 4 Sienna

I'm off for the first time in a week and a half. I have the bathroom lights down low, the tub filled to the rim with bubble bath and bath salts mixed in, candles lit and a deep bowl packed next to my book. As I sink into the blissful heat I can't help but groan in pleasure. 

This is my happy place.

I sink below the water until my neck is fully submerged so that the muscle pain I've been having will cease. Or so I hope anyway. I sigh as I just sort of melt into the hot, sweet smelling concoction. Teddy Swims belts his heart out through my Bluetooth and I sing along as I dry my hands so I can hit my bowl. I smoke as the song plays through and the next begins, my limbs and eyes growing heavy sooner than normal since I haven't been smoking as much. After I feel like I'm at the peak level of stoned, I pick up my book where I left off and quickly loose myself in the pages.

Before long I feel the water growing colder so I have to relent and get out, finding my fluffy robe and going to my room. Tello lies spread eagle on my California king bed and I snort as he wags his tail when he notices my presence.

"Hello Mamas boy," I coo as I pad my way to my closet. I decide comfort over beauty and go with a pair of black sweats and a white tank, sans bra. My Hey Dudes since my feet kill after wearing my heels all day yesterday.

After I spend a gods honest thirty minutes brushing my hair out I let Tello outside and once he's done I find a comfortable sweatshirt before I leave the house. I decide to walk to the shop, whistling Long Black Train as I do so. Twenty minutes and fifteen dollars to the drummer boy later I am walking into Mori. I barely have the door shut behind me before Zeke and Otto both turn at the sound of the bell and after seeing it is me, the fuckers scowl harshly.

I open my mouth to shut down whatever bullshit they are about to spew my way but before I can deliver the comedic gold I notice that we have someone in the shop with us. Someone who is currently smirking at me, those fucking eyes roaming over my body with such openness I feel myself blush from my cheeks and down to my chest.

What am I?

Fucking ten?

I scowl right back at Otto and flip Z the bird as I make my way to the kitchenette without speaking. I get a coconut water and as I'm heading back into the main room I hear the men whispering like housewives. Killian's deep voice is the one I hear first. 

"Why the looks?"

A moment of silence and then I just barely hear Otto's reply over Ottis Redding.

"Because the woman never stops. She's going to run herself into the ground."

Another moment of silence as I make it halfway through the main room. And as I near the group of hens I hear Zeke mutter under his breath.

"Again."

Making it to the main room, I narrow my eyes at them both in equal measure before I look to Killian. I watch as his eyes widen for a split second before I smile at him. The gesture makes him visibly relax, his shoulders loosening and his dimples popping out as he returns the gesture. I look to the shit stains I employ before I turn to my station.

"I am off today. I just came in to grab something."

I bend over my desk and grab my iPad and the charger for it. Before I turn away I snag a piece of licorice from my jar that I keep stocked with sweets. I bite into the red goodness and then point the remainder at the boys.

"No shenanigans. I don't wanna be called unless there's blood and doubts you can staunch it," I wait for them to nod in confirmation before I laugh and nod. Then as I walk back to the door I notice that Killian appears to be leaving as well.