That Loving Feeling (Jake Seresin x Mitchell OC)

Chapter One

There's a fine line between love and hate, and Millie Mitchell had just tripped over it—Straight into the arms of the one man she vowed to despise forever. Jake Seresin was infuriatingly charming, maddeningly handsome, and utterly impossible to avoid. Millie couldn't decide what was worse: the heat of his gaze or the fact that part of her liked it.

Her other problem? She was married to an abusive asshole, and escaping him meant risking everything—including letting Jake get close enough to break her heart in a different way. But with each searing glance and every heated exchange, the lines between enemy and ally blurred, leaving Millie to wonder if Jake was the key to her freedom—or the final push into a deeper kind of danger

~

I sprint into the Hard Deck, thirty minutes late to my shift. The opening notes of The Georgia Satellites "Keep Your Hands To Yourself" play on the Jukebox, signaling to me that my most annoying regular is here tonight.

"I'm here, I'm so sorry Penny!" I apologize to her profusely as I set my purse behind the bar and throw my apron on.

"Mills, you're okay. The car wouldn't start again?" She smiles knowingly. My Dodge Charger has been having trouble the last few weeks, this wasn't the first time I was late in the past two weeks.

"Yes, I gotta get it into the mechanic. I don't know what's wrong with my baby." My dad gifted me that car for my 18th birthday 6 years ago, brand new. And I've treated it like my child.

I quickly tied my apron and began setting up my station behind the bar. The hard deck is already buzzing with activity—pilots, locals, and the occasional tourist all mingling under the dim, warm lights.

When my Dad begged me to move here two years ago, this place became my new home. A place to escape my horrible marriage. It's been two years since I've seen Austin, he's stationed overseas in Germany. Two years since I let him lay his hands on me. I just hoped he never came back for more.

The scent of beer, salty ocean air, and fried food filled the space, the steady thrum of the jukebox's bass reverberating as the tempo picked up.

Penny, my soon-to-be stepmother, who was always calm under pressure, hands me a towel and points to a group of Aviators at the bar. "Those guys have been waiting for refills. You know the drill."

I nod, grabbing a tray and heading over. As I approached the group, I sensed the familiar presence of the one customer I dreaded.

"Hey there, Mills! Thought you weren't gonna make it tonight." Calls out Jake with a wide, cocky grin. He leans against the bar, his aviators hanging from the collar of his shirt, looking every bit the confident, slightly arrogant pilot I've grown used to dealing with.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," I replied, forcing a smile as I started pouring their drinks. "What's it gonna be this time, Jake? Another round of beers for the boys?"

"That's right. And maybe a smile to go with it?" He adds, still grinning, his tone half teasing, half serious"

Jake has spent the last two years, flirting with me every chance he can get. And every night, I play along just to turn him down. I may hate her husband, but I'm still married.

I roll her eyes, but can't help the small smile that tugs at my lips. "Keep dreaming, Seresin."

As I serve the drinks, the banter continues, and I find myself slipping into the rhythm of the night, the earlier stress of my car troubles fades into the back of my mind. Despite Jakes annoying persistence, I know he's harmless—just another part of the Hard decks quirky charm.