Unforgivable Secrets | One Mistake Away Series Bk 1 [Mob Romance]

Chapter 3 - Undesired Reminiscence

MASON:

I couldn't let my mother drag me to the little corner café. It's not that I didn't want to spend time with her, but I knew why she wanted me to go there. I couldn't control what she'd say or do, so leaving her home was the safest option.

Besides, I had other ideas about visiting that café. Ideas that came from way too many years ago. Fantasies some might even say.

I knew who worked there. And I knew I'd hurt her all those years ago. It was time to face the music.

My warm palm pressed against the cold glass of the door, leaving behind fingerprints for her to remember me by.

Who am I kidding? She probably'll have absolutely no clue they're even my prints. She'll probably curse the person who left them there for her to clean.

I smirked, at least that meant she'd be thinking about that person while she scrubbed the prints off.

Ignoring the little bell jingling above my head, I entered the cozy café. It had more of a coffee shop feel to it rather than a small town diner. I assumed all the local gossip weaved its way through here at one point or another.

Finding a seat facing all of the exits, I settled on down. A menu had all ready been placed on the table beforehand. I glanced at it, not bothering to pick it up. I all ready new what I wanted, and it wouldn't be anything on that menu.

I smelled her before I saw her. The sweet scent of coconut lingering in the air as she approached. Some things never changed.

"I thought you'd change up your perfume after so any years." I commented, looking up into her wide brown eyes as she stood in front of me. The shock lingering in her gaze.

She bit at her lip, her brows fighting not to crease together. Hurt, betrayal, anger, pain, and yet welcoming warmth flitted across her petite features before a mask covered them all in protection.

"Mason." Her voice was flat, not allowing her real emotions to be betrayed. "It's been a while."

"To say the least." I sat back, arms crossed. I may have pushed my muscles up a tad to give myself a thicker appearance. There was no reason not to sweeten up the deal.

"Might not want to sit like that. You'll wrinkle your suit." She arched a perfectly groomed brow, eyeing up the way I held my arms.

Fighting a smile, I remained serious, leaning forward against the table. "You look good."

She hummed, pouring me a cup of coffee. "The special's on the wall behind the counter."

Her eyes met mine for a moment, sending a shockwave of desire through me. She was beautiful. At one time she was mine.

My gaze drifted to her hand. "No ring I see?"

Her milky brown eyes darted up to me as she set the coffee mug down. "I'm married to my work."

I snorted, shaking my head. "Same here."

She hummed out an answer to be polite, but the impatience in her eyes reminded me that she wasn't in the mood to play catch-up. "Did you decide on what you want to order or do you need a few more minutes?"

I'd take anything you're serving. I wanted to say, but it was less than appropriate even though the café was nearly empty.

"Bring me out what you'd recommend. You know what I like." It was a tad bit of a bold move, but what the hell I had nothing to lose.

"Better hope your taste buds haven't changed." She spun on her heels and clattered off without a second look.

Still angry, I see. Smirking, I watched her walk off, focusing on her shapely ass. It caught my attention the second she spun around. Her slight elevation from her heels further enhanced her behind and long legs. Damn she had some long legs! I could wrap them...

"Quit staring or I'll gouge your eyes out." She paused, looking over her shoulder at me. Her brows furrowed and eyes narrowed. "You all ready know I want to."

I chuckled, shamelessly glancing down at the menu still in front of me. Despite her anger and the years of silence between us, she still grabbed my attention. She was still someone I wanted in my life.

The smile fell from my face. She was someone I couldn't have. Someone I couldn't put in danger. There had been many reasons why I left, but only a handful of reasons why I didn't come back. Knowing how she caught my eye was definitely one of them. I stayed away not only for her safety, but because I couldn't be controlled around her. She unleashed something inside of me that put the both of us in danger. A feeling I didn't fully understand, but it had my animalistic desires reeling.

A ding in my pocket sent my hand up to grab it. I eyed the screen lighting up with notifications. Sighing, I tapped in my password and stared at the messages.

Vasil Dushku [Albanian]: "My shipment better be on time."

Alban Leka [Albanian]: "Tell me you have someone other than Fletcher (Garcia) moving my shipments around."

I groaned. The Albanian's always complained. They were never satisfied and they were always antsy. If they didn't pay me so much damn money I wouldn't bother doing business with them. It'd save me a headache that's for sure.

Sliding down the list of messages, I tried to type out a few answers to get them off my back. This was why I didn't take time off. It was stressful enough being at work, but taking a break made that work even more stressful. It never stopped.

I paused at Audrielle's name. Miss Durand rarely did business with me. She had her own sources and going through me was not usual for her.

Audrielle Durand [French]: "Call me."

Shaking my head, I scrolled down further.

Fletcher Garcia: "Leka's men are here. They keep bitching about the way I move their containers around. I swear, Mason, if they keep it up..." An exploding head emoji followed his message.

Sighing, I flicked the phone screen off and turned it upside down on the table. Running my hands over my face, a plate clattering on the table made me jump.

"Did I scare you?" Her gaze lacked sympathy.

"Maybe announce your presence next time, Harper." I paused. I hadn't used her name in years. I'd thought it. I'd heard my mother mention it. Yet I hadn't uttered it. It felt good to say. Too good.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize my clattering heels weren't announcement enough." She rolled her eyes, glancing down at the plate. "You going to try it?"

I stared at the burger for a second, looking up at her with a smile. "Of course."

Her brows arched up as she looked down at the plate. "Well, you might as well try it now."

Shrugging, I grabbed the burger and bit into it. Cold. It was cold.

"Umm... Harper... isn't this... supposed to be hot?" I forcefully chewed the food, mumbling between bites.

Her cheeks rose in almost a smile. Shrugging a single shoulder, she turned to walk away. "I thought you liked things cold. It's the way I remember you leaving."

She barely gave me a chance to react; her hourglass figure had all ready walked into the kitchen. I watched the doors swing shut, hiding her curves from my view.

I wanted to go after her. Maybe apologize. Or at least explain a little bit.

My mind began drifting to other things. Things that were far from being appropriate. I wanted to see more than just her big brown eyes. I wanted to see those big brown eyes widen with everything I wanted to do to her. I wanted to see her innocence and steal some of it away.

The burger dropped back onto the plate. Sliding out of the booth, I picked up my dish and made my way to the kitchen. My presence may not have won many popularity awards with Harper, but I was still a customer. I deserved at least an ounce of respect. Maybe even some manners. Hearing her address me as sir didn't sound so terrible either.