My Bully’s Love by Stacy Rush

Long Time No See

“Oh, my God! I am so glad you are back, Ella!” Becky screeches as she rushes around the counter to come maul me.

I have literally just stepped into the coffee shop and there are three customers in line, waiting to order, and Becky leaves them hanging to come and greet me. I should be happy that she feels as though I’m more important than the customers, but the annoyed expressions they each are wearing tells me not to take up too much of Becky’s time.

“Uh, you should probably help the customers, Becky. We can hug it out later,” I snicker, then mouth, “Sorry” to the cus tomers staring at us.

“Fine! I’m just excited to have you back is all, and that you are okay after the stabbing.” Becky is sweet, but she’s got a loud mouth as she continues to talk while making her way back around the counter.

“I’m doing great, but we can talk about all this later, at break.” | follow her behind the counter but continue to the back, so I can set my things in the small break room in the back. It’s more like a small walk-in closet but at least it’s some thing.

Hurrying, I throw my things in the corner and grab an apron quick before going to the front to help. Becky is busy making a customer’s order, so I go to the register to help the next person. Ten minutes later, we get done with the small rush and clean up a bit before we get the lunchtime cus tomers. I’ve missed working these last few weeks, and I’m sure

the boss is happy to have me back. I felt terrible having to take so much time off when I haven’t been working here all that long.

The bell over the door chimes, causing me to look up, and then smile at my handsome neighbor, “Howdy stranger, it’s been a while since I last saw you.” I watch as Gabe strolls up to the counter with his smile that lights up the whole room be cause his teeth are so white.

“Yeah, I figured you had enough men around you when you had your guards, so I just kept my distance. Besides, I’m kind of talking to someone now.” He states a bit on the shy side.

I gasp, “What!? Reece never told me that!”

is. I wanted to make sure that

her name?” | draw out the question while resting my

“Really, Ella?”

has captured your attention. Besides, I can’t stalk her

rolls his eyes, “I thought you were better than

I take offense to that! I’m nothing like her, I

happy for you,

that you are doing okay after everything. Will you be coming to Game night this week?” Gabe hands me a twenty when

what, I just might? Let me see what Jace has planned, and I will

been forever…” Gabe

around, grinning, until | run right into Becky who just so happens

He holds his cup of coffee up in the air to say bye and

right there is a fine specimen of hotness!” My coworker fans herself with her

he’s an awesome guy on top of his

package!” Becky snorts and

the gym by the time I get home, and so I run myself a bath and sink down into the steaming scent

home from work and told me how Elias was asking us for a favor.

people that will be watching intently, but I will also be able to hear them, and it will make it harder to ignore them. Jace says that I can wear a blindfold, and that may help calm my nerves, but not being able to see what is going on when there are so many people in the room, scares me even more. It’s different when Jace blind folds me in the privacy of our

standing in front of the vanity mirror, moisturiz ing my face when Jace walks in. I had already heard the locks on the front door unlocking, so I’m not startled when he walks in and comes to stand behind me. Dropping a kiss onto the back of my neck, he inhales deeply and then

smell so