Coyote (Hawks MC Next Generation #1) - Lila Rose Page 0,53

the crap we gave each other, and all the disagreements, I still wanted this for myself one day.

Chapter Fourteen

Channa

In the next few weeks, a routine seemed to settle in where Cody would drop by every couple of days and we’d eat dinner together. And not only had I made a few deliveries to his shop, but also to his dad’s mechanic business. It was there I found out that it adjoined the compound of the Hawks MC.

But tonight would be different, a change in what had fast become our norm. I was going to his house. My nerves felt like they were eating at my insides in delight. Yet that didn’t stop me from wanting to puke.

Then again, he always made me feel like this whenever I saw him or knew he was dropping by. The man was going to be the death of me. Especially since we’d stayed completely in the friend zone. Although I wasn’t supposed to want more. The business was supposed to be my main priority. Yet I couldn’t help but lie in bed each night thinking of him. Thinking of ways, that if I could be bold enough, I would make the move straight into an area my heart wanted me to take us.

I’d imagined kissing him, hugging him, loving him in ways we’d both be naked and enjoy learning one another’s bodies.

Cody Marcus consumed my thoughts constantly, to the point where I made sure Bryson understood we could be nothing more than friends. I’d been honest with him and told him I was attracted to someone else. Of course, he’d guessed who. That was when, in a text, he told me I was a fool and to have a nice life. I couldn’t help it; I’d cried because I hated hurting others. I hated disappointing people. Since that happened last week, I hadn’t seen him in the shop, and I felt bad for thinking it was for the best.

But… if he wanted to ruin a friendship over this, there was nothing I could do about it. I’d told him I wanted to stay friends, and I did hope that with time, he would still want to be. I would just have to wait and see.

Getting out of my car, I leaned back in for the bag of Chinese takeout I’d said I was getting and my handbag, which I hooked over my shoulder. I knew the nerves wouldn’t settle. My belly would continue feeling like a trapeze act with all the flipping and twisting.

The store was still open, and I smiled at a grinning Cowboy as I walked by the counter. I got a few more looks as I continued on and then up the stairs, where I stopped to knock.

It only took a few beats before Cody pulled the door open, his mouth stretching over a smile. “Hey, angel.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek. My heart shifted as if it wanted out of my body and into his.

“Hey,” I said, a little too softly.

He took the Chinese bag from my hand and nodded over his shoulder. “Come on in.” When he took my hand, my heart skipped a beat.

Calm down, Channa. Friends hold hands.

“The offices are at the front here,” he explained on the way. I nodded, taking it all in. When he pushed through some doors, it opened into a large living, dining, and kitchen.

“Oh wow,” I said. My mouth dropped open when I noticed the floor-to-ceiling windows to the right of the massive space. “Such a view.” I let my hand slip from his and walked over to take in the space outside. It looked over a large part of Ballarat. Turning to him, I smiled wide. “No wonder you wanted to build and live up here. It’s beautiful.”

He grinned with a nod. “I think so.”

“It really is.” After a final look, I faced him as he made his way over to the kitchen. And what a kitchen it was. Okay, I was completely jealous of the marble granite counters, the stainless steel appliances, the double oven, and the white wooden doors that opened to a walk-in pantry. “I could have an orgasm over this kitchen,” I said without thinking and slapped a hand over my mouth. I didn’t miss the choked sound Cody made. “Sorry,” I mumbled. “It’s just amazing, your kitchen.”

Cody cleared his throat. “Right… ah, I suppose it’s a good kitchen.”

Removing my hand, I fought the blush, but of course my body wouldn’t listen. Shaking my