Chapter 3
Holy Cannoli
Riley's Point of View
Chapter Song: Hey – The Beatles
Chapter Quote: "You can't buy happiness, but you can buy cupcakes. So, no big deal." – Unknown
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They were green. His eyes were green.

A green that had easily become my kryptonite. They could easily become anyone's kryptonite. We had locked eyes from across the room, and in that fleeting, yet at the same time terrifyingly long moment I was drowning. I quite literally couldn't breathe, not to mention my gosh darn heart constricting inside the depths of my chest. How is a woman supposed to handle situations like that? I've never been in any sort of scenario where my head and my heart were basically dying on me. Even my head, which I had a tendency to ignore more than half of the time.

So, I stared back.

They weren't green in the 'remind me of a meadow sense', more like the 'colors of spring time forest leaves after a fresh rain' type of green. I'm being picky, I know I am but you can't put a homemade cupcake up to a box cupcake and tell me that they're the same – no offense Betty Crocker. When I think of a meadow the first thing that comes to mind is a pale green, the sort of pale that comes to light right at the beginning of summer. The forest green fits perfectly, they're dark and when glancing up and through the trees you can see flickers of gold from the sun. The light is a metaphor for the few specks of honey in his irises that were barely visible from how far away we were. That could also point towards the intensity of my stare.

Aside from his eyes, and the obvious fact he was handsome beyond words, only one other thing truly stood out. An intimidating aura that surrounded him like a dark cloud looming above his perfect Adonis like head. It was in everything he did, the blank stare, clenched jaw and wide set frame. It was daunting yet, alluring all at the same time, which only makes it worse.

I've been on dates, and even had a boyfriend that I cared for greatly. However, none of them were like this stranger. Dark hair, dark eyes and goody two shoes, that was more my forte. At least, until I had seen him.

The same him that has been on my mind non-stop for the past week.

The same him that is preventing me from creating this wilting flower! "Holy cannoli!" With too much force, I slam down my piping back and cross my arms, ignoring the smidge of icing that came out with the force. My glare is entirely focused on that stupid bag that was not cooperating with me! "Fudge."

"Uh oh, Mrs. Matthews. It's worse than we thought, she's cussing." My best friend comes sauntering into the back with a smug expression and arched brow. "Don't make your mom wash your mouth out with soap darling."

With a huff, I'm slumping onto a barstool that is reserved specifically for me and my 'fits'. "I can't get this flower to look right."

Maya pulls her long locks on top of her head before grabbing the piping bag and doing my job for me. "Well, I could tell you that these look great and you're being too hard on yourself, but I'd be lying." I bite into my bottom lip to prevent laughter from sputtering past my lips. She and my mother are the only people I can take criticism from without wanting to burst into a never ending pool of tears. I just wanted to be mad a little bit longer, was that too much to ask? "Spill. You've been off since that party a week ago. Your mind is more than just in 'Riley Town', it is like in outer space."

"At least I know you don't sugarcoat anything." Maya snorts before glancing at me briefly with those icy blue eyes that have seen right through me since the first time we met. Sighing, I frustratingly run my stained fingers through my tangled hair. "That guy – the one from the party that I told you about has been running through my mind constantly. I need help! I feel like I'm going crazy and can't focus on anything that doesn't pertain to him."

Maya's perfect eyebrow raises, somewhat accusingly at me. Does she not believe how hypnotizing his eyes were? I thought that I had made that very, very clear. "It sounds like a crush, peaches. Which you haven't had in a long time but the best way to get over a guy is to date someone new."

Immediately my stomach begins to churn, making me feel nauseous. My mind is screaming out at me, 'NO'! And my heart is clenching just like my throat, making it harder to breathe. I'm instantly dismissing that idea before it has even fully registered. "Or," my mom peeks through the swinging door, "you could not do that." A smile curls up on her lips, "your father and I have always instilled you with the ideals of 'dating for marriage'."

"Why waste time with someone you can't see yourself with in the future." I repeat like a broken record, "saves you a lot of heartbreak, confusion and bad mistakes." My mom agrees, seemingly proud of my ability to retain the information that's been carved into me with a hammer and chisel.

Maya's jaw drops before my mother begins to console her with an arm around her shoulders. "Why did you never tell me this Mrs. Matthews?"

Like I've never told her that before?! However, I keep my mouth shut knowing that this is a teaching moment for my mother. "On an occasion or five, I've heard Riley repeat those same words to you. You, my love, are just stubborn. Stubborn like a bull, which isn't always a bad thing. You know what you want and go for it, meaning you don't waste time with relationships you know won't work out, either." Man, she's good. "The solution is not dating other men, though it sounds appealing."

Not helpful. "Well, can you please tell me what the heck I'm supposed to do? He's distracting me from my work and that's a big no-no."

Ignoring their snorts, my ears focus in on my mother's words of wisdom. Unlike most teenagers, I never had an issue with my parents. 'A smart man learns from his mistakes, a wise man learns from other people's mistakes', that's what my dad used to say and I took it to heart. I wasn't one of those people who believed that I had to make my own faults, so I listened to my parents.

Whenever I didn't heed their advice, I hate to say that I regretted it. But, I did. "Have you considered pursuing him?"

I'm beginning to think that she doesn't know me at all. "You are my mother, correct? I don't pursue, I'm not that confident. Heck, I'm hardly confident enough to say 'yes' when a man asks me on a date."

"Riley," Maya's voice interrupts my thoughts, which is always for the best. "Forget about what I said. Listen to your mom, obviously. You have their address from the delivery, take that and send them like a 'thank you for your business' basket."

Churning stomach, mind screaming, heart clenching. I've been feeling these side effects of mystery man too much. Way, too much. "I doubt he'd get it. It would probably get delivered to Isadora instead."

The bell from the front door dings, pulling my mother away from the most important conversation I've had in months. "Just think about it."

Trust me. That's all I'll be able to do.

It was an hour before we were closing and at this point I was trying to get rid of the last few desserts. Even giving out a freebie here and there when a customer purchased something. It's such a waste to see such deliciousness being thrown out or frozen.

We had been so busy today. So much so that it had actually gotten my mind off the elephant taking residence in my mind. There were a few rays of sunshine beaming through the glass into my bakery, casting an amber glow across my tables and causing dust particles to become very prominent throughout the room. My nose scrunches up in disdain, I pride myself in keeping my shop clean. As the last few customers trickle out, I've got my paper towels and dust remover in hand. "Have a nice evening!" Skipping around to several different tables, I wipe them clean and begin placing chairs on top since the floors need to be swept.

Since I was so gracious and sent everyone home I decided to get a head start on all of the closing duties. "Are you by yourself?"

My back becomes rigid, and I would be absolutely terrified had that voice not been absolutely delicious. It was husky, rough baritone and exactly what you'd imagine a devastatingly handsome man to sound like. Turning on my heels, I keep a smile on my face to appear friendly, this is my shop after all, however it falls just as quickly.

And just when I think I might have finally been able to get those eyes that make me want to scream, 'holy cannoli', and pass out all at the same time, out of my head. There they are, staring down at me. With the way those forest green eyes are catching the dimming sunlight, I just know they are going to be playing tricks on my heart and mind even further. "Oh, hello."

With an emotionless face, he greets me. "Good evening. You shouldn't be here by yourself. Are you here by yourself?"

I almost frown, almost. I don't like being reprimanded. Not by my mother, or father, Maya I can handle but I definitely do not like it whenever this guy does it. My bottom lip begins to poke out on its own before I begin to control myself and suck it in, fast, that'd be embarrassing. But, I admit that I hate closing alone, I'm tiny and the world is mean. "If I say yes, would you murder me?"

Those beautiful eyes lit up in slight amusement, but his face remains stone cold. It's quite odd, really. Though the ideals of being able to see one's emotions through their eyes is endearing, a trait I wish I carried. Whatever I felt was plastered all over my face like a billboard. "Never. I'm staying until you close officially." That silly thing I called a heart begins to beat rapidly.

Swallowing the lump that's formed in my throat, I nod in agreement. Since I can't seem to find my voice, I gesture for him to take a seat. His broad frame slides across the booth, taking up an entire side himself. It's almost comical, my hand covers up my lips trying to stifle a giggle. The giggle that he ends up hearing anyways, "I'm so sorry. I just – you're so large and my booths, I am realizing for the first time are so small." Or he's just that big.

The white leather of the booths – that I regret getting – contrast greatly to his dark denim jeans. The plain white cotton tee shirt is at max capacity, or it seems to be that way. The material is obviously stretched around his traps, biceps and chest. The distinct sound of someone clearing their throat catches me off guard. My feet shuffle a few steps back since I was caught in the act of staring at him like a stalker, and before I can even stop myself, my calves press against the legs of one of my chairs before I go toppling over the leather material and onto my tile floor.

Did I just – I did, I somersaulted over a wooden chair. A large hand lifts me up by the back of my head, while the other one is holding the small of my back. Worried forest green eyes stare down at me, wide eyed and questioning. "Are you okay?" I can only nod in response before inhaling deeply through my nose, I didn't even realize that the air got knocked out of me.

Cinnamon.

More specifically, cinnamon rolls. Wow, he smells delicious. Leaning in towards his white tee, I bury my nose in the fabric. It isn't but a few seconds before I realize what it is I'm doing. Holy cannoli, why do I keep doing this to myself? Leaning back with eclectic, shocked eyes, I do everything in my power to not look directly at him. "I am so sorry. And completely horrified. Not only did I get caught checking you out, but I was sniffing you. Which is totally not like me. I'm – I'm not a dog, I swear."

I laugh, trying to break the tension before a few of his fingers brush against the nape of my neck. No hair or clothes in the way, skin on skin. My eyes roll into the back of my head, and my mouth falls open at the sensation surging through my veins. Warmth and a tingling feeling catches me completely off-guard. My mind doesn't even register the deep, guttural growl that I hear. I'm that caught up in it.

Rough, calloused fingers gently run down the fabric of my clothes and the small of my back, before pushing up the fabric of my tee shirt. I'm about to tell him 'no sir', but of course that never works in my favor because his hand is splayed out across my back. "Oh fudge," I murmur – or moan, whichever is more accurate. Those pleasurable tingles flair up again, causing my brain and heart to fail once again. My reaction is purely, and I hate to say this, primal. My body is reacting on its own. Wanting to feel more, I begin to roll into his large body.

"Fuck," My eyes dart open at the curse. He's squeezing his gorgeous eyes shut and pushing me away. "I-I have to go."

Without wasting another moment, I'm placed into a seat and the bell to my shop is dinging. The ding that's telling me he's officially vacated the premises. Self-pity washes over me like warm water in a shower while my heart plummets into the depths of my stomach. Why did I feel so rejected? Whenever my breathing becomes heavy and the familiar blurred outline of my shop registers, I realize I'm crying. "So much for staying till I close." Yet, even after wiping away the tears I still couldn't bring myself to move.

I admit I was so excited to see him, he'd been on my mind for the past week. Even the idea of stepping up and asking him out, like my mother had proposed, began to sound more and more realistic. Before tonight, I would venture to even say the thought of making the first move had been slightly idyllic and calmed my racing heart. Now it's an entirely different story, I just basically threw myself at him like a prostitute.

I mean no offense to prostitutes, we are all just trying to make a living in this world but that wasn't exactly the vibe I wanted to put out whenever I'm trying to impress him. Heaving a dejected sigh, I get out of the chair and put it on the table where it should have been all along. "If you were up where you were supposed to be this would have never happened."

Was I being too forward? Perhaps, but he started it. I'd never felt those weird tingles with anyone else, so it was entirely his fault. Even thinking it, I'm shaking my head. "He doesn't control how I react."

"Stupid conscience."

Warm lips press against the crook of my neck, loving and caressing with delicate movements. His teeth pull and bite at the skin before his tongue flicks out and soothes the sting. A gasp escapes my parted lips while my fingers dig into his soft locks. "Riley." It was that same voice, his voice and somehow my name slipping out made this entire scene even more intimate. "Riley." My eyes flutter open and make contact with the beautiful forest green that are completely haunting. "You need to wake up, doll." My brows furrow, but he just laughs and pecks my nose, while caressing my heated cheeks. "Wake up doll, come and see me."

With a gasp, I'm opening my eyes wide and gasping for air.

Glancing around my empty bedroom, I sigh. No mystery man, and no kisses which in turn meant that he wasn't going to call me 'doll'. That idea alone made my cheeks flame red, not in embarrassment but in want. I've never really had a pet name before, but I've always wanted one. Heaving myself off of my rather lumpy mattress, my eyes shift towards my cell phone that's sleeping on my nightstand before turning it on to check the time. "Four thirty, why?" Mentally cursing my body, my feet carry me through my somewhat run-down apartment to get a drink from the kitchen.

I'm the first to admit that my home is not even remotely fancy, or up to date, or safe. But, it's mine and I've tried my very best to make it as homey as possible. Pictures, candles and small decorations that you can find for super cheap at garage sales can make all the difference. Pulling a pot out from the cabinets, and milk out from the refrigerator, I get to work. Warm milk always does the trick.

When the warm milk is in a mug and I'm leaning against the arm of the couch, I begin to hum a catchy tune. With every sip, my eyelids become heavier and my eyelashes begin to flutter closed. I barley have time to set my cup down before any and all sort of strength in my hands disappears. My lips curl upwards whenever one last thought comes to mind.

Beautiful, green eyes.

***
A/N:
Good evening everyone,
Or good morning to any other readers around the world.
I hope you enjoyed the unedited chapter 3 of 'The Alpha's Done'.
I still need book covers before doing a 'cover contest' and I am always taking song suggestions for this chapter or any others.
Next chapter is Lucas' point of view, and I'm super excited to write it. I really enjoy writing from his point of view. Anyways from here on out, there will be more 'Rucas' dynamic.
Love you guys. XOXO,

Taylor.

Word Count: 3,026
Date Posted: June 16,2016