Chapter Fourteen
Max crossed the street, carrying the small white pastry box, and entered the nondescript brown and glass door. It creaked as he slowly shut it. He glanced around at the tiny ground floor entry. His eyes took in the old black and white tile and the two bronze mailboxes in the wall of the hundred-year-old building. He climbed the steep staircase to the second floor and knocked on the door on the left with the shiny brass number one attached.
Malee opened it, a bright smile on her face. She pulled him inside, giving him a quick peck on the lips before turning to an elderly woman who sat in an armchair. “Aunt Tan, this is Maxwell O’Rourke. Max, this is my Aunt Tan.”
The woman rose and moved toward him, her hand extended, a smile on her face. “It’s good to meet you, Maxwell.”
Max shook her hand, returning her smile. “I’m glad to meet you, Mrs.…”
She waved her hand, dismissing his formality. “Call me Aunt Tan, please.”
He nodded and extended the white box. “Aunt Tan, Malee told me these were your favorites.”
Aunt Tan took the box tied with white string and gave Malee a mischievous look. “She did? Well, we must have some.” She gestured to a small dining table covered with a lace cloth. “Please, sit.”
They moved to the table, and Aunt Tan set the box down and signed to Malee as she spoke. “Please, dear. Bring us some plates, and we will enjoy these while we talk.”
Max watched her retreat to the small kitchen while he pulled a chair out for her aunt, who smiled up at him.
“Why thank you, dear.”
He sat next to her. “Malee was so excited when she told me you’d come to town.”
“Malee is very special to me.”
“She’s very special to me, too,” Max replied, wanting to make that clear. He didn’t want to waste time beating around the bush. “I want you to know I’d never do anything to hurt her.”
“That is good to know. Her father is a traditional man, set in his ways, but he loves his daughter. He wants the best for her.”
“So do I.”
“But that doesn’t mean he always knows what is right. What you do for a living—he would not approve.”
Max looked down at the table and slid his palm over the lace. “I suppose he wouldn’t.”
She reached over a hand and laid it on his forearm. “I have nothing against what you do, dear. I am just trying to explain. My brother’s way of thinking isn’t always right.”
“But he is her father.”
She let go of him. “Yes, his is, and he is protective of her, perhaps overly so. Malee is a young woman now. She must have the freedom to experience all that life has to offer. My brother cannot keep her locked away because he is afraid she will get hurt.”
“I understand his fears. Sometimes the world can be a cruel place.”
Her eyes met his. “Yes, that is true.”
“But I want you to know I’d never hurt her… or allow anyone to hurt her.”
She nodded. “That is good to know, because I’m going to trust you with her today. I expect you to treat her with respect.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She waved her hand. “Pfft. Ma’am! Don’t call me that. It makes me feel old.”
For a moment, Maxwell thought he had offended her, until she turned her twinkling eyes to him and grinned.
They both chuckled.
“Understood,” Max agreed.
Malee returned and set a plate in front of each of them. Her eyes immediately shot to Max’s, the questions plainly written on her face. She wanted to know what she’d missed and if they were getting along. Max smiled and gave her a wink. She exhaled, her relief clear as her eyes dropped to her aunt’s happy expression. “Coffee?”
They both nodded, and she disappeared into the kitchen again.
Aunt Tan studied Maxwell until finally he asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I was just thinking what beautiful children the two of you would have.”
His brows rose, but he knew her game, and that little tidbit wasn’t about to scare him off. He grinned. “I think you’re right.”
She chuckled, reached over, and pinched his cheek.
***
An hour later, Max had Malee by the hand and was leading her across the street toward his shop. They were sneaking away for a rare day together, and he didn’t plan to waste a moment of it. He had so much he wanted to show her. But first, they needed to make a quick getaway. Not that anyone would probably notice, but her brother did make deliveries, and he could come up the street at any moment. He paused next to his bike, and she gave him a questioning look as he pulled a helmet out of his leather saddlebag and held it out to her.
“We’re taking the bike?”
He nodded. Unless you don’t want to. You’re not afraid are you?
She shook her head, giving him a look that almost dared him to say that again. He couldn’t help but grin back at her.
“Where are we going?”
I have a lot I want to show you.
She took the helmet and fastened it while he did the same. When she was through, he tilted her chin up and signed, Hold on tight, okay?
She nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
***
The motorcycle was parked rear wheel to the curb. Malee stood back as Maxwell threw his leg over, lifted the big bike off its kickstand, and fired it up. Then he jerked his head to the side, motioning for her to climb on.
She did, wrapping her arms tight around him. A moment later, he twisted the throttle and pulled out. They drove slowly through town, pausing at light after light, and it gave her time to get used to the feel of the powerful bike beneath her.
She couldn’t hear the roar of the pipes, but she could feel the vibrations. When they were finally out of town and on the open road, Max let the engine loose, and the bike surged forward. Malee tightened her hold, and Max turned his head to the side for a moment, showing her the curve of his grin as he glanced back at her.
She gave him an answering smile filled with her excitement. The wind washed over her, whipping her face with the cool afternoon air. She could feel the temperature change as they moved from long hot stretches of sun-drenched pavement to dips in the hills where the cold air settled.
Malee loved everything about the ride, from the exhilaration of speeding along the open road to the freedom she felt in leaving the town, the restaurant, and all her responsibilities behind her. She was free to spend an entire day with Maxwell, and she intended to enjoy every moment of it.
Too soon, Max was slowing down to make the turn into a drive. She held on tight, enjoying the opportunity to be pressed close to his body and have her arms wrapped around him.
They bumped up a long gravel and dirt drive toward a big farmhouse. There was a large three-car garage set back a ways. Set off to the side was the framework of a new home under construction, although she couldn’t see any laborers currently working on it.
Max brought the bike to a stop and cut the engine. She hopped off, looking around as he dropped the kickstand and stood. She asked him, “Where are we?”
This is my family home. I live here with my brothers.
“You’re building something?”
He followed her gaze. My older brother, Jameson, is building a new house for him and his wife, Ava. She’s pregnant with their first child. Come on. I’ll introduce you to her. She’s a sweetheart.
He took her hand and led her up the stairs onto the back porch and inside. The door led into a big country kitchen. Max tugged her along through to another big room with a dining table on one side and a living room on the other. There was a huge stone fireplace anchoring the wall in the living room.
Max moved to the staircase in the middle and hollered something up that she couldn’t hear. She assumed he was calling for his sister-in-law. He waited a moment, listening, before moving to the window, pulling the lace curtain aside and peering out. He turned back to her. Her car is gone. I guess she’s out somewhere.
Malee nodded.
He led her back into the kitchen and opened the fridge, studying the contents. Then he looked at her with a grin. Are you up for a picnic?
She shrugged and smiled back. “Sure.”
***
Twenty minutes later, they were back on the bike with saddlebags stuffed full of supplies. Maxwell rode down a dirt back road that led deep into the family property and up to a bluff. Finally, they parked and dismounted. Malee took in the spectacular view as Max grabbed the blanket he’d stuffed in his saddlebag along with a bag of picnic items.
They were high up, overlooking his family’s property with the town in the distance and the whole valley spread out before her. It was breathtaking.
Max shook the blanket out on the ground under a nearby tree, and they both sat. He dug in the paper grocery bag and pulled out cheese and crackers, apples and grapes, and lastly, a bottle of wine and two plastic cups.
Malee grabbed up an apple and munched on it while he used a corkscrew on the bottle, poured some wine in a cup, and passed it to her. She grinned. “I’m not twenty-one.”
He chuckled and signed back, Close enough. Your birthday is next week.
Her mouth dropped open. “You remembered.”
Of course I did. I already know what I’m getting you.
“You don’t have to get me anything.”
He clicked his plastic cup to hers, ignoring her protest, and they both drank. He lay back on his elbow, his booted feet crossed at the ankles, and took in the view.
Malee sat next to him with her feet tucked under her. She sipped her drink and admired the view as well. The wind blew over her, catching her hair and whipping it back.
He patted the spot next him, so she set her cup aside and lay down beside him. They both stared up at the blue sky.
She sighed. “It’s beautiful here.”
It is, isn’t it? Max replied.
“Do you come here often?”
Not often. Sometimes. When I need to think. He turned his head to smile over at her. It’s a good place to reflect and contemplate life.
She nodded. “I would imagine so.”
Or when I have a problem or something is bothering me, I come up here. It’s quiet, peaceful. It helps me remember what’s important.
She nodded.
He gestured to the view. How can you look out at that view and not feel it?
“When did you first come up here?”
My brothers and I used to come up here as kids just to goof off. But when I was fifteen, I started sneaking up here alone.
“Why?”
It was just after my parents were killed in a car accident. I used to come up here to work through my grief and to feel closer to them, some days to try to figure out my life, and I’m not gonna lie, some days just to curse God for taking them.
“I’m so sorry.”
He turned his head to look at her. He didn’t tell her any of the usual things people might say to brush aside an expression of sympathy they weren’t comfortable with like, ‘I’m okay now’ or ‘it was a long time ago.’ Instead, he just signed, Thank you.
“When was the last time you came up here?”
The day after you came to the gym.
That took her by surprise. “Why?”
He looked right into her eyes, and Malee felt like he looked right into her soul. To thank God for putting you in my path. Because you changed everything.
“I did?”
He nodded, turned back to the view, and changed the subject.
They talked for hours, telling each other all their hopes and dreams. They talked about everything; no topic was off limits. They were both completely open with each other.
Malee told Max about her frustrations working at the restaurant. She told him about how much she loved and wanted to please her father, but he was over-protective and that made her feel stifled. She tried to express to Max how isolating being deaf could be, and how sometimes she felt cut out of conversations.
She liked that Max just paid attention to what she was conveying to him, and that he didn’t interrupt her by suggesting solutions or trying to solve her problems. He just gave her his undivided attention and let her vent. For the first time, with anyone other than her sister, she felt free to express her feelings; that she could tell Max anything, and it was a wonderful experience.
Max told Malee all about the tattoo shop. He told her what it was like to give someone a tattoo, especially when that tattoo held real meaning for the client. He told her how it felt to give that person a way to express their love, their accomplishments, and sometimes even their grief. He told her about loving the creative outlet it gave him. He also told her about wanting more, wanting to make a real difference in people’s lives in a meaningful way other than through his art.
He told her about how helping the kids at the gym was really becoming important to him, and all about the boy he’d met, how Ben had touched his heart.
He asked what she thought about that, and if he’d handled the situation right. She loved that it mattered to him what she thought. How long had it been since anyone wanted her approval or opinion?
They even talked about the future, and how many kids they each wanted. Surprisingly, they both wanted a houseful.
They laughed over that one.
Were you born deaf? Max finally broached the topic.
She shook her head. “When I was five years old, I got sick. My parents didn’t have much money and waited to take me to the doctor.” She shrugged. “They think it may have been an infection that went untreated too long.”
He studied her face. Maybe your father feels guilty about that. Maybe that’s why he’s so protective of you now.
She nodded. “Maybe you’re right. I hadn’t thought of that.”
Malee sat up and reached for some grapes. Max tilted his head back, his mouth open. She chuckled, popped a grape into his mouth, and couldn’t resist bending her head down to kiss him.
When she pulled back, he signed, I like your aunt.
“I’m glad. I think she likes you, too.”
If she didn’t, she wouldn’t have let you come with me today.
Malee looked out over the view. “It’s nice to be away, to not have to worry about getting caught.”
He grinned up at her and teased her. I think you like the sneaking around. You find it exciting.
She laughed and admitted it with a nod. “I suppose I do. And you? Do you find it exciting?”
He chuckled and pulled her down on top of him. I find everything about you exciting.
She laughed down into his face.
He rolled until she was under him. They stared at each other, the laughter dying off as desire took hold. He dipped his head and kissed her. She slipped her hands up to cup his face, pulling him back for kiss after kiss until kisses weren’t enough. His hand moved between them, his fingers going for the buttons down her shirt, popping them free one after another, until he reached the bottom, pulling her shirt wide. His mouth moved down her throat to follow the slope of her breast while his warm palm slid over her ribs.
Her small hands smoothed over his broad shoulders, the fabric beneath her fingers warmed by the sun beating down. She closed her eyes and drowned in the sensation of his beard brushing over her skin. They shot back wide-open when his fingers were at the fastening of her jeans. Should she stop him? Did she want to?
He popped the button open and drew the zipper down. A moment later his warm palm was gliding inside, smoothing over her belly as his fingers slid into her panties. Those long fingers caressed gently in slow circles before dipping to find her wet.
She’d never been touched there before, and she gasped in a breath.
That brought Max’s head up, his eyes connecting with hers, the heat in his dark brown eyes plain in their molten depths. He was breathing heavier now, his body tense, poised over her. But there was a question in his expression. He wouldn’t go further without her permission.
As badly as she wanted to, and oh how she wanted to, she just couldn’t let herself give that permission. She wanted him, needed him, like she’d never experienced before, but she had to be sure she was it for him, not just for now, but for always.
“Max,” she breathed his name.
He dipped his head to kiss her lips, just a soft touch. Then he was pulling his hand free and lifting off her a bit to pull the edges of her shirt together.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
It’s okay, Malee. You’re not ready. I can wait. Someday you’ll know.
“What will I know?” She frowned up at him.
How much I care for you, and that I’d never hurt you.
She searched his eyes and had to ask the question. “Do you love me, Max?”
He grinned down at her. Yes, Malee. I love you.
Her mouth parted as he stood and pulled her to her feet.
I’m not just saying that to get sex, either. I want you to understand that.
I think I love you, too, Max. This time she signed it rather than spoke it, perhaps because she was afraid to say the words out loud. Her signs were rushed, jerky.
His eyes studied her hands a long time, as if he wanted to make sure he understood them right, then they lifted to her face, and he slowly signed. Just think?
She shook her head. No. I know I love you.
Say it. Please.
“I love you, Max.”
A bright grin split across his face.
“You look happy.”
I am happy. He glanced around, then back at her. I think we need to commemorate this moment.
She looked at him quizzically as he walked over to the trunk of the tree, then pulled a folding knife from his pocket and opened the blade. He stuck the point in the bark and made a big heart shape, going over it again and again. Then he carved in the center Malee + Max.
It took him awhile. When he was finished, he put the knife away and stepped back to admire it. Do you like it?
“I love it. No one’s ever carved my name in a tree before.”
I hope not. He grinned.
She stared at the heart a long time, touched by its meaning and that he’d done that for her. Then she threw herself in his arms. He caught her to him as they both tumbled to the ground, laughing and kissing.
Finally, when they both caught their breaths, he signed to her, This is our spot now.
She looked up at the tree. Our spot. She liked that. She liked that a lot.
***
Max pulled the motorcycle in the space in front of Brothers Ink. The sun had set, and the temperature was dropping as they’d made their way back into town. Max had promised Aunt Tan he’d have Malee back before dark, and he wanted to keep that promise. The last streaks of purple and blue painted the western sky as he glanced down Main. He took Malee’s hand, and they jogged across the street, darting inside the glass door that led up to Aunt Tan’s apartment.
Their feet pounded up the steps. Just before she was about to slide her key in the lock, he grabbed her hand, stopping her. She looked up with wide questioning eyes before he grinned, took her head in his hands, and kissed her one last time without any prying eyes on them. It would have to last them until the next time she could manage to slip away.
When finally he released her and they went inside, Aunt Tan was sitting on the couch, watching the news. She looked up when they entered, smiling and laughing.
You two look happy. Did you have a good time, Malee?
Malee turned and gazed into Max’s face, her smile bright as she replied, “I had a wonderful time.”