Maya

 

 

I have no idea what's gotten into me. I went from standing firm in my resolve to not get involved with Julian because of his recent break up with Isadora, to inviting myself over to his apartment in the middle of the night.

If a woman invites herself over to a man's place is that considered a booty call?

I sit in the back of the taxi as the driver steers through the streets of the city. I didn't even read the address Julian sent to me. I was too busy getting dressed and applying a light coat of pale pink lipstick and a sweep of black mascara.

I'm dressed in jeans and a white blouse under a black trench coat. I didn’t put a lot of thought into my outfit because I knew that if I did that, I'd second guess my decision to go see him.

"We're almost there," the cab driver announces from the front seat.

I look out at the row of businesses that line the street. "We are?"

"It's a block up." He gestures forward with his chin. "I'll drop you right in front."

I reach in my clutch for a few bills after I glance at the meter. I fish around for the cufflinks, making sure that they're still in the bottom of my purse. I tossed them in there with my keys and some money before I left my apartment.

"You're sure this is the place?" I look out at a shuttered drugstore. "I don't think this is right."

"Is that him?" He points toward the passenger window. "There's a guy lurking in the dark there. Is that your Prince Charming?"

I almost laugh at the comment. As soon as I got in the back seat of the taxi and showed him the text message from Julian with the address, he likely knew what I was doing.

I peer out and spot Julian standing next to the taxi. "That's him."

I place the money in his outstretched palm and slide across the seat. I still can't believe I'm doing this, but there's no turning back now.

 

***

 

His apartment is nothing like I imagined it to be. It's smaller than mine, cozier too. It's a one bedroom that sits above the drugstore. He led me partway down the alley to a side door. We had to climb three flights of stairs until we reached his place.

When he opened the door and I stepped inside, I could sense his life all around me.

The furniture is weathered leather. The coffee table is crafted from dark wood. The galley kitchen is tiny with only enough room for one person. He didn't take me down the hallway but I see two doors. One must be his bedroom, the other the washroom.

"You're surprised, aren't you?" he asks from behind me as he takes my trench coat. "You expected something different."

I did. I expected a penthouse overlooking the park or a brownstone with five floors. "I'm not sure what I expected."

"I bought this place when I was in college." He places my coat on the back of a chair. "I never got around to moving."

"Why move if it feels like home?" I turn to face him. "This feels like a home to me. Your home, I mean."

A smile spreads across his face. "It feels like home to me. It's always felt like home."

I move toward the couch knowing that I need to sit. My knees have been shaking ever since I sent that text message inviting myself over. "I bought an apartment last year that is starting to feel like home."

It is. I've painted it twice with Tilly's help. First, I covered every wall in a light shade of blue and then a month later, I opted for a medium gray. It's still not perfect, but I'm inching closer to it.

"Where do you live?"

"Murray Hill," I answer quickly. "It was a great deal and it's central. I can walk to work. That's important to me."

I open my clutch and reach in. "I should give you back the cufflinks before I forget."

"Tell me why you came, Maya." He takes a seat next to me as he takes the cufflinks and places them on the coffee table.

He's only wearing black sweatpants and a blue T-shirt. I noticed the black ink peeking out from beneath the arm of his shirt almost immediately. I can't tell what it is, but I'm almost as surprised by the tattoo on his bicep as I am his apartment.

"You have a tattoo." I ignore his question. I'm not ready to tell him that I came here to kiss him again. I can't confess that I want more.

"As do you." He reaches for my left hand and tugs it into his lap.

I watch silently as he flips my arm over and carefully unfastens the leather band of the watch I'm wearing. "I saw this at the restaurant the night you were with the Wartons. I've been dying to know what it says."

I don't move as he slides the watch off. He traces his fingertips over the curves of ink on my inner wrist. He does it once and then again before he finally looks at my face. "Enough."

"Enough," I repeat back. "A reminder that I'm enough."

He draws in a quick breath before he brings my wrist to his lips to kiss my skin. "You're so much more than enough. You're everything."

I close my eyes. I don't want to get emotional tonight. I didn't come here to feel anything other than physical pleasure.  "Can I see your tattoo?"

He kisses my wrist again before he reaches over his head to tug his T-shirt off.

Jesus. Wow.

Muscles for days, a light smattering of hair on his chest and abs that I could lick all night.

He turns slightly to give me the full view of his left arm. I study the intricate lines of black ink that seamlessly flow together. It's a beautiful piece of art that wraps around his bicep. The word loyalty is at its center.

"Loyalty." I reach up to touch his arm. "It's important to you."

"I value it almost more than I value anything else."

I sigh as I drop my hand. "I never pictured you with a tattoo."

"How did you picture me?"

My brows peak. "What do you mean?"

"You've thought about me, Maya." He turns so he's facing me directly. "Tell me what you've thought about."

I try to slow my heartbeat but it's useless. I'm the one who decided to come to his place. He knows exactly why I'm here. "Kissing you, touching you."

"We've kissed." He leans forward to kiss me softly. "Was it how you thought it would be?"

"Better." I breathe in his scent as he kisses me again. "It's so much better."

"Show me how you've thought about touching me."

"Now?"

He reaches for my hand. "Touch me, Maya."

I do. I slide my hand from his. I reach for his shoulder first, gliding my fingertips along the cut curves before I move slowly to touch his chest.

He keeps this breathtaking body hidden under his tailored shirts and suits. I knew every inch of him would be incredible. 

"I'm aching for you." He slides my hand over the front of his sweatpants so it's resting on his swollen cock. "I'm taking you to my bed, Maya. Remember what I said about no sleep?"

I nod as he stands and when he holds his hand out to me, I take it. I want this. I want this man more than I've wanted anything in my life.