Chapter 4 - Max
I'm still in the midst of unpacking and arranging my workstation when the telltale jingle of the front door signals a customer entering the shop. Glancing up, I see Maria greet an elderly woman, all warmth and politeness.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Hutchins! What can I help you find today?"
The older woman smiles, adjusting her cane.
"Well, I could use some more of that lovely lilac embroidery floss you showed me last time. My granddaughter's birthday is coming up."
"Of course! Let me grab that for you."
Maria moves towards the back shelving unit, skirt swishing around her sexy legs with each step. I tear my gaze away, cursing my wandering eyes, but then she stretches up on her tiptoes and that skirt rides even higher.
It's impossible not to sneak glances at the highly pleasing expanse of smooth skin exposed, my throat going dry. When she leans in, and the swell of her breasts presses enticingly against her blouse with the effort, I audibly groan.
Fuck. I must calm down. No sense perving on the woman like some kind of desperate punk kid. Except Maria lets out a soft huff of frustration when her fingertips still can't graze the desired item.
"Oh darn, I can't quite --"
Her eyes lock onto me then, widening momentarily as she registers my presence. A faint flush blooms on those delicately freckled cheeks.
"Do you need a hand there?" I call out before I can think better of it, already moving towards her.
The old woman turns towards me with a toothy grin, giving an approving once-over.
"Oh, hello there, young man. You’re tall! You can definitely help us."
I bite back an amused snort at her frank appraisal.
"Always happy to lend a hand where I can, ma'am."
Sidling up beside Maria, I reach up with ease to pluck the basket she'd been stretching for from the top shelf. Her floral, slightly musky scent washes over me as I straighten, holding the item down for her to take.
"Thank you," she murmurs, not quite meeting my eyes as she accepts it.
A few errant strands of hair have come loose to frame her face, and I'm struck by the sudden urge to tuck them back.
The old woman clears her throat pointedly, reminding us both of her presence.
"I'd ask him to grab a few more things, if you know what I mean." She winks at me salaciously.
Maria lets out a mortified giggle at her suggestion, and I can't resist flashing her a roguish grin in return.
"Now now, no need to corrupt me with your saucy one-liners," I tease. "I'm no one but an innocent bystander."
The doubtful look Maria shoots me at that tells me she's not buying what I'm selling. Good - better she sees right through my feigned nonchalance.
Because after that tantalizing glimpse of her graceful body stretching and straining, "innocent" is the last word that comes to mind.
The old woman cackles mischievously.
"Innocent, my foot! I may be old, but I'm not blind. You've got that bad boy look that drives the ladies wild."
Maria makes a small protest noise, "Mrs. Hutchins, really now..."
But the elderly customer waves her off, giving me an exaggerated once-over.
"Mark my words, dearie, this one's gonna be trouble for you. The kind you can't resist, though."
An uncomfortable silence falls as Maria flushes a brilliant shade of crimson. I figure I should probably intervene before this escalates further.
"I appreciate the...compliment?" I offer carefully. "But I think it's time we got you checked out, ma'am. Wouldn't want to monopolize Maria's attention any longer than necessary."
I shoot Maria a reassuring look as she rings up the embroidery floss, her movements slightly flustered. The tips of her ears are still tinged pink.
"Oh, don't mind me," Mrs. Hutchins trills airily. "Just an old lady calling it like I see it. You two kids have fun now!"
She winks at me once more before tottering towards the exit, leaving an awkward tension in her wake. Maria avoids meeting my gaze, focusing intently on counting out the change.
"Don't worry about her," I say after clearing my throat. "She's probably just starved for entertainment at her age."
Maria lets out a small, embarrassed laugh.
"I wish. Mrs. Hutchins has always been...incorrigible like that."
"I can handle a few mildly inappropriate comments," I assure her with a half-smile. "Wouldn't be the first time I've been the subject of lusty grandma flirting."
That startles a full giggle out of her, the sound bright and captivating. Something in my chest clenches at her look of amusement, the way her eyes crinkle attractively at the corners.
This kind of reaction over a simple laugh is dangerous territory, but I can’t stop myself.
"In any case, I should, uh, get back to setting up my space," I pivot, tearing my gaze away reluctantly. "Let me know if you need anything else from me."
"Will do," Maria replies, her tone carefully neutral now. "And Max? Thanks again for your help just now."
I pause, glancing back over my shoulder to meet her warm gaze, "Like I said, always happy to lend a hand where I can. Or when it’s needed."
The double meaning isn't lost on either of us. Maria presses her lips together in a thin line, but there's a certain heat flickering in her eyes now.
Message received. This game of ours is only just getting started.
The shrill ringing of Maria's phone cuts through the lingering tension. She shoots me an apologetic look before fishing it out of her pocket.
"Excuse me," she mouths, turning away slightly as she answers. "Hello? Oh, hey Alice..."
I busy myself with rearranging a few toolboxes, trying not to eavesdrop despite my curiosity. From the corner of my eye, I catch glimpses of Maria's shifting expressions - brows furrowing, lips pressing into a tight line, hand raking through her hair.
Eventually, the call wraps up with a weary, "Thanks, I'll keep you posted," before she disconnects.
Sensing her distracted mood, I straighten and clear my throat.
"Everything okay over there?"
Maria's head snaps up, temporarily caught off guard. But then she visibly composes herself with a small shake.
"What? Yes, sorry, that was just my friend and accountant calling about some..." She trails off, worrying her lower lip briefly. "Well, some financial concerns regarding the shop's numbers lately."
My brow furrows in surprise, "Anything serious I should know about? As your new tenant, I mean."
To my relief, she waves a dismissive hand.
"No, no, nothing like that. Alice's just being overly cautious as usual." A wry smile tugs at her lips. "Says landing a new renter like yourself might be exactly what I needed to stop stressing over the bottom line."
I relax at her reassurance, smirking a little.
"Well, I do aim to be a model tenant. Pay on time, no wild ragers or destruction of property."
Her eyes sparkle with amusement, "I'll hold you to that, mister. Though somehow I suspect your idea of a 'wild rager' might be slightly different from the norm."
There's that suggestive lilt again, that spark of playful challenge I'm rapidly becoming addicted to. Against my better judgement, I can't resist rising to meet it.
"You wound me, Maria," I lament, placing a hand over my heart dramatically. "I'm a total boy scout, I swear. Nothing but well-behaved fun allowed here."
She snorts indelicately at that, crossing her arms in playful disbelief.
"Oh, I sincerely doubt that's the case. In fact, I'd wager your definition of 'fun' is delightfully misbehaved."