6. ChopsticksFork
Chapter 6
Chopsticks or Fork
Maya
O ne minute, I’m cuddled next to Bull, and the next, I’m waking up in my bed, still fully clothed, but tucked in with my covers around me. The best part of my night started from the moment Bull saved me from Ken and took me home. He set me on his lap, and even though he told all about how he’s a monster, I know he’s anything but. He painted a bleak picture of the horrible things he’s done, but I know they can’t be true.
I’ve met Phoenix, Kailyn’s fiancé, and he told me they work together and that he would trust his life in Bull’s hands. Kailyn’s come by to chat a couple of times, and she says the same. She also explained that the work they do can be dangerous, but it’s also important. She told me about the medical team they saved from rebel soldiers, and the senator and his family they protected, solving the mystery as to why they were after him to begin with. Kailyn explained that this is part of who the Storm men are, and we either accept them as they come, or we don’t.
I wholeheartedly agreed with that, so when Bull went on and on about his faults, I could see he was testing me. Maybe not consciously, but he was waiting for me to tell him to leave. He laid it all out, and I’m glad for it. These games people play are ridiculous.
I did think it was fair to lay out a demand of my own. My pa used to tell me that when you find the right man, never stop holding hands. Life gets busy, work and things get in the way, but holding hands represents an unspoken unity. Ma and Pa rarely fought, but when they did, those arguments were doozies! Yet, no matter how angry they got at one another, at the end of the day, Pa or Ma would reach over and take the other’s hand. They’d sit quietly for a while, and when they thought we were asleep, I’d hear them talking. By morning, all was right as rain.
When I told Bull that hand-holding was a must, I expected him to laugh, but he didn’t. He took my hand in his, and then he kissed me. And that kiss! I never wanted it to end. I’ve been kissed before, but never like that. Even now, I can remember the touch of his lips, his full beard tickling my skin, and the way his fingers moved possessively over the curve of my neck. It was glorious.
I wanted to keep on kissing him, but when he said he wanted to take things slow because we were building something special, I was moved to tears.
He’s coming back to take me out for dinner tonight. It’s crazy that I have this nervous, excited energy bubbling inside me. I’ve got an entire day to get through before he’s here.
Enough! Time to do some productive work and move on with my day. I bounce out of bed, do my yoga workout, then hop in the shower. Yoga seems to ground and settle my nerves, and by the time I’m done, I feel much more relaxed.
I review the lesson plans I developed for the English classes I’m teaching starting tomorrow, and before I know it, it’s almost noon. When my stomach rumbles, I realize I forgot to eat breakfast. I tend to do that more often than not. Ma used to bring me a sandwich when I would forget to come downstairs for a meal.
I’m reaching for the handle on the refrigerator when the doorbell rings. My growling belly tells me to ignore it, but then I hear Gertie’s voice, “Hey, lovie, are you home?”
I race to the door, swing it open, and see Gertie holding a tray of sandwiches with carrots and celery sticks on the side. Her other hand holds a plateful of fruit and dessert squares.
“What’s all this?” I ask as she puts the tray in my hand and comes through the doorway.
“Bull snuck you away from the party, and you didn’t get a chance to try all the goodies,” she says. None of which is true because as soon as I got to Kailyn’s, Gertie made me fill a plate and sit with her. I was stuffed to the gills with food.
I could tell her this, but I know my motherly neighbor came to get the scoop on Bull and me. Since Gertie’s been pushing the two of us together, I guess she should hear about us first.
“Let me set these on the table and I’ll get a pot of tea going,” I take the other plate from her. As Gertie sits at my small kitchen table for two, I get the kettle boiling and set the table for us.
“Did you enjoy yourself last night?” Gertie asks slyly. Her lips curve into a mischievous grin. I can’t help the blush that totally gives me away. “I see that Bull finally came to his senses. He’s a tough nut to crack.” She chuckles. “But a good man.”
“He’s a great man,” I correct. She waits for me to sit across from her. As I move to take some goodies from the tray she brought over, Gertie places her hand over mine.
“That man has demons. You need to know that, Maya. It doesn’t mean he’s not a good man, because he’s one of the best I’ve ever met, but his past haunts him,” she says. “A relationship with Bull is a commitment. He needs a woman with patience, who isn’t afraid of the brick wall he’s built up around himself.”
“We’re taking it slow,” I say in a quiet tone. “Bull said that.”
“That’s nice, lovie.” She pats my hand. “He’s going to try to push you away,” she warns.
“He already tried that,” I confess. She raises her brows, and I say, “I like him a lot. There’s something about him that makes me feel safe. He was so sweet last night. He held my hand, and when I fell asleep, he carried me to bed and tucked me in. Then he went home and promised to come back and take me out tonight.”
“He held your hand?” she asks with a surprised expression.
I giggle and nod. Gertie releases my hand and reaches for a sandwich. “Well, then, we have a reason to celebrate.” She laughs and takes a bite of a ham and Swiss on rye. Then, I laugh.
* * *
The air is chilly tonight. Autumn is on its way. I love the colors of the season, but I’ve never been a fan of the cold. I don’t ski, and with my lack of coordination, I won’t attempt it. With my luck, I’d break my leg, but I’ve gone sledding with my nieces and nephews, and that was fun.
One year, I decided it was high time I tried skating. The results were far from brilliant. I couldn’t sit down for a week. I spent more time down on the ice than I did upright. Even when I was standing, I looked like a newborn foal with shaky legs and awkward balance. It gave my family a good chuckle. I decided I could knock it off my “give it a shot” list.
My closet is empty, mainly because everything I own is lying on my bed because I can’t decide what to wear for my first official date with Bull. My wall clock tells me I’m running out of time, and if Bull is anything like I think he is, he’ll be punctual. That leaves me with twenty minutes to pick an outfit and do my hair and makeup. I’ve narrowed it down to three choices. An indigo-blue sweater dress, a V-neck with a pleated skirt, or tapered black pants with a crimson shirt with bell sleeves.
I quickly toss everything back in the closet and race to the bathroom, dabbing on some blush and eyeshadow, and, of course, mascara. I choose a light pink lipstick and shimmery gloss. I pull my hair up off the sides and pin it back, leaving the back down with big curls.
With seven minutes left, I reach for the indigo sweater dress and slip it on, and tug on low heels to finish my outfit. After one last look in the mirror, and before I can decide if I like it, the doorbell rings.
I swing open the door to find a yummy-looking Bull standing on the other side in a pair of dark chino pants and a lightweight, long-sleeve, fitted, light-gray Henley, showing off his toned body. His leather jacket makes him look like a sexy badass. He’s trimmed his beard. I think I must be drooling.
Then I see that Bull is doing a head-to-toe sweep of my outfit.
“Do you like my dress?” I ask. His eyes say it all far better than words, and when he hauls me into his arms, raising me onto my tiptoes and kisses me passionately, I feel my toes curl and my belly warm. I wrap my arms around his neck, pressing myself into him.
One of his hands is firmly on my ass, squeezing tightly, while the other moves upward along my spine and into my hair, threading into my curls to hold me to him. His mouth devours mine. Suddenly, he rips his lips from mine, breathing heavily.
“Yeah, baby. I like your dress. And your hair and everything else about you,” he says. “Jesus Christ, you’re enough to tempt the devil himself.”
I don’t know what he’s talking about. I know I’m not ugly. I’d even consider myself pretty, but tempting the devil, not likely. But it’s a sweet compliment, and I’ll take it.
“You look very handsome too,” I reply, resting my hand on his chest. I don’t know what comes over me, but I feel compelled to stroke his strong jawline, feeling his soft whiskers. “I like your beard. You’re very hot.” It just comes out, and I instantly regret it. I pull my lower lip between my teeth and lower my gaze, peering at him through my lashes.
His fingers tilt my chin up, and he brushes his mouth over mine. He rubs the lower half of his body against mine so I can feel his hardness.
“That’s what you do to me. I come in and see you looking this good, I want to forget dinner, tear your clothes off, and slide inside you. But I promised you dinner, so grab your coat, because if we stay here much longer, we’re going to be horizontal on your couch,” he says with a growl.
I’m dumbfounded until he gives me a little nudge. “Jacket, babe.” I hastily reach into the small coat closet and grab a short camel-colored jacket. He takes it from my hand and helps me on with it. He pulls my hair to one side, his fingers grazing my neck, causing a delicious shiver.
As we walk to the elevator, he reaches out to hold my hand. He does this all the way to his truck and as he helps me inside. Bull pulls out onto the main road, but once we’re on our way, he takes my hand from my lap and continues to keep hold until we reach the restaurant.
When he tries to let go, I grip harder. His eyes lock with mine. “Thank you.”
* * *
Bull
“Conall Phillips. That’s my name,” I tell her. Hardly anyone calls me Conall. It’s my legal name, but it’s never used. The last time I used my signature was when I bought the farmhouse just outside town. When I’m not at work, I’m rebuilding the place room by room. I got it for a song because it was abandoned, and the bank couldn’t off-load it. Where some see a run-down house, I see peace and quiet.
“That’s a cool name,” Maya says with a grin.
“Can’t take credit for it. It’s the only ‘cool’ thing my parents gave me.”
“Maya Marie Randell. Maya because my parents loved the name. Marie after my grandmother on my father’s side. Pa said she was a spitfire. I have her smile. Well, that’s what Pa used to tell me.”
“You’re close to your family.”
“We are, but things have changed since Pa passed away. My brothers have taken over the farming, and they have their own families. Don’t get me wrong, they wanted me to stay put so they could take care of me, but that’s not what I wanted. Ma struggled to find her new normal without Pa. She’s gotten involved with some charities and has some new friends who she’s connecting with. I’m glad she has that. But Pa taught me to go out and explore. I couldn’t do that back home. Too many eyes were watching. All out of love, but it was too much. Still, I do miss them,” she says with a wistful tone. She perks up and asks, “What about your family?”
“My family’s garbage. My dad’s an asshole, my mother’s a bitch, and she did a good job teaching my sister to be as big a bitch or better than her. My oldest brother took off as soon as he turned eighteen and never looked back. My other one is in jail more than he’s out. I don’t see them. I don’t talk to them, and I have no desire to reach out. Tried it for a long time, especially my kid sister. She’s a grand manipulator, and when I saw that I couldn’t reach her, I let her go. Can’t be helped if you don’t want it.” I shrug.
I can tell I’ve caught Maya off guard as she’s staring at me with huge eyes. It takes her a second, then she says, “You’re the bright light in their sea of darkness.” Jesus, her words hit me like a sledgehammer. When she looks at me, she sees light ? “Is that why you joined the army?”
“Yeah. I needed to figure out my life. I wanted an education, and I needed to get the hell out of the slums before I got sucked into the abyss that was surrounding me. There was a gang on every corner, and that’s what my brother got into. He’s a fucking mess. I got him out twice and took him to rehab. It didn’t stick because I made him go. Next time he goes, it’s got to be because he wants it. My family now is Storm. Phoenix, Wire, Rebel, Falcon, and Kailyn. There’s one more of us, but he’s still serving. Should be home soon. We’re all counting down the days and praying he makes it home safe.”
“And Gertie,” she says.
“And Gertie,” I repeat with a chuckle. “That woman is stubborn and resilient.”
“And sweet, and wise,” she adds. Her expression serious, she leans over the table to get closer. I meet her halfway. “She says you’re dangerous, but you’re worth the trouble.”
“She’s right about the dangerous part,” I admit. Whether I’m worth the effort is anyone’s guess.
“You’re worth it, Conall,” she states with determination.
“How do you figure?”
“Everyone thinks I’m naive, and I am in many ways, but I’m not stupid. I know an ugly heart when I see it, and I know a good man when I meet one. I’ve met good people, but you’re the only man I’ve ever felt safe with.”
The waiter arrives with our appetizer, forcing us to sit back. I watch her as she twists the chopsticks in her hand, trying relentlessly to pick up an egg roll and failing miserably. With Maya, everything is simple. She says what she thinks, and she moves on. No games, no pretense, just telling it like she sees it.
“At this rate, I’ll starve to death,” she grumbles with an adorable frown. I pick up my own chopsticks and pick up the egg roll, then hold it up in front of her.
“We can’t have that,” I murmur. She giggles and takes a bite, then moans at its goodness.
“That’s the best I’ve ever had,” she says, holding my wrist and taking another bite.
As the waiter sets out more dishes on the table for Maya and me to share, he asks, “Shall I get a fork for the lady?”
“Might be a good idea.” He runs off to fetch one.
She pouts. “You need to teach me how to use chopsticks.”
“You got it, babe, but let’s get a fork just in case.”
I show Maya how to hold the chopsticks, and as the evening progresses, she gets better with them, until she attempts the noodles. Then she picks up her fork. I laugh so hard, the whole restaurant rumbles with the sound. Maya giggles and eats a forkful of Singapore noodles with beef.