12. Maya #2
Atlas offered me an amused grin and shook his head, going to talk to the woman as Marco leaned back, raising a finger to call me over.
I put my bag down and walked over, feeling really freakin’ good about myself, to be honest. The minute I was within reach, the man wrapped his arms around my waist and tugged me forward so I had a knee on either side of him, a soft sound coming from my throat that had him stilling.
Everything inside of me heated as those mint eyes darkened. I shivered, causing a predatory flash to darken his gaze even further. I lifted a hand and ran my fingers across his lips as a shudder ran through him, his forehead falling against my cashmere-covered chest.
“These clothes still aren’t good enough for you,” he mumbled.
I pulled back and tilted his head up. “Don’t say that; I love these.”
“I love them as well,” Atlas drawled, making me blush.
“I like what’s underneath them,” Sai whispered. A warm flush crawled up my back at his heated words. Oh my.
“Mr. Moretti,” the woman stated, “the remainder will be delivered within the hour.”
I turned and walked right up to her, pulling her into a hug. She squeaked, but I just whispered ‘thank you’ because I’d never had an adult woman treat me with that much kindness. I then turned and followed Marco to the door.
“You hungry?” Sai asked, intertwining our fingers.
My stomach rumbled. “That would be a yes.”
The air was chilled, raindrops drizzling onto my head in a relaxing pattern. I squeezed Sai’s hand tighter as we walked down the paved stone pathway toward a series of restaurants. I wasn’t really paying attention to what they were talking about, and I froze as we approached a smaller storefront.
Its door was different than the others, splattered with paint and adorned with a unique glass door handle.
The sign was modest, reading Clara’s Craft Store.
I grinned and broke away, smiling wider at the chimes singing above me as I opened the door.
Warmth surrounded me, and the yellow color of the walls made my heart pitter-patter.
You know when a place just resonates with you? That’s how I felt right now.
“Angel?” Atlas called out. I was distracted though, walking across the worn wooden floors.
The walls were built high with different colored shelves holding a ton of craft supplies from paints to shading pencils.
In the center were a number of island displays, with a table at the back.
A woman stood at the counter, offering me a soft smile, her warm brown eyes making me happy.
Her gray hair was covered in paint, and she was wearing jean overalls that I was jealous of.
“Hi,” I greeted, approaching the counter. “What is this place?”
She laughed, her voice soft and light. “This is my craft store. Pretty neat, huh?”
I nodded enthusiastically. “Very. I want to spend all of my time here.”
“Do you paint or draw?”
I shook my head. “Never tried. What would I start with?”
“Sweetheart.” Marco’s voice startled me.
“What?” I raised a brow at his searching gaze.
“Nothing.” Atlas patted Marco’s shoulder. “We’ll be over there if you need us.”
Sai winked. “Have fun, kitten.”
Kitten? Now why did that make me blush?
“Come on.” Clara, I assumed, walked me towards a large shelf in the back. “What sounds more interesting to you? Painting or drawing?”
I looked over the different sample projects on display and smiled. “Painting.”
She nodded and began to gather some supplies. “Let’s start you on watercolor.”
I frowned at the pile; I really didn’t want them buying me anything else. “Is it possible for me to work here to pay off the supplies?”
Her eyes softened as she looked over my shoulder, setting the material down. “What’s your name?”
“Maya.” I offered my hand and she met it, introducing herself as Clara.
She sighed. “You remind me a lot of myself. My Alec never wanted me buying or working for stuff. I’m assuming you’re facing something similar?”
Who was her Alec?
I nodded. “I just don’t like them spending money on me.”
“Kitten,” Sai called. I refused to look, knowing they could hear me somehow.
“How about this.” She smiled. “You let them buy this stuff because I don’t think they are going to give you a choice, and I give you a job here? We can work out what works best with your schedule after school.”
“How do you know I’m in school?”
“I have a granddaughter about your age,” she explained and squeezed my shoulder.
I nodded and met her hand. “Deal.”
As we returned to the front of the store, Marco pinned me with a look, and I wrapped my arms around his center, burying my face against his button-down. His lips found my ear as the other two checked out.
“You really want to work?”
“Yes,” I responded softly. “I’ve had my entire life controlled; it feels good to make this choice.”
“Honey, what happened before you came here?”
I froze and swallowed. “Why does it matter, Marco?”
He tightened his arms around me and spoke quietly. “Because you’re our mate, and I want to know everything there is to know about you.”
There was something more to this…and I’m sorry, what? My question from earlier came flying back.
My head snapped up. “We aren’t talking about friends, are we?”
His chest rumbled as he grasped my chin gently, searching my face. “I think you know we’re not talking about being friends, Maya.”
“Marco…”
He pressed a kiss to the corner of my lips, and I shivered, grasping his arms as he let out a soft dangerous sound, nuzzling my neck gently. I whimpered as I felt his grip tighten.
“Marco,” Sai stated carefully. Marco looked up and narrowed his eyes, then shook his head, muttering a curse. I clung onto him still.
Clara handed Atlas a bag. “How do you feel about starting this Sunday?”
I snapped out of the odd haze I was in and nodded. “I’d love that! I’ll be here—what time?”
“We open at noon. Wear something you don’t mind getting paint on.”
With that, we were out the door. I tried to take the bag from Atlas, but he just tucked me under his arm.
When we reached a deep plum colored overhang, the sound of soft music in a language I didn’t recognize floated from overhead.
It sounded a bit like French, but I only knew that because I’d listened through the floorboards to the old French films my mother liked.
I made the mistake of voicing this, and all three men stilled as we made it through the door.
I acted like what I’d said was perfectly normal, focusing on the young man standing at the podium in the front.
But my body still flushed with embarrassment, causing me to take off my jacket and lay it across my arm.
“Hi there.” The young man flashed me a grin. “What can I do for you?”
“We want to eat here.” I offered a smile, and he chuckled like I was joking. His eyes flickered over my shoulder. “The four of you?”
All three men were absorbed in a seemingly silent conversation, so I ignored them. I shrugged. “Sure.”
His grin grew as he grabbed menus. “Quite the handsome entourage you have there.”
My lips pressed together, trying to hide a smile. “They are pretty handsome,” I agreed, following him. I heard footsteps behind me as Atlas’s arm wrapped around me protectively.
If Sai was all fire, Atlas was calm and steady, making me feel protected. Marco, though, made me feel like a flame was bursting out from under my skin, dangerous and extreme. At the same time, he exuded a contrast of safety and control.
“Calm down.” The man ‘tsked’ at Marco’s frustrated expression. “She and I bat for the same team. If anything, it’s you who should be worried.”
Now, I did know what that meant.
Pastor Malcolm hated men who liked other men.
I didn’t understand why it mattered, so I let loose a laugh because the host seemed to find it so funny.
I wiggled from Atlas and walked next to the man as he began to talk about a bunch of different foods they offered before finally reaching a circular booth that was lit up by candles.
He winked, and I slid in, running my hands over the soft velvet material of the seat.
Atlas slid in on one side and Marco on the other, my eyes tracing Sai’s still darkened expression.
“What can I start you with to drink?” the man asked.
Marco barked off an order, and the man rolled his eyes, amused, before walking away. I looked over the carefully polished silverware and very clear glasses, touching my finger against the flower arrangement, shocked to find they were real.
“Maya,” Atlas started, “what do you mean you used to listen to them through the floorboards?”
I frowned, confused. “I’m not sure how many different ways that can be taken.”
Sai chuckled, but his voice was edged in stress. “She makes a fair point.”
Marco grunted. “Honey, I think it would help all of us if you gave us just a bit more knowledge about where you lived before this. I mean, you can’t blame us—you aren’t even registered with the state.”
I sighed and wrapped my arms around myself, trying to not make it obvious how nervous their questioning made me.
“I told you—I lived in Louisiana. I lived in a church. I don’t know why we need to talk more about it than that.
I mean, realistically, it’s over, and as of this Saturday, when I turn eighteen, it really won’t matter. Isn’t that enough?”
“No,” Marco stated evenly. “Can you at least tell us where the bruises were from?”
“An accident,” I mumbled.
“Maya.” Marco was practically begging.
“Remember earlier when you told me I should just relax and enjoy this? Well, let’s do that. I can explain tomorrow if you want me to,” I said, hoping to delay the inevitable just a bit longer. Once they realized what a freak I was, they wouldn’t want to spend time with me anymore.
“Tomorrow,” Atlas stated softly, and I nodded.