Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
TEXAS
F uck me, I was a jittery mess, knowing Maya was coming home. Hell, I’d even taken the day off. It was lucky I did, since I could barely concentrate. Not that I knew I’d be seeing her. It’d seem too weird if I dropped in on the day that I knew she got back, like some lovesick fool. And yeah, that was me admitting I was falling hard for this woman. My feelings had grown even more with the time we’d spent together or talked on the phone or in texts.
While I’d said it before, now I was more sure.
Maya Marcus was mine, and Christ, I wanted to goddamn pray she saw me as hers.
Had I gotten under her skin again?
Was she crushing on me again?
Did she think of me like I did her?
“No offense, but can you fuck off?” Dodge complained with a sigh.
I’d even gone for a ride to Melbourne so I wouldn’t be waiting on Maya’s doorstep when she pulled up. Okay, so Dodge found my pacing annoying since I was doing it alongside a car he was working on in the mechanics business connected to the Caroline Springs compound.
Stopping, I turned to glare while crossing my arms over my chest. “Sorry, is my pacing gettin’ on your nerves?”
“That and you’ve been mumblin’ to yourself for the last half an hour.”
I snorted. I had not. “Bullshit.”
“You have,” Knife called. I shot him the finger.
“Someone’s on his mind,” Billy called, and I could hear the smile in his voice.
“Fuck off,” I clipped.
Dodge’s phone chimed. He pulled it out, read whatever was on it, and grinned before he announced, “The girls are home safe. We don’t have to hunt anyone down.”
My heart tripped over its beat.
Maya was back.
A few brothers chuckled. We all knew Talon had been worried, and not that Griz would admit it aloud, but he’d been just as concerned about his daughter as well.
I rocked on my feet, already wanting to head back to Ballarat to see her. But I didn’t want to crowd her. She’d probably need to rest or something.
“Hey.” Dodge stepped closer and dipped his head in. “Just go see her.”
“Nah, I’m cool. She’s home. That’s good.” I nodded to myself. I knew she’d enjoyed herself in Queensland but had also missed home. On the last night, when we’d talked over the phone, she’d told me she really did need the time away but still wasn’t sure where she wanted her career to go. Hopefully, I’d reassured her enough by letting her know there wasn’t a need to rush. That I was sure her bosses understood. Anyone would.
Dodge studied me and sighed. “Why you holdin’ back?”
“Because I fucked up to start with by not seeing her. I don’t want to rush this. The timin’s gotta be perfect, and then I hope to Christ she’ll agree to an us and seein’ a future with me.”
He reached out and ruffled my hair. “My wittle boy’s growin’ up.”
I glared and smacked his hand away, but I couldn’t hide the smirk. “Shut it, old man.”
But in all honesty, during the last few months, even I felt like I’d finally grown up. Become the man I’d always wanted to be. A good man. With good people at my back. I had my own worth within my businesses. Now all I needed was the special woman at my side.
“You stayin’ in town tonight then?” Dodge asked.
“Has Low made my room into a theatre yet?”
Dodge scoffed. “Like she’d ever do it. It’s the same as you left it.”
“Yeah, I reckon I’ll stay.” Then at least I didn’t look too desperate to see Maya.
“Good. Now help me finish this to keep your mind busy.”
My phone chimed, and I pulled it out of my back pocket.
Maya: Want to come for dinner? My gut gave off a nervous and yet excited jig.
She wanted to see me .
Me. After being away, and even though we’d talked every day, she wanted to see me.
Jesus, the hope in me flashed bright and made me damn giddy. “Actually, I’ve now got other plans.” Grinning, I saluted Dodge. “Catch you soon.”
Chuckling, he shook his head. “You’re whipped, boy.”
I snorted. “Just like you were and still are.”
“Can’t argue with that.”
On my way out, I messaged back, asking what time I was needed.
Maya: Seven. That gave me enough time to get back to Ballarat.
Me: See you then. Glad you made it home safe. The fact she’d wanted me to come to dinner, to see me, and the smiley face emoji she’d sent back had me all floaty and shit on the ride back to Ballarat.
When I pulled up out the front of Talon’s place, I climbed off my ride and looked down at myself. Shit, was I supposed to change? Did jeans, long-sleeve top, and club vest look okay when Maya had invited me to dinner? I’d had dinner at their place before, but to me, this was something more. She wanted to see me on the day she got home. It was dinner with the family, right?
Fuck.
I had to stop thinking; it didn’t do me any favours.
Stalking up the walkway, I jumped the stairs onto the front porch and knocked. The door swung open, and my breath was knocked out of me.
Maya stood with one hand on the door, smiling brightly up at me. “Hey, stranger.”
“Fuck,” I uttered before I swept down and scooped her up into a tight hug. I buried my nose in her hair and took a whiff like an addict. Jesus, she smelled good, and damn had I missed it. “Maya,” I whispered into her hair.
Her arms tightened around my neck. When I dropped her back to her feet, she looked up at me with a strange expression, but it was quickly replaced with a sweet smile.
I couldn’t stop myself from bopping her on her cute button nose. “Good to see your face.”
“Good to be seen. I can’t believe I missed this cold weather.”
I snorted as she stepped back and I entered. “It’s gonna get colder yet.”
She groaned. “Don’t remind me.”
“How was your last day in the sunshine?”
“Loved it, but I’m glad to be home.” She shut the door and started down the hall. “Everyone’s already in the kitchen. You’re a little early, so we’re just hanging around together, getting dinner ready and talking.”
“Wicked.”
My gaze slid to her arse as we made our way down the hall. Fuck, I wanted permission to touch it, spank it, even bite it. My cock throbbed behind my jeans. It wasn’t the time for dirty thoughts when I had to sit at the table with her dad who was my president. Knowing Talon, he could probably pick up on shit like that.
I happened to run my eyes down to her hands at her side and noticed they were shaking slightly.
Was she okay?
Did she need to sleep?
Reaching out, I took her wrist in hand and pulled her to a stop. Maya turned towards me, a question written on her raised brows. I lifted her hand. “Are you okay?”
A blush hit her cheeks as she tugged her wrist free and laughed slightly. “Yeah, fine. Just tired.” She reached up and patted my arm with a gentle look, then turned and entered the dining and kitchen area. “Texas is here,” she called after I followed her through.
I couldn’t help but think something was going on with Maya. There was a slight hesitation and shyness in her actions. Something I wasn’t used to seeing from her. At least not recently.
What happened? Did I do something I didn’t know about? Was the hug at the front door too much? Fuck, did she meet someone in Queensland?
I’d kill them.
Shaking my head, I greeted everyone, but I couldn’t stop thinking that something had changed. Maya kept glancing at me and looking away.
“How’s business?” Talon asked when I sat at the table. Zara, Maya, and the twins were in the kitchen, still preparing the meal, but Ruby had pushed me towards the table to take a seat.
“Good. Still can’t believe how busy it’s been since I opened.”
“People are gonna look you and your work up. Your place in Melbourne’s got a good rep.”
A beer was placed in front of me. I tipped my head back and caught Maya’s gentle grin. “Thanks, babe.”
As soon as the words were out, I fucking froze. I was sure I hadn’t called Maya “babe” in front of Talon. While he knew we were friends, he didn’t have a clue I wanted his daughter as mine, right? Fuck, what if he knew? That was a whole conversation I hadn’t been prepared for tonight.
When Maya went back to help her mum, I swallowed thickly and slowly looked back at Talon. His jaw clenched, his hand tightening around his drink.
Fuck.
Did he read into the words? The look? Had I stared at his daughter too long?
The bastard was a smart man. A guy I looked up to in many ways. Like I did Dodge.
He wasn’t stupid. Would he brush it off or say something?
Could I fix this before it blew up in my face and he started saying shit in front of Maya, who didn’t even know how deep my feelings went for her?
Did I man up and take him out of the room to talk with him myself? Ask his blessing or whatever? Was it too soon, since I didn’t even have a clue where Maya’s head and heart were at about me?
Jesus fucking Christ, I was going to break my damn brain thinking this hard.
“Prez, can I have a word?” The words were out of my mouth before I could backtrack and second-guess myself.
I didn’t know if his daughter would even be on board with something with me, but I wanted to show respect to Talon and let him know where my head was at.
Talon stood. When his chair scooted back on the floor, the noise caught the attention of everyone else.
“What’s going on?” Maya asked.
“Nothin’. We just gotta talk about work,” Talon said, his tone hard.
“Talon?” Zara called.
“It’s fine, kitten. Won’t be long.”
Maya frowned, worry clear in her eyes when she looked at me. I tried for a reassuring smile, but I wasn’t sure I pulled it off.
My heart damn trembled inside my chest. I wasn’t scared of Talon, but he was Maya’s father, and if he couldn’t see me in his daughter’s life, he could make my life hell. He could sway Maya against me.
Talon took me into his office. “Take a seat,” he ordered and closed the door.
Shit, sweat licked the back of my neck and palms.
Suddenly, it felt like my life was on the line.
In a way, it was, because Maya was my life.
Talon walked around his desk to sit behind it. He rocked back on his chair and stared at me. I waited a beat to see if he would say anything. To see if he’d noticed my attraction to Maya was more than friendship. Would Maya be pissed I went to her father to share my feelings first? To get his permission to court his daughter like the old-fashioned way?
Christ, I felt screwed either way, and no matter what, I was going to mess up with someone.
Talon cleared his throat. “You’re the one who wanted to talk, so talk.”
“Did you need me to talk?”
His brow rose. “What do you think I would want you to talk about?”
I rubbed my sweaty palms down my thighs. Shit, I had to go with my gut. He was the President of Hawks, but he also meant a lot more than that, and he was Maya’s father.
But before I could open my mouth, he demanded, “Tell me the real reason you moved to Ballarat.”
And there it was. He knew. He’d always known, and yet he’d accepted me in Ballarat, into his club.
“Because there was someone I wanted to get close to.”
He gripped his armrests. “My daughter that someone?”
“Yes, Prez.”
“You think I’m fuckin’ stupid, brother?”
“No.”
He leaned forward, resting his arms on his desk. “I reckon you do.”
“I don’t.”
“I know when I see a man lose his shit over his woman bein’ hurt”—I stilled as he continued—“that the man is a good one. One who cares a great fuckin’ deal for his woman. One who’ll protect her, do anythin’ for her. Back her in anythin’ she picks to do.”
I ground my teeth together to try and stop the onslaught of emotions coursing through me.
“It goddamn kills me to see my kids grow up, brother. One day you’ll understand it. One day when you’ve got your old lady at your side and a brood of your own, you’ll get the torment a father goes through.”
Hope fucking lit inside of me.
“At least I’ll know Maya’s in good hands, and, Texas, if she accepts you, I know she’ll have a good life with a hardworkin’ man who knows he’d have his arse handed to him if he fucks over my daughter in any way.”
The threat didn’t surprise me. I’d expected it. Being protective was in his blood. Having heard his blessing, though…. Fuck, I didn’t fully understand how much it would mean. It was like a weight had been lifted off me even as the emotions from it all held my chest in a tight clamp.
Clenching my jaw, I closed my eyes and nodded. Opening them after a beat, I cleared my throat. “She’ll be treasured each and every fuckin’ day.”
Talon held my gaze and grunted. “ If she accepts you.”
Nodding again, I agreed by saying, “If.”
And if I could ask for luck, I would when it came to having Maya accept me as her man.