Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
TEXAS
F ucking hell. I’d read the signals right. I’d seen her checking me out, and now I’d made my move.
The kiss started out as a soft brush of lips against each other’s before we pulled back. Her eyes were wide and wild. Her fingers pressed into my hips.
I needed more.
I had to have more.
And when she licked her lips, I knew she wanted it too, and fuck, my cock thickened. Leaning in again, I brushed my mouth across the corner of hers.
“Texas,” she whispered, her hands tightening on me again.
“Christ, babe,” I got out before I nipped at her bottom lip. Her mouth opened with a whimper, and I took my chance. I slanted my mouth over hers and turned the kiss into a hotter one that made her come alive in my arms. I got to taste, to suck, and tangle our tongues together. Her arms wound around my waist, her legs around my hips. I used my other hand, the one that wasn’t at her neck, to thread my fingers through her thick hair and grip. Another whimper escaped her, and she dug her fingers into my back, dragging me closer, like she wanted inside me.
Hell, I wanted inside her. In every fucking way.
Her mouth was made for me. Her sounds were mine. I caused them. I brought those reactions out of her.
Fuck me.
She was giving me everything in this kiss. She was perfect.
But I had to stop this.
I couldn’t take it too far.
I didn’t want her to think this would be it.
All I needed was a taste, and I got it. And fucking loved it.
I broke the kiss to hug her tightly to me, holding her head to my chest. My hard cock was pressed into the cupboard between her legs. “Christ, Maya.” I had to get her out of here. My restraint was lacking in my fog-kissed state.
Shit, I wanted her mouth again and again.
Stepping back, I helped her stand.
She blinked a little dazedly up at me. “Texas?”
Cupping her cheeks, I dipped back in for a quick taste. I couldn’t stop myself. “I gotta get you home.”
Her head jerked back. “What?” Anger flared in her eyes; the desire dropped away.
I smirked. “Babe, I gotta get you home or I’m gonna take you to my bed and fuck you like I’ve been picturing for months.”
Crap. I hadn’t meant to say that.
Maya’s anger fled as she took heavy breaths. “Texas.”
“It can’t happen yet.”
“Why not?” she demanded snappishly. Her attitude was just as much of a turn-on as everything else she did.
My grin at the thought faded as I pulled her close, staring down at her. “Because for once in my fuckin’ life, I won’t think with my dick. You deserve better. You deserve all the damn bells and whistles because you, Maya Marcus, are something special.”
Tears formed in her eyes, and she dropped her forehead to my chest. “Shut up.”
Chuckling, I kissed the top of her head. “I won’t. You’ll take care of this with me, what we have growin’, yeah?”
“Are you sure—”
“Don’t—fuck—please don’t second-guess what I’m feelin’.”
She lifted her head and met my gaze. “Okay, Texas.”
“You wanna talk about this?”
“What?”
“Where this is goin?”
“I… um… I don’t know. Yes, no, maybe. It’s a lot.” She looked away and then back again. “I never thought this could happen. I like how we’ve been.”
Did that mean she wasn’t sure about more?
Nah, fuck that—the kiss said she wanted me.
“I get that, babe. I do. We’ll always keep what we’ve had, but it’ll be so much more with what we have growin’. You trust me, yeah?”
“Yes, Texas.” Good. Instant. Loved that.
“Just keep trustin’ in me and know I’ll take care of everythin’ between us.”
“You really want something more?”
“More than anythin’ in my life.”
She softened in my arms, sank into me, and Christ, she leaned in and kissed my chest. “All right, Texas.”
“Good. Now, we’re gonna go out on a date and talk some more tomorrow.”
Her broad smile gripped my heart. “Can the date be here?”
“Not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Scared I’ll jump your bones?”
I snorted out a wild laugh and wrapped her into a tighter hug. “Fuck, gorgeous. Love the shit you say.”
“It could be true,” she muttered.
“I believe you, which is why it could be dangerous havin’ dinner here again.”
She lifted up onto her tippy-toes and whispered in my ear, “Don’t be scared, Texas. I’ll be gentle.”
Groaning, I put my hands on her hips and stepped away from her before dropping my hands. “You’re not makin’ this easy.” My cock throbbed behind its confinement.
Her laugh was carefree and more music to my ears. “All right, Texas. We’ll play it your way.”
“Good. Now let’s get you home.”
“I have my car, remember.”
“Shit, I forgot. All right, I’ll walk you to it.” I took her hand and strode down the hallway. I needed to move swiftly past my bedroom or there was a chance I’d drag her in there. My fast pace was something Maya found funny. At the door, I swung it open and left it like that while we went across the street to her car. As I faced her, regret stabbed at my gut.
I didn’t want to see her gone.
Reaching up, I gripped the back of her neck and pulled her close for the final kiss of the night. I knew the kiss would make it harder to let her leave, but I had to have her mouth again. It was already addictive.
“Fuck,” I muttered against her plump lips. “Get in the car, babe.”
“Okay,” she said softly, but she didn’t let go of my waist.
“Gorgeous, I need you to step back.”
With a swift peck to my mouth, she unlocked her car and got in. As soon as it was started, she wound down her window.
“I was scared to take this leap, Texas. But I also knew I could never resist you. You’ve always been in my heart.” Before I could say anything, she wound up her window and I shifted back in time for her to pull out and drive off.
You’ve always been in my heart.
Holy hell. Those words were like a punch to the heart in the best kind of way.
Even the next day I couldn’t get her words off my mind. The hours ticked by at a snail’s pace. Work didn’t seem to distract me like it usually did either. Not that I didn’t put my full effort into my jobs. I did and always would. But it felt like there were ten days in the single one with how long it lasted.
After I cleaned my station, I made my way out to the front where Mon was. Her teasing grin annoyed me. She knew I was going on a date that night. It had slipped out when she was pestering me about Maya that morning.
“Only an hour to go until you see her. You excited?”
“Mon, I’ll give you ten dollars to shut it.” My gut was already twisting with nerves. Never had them like I did with Maya, but there was a lot riding on the night.
While Mon laughed, I went to the computer and looked at tomorrow’s schedule. I already had Elisabeth’s and James’s designs ready, and they were my morning clients. I could finish the touches on Oliver’s on my break. Thank fuck there was nothing going on within the club that was an urgent matter and had us too busy for other things. I knew it could happen, even at the drop of a hat. If it did, I’d push clients back or get them in with someone else I trusted, because the club came first. Along with Maya.
“How’s our boy doing?” I heard Hex ask.
“He’s distracting himself until he goes to pick up his woman,” Mon answered.
“Do you think we need to have the birds-and-the-bees talk with him?”
Why did I employ them?
Mon hummed. “I think it could be a good idea. Do you have any condoms we can give him?”
“Don’t even fuckin’ try it,” I warned. Of course, they found that amusing.
“Stop stressing,” Hex said with a pat to my shoulder. “She already likes you. I’m sure you can’t fuck this up.”
“Well,” Mon drew out. I shot her a glare, causing her to laugh and hold her hands up. “I’m kidding. Where are you taking her?”
“I’m not telling you. You’ll probably turn up just to annoy me.”
She tried for an innocent look. “Who, me?”
Shaking my head, I straightened. “I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
Mon grinned. “Just call me if you can’t make it in.”
“Don’t forget to wrap it before you tap—” Hex took a step back from the look I shot him. “I’ll shut up now.”
Grunting, I walked around the counter and out the front door. Usually, I didn’t mind their teasing. But I just wasn’t having it because it was Maya. The women from my past, I didn’t care about. Maya, I did.
Once home, I took a quick shower and changed into my dark jeans, a long-sleeve black top, my club vest, and boots. I wasn’t taking my bike to pick Maya up. Though, having her wrapped around my back sounded appealing. Instead, I wanted to hold her damn hand like we were teens.
On the drive over, I cracked my neck, relieved I’d already talked to Talon. It meant if he was home, he already knew my intentions and had given me his approval. However, it wouldn’t surprise me if I got some type of fresh warning before taking Maya out.
At the door, I knocked and heard Drake yell, “I’ll get it.” His footsteps pounded from inside and then the door swung open. “Hey, Texas.” He moved back.
“How’s it goin’, kid?”
“Good, good.” He nodded and then turned to the hall. “Maya, Texas is here for your date.” He sang the last word loudly.
“Drake,” she yelled, her tone full of warning.
Drake rolled his eyes and then shut the door. He stood beside me, crossing his arms over his chest. “Right,” he drew out, “Dad ain’t home, so you got me to deal with. I’m guessin’ you already know the talk, but I’m still gonna give it to you straight. You hurt my sister in any fuckin’ way, I will hunt you down and make you pay in the worst way possible. Got it?”
I looked down at the floor while my lips twitched. Blanking my expression, I met his hard, serious gaze, then nodded. “Got it, Drake.”
He gave me a friendly smile. “Great.” With a slap to the back, he nodded towards the couch. “Wanna sit while you wait? God only knows how long she’ll take.”
“I’m here,” Maya called before she hit the living room. When she did, my throat closed over and I forgot how to breathe.
“Fuck,” I muttered.
Drake chuckled, rolled his eyes, and went to lounge on the couch.
Maya’s sweet smile had me sucking in air and then returning it with an open-mouthed, crazed one.
She was going to be mine and she knew it.
Christ, I was a lucky guy.
“Maya,” slipped out softly when she stopped in front of me. “Jesus, babe, you look stunnin’.” I’d thought I’d seen her in everything she owned.
I hadn’t.
It would have been burned into my brain if she’d ever worn this red dress. One that was cut just above her knees, sleeveless, and hugged her body like a second skin.
“It’s not too much?”
“No,” I said instantly. Reaching out, I placed a hand on her waist, leaned in, and took her mouth like I’d been thinking of doing all day. She melted into me. Her hands went to my chest and slid up to wind around my neck.
Drake dry retched in the background, but I couldn’t break the kiss. At least I refrained from palming her arse like I wanted to.
A throat cleared.
It was only then I broke the kiss and glanced to the side.
Damn me and my impulsive ways.
Talon and Zara stood inside the doorway. At least Zara was smiling, while Talon, my prez, looked at me like he wanted to rip me apart.
I could understand why. I did have my tongue down his daughter’s throat. I’d be pissed too if I saw it happen to my daughter, if I had one.
Maya shifted so she was in front of me. “Mum, Dad. Hey. You guys are back early.”
“It’s all right, Dad. I gave him the talk,” Drake called.
Maya spun his way so she was at my side. “What talk?”
“Just know Texas and I have an understandin’.”
She snapped her gaze up to me. “What understanding?”
Grinning, I tapped her nose. “Nothin’ you need to worry about, gorgeous.”
“Texas knows where I stand,” Talon said.
Maya turned to him. “What do you mean?”
Talon smiled, and it was a little scary. “Just some little threats among brothers.”
“You—”
I curled my arm around Maya’s waist and brought her against me. “Relax, babe. It’s all good. They’re just keepin’ an eye out for you.”
She harrumphed. “Fine.”
“Curfew’s at midnight,” Talon ordered gruffly.
“Dad, I’m twenty-freaking-one. I don’t have a damn curfew.”
“Honey.” Zara pushed herself into her man. “Leave them be.” She looked at us. “Just go and have a good date.”
Talon pointed to his eyes and then to me. I nodded in return, fully understanding I held his precious cargo in my hands and was to take the utmost care of her. Which I would. Maya wasn’t only his to take care of, to guard, to cherish.
She was mine.