Chapter eighteen

When I opened my eyes I saw Maya.Her head rested on my shoulder , and her chest rose and fell softly.I'd never seen anyone look so peaceful.She was perfect , a master's sculpture , moudled from flesh and bones.I could've stayed there for years but something was tugging me.She needed help, and I couldnt ignore her.

I got up, carefully not to wake her and , and pulled my phone off the night stand to make a call.

''It's five in the morning,''the voice on the other side of the telephone said.

''I dont care what time it is , Jo.''

I walked out so Maya couldn't hear me.

''Someone I care about is in trouble.''

''Wha-who?''

''A girl am dating, her name is Maya , she runs a bakery downtown. There's this homeless guy who keeps coming up and harrassing her.Then last night he attacked me with a metal bar.''

''Whats he look like?''Jo asked.

He's small with thick glasses and dirty black hair and he slicks back.You wont miss the guy, he smells like rolled cigarrets, and he looks like he hasn't showered in years.''

''Nothing like that fresh , woke-up-in-a-ditch-smell.''

''It's disgusting, he's obsessed with her.He follos her around , he tries to attack any guy who talks to her.It's sick .And it's only a matter of time before he goes after maya.''

''What can I expect ?''

''I don't know yet.Nobody knows , but he's got some sort of mental issue.I don't know if it's a development disability or a mental illness -probably both.''

''Is he coherent or off in La la land ?''

''A little bit of both.None of that matters .You have a gun and you know how to use it .i'm worried that he's going to come back after what happened last night.''

''Sounds about right.''

''I want you to keep an eye on maya while she's at work .How soon can you get there?''

I'll be ther within the hour .

What's the place called?''

''Maya's Bakery.''

''Does she know I'm coming ?''

''I dont want to tell her, honestly , ut I don't want her to ahev to worry .I'll talk to her about it when she wakes up.

''If She's not okay with me being there ,I can't go on the property.''

''You can if she doesn't notice .I don't think she wants to bring the cps out. Just do your job .I'll add in a bonus if you catch the little shit.''

''Do you know his name?''

''No , and neither do they .Try and get something on him if you can.''

''I'll do my best .''Jo hung up.

I walked back into the room and laid down .I landed too hard and jolted the ed. Maya started to roll over , her arm rising into the air .Then she smiled and I stopped caring.That was gratification enough .I kept my eyes trained on her , studying the way her eyelashes fluttered before she opened her eyes to look at me . She reminded me of a wide -eyed child, still in love with the world .

''Hey.''Her voice was like honey, warm and sweet.

''Can you just keep doing that over and over? You've got my heart pounding.''

''You'll get more than one chance to see me wake up.''

She stood up.

''I'll take every opportunity I can.''

I got up , too and started making the bed .

''Millitary to the core .''She watched me fold the covers under the mattress .

''You can bounce a nickel on it''

I stepped back to look over my work.

She walked around the bed and wrapped her arms around my neck .''What would you do if I satrted jumping on iit?''

''I'd grab you and throw you down on the bed ,Then I'd tear off your clothes and slam into you , just so I can see the look on your face.''

She reached around and pinched my butt.''I wish we had time for another go.''

''Can I atleast make you breakfast ?''

''Yes .I'm interested to see your cooking skills.''

''I doubt they're as good as yours .''We headed downstairs .

''What would you like to eat ? I have pancake mix, eggs , bacon , sausage , biscuit mix.I could make us some white gravy with sausage.''

We walked into the kitchen and she looked into the pantry .''Are those chocolate chips ?''She asked pointing up to the highest shelf.

''Yes.''

''Pancakes with lots and lots of chocolate chips .''

Coming right up.''I pulled out the pancake mix and chocolate chps .''I did smething.''

''What?''

''Don't get mad.''I ducked down to pll out a mixing bowl and a measuring cup .

''I can't proise that .''

I sighed .''I can't have you going to work alone without protection,''

''I have a gun ''

''I'll bet it's cocked up and empty .''I measured out the mix and poured it into the bowl.

''Yes , but...'''

I gave her one of my desarming stares ,''I have a guy who I work with sometimes .He does private security .His name's jo, and we worked together in the Navy .I called him up this morning .He's going to be watching the bakery .I hope you don't mind.''

''No , not at all .Listen ,Archer .I know you're apprehensve .You want to make a good impression on me, and I feel the same way , but you don't have to keep apologizing and worrying that I'll run out the door .I'm her , and I don't plan on going anywhere.''

''You mean that ?''

She walked up behind me and wrapped her arms around me. Then she reached up to my ear and whispered .''Yes I do.''

I felt a shiver drop down my spine .''Alk right .''I turned to face her .

''I'm going to make you a promise , and this time I mean it.''

''What's that?'' she asked .

''I'm done Im putting up a front any longer .It's just me from now on .The real me.''

''And I'll do the same,'' she said.

''No secrets , no lies , no worries.''

''It's a deal.''I kissed her .I turned back to the pancake mix and checked the box to see how much water to pour in.
She leaned in closer , her round , braless breasts resting on the table.''What isn't sexy about me?''


She flashed a fox grin .''Plus girl , you are a whole lot of hotness in such a small package .''She put on a twang .''And that down south accent ,mmm.I could just eat .....you...up...'

I snorted .She reached across the table and gripped my arms .Her touch sent waved of heat through my body , making me question which one of us had superpowers.

''Seriously, You've got to tell me .I'll die of the shame of ignorence if you dont .Litereally ,I'll die a hot lobely tech nerd .You'll have basically killed the digital age equivalent of a sexy librarioan.''

Thinking , I licked my lips .''Invite me back to your place , and I'll tell you everything.''

Like a withering flowere, she drew back her outsretched arms.

''Is it.... i dont know...safe?You've got some serious ,uh,kick when you get worked up.''

She was right;it probably wasn't safe, but my heart was hammering out a syncopated ditty ,My thoughts were clouded with the sweet scent of her .I ached with want and had to squirm in my seat.

In the quiet fields of North carolina where I'd grown up, i had practiced controlling my power on broken tables and rusted -out cars.In the secret of solitude ,I'd even used that power on myself, regulating the waves of vibration for pleasure and, sometimes , a delicious edge of pain.

Mustering a aveener of confidence , I said.''Take me to bed and find out.''

By the time we left the diner , the sky had let loose it's troubles.We flat-ran for her aparment while the fat raindrops soaked us through.Her hand clasped mine and practically dragged me up the flight of stairs .Before I could settle my brathing ,we wre inside her apartment.

She made no move to trun on a light.Instead she let me stand there, looking around .Her polace had big windows Te city lights shone thrpugh , casting abstract shadows across our faces.I fumbled with a floor lamp untoil a feeble,amber light emerged from its Edison bulb.The apartment was one open room,and my eyes lingered on the neatly made bed .

The floor was old , scarred wood.Little toys sat like totems in twos and threes on he mantle , coffee table, and counter I recognized a legend of Zeldafiguirinr and smiled.

Then I looked at her .In the soft light , her face was anxious .Almost against my will, my gaze was drawn downward .The wet fabric of her pale dress clung to her curves .I could se her dark nipples and the outline of her thighs through the thin fabric .The dress cleaved to the place where her legs met.I stepped toward her, reaching .I stopped in mid-motion, my arms halfwway extended.

I swallowed .

Maya didn't say anything.

I whispered .''Ever since I saw you,I've wanted to touch you. Can I?''

She bit her lip , weighing deciding , choosing .

Then her lips were on me , her body against mine.If I was the quavering earth , she was fire made flesh .Her skin steamed beneath her wet clothes , and her big mouth enveloped me. She swallowed me , consumed me.My universe wa her mouth , her lips , her tongue .Our breath was a living being , passing back and forth between us .She nipped me, and the flash of pain was exquisite , lighting up my body, reminding me I had a body .I had been born with hands tto worship at the atar of her.

I drew my hands up her legs , pulling her dress up over her head .i stood transfixed , staring at the mound of her hip and curve of her breasts , each nipple like an upturned purple bud seeking sunlight .She tore off my shirt and unzipped my pants .I knelt before her,tracing the line of her little red panties with the tip of my tongue .Her hands in my hair , she moaned and leaned into me.

With agnizing slowness ,I used only my teeth to tug her panties down .Small gasps kept escaping her .I wanted to bury my face between her legs and lap like a kitten at her clit, but I held back .Instead I darted my toungue out in quick motions Licking my lips that were hidden beneath soft black hair.My darting tongue parted those lips , but I wasn't ready yet to search for her treasures.

''You tease , ''she moaned. I laughed and shood up .''I can't have you cumming quick ,sugar''