Page 58 of Paths

I grab her hand as I look down at her happy, open face. I’ve been ready to leave for an hour. “Let’s go.”

We say quick goodbyes to everyone, Crew appearing resigned to the fact they’re stuck babysitting. When we walk out the door, he has a kid sitting on each foot and wrapped around his legs, with another on his back. He shakes his head as we leave, probably wondering how to keep them from tearing the house down.

It’s cold and the wind is becoming bitter. I hurry Maya to my SUV, opening the door for her on the passenger side. I make the short drive to her little house on the vineyard property, it’s close but too far to walk in the cold, especially in her tight black dress, not to mention her heels. I’ve done my best not to stare at her all night, although my best wasn’t very good.

My resolve is starting to break, so I focus on our trip tomorrow, wondering what that will bring.

Chapter 16 – I Want You

Grady –

Maya unlocks the door and turns to look up at me. She threads her fingers through mine, giving me a small, almost shy smile, as she turns to walk into her house. I need no encouragement. I’d gladly follow her anywhere.

After sleeping with her the last couple nights, she’ll have to kick me out if she doesn’t want me. My obsession has reached a new level. I’m not sure what to think about this, so I’m choosing to ignore it.

Because really, I don’t give a fuck.

I want her.

She makes her way straight to her bedroom, and as much as I want to follow, I let her be. After a couple minutes, she calls, “Can I get you anything?”

“I’m good.” I open her fridge and grab a bottle of water. When I turn back, she’s standing in her doorway. Tonight, she’s wearing a pair of loose short shorts with another tank so small and thin, I have to force myself to focus on her light blue eyes, however, I can’t suppress my slow smile that creeps across my face. “You look comfortable.”

She bites her lip again, damn it, and that makes me lose my smile instantly, wanting nothing more than those lips on mine. And eventually, around my cock.

“Are you,” she pauses, “staying?”

I don’t say anything, and set my water on the counter before I go to her. After closing the distance, I reach for her hip, pulling her to me, and do exactly what I wanted. When my lips touch hers, I don’t waste a second before tasting her. Backing her into the door jamb, I deepen my kiss, pulling her bottom lip between mine. She arches, pressing her tits into my chest.

Shit, my resolve practically evaporates into thin air.

I pull away, seeing nothing but her flushed face, her eyes telling me she wants me when I point out, “Spent my morning doing Gentle Yoga while sitting in a chair, and the only reason I did it was so I could watch you move and stretch. After that, you electrocuted me again, and I drank coffee while the old ladies knitted, asking me every question under the sun. While you finished your work, I ate a low sodium lunch with nothing for dessert but Jell-O. If you think I’m leaving you now, you’re crazy.”

She smiles and it lights up her whole face. Sliding her hands up my arms, she ignores my rant about my new volunteer position and changes the subject. “Thank you for coming with me tonight. I really like everyone here, they’re different than anyone I’ve ever known. Did you have fun?”

Looking down at her eager face, I try to remember the last time I’ve done anything for fun, but don’t share that. “Not as much fun as I had watching you lead yoga, but yeah, I guess I had fun. Though, their Christmas tree sucks compared to yours.”

“Ours,” she corrects me, grinning and pushing me away to walk into her bedroom before she goes on sarcastically. “I agree. I think our tree rivals Rockefeller Center’s. It doesn’t remind me of Charlie Brown’s whatsoever.”

I follow as I start to unbutton my shirt while watching her put a knee to the bed, tagging a bottle off the bedside table on her way. She shifts and turns to sit, popping open the bottle and spreading lotion on her hands and arms. Dropping my shirt to the floor, I go to the button on my pants, wasting no time to get to her.

“If you say so.” I step out of my pants and watch her watching me.

When I flip the covers back, she crawls to the other side, and repeats what she’s said countless times over the last couple days. “I’ll pay you back for the airfare—both your ticket and mine. I really thought we could drive, but you’re saving me from missing another day of work.”

I shake my head, because if she has trouble making her rent, she’ll never be able to pay me back. “I told you it’s no big deal.”

“We’ll see,” she says, as I pull her into my arms. I dip my head into her neck to kiss her as she wraps herself around me, whispering, “Grady?”

“Hmm?”

Her hand comes to my head, fingering through my hair as I let my tongue slide down her collarbone. “I’m nervous about tomorrow. I mean, I want to see my brother and spend time with him, see that he’s okay, but I can’t stress enough how unpleasant my mother is to be around.”

I roll so I’m on top of her, but support most of my weight on my forearm above her head. “I’ve dealt with some really scary people in my day. I’m pretty sure I can handle your mom.”

“My mom is best friends with Weston’s mom. My dad is okay, but he’s distant and wrapped up in the world he’s created. Not to mention, Weston will be close. After the last week, that worries me.”

“Baby.” I lean down to kiss her softly before finishing. “This is why I’m coming with you. I don’t want you there by yourself, but you’ll be fine with me. I think I’ve already proven it with the Gentle Yoga, but I won’t leave you on your own until he’s taken down.”

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