Page 50 of Brandishing Beginnings

Again, he chuckled, but he reached out and grabbed my coffee and handed it to me. I barely wrapped both hands around the still warm mug, before he slid his arm under my knees and lifted my legs onto his lap. Cradling my coffee mug against my chest, I let Jason arrange me in his lap so I was seated sideways across his legs, leaning against him, almost in the fetal position with my knees bent and resting against his chest.

I sighed contently and rested my head on his shoulder, savoring the heat from both my mug and his chest. I nuzzled my face underhis jaw and closed my eyes. This was all I wanted, why couldn’t he have just left shit as it was before?

Either way, it had been a learning lesson for both of us. It had opened my eyes to our potential future, too. I would have a lot of to think about… later. After my coffee.

I vaguely heard Nico start up a conversation, but I ignored them all and took a sip of my coffee, enjoying the peace that had settled around me. Even Jason seemed more relaxed than he had a few minutes ago.

Ten minutes later, after I had finished my coffee quietly, I spoke up. “What are you guys up to, today?”

Nico smiled at me from across the table. “We’ve got some club business to take care of today, but you’re free to stay here, if you want.”

I frowned, my eyes darting between his and Marcos. Both men watched me as I shifted on Jason’s lap.

“What’s on your mind, Maya?” Jason asked.

“I dunno. That seems fast,” I admitted.

Marcos chuckled softly. “So what? We’re not evening going to be here. You can relax and watch TV.”

I sighed. “No.” I shook my head. “I’ll head home. It’s OK.” I dropped my feet to the floor and sat up straight on Jason’s lap. Turning to him, I ran my fingers over his stubble covered jaw. “What time are you picking me up?”

“Not sure how long today is going to take. Let’s aim for five, and I’ll keep you updated throughout the day, so have your phone handy, alright?”

“Yes, sir.” I nodded before I leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his lips.

“Good girl,” he murmured against my lips.

Maya

IsighedasIpulledmy Honda Civic into my parents' long driveway. It was just after ten in the morning and after a wonderful night sleeping securely in Marcos’s arms, I felt great. The idea of walking into my parent’s house, though, was enough to sour my mood.

Things had always been rocky between my parent’s and I, mostly between my mother and I, as my father usually let my mother rule the roost. The two of them not showing up to my graduation had only been the latest form of contention between us, and it was just another strike on a lifetime list of disappointments.

I got out of my car and headed inside, leaving my bag behind. I didn’t need to showcase the fact that I’d spent the night awayfrom home, despite being a grown adult that could make my own decisions. My mother still thought I was a harlot.

Sure enough, when I walked through the front door, my mother was in the kitchen, reading the newspaper at the kitchen table. She looked up with air of contempt as she ran her eyes over me, studying me, like I hadn’t made sure to come back with my hair combed perfectly, or clean clothes on. The jean shorts and tank top—my usual go to in the summer—were not out place in the slightest. When my mother could find nothing wrong with my appearance, she sniffed haughtily. “And where have you been?”

Stifling the urge to roll my eyes, I sighed and said, “Good morning, mother.”

“Don’t give me that attitude. I asked you a question.”

Now I really did roll my eyes. Ignoring her, I headed through the living room to the hallway on the right.

Nico had tried to get me to stay at their place for the day, even though they had to be at the clubhouse most of the day. I had felt awkward and turned them down, plus I knew my mother would have a field day when she saw me next. Now I wished I had stayed, instead of enduring my mother’s contempt.

My bedroom was still filled with boxes that were still packed up from my dorm room. Somehow Jenna and I had packed up both our cars—Jenna’s SUV—with all the belongings I’d accumulated over my four years at Northern. Besides hanging up my clothes in the closet, I hadn’t bothered to unpack anything else. In my heartI hoped I wasn’t staying long. The goal was to work as many hours at the new job as possible and save enough for a deposit on an apartment of my own.

My phone pinged in my back pocket with a text message. I pulled it out as I closed my bedroom door behind me.

Nico:

Little Dreamer, it’s a shame you didn’t stay at our place. We could have watched you on the cameras and been able to see your beautiful face all day.

Maya:

Your place has cameras?

Nico:

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