Page 11 of Key Of Dreams
“Don’t start,” I warn.
“You whisked Maya off, when this whole thing was to introduce her to people in the building,” Kailyn says with a scowl.
“I wasn’t about to watch that guy try to wangle a date for the third fucking time with Maya. She clearly didn’t want to go out with him,” I tell her.
“There were other people there,” she counters.
“And she said hello and was polite to them all. She’s done her time. She likes the quiet of her own place,” I reply.
“You seem to know all about Maya after only meeting her twice,” Phoenix adds.
“I’m observant,” I state sternly.
“You don’t have to get testy, bro.” Phoenix clasps a hand on my shoulder. “I’m on your side.”
“Gertie likes her. A lot,” Kailyn says. “She’s going to want to know your intentions.”
“That’s my business and Maya’s,” I retort. “But I will say that we’re finding our way. I’m not sure what it looks like, neither does Maya, but we’ll figure it out.”
Chapter6
Chopsticks or Fork
Maya
One minute, I’m cuddled next to Bull, and the next, I’m waking up in my bed, still fully clothed, but tucked in with my covers around me. The best part of my night started from the moment Bull saved me from Ken and took me home. He set me on his lap, and even though he told all about how he’s a monster, I know he’s anything but. He painted a bleak picture of the horrible things he’s done, but I know they can’t be true.
I’ve met Phoenix, Kailyn’s fiancé, and he told me they work together and that he would trust his life in Bull’s hands. Kailyn’s come by to chat a couple of times, and she says the same. She also explained that the work they do can be dangerous, but it’s also important. She told me about the medical team they saved from rebel soldiers, and the senator and his family they protected, solving the mystery as to why they were after him to begin with. Kailyn explained that this is part of who the Storm men are, and we either accept them as they come, or we don’t.
I wholeheartedly agreed with that, so when Bull went on and on about his faults, I could see he was testing me. Maybe not consciously, but he was waiting for me to tell him to leave. He laid it all out, and I’m glad for it. These games people play are ridiculous.
I did think it was fair to lay out a demand of my own. My pa used to tell me that when you find the right man, never stop holding hands. Life gets busy, work and things get in the way, but holding hands represents an unspoken unity. Ma and Pa rarely fought, but when they did, those arguments were doozies! Yet, no matter how angry they got at one another, at the end of the day, Pa or Ma would reach over and take the other’s hand. They’d sit quietly for a while, and when they thought we were asleep, I’d hear them talking. By morning, all was right as rain.
When I told Bull that hand-holding was a must, I expected him to laugh, but he didn’t. He took my hand in his, and then he kissed me. And that kiss! I never wanted it to end. I’ve been kissed before, but never like that. Even now, I can remember the touch of his lips, his full beard tickling my skin, and the way his fingers moved possessively over the curve of my neck. It was glorious.
I wanted to keep on kissing him, but when he said he wanted to take things slow because we were building something special, I was moved to tears.
He’s coming back to take me out for dinner tonight. It’s crazy that I have this nervous, excited energy bubbling inside me. I’ve got an entire day to get through before he’s here.
Enough! Time to do some productive work and move on with my day. I bounce out of bed, do my yoga workout, then hop in the shower. Yoga seems to ground and settle my nerves, and by the time I’m done, I feel much more relaxed.
I review the lesson plans I developed for the English classes I’m teaching starting tomorrow, and before I know it, it’s almost noon. When my stomach rumbles, I realize I forgot to eat breakfast. I tend to do that more often than not. Ma used to bring me a sandwich when I would forget to come downstairs for a meal.
I’m reaching for the handle on the refrigerator when the doorbell rings. My growling belly tells me to ignore it, but then I hear Gertie’s voice, “Hey, lovie, are you home?”
I race to the door, swing it open, and see Gertie holding a tray of sandwiches with carrots and celery sticks on the side. Her other hand holds a plateful of fruit and dessert squares.
“What’s all this?” I ask as she puts the tray in my hand and comes through the doorway.
“Bull snuck you away from the party, and you didn’t get a chance to try all the goodies,” she says. None of which is true because as soon as I got to Kailyn’s, Gertie made me fill a plate and sit with her. I was stuffed to the gills with food.
I could tell her this, but I know my motherly neighbor came to get the scoop on Bull and me. Since Gertie’s been pushing the two of us together, I guess she should hear about us first.
“Let me set these on the table and I’ll get a pot of tea going,” I take the other plate from her. As Gertie sits at my small kitchen table for two, I get the kettle boiling and set the table for us.
“Did you enjoy yourself last night?” Gertie asks slyly. Her lips curve into a mischievous grin. I can’t help the blush that totally gives me away. “I see that Bull finally came to his senses. He’s a tough nut to crack.” She chuckles. “But a good man.”
“He’s a great man,” I correct. She waits for me to sit across from her. As I move to take some goodies from the tray she brought over, Gertie places her hand over mine.
