A/N- Here is the next part of the date!
Dedicated to Katie, who read this chapter when I worried to was too…*you know*…and she assured me it was just the right amount of…*you know* (blushes)
Part VII
Josh led Maya down the stairs and they stood on the patio outside Topanga's.
"Josh, what are you doing? The bakery closes at 8!" Maya said.
"I know a guy…or girl, in this case" Josh said as he unlocked the door "Don't tell your Mom I accidently called her a guy, okay? I'm on her good side right now."
Maya giggled "My Mom helped you?"
"Of course she did. My charm is irresistible to Hart women. Now sit there for a sec ond I need to get the lights."
Maya slowly unwound her scarf and removed her gloves and winter coat. When she placed them on one of the window seats by the door she was suddenly surrounded by ambient lighting. Josh had cut on all the floor lamps and rope lights, but left the brighter overhead lights off. The result was an almost candlelight glow.
"Josh, what is this?" Maya turned around slowly.
"Well I didn't want to cut on the over-heads and risk people thinking the place is open. Besides, this is much more romantic."
Maya sat on her usual chair in the area she and her friends had claimed as their "spot" years earlier. Josh walked over with a guitar in hand and sat beside her, propping it against the coffee table.
Maya looked at him skeptically "Where did you get that?"
"Didn't we already discuss who my helper was for the evening? She just so happens to live with you and has access to your hobbies, including this one" Josh said as he pointed at the guitar.
"Mom? Josh she doesn't know anything about this stuff!" Maya argued.
"Well, as an NYU student, I know that an important part of college life is the 'Open Mic Night' experience, and I'm determined for you to get an accurate take on things before you join us."
Ever since Riley had gifted her with her great-grandmother Mae's guitar in 7th grade Maya would occasionally strum some chords, but her usual creative outlet remained her art. Sure, sometimes she would try to sound out a particular song, and she had even gone to YouTube for a few lessons when she was bored, but no one knew about that. Did they?
"Josh, I don't really play. Music isn't my thing."
"Hmmm. I seem to recall a similar attitude about art and you certainly proved yourself wrong there. Next objection?"
"Seriously, stop. I'm not good. It's embarrassing" she shook her head.
"Show me some chords" Josh requested as he handed her the guitar and sat behind her.
"Why?" Maya asked hesitantly.
"Trust me" Josh smiled then said softly "I can play, remember?"
Maya wanted to protest, but the intoxicating feel of his arms around her as she held the instrument rendered speech incredibly difficult. He placed his fingers above and through her own as an instructor would, which created a tingling sensation as she registered both the feel of the strings and his touch. They played a few basic chords together, and she realized he could tell she had vastly underestimated her abilities. Through the corner of her eye she noticed his small smile grow as he learned how skilled she actually was at the guitar.
Maya could feel his warm breath inhale and exhale gently through her hair while they made music together. Occasionally Josh would nudge the side of her check with his own affectionately. Once he had realized how she mastered the instrument without his instruction, he set his mind to more… productive pursuits.
Sitting behind her was to Josh almost hallucinogenic. He felt himself transported to some alternate reality of soft skin and honey scented blonde hair, where melodic tunes floated through the atmosphere. He released his left hand from hers then brushed her hair gently to the side, baring the side of her face and neck. He was only a man, and the site of such temptation was impossible to resist, he reasoned.
Josh began with a purposeful and meaningful kiss to the sweet spot revealed where her shoulder and neck met in enticing curvature. He followed with feather light kisses leading up her neck to her left ear. She leaned back against him subconsciously to grant him better access.
"You're being pretty distracting for someone so desperate to hear me play" she said shakily with her eyes closed. She had ceased playing the guitar the moment his lips met her neck.
"Hmmm desperate" he whispered as his journey finally ended with a soft blow into her ear, causing her to shudder "Play for me Maya, please?" he whispered.
Josh slowly leaned back, creating some separation. Her body protested the distance and leaned back against him as if they were magnets, incapable of resisting the powerful force between them. He wrapped his arms around her.
"That was a dirty trick" Maya said breathlessly.
Josh nuzzled her head with his nose, holding her "When were we ever playing fair, Hart?"
Maya chuckled "Okay, Matthews. I cry 'Uncle'…Boing. But there is one condition."
"Anything" Josh answered confidently.
"You play first" she challenged.
To be continued…
A/N Not my typical kind of writing, but teenagers left to their own devices tell their own kind of story.
Hopefully it wasn't terribly cheesy and wasn't too…*you know* Because there is more…*you know* coming soon. Lots more…
Hoping y'all get what I mean by *you know* (blushes)
