As Maya walked down the street, she couldn't help but smile. All of her dreams had come true she thought. She had a mom and dad that loved her and would never leave her or each other. She had a year-and-a-half old baby sister who already become attached to her big sister, Maya. Often times when Maya wanted to paint at home, she would bring her into her room and keep an eye on her so her parents could have some time to themselves. But she also did it to expose her sister to art starting at an early age. She didn't know if little Amanda Patricia would become an artist like her; who knows where those genes came from; but she did want her to have an appreciation for art. So she would talk to little Mandy when she was painting and hoped that she would.
And she was in New York University at the top of her class. Yes, her, Maya Penelope Hunter, was not just surviving in college, but actually thriving. "Who woudda thunk it," she thought with a laugh. But here she was. She was the talk of the New York City art scene and had been called a prodigy. She didn't know about that but she did know that she was on her way to making a living with her art. She'd already sold some of her paintings for a lot more than she would ever have believed. And there were several studios in New York that were interested in her and her paintings. Again she thought: "Who woudda thunk it."
And finally there was the guy she was on her way to see right now, Joshua Matthews, the boy she'd loved for as far back as she could remember. She had finally left behind any doubts about their relationship. Her abandonment issues were gone; never to return. She loved him and he loved her and nothing could change that. They had been dating for almost three years now and although they were both busy with school work and didn't get to see each other as much as they'd both would have liked, the times they were together had just made their love for each other stronger. But they were seeing a little more of each other lately as Josh was able to free up more time since he was about to finish grad school. He just had one more project to finish and report to the grad school committee.
Her smile broadened as she saw Josh's building door come into view. "Tonight was going to be so much fun." She thought. "First dinner with Josh and then a girl's night with Jazz and Charlotte." The two older women had become good friends with Maya. Which is why Josh didn't mind her cutting their evening short to spend the night with them. When Maya had first started at NYU, she felt alone and almost overwhelmed. Riley was away from her for the first time since they'd met attending Yale. And none of her other friends were at NYU either. And although Josh was a big help, she really missed hanging out with girl friends. Then Jazz and Charlotte looked her up. They had corresponded with her since the first time they'd met when Maya was only fourteen years old and crashed a party Josh was having with them. They had liked Maya every since then and admired her for her bravery and boldness. They found her not too soon after she hit campus and even though they were in graduate school by then, they took her under their wings and guided her through her freshman year until she was more confident. And they encouraged her not to give up on Josh. Jazz told Maya: "Don't tell him I said this, but he's a pretty sharp guy. He'll eventually figure out what a catch you are. Just be patient." Maya loved them for that. Josh did finally figure it out.
And even though they were graduated now and both working in New York and sharing an apartment, they still hung out with Maya. They had helped Maya fill the void left by Riley's and her other old friends' absence. And Josh loved them for it. He knew Maya really missed her friends, especially Riley, and Jazz and Charlotte's friendship helped Maya cope with not seeing them as much as she was used to. And because of that, Maya knew Josh didn't mind giving up part of his evening so she could be with them tonight.
Maya stepped out of the elevator onto the third floor of Josh's building and quickly headed to his apartment and knocked on the door. Josh opened it almost immediately and greeted her with a big smile and a "hello Gorgeous." To which she returned a smile of her own and a "hiya Boing." The two then embraced and shared a kiss that neither of them ever seemed to tire of.
As Josh released her, he took her hand and led her into the living room of his little apartment. Maya could tell he was nervous about something. Most others wouldn't have noticed anything different, but she did. She decided not to say anything about it though, he would tell her what it was about soon enough she reasoned.
"Can we sit and talk for a few minutes?" He asked. "Of course." She answered. "You know I love talking to you." He then led her to the couch in the living room where they sat facing next to each other. He hesitated a few seconds while he ran his hand through his hair and rubbed the back of this neck. "Wow!" Maya thought. "He's really nervous about something. What could it be?"
"Maya?" He finally said.
"Yes Josh." She answered.
"I have a favor to ask." He stated. "Okay," she answered, "you know I'd do anything for you."
"Okay." he began. "Could you call Jazz and see if she'd cover for you tonight?"
"Cover for me? What do you mean by 'cover for me'?" Maya asked, clearly confused.
"I mean if someone asks her if you spent the night with them, at their place, she'd say yes even though you didn't." Josh answered.
"I don't understand Josh." Maya said. "I'm supposed to spend the night with them tonight. Where else would I be?" Maya asked clearly confused now.
"I was hoping you'd spend the night with me tonight. Andrew is out of town for a few days, so the timing is perfect. We'd have the apartment to ourselves." Josh answered to clear things up.
"Oh." Maya said matter-of-factly. Still no getting what Josh was asking her to do….until she did get it.
"Ohhhhh." Maya said now as she finally understood and looked Josh in the eye with her eyes wide as saucers.
Even though they'd been dating about six months now, they'd never spent the night together. They'd never been intimate with each other. Each knew the other probably wanted to, but with both of their busy schedules, they just hadn't found the time. They'd gotten pretty hot with each other a couple of times on the couch, but either Andrew, Josh's longtime friend and roommate, had interrupted them and killed the mood or they were both so tired, they'd fallen asleep in each other's arms. Once they were awoken at two in the morning by Maya's phone ringing and her dad wanting to know if she was okay because she hadn't come home yet.
Maya had to explain what had happened and that she was headed home immediately. Josh, of course, walked her home and had to face Shawn when he got there. Shawn had made him squirm a little, but then smiled and told Josh that as long as Maya was with him, he knew she was safe. Just don't scare them again. Josh promised that they wouldn't let that happen again. But now was the best time to be together. Josh thought. If Maya wanted to.
Josh saw the look on her face and took it mean she wasn't sure if she wanted to or not.
"It's okay if you'd rather not Maya." Josh said. "I'll understand if you're not ready."
With those words Maya eased the surprised look on her face, smiled brightly at Josh and said softly: "I'm ready Josh. I've been ready for a long time now. It's just, we haven't had the time."
"Or the energy." Josh finished her sentence. Which made Maya laugh. "That's true also." She said between laughs.
Maya, returning to Josh's question about Jazz said: "I'm sure Jazz and Charlotte with cover for me Josh. I'll call Jazz right now and ask."
Maya pulled her phone from her pocket, opened it, and punched in Jazz's number.
"Hey Maya." Jazz answered. "Has 'doofus' taken you to dinner yet?"
Maya had to laugh. She still enjoyed teasing Josh even though she had grown to like him very much because of the way he treated Maya.
"We're just about to leave I think." Maya said looking at Josh to see if that was in his new plans. Josh nodded his head "yes".
"But we've had a changed in plans." Maya continued. "And I have a big favor to ask."
"Okay." Jazz answered.
Maya took a big breath and continued; not sure of how Jazz would react. "Could I take a rain check on tonight? Josh has asked me to spend the night with HIM tonight. It'll be our first time you know. And could you cover for me?" Then she waited for Jazz's reaction.
"Well it's about time 'Lover Boy' asked you." Jazz said with a hint of laughter in her voice. "I was beginning to think something was wrong with him. I mean he's dating one of the most beautiful, intelligent, and sexiest women I've ever known. And it's taken him this long to ask? I mean, what's been his problem?"
"Well to be fare Jazz," Maya started, "we've both wanted to, but with our schedules and jobs we just haven't found the time. And…."
"Maya, Maya, honey," Jazz interrupted her, "I'm teasing you."
"Oh." Maya said. A little upset with herself that she'd let Jazz trick her.
"But to answer your question," Jazz continued, "of course Charlotte and I will cover for you tonight. You two have fun and don't worry about anything else."
"Thanks Jazz." Maya said. "I….WE really appreciate this."
"You're welcome, but there's one condition."
"Oh?" Maya said, but thinking she knew what the condition would be….and she was right.
"You tell Charlotte and me all the details when you see us next. Deal?"
"Deal." Maya said with a laugh.
"Now give the phone to Josh." Jazz went on. "I want to talk to him."
This surprised her, but she did as Jazz asked. "Here, Jazz wants to talk to you." Maya said as she handed her phone to Josh; which he took with a puzzled look on his face.
"Hey Jazz." Josh said not knowing what to expect.
"What's wrong with you Mathews?!" Jazz began. "Keeping her waiting and wondering all this time. You should have your butt kicked you know."
"No Jazz," Josh began, "it's not been like that. You heard what Maya said. With our schedules and jobs, we just haven't been able to be together like that. And Maya knows that. And…., Wait a minute." Josh paused as he began to think about who he was talking too. "Are you teasing me again?" He then heard both Jazz and Charlotte laughing over the phone. "Stop it." He finally said. "I always fall for you tricks."
"Yes you do Josh." Jazz answered. "You're just way to easy." After a few more seconds of laughing at Josh's expense, Jazz got serious with her talk with him.
"Now seriously Josh," she began, "you treat my girl right tonight. She doesn't deserve to feel used or frustrated after tonight; if you know what I mean. Especially after the life of disappointment she had before her dad, and you, came into her life."
"I will Jazz. I promise. I love her and I don't know any other way to treat her but special." Josh was smiling as he said this. Jazz was just looking out for Maya. Just like he did."
"I know you will Josh. I was just reminding you of that." Jazz's voice was far from teasing now. But rather soft and gentle as she talked about two people she thought so much of. "Now put Maya back on the phone please."
"Okay Jazz. Bye."
Maya took the phone and put it to her ear. "I just gave Josh his marching orders." Jazz said. "He's going to treat you right tonight or I'll start a rumor about him that no guy wants: concerning performance; if you get my drift." She continued with a laugh.
"I do Jazz. I do get your drift." Maya said with a laugh.
"Okay, you have fun tonight sweet girl." Jazz said. "And like I said, don't worry about anything else. Charlotte and I will cover for you. Love you Maya."
"Love you too Jazz and give my love to Charlotte. Thank you again. Bye."
"Okay, we're all set for tonight." Maya said, turning her attention completely to Josh now and smiling at him. "What's next?"
"First:" Josh began, "dinner liked we'd already planned….at Luigi's. I've already made reservations for the two of us."
"That's perfect." Maya said returning his smile. It was their favorite restaurant. The restaurant where they'd had their first date. It was very special to both of them.
"First date; first long conversation." Josh started. "It just seemed like the right place for dinner tonight….you know."
"Yes, I do know." Maya said as she slid close to Josh on the couch. "That's why it's perfect for tonight. I knew there was some reason I loved you so much Josh." Maya continued as she wrapped her arms around his neck a kissed him passionately. There was no lust in their kiss. That would come later. But rather a passion born from two people who belonged together and had found each other.
A little later
As they entered their favorite restaurant, Maya and Josh were immediately spotted by Luigi Emilio Bianchi III, the grandson of Luigi Emilio Bianchi who had started Luigi's after immigrating from Italy. Luigi's son, the 2nd, had continued his father's restaurant business and passed it down to the current Luigi who would soon pass it down to his son, the 4th, because he, the 3rd, was nearing 72 years old and was already semi-retired.
But Luigi III loved being at his restaurant when his favorite customers were there. And Maya and Josh were two of his favorites if not his most favorite. He had taken to the young couple the first night they visited his restaurant. They had sat for a long time and talked to each other. He had told them they reminded him of he and his wife when they were their age. They were in love then and thought Josh and Maya were to. Maya told him later that they probably were back then but just didn't know it yet. Luigi had also introduced them to his wife of 50 years, Claudia, after they had become regulars. She also was quite fond of the young couple.
Luigi approached them as he always did: with a big smile; out-stretched arms; and greeting them with: "bambini meravigliosi" or "wonderful children."
He hugged them both and led them to their table. It was the same table he always gave them if he knew they were coming. It was their "first date" table. Josh had picked it out for their first date there because it was the most secluded and quietest table in restaurant. They considered it, along with Luigi, to be "their table."
Luigi would then assign his best server to their table and explain that the young couple might be there for a long time because they loved talking to each other. His young servers would sometimes roll their eyes at this but he would quickly tell them is a gentle voice to pay attention to them. "Their relationship is strong." He would tell his young employees. "Because they talk to each other. They know each other."
Maya and Josh ate their dinner and talked like they always did, but tonight they didn't talk as much as they usually did. They were sitting, holding hands, and enjoying each other's company after they had paid for their dinner, when Josh looked into Maya's beautiful blue eyes and asked:
"Are you ready to go back to the apartment Maya?"
"Yes I am Josh." She said with a smile that made Josh's heart melt.
"I love you, Maya Penelope."
"I love you more, Joshua Gabriel."
With that, they got up from their table and after leaving a generous tip to their server because they had been there for so long, found Luigi, said goodbye to him, which was done with a big hug for each of them again, and left the little restaurant hand in hand headed back to Josh's apartment. Not much was said between them as they made their way back. They just enjoyed each other's company as they continued an evening together they knew would be special and they would always remember.
Back at Josh's apartment
As they entered Josh's apartment, he closed and locked the door behind him. Then they both took off their jackets and sat on the couch next to each other. This was a moment they'd both dreamed of and now it was about to happen.
Josh looked deeply into Maya's eyes, deep blue eyes that he often got lost in. He caressed the left side of her face with his right hand. This made Maya smile as she grabbed his hand before it left her face and kissed it. Then they leaned toward each other and kissed briefly like they'd done many times. But this time it felt different. And they both realized it.
Now they hugged each other tight and their kisses became more passionate. Their tongues eventually met and intertwined which caused their passion for each other to rise even more. Josh now began to plant hot kisses on Maya's neck which caused her to moan slightly which caused both their breathings to increase as their desire for each other grew. Their hands began to explore each other's bodies as well. Josh ran a hand across Maya's chest and gently squeezed one of her breasts which caused Maya to inhale sharply. She ran her hands inside the back of his untucked shirt and caressed the bare skin if his back. Their lust and desire for each other kept growing with more kisses and caresses until suddenly Maya pulled away from Josh's embrace which startled and surprised him.
At first Josh wondered if he'd done something wrong. But then he saw Maya's beautiful smile. The smile that made him feel so good inside and he knew he'd done nothing wrong. But he did wonder what she was up too. And he soon found out.
Maya scooted slightly away from Josh now. Not because she didn't want to be next to him, but because she wanted him to have a clear view of her and what she was about to do next. She slowly began to unbutton her blouse as she looked Josh in the eye and kept his gaze on her eyes. She started with the first button on the top and slowly worked her way down to the last button. She did it as if she were home undressing herself alone, not slow but not fast either. She didn't want to rip the blouse off herself but she also didn't want to do it in a sexy/teasing kind of way either. But rather is a way that showed Josh she wanted him as much as he wanted her. That he wouldn't have to wonder what she was thinking or if she was willing; because she was. And Josh understood as he smiled a knowing smile at her.
After letting her blouse hang loosely for a minute; exposing a few inches of her bare chest and her bra, she removed the blouse and gently laid it on the back of the couch. Then without taking her eyes off Josh, she reached behind her back, unhooked her bra, removed it, and laid it on top of her blouse. Josh's smile widened at the sight of his beautiful girlfriend sitting next to him with nothing on from her waist up.
Maya loved his smile; even more so now. She had always felt slightly insecure about her breast size. And even though Josh said her breasts fit her body perfectly and that it didn't matter to him what size they were anyway because he loved the girl behind the breasts, she still had her doubts about how truthful he was being with her; maybe trying to spare her feelings. But those doubts were erased now as she saw the lust and love in his eyes as he took in the sight of her half-naked body.
Josh began to unbutton his shirt now but Maya stopped him. "Let me do it." She said softly. "Okay." He answered as he put his arms down. Maya removed his shirt and laid it next to hers on the back of the couch. She then ran her hands down his bare chest and stomach and back up again taking in the feel of his smooth skin and hard muscles. Josh did the same to her and as his hands ran over her firm breasts, the sensation made her take in a quick breath. His touch excited her like no other ever had.
Now they came together again in an eager embrace as they resumed their heated kissing and exploring of each other's bodies. All these sensations which they'd never experienced with each other before drove their want and their need for each other to the point they both thought they would explode.
Finally they stopped briefly to catch their breaths and rested their foreheads on each other's forehead. After he'd caught his breath Josh pulled away from Maya slightly, smiled at her, then put one of his arms under her legs at the knees while putting his other arm around her back. Then he lifted her up off the couch which caused Maya to put her arms around his neck as he began carrying her toward his bedroom.
Maya looked into Josh's brown eyes. Then kissed him once, twice, three times while he was carrying her and said: "Wow, you're really being Mr. Romance tonight aren't you."
"I don't know how to be any other way with you." He answered. This caused Maya to hug his neck tightly for the rest of the way into Josh's bedroom.
Once there, he laid Maya gently on the edge of his bed. After kissing her gently, he moved his hands to her boots and socks where he removed them and placed them neatly next to the bed. As he looked back toward Maya, she smiled and unbuckled the belt of her jeans and unzipped them. Josh put his hands on the inside of her waistband to remove them, but first looked into Maya's eyes silently asking for permission. To answer him, she put her bare feet flat on the bed and pulled her knees up so she could raise her butt up off the bed to make it easier for him to remove her jeans. It was another sign she gave that she wanted him.
Josh neatly folded her jeans and hung them on the back of a chair in his room. He didn't want to just throw Maya's clothes around. He knew she was grateful for everything she had and took care of her clothes. Maya noticed that as well. As he returned to the bed, he slid his index fingers under the elastic of her panties; one on each side. Then he looked at her again, silently asking for permission one more time. Maya had to stifle a sob at this point. "My boyfriend has such a caring heart," she thought. "Even now he's giving me one more chance to say no." And if she had, she knew he would have been okay with it and understood. But she didn't say no. Instead she looked at him with loving eyes, smiled, and nodded her head. As he began to gently remove her panties, she again raised her hips off the bead to make it easier for him. He laid them on top of her jeans on the chair.
Josh returned to the bed, sat down and removed his shoes and socks, and placed them beside Maya's. He then stood and removed his jeans and boxer briefs and put them beside Maya's on the chair. As he returned to the bed, Maya noticed that Josh was "ready" for her already. This only increased her desire for him.
Maya made room on the bed for him. She pulled back the bedspread and top sheet, slid to the middle of the double bed, and laid down with her head on a pillow. Josh sat on the edge of the bed, upright, with one leg under him and one still touching the floor. He just sat there for the next few minutes looking at his beautiful girlfriend, now completely nude, and thinking how lucky he was to have her in his life.
Maya started feeling a little uneasy with the way he was staring at her; not moving at all. She had been nude in front of men before, but not Josh, and she didn't know what his constant stare meant. "Doesn't he like what he sees?" She thought. She wanted to please him so much. But she needn't have worried.
"What?" She said. Finally breaking the stare. Josh just smiled and said: "You are absolutely gorgeous. I'm so lucky to be with you." Those were special words to Maya. Josh only used "gorgeous" with her; never anyone or anything else.
"And you're so handsome it makes my eyes hurt." She replied, recalling words she'd used on him before.
Josh's smile widened as he began to run and hand slowly from her cheek, to her neck, across her chest and over her breasts, and down to her stomach. He was amazed at how soft her skin was and it had him mesmerized. He'd held Maya's hands for hours at a time. He'd held her face gently in his hands as he kissed her softly. But he'd never touched her where he was now and it took his breath away.
"Her skin is unbelievably soft." He thought. "Soft as velvet; no, softer than that even. And her body is so athletic. I had no idea." Josh knew Maya didn't do sports or workout. But, "her body is so fit." He wondered. "It must be because she's so active with her painting and where she goes to paint."
Josh felt like he was looking and touching a work of art instead of the artist he was in love with and he couldn't stop running his hand over her beautiful breasts, flat stomach, and athletic legs including the inside and outside of her thighs. It was as if he was in a trance as he continued to run his hand up and down he delicate frame. Then Maya brought him back to reality with a loud, soft, groan. He snapped out of his trance then and looked at her face.
From her point of view, Maya thought to herself: "Where did he learn how to do this!? He's driving me crazy and he hasn't even kissed me yet!" She could feel the strength in his hand but also the gentleness as he ran it slowly over her nude body. She tried to keep her composure during this, but finally couldn't control what she was feeling and released a loud moan. She noticed this got Josh's attention.
"Sorry." He said. "It's just that your skin is so soft and your body so fit, I got kinda lost in caressing it."
"Thank you Josh." Maya said while trying to control her heavy breathing. "And that's okay. Your touch was driving me crazy though." She continued with a sly smile on her face as she held his gaze with her eyes.
Josh returned her smile. He moved next to her on the bed, placed his hips next to hers, wrapped his arms around her upper body and kissed her deeply. Their passion for each other growing now, Josh eased himself gently on top of Maya, not wanting to hurt her with his larger body. She welcomed this though and wrapped her legs and arms around him tightly enjoying the feeling of this man she loved on top of her. As Josh began planting hot kisses on Maya's ears and neck, she began to lose herself in her need for him, until she noticed something she didn't expect, which distracted her from what Josh was doing to her.
She had her arms wrapped tightly around his back which caused her to notice that the muscles in Josh's back were tight and strained instead of relaxed like she had expected. And he was shivering, almost like he was cold or….nervous about something. "But why would he be nervous?" She asked herself. "I know it's our first time with each other, but we've known each other for so long, and love each other. And he knows that I want him as much as he wants me; maybe even more. So why is he nervous? Unless….unless this is his first time!" She exclaimed to herself. "I had assumed that since he's dated so many girls before me that he'd had sex before. But I guess I was wrong." Now all she wanted to do was calm him down and assure him it was okay that she was his first.
"Josh." She said to get his attention. "Hmm." He answered and he raised up to look at her.
"Why are you shaking honey? And why are you so tense?" I can feel the tenseness in your back. Is this your first time? If it is, that's okay. I'm flattered that I'm your first….really. Just relax and we'll both enjoy this."
"No Maya. You're not my first; not even close."
"Oh God." Josh said then with despair in his voice as he laid his head on Maya's chest. Resting his forehead there just below her chin. Josh had wanted this night, their first night, to go flawlessly. But so far, "I'm only screwing things it up." He thought. "Now I've come across sounding like I'm bragging about my conquests. And I hate guys that do that. They're never who they say they are. Maya must think I'm a real jerk right now. She's probably really disappointed in me."
But she wasn't. Maya knew Josh wasn't bragging. He was just trying to assure her he knew what he was doing so she'd relax and enjoy herself. And she loved him for it. She caressed his face with her hands and raised his face so she could look him in the eye.
"Josh, look at me." She said. And Josh did, reluctantly. "I don't care about those other girls. You're with me now and that's all that matters to me." Josh smiled at her then. "Good," she thought. "Now he knows I understand what he meant." But Josh was still shaking and still tense. "Josh honey, why are you still nervous? You shouldn't be nervous with me even if it is our first time. I'm not nervous at all. I'm with the man I've always wanted to be with."
"Because Maya," he answered. "Because it's you. Those other girls I've been with, they were all nice girls and I liked them. But they weren't you Maya. I wasn't in love with them and I just wanted this night to be perfect for you. I've dreamed about this night for so long and it's just not turning out the way I had envisioned."
Maya thought her heart was going to burst out of her chest. Every time she thought she couldn't love this man any more, he does something or says something that makes her love him more. This was one of those times. Now she wanted to let him know that everything was fine and she was with who she wanted to be with.
"Josh," she said and he looked into her eyes again. "Just be the guy who always looked after me when I was a little girl. Just be the guy who tolerated me and still liked me even when I was a crazy teenager and jumped on your back like a little ferret." Josh smiled at this reference like he always did when it was brought up. "Just be the guy, Josh, who I love to have long conversations with now. Be that guy Josh, and tonight will be perfect….I promise."
"Yeah?" He asked. "Yeah." She answered.
Josh embraced Maya again as she wrapped her arms around him once more. And when she did, she felt the muscles in his back relax and his shivering stopped. His body relaxed and seemed to melt into hers as he started kissing her again more passionately this time. Finally, the night they would always remember for the rest of their lives had begun like it was supposed to.
The next morning
Josh slowly opened his eyes trying to focus on his surroundings but failing. "God I hate mornings." He thought. "I'm just not a morning person." He was trying to will his brain to wake up and it was, but very slowly.
"Where am I?" Was the first thing he thought. "Am I in my bed at home in Philadelphia? Am I in my bed in my apartment in New York? Or am I sleeping in Auggie's bed at Cory's house? As his brain started waking up a little more, the room came more into focus. He was laying on his left side near the edge of the bed. Then he recognized his desk, the closet door, and the draped window. "Oh yeah, my apartment." He finally realized.
"What day is it"? He asked himself next. "And what did I do last night?" Then a picture of Maya flashed quickly through his mind sending a jolt of electricity through him which woke him up a little more. "Did I spend the night with Maya last night? He asked himself. "Or was it a dream like so many I've had about her?"
As his body woke up further, he felt something touching his stomach and side at his waist which caused him to look down. And there he saw a delicate arm draped over his right side and a beautiful hand with red polished fingernails at the end of it. He'd recognize that beautiful arm anywhere. "I did spend the night with Maya last night." He though. It wasn't a dream this time." He remembered all of last night now, and it made him smile.
Now he felt more than just Maya's arm and hand. He felt her head resting against his back between his shoulder blades. He felt her wonderfully soft hair all against his upper back. He felt her breasts pressed up against the middle of his back and her stomach against his lower back. Her thighs were also against the back of his thighs. She was "spooning" him. He could feel the warmth of her entire body now, pressed up against his, and thought it was the best feeling he'd ever had. He smiled then….until he felt his body ache.
His was fully awake now and realized that he must have spent all night sleeping on his left side and his body was screaming at him now to turn over and relieve the pain. But he didn't want to if Maya was still asleep. He didn't want to wake her. Still, his body needed relief. Then he thought he'd listen to Maya's breathing.
She had fallen asleep many times in his arms after she'd had a long hard day and they'd been watching a movie on TV. He was flattered that she felt that safe in his arms. It had even happened a few times at her apartment when Shawn and Katy were home. They loved Josh too and trusted Maya with him completely. Katy had even come to him when it was time for them all to go to bed and asked Josh to carry Maya to her room so she could put Maya's PJs on and tuck her into bed. She loved Josh, but she wouldn't let do more than carry her. Josh grinned as he thought of that. She would ask Josh to spend the night and sleep in one of their spare bedrooms so he wouldn't have to go back to his apartment so late, which he usually did because he loved having breakfast with them. Katy even suggested that he keep a change of clothes in the spare bedroom so he'd be able to have clean cloths to put on in the morning after the nights he'd spent with them.
Maya would usually wake up as her mother was helping her get into bed and ask where Josh was. She'd always let Josh kiss Maya goodnight along with the rest of the family, but then Shawn would hurry him out of Maya's room to the laughter of all.
But Josh would listen to Maya's breathing while she was sleeping in his arms and he was still awake. It would always be slow and steady and would usually put him to sleep as well. So he thought he'd listen to her breathing now to see if he could tell if she was awake or not. He listened. It was slow and steady, but he didn't think it was slow enough for her to be asleep. So he slowly rolled his right shoulder toward Maya to see if she'd react to that. And she did. She was awake. She lifted her arm off of Josh and moved to the center of the bed but stayed on her left side and propped herself up on her left elbow.
As he rolled over onto his back, his body thanked him for finally easing its pain. He grinned in relief and turned his head in Maya's direction. When he saw her looking back at him he thought: "Well, I either died last night in my sleep and went to heaven or I spent this night with Maya, because I'm looking into the face of an angle."
"Morning Boing." She said with a big grin.
"Morning Gorgeous." He returned with a smile and thought: "Yeah, that's Maya alright." He pulled her to him and kissed her warmly. There was no lust in the kiss even though they were both still nude, but there was lots of passion. It was like no other kiss they'd ever shared and they both felt it to their cores.
When they broke the kiss, Maya laid her head on Josh's chest and snuggled her body as close to his as she could. He long blond hair sprawled all over Josh's chest. Some of it tickled his chin and nose until he brushed it away. And it smelled like vanilla and lavender. Josh love that smell and whenever he smelled anything like it, it reminded him of Maya and made him smile.
"I could really get used to this." Josh said. "What?" She asked.
"Waking up next to you in the morning." He answered. Josh felt Maya's cheek swell on his chest telling him that she just smiled.
"Me too." She answered.
As Josh lay there reveling in a euphoric feeling he'd never experienced before, he began to think about the night before with Maya. "Wow!" He thought. "She was amazing. She was so eager to please me with that gorgeous body of hers. And she did!" But suddenly his eyes sprang open as he thought: "But what about her? Did she enjoy it as much as I did?" He wanted so much for their first time to be wonderful for her regardless of what he felt.
"Maya?" He asked hesitantly. "Mmmm." She answered lazily.
"Last night, was it good for you? I mean, did you enjoy…."
Maya instantly raised herself up off of Josh's chest to look him in the eye knowing what he was trying to ask her. She straddled him with her head directly above his and said reassuringly:
"Last night was perfect Josh. Just like I promised it would be."
"Really?" He asked. "Really." She answered.
He knew that Maya was being honest with him like she always was. She wouldn't avoid words about this. She never did with him. He smiled when she said that. Which caused her to smile and kiss him again. Maya continued kissing Josh. Her kisses became more and more passionate until she started thinking about a little "morning delight."
Then her phone beeped. But she decided to ignore it and continued with her passionate kissing of Josh. And he was responding, to her delight, at first. But after she ignored her phone's beep he asked: "Wasn't that your phone?" She decided to ignore his question as well and continue what she was doing hoping he'd forget about her phone. But to her dismay, he didn't.
"Maya, you never get text messages. So shouldn't you see what that one is about?" Josh knew she didn't text a lot and preferred talking to people. And preferred talking face-to-face rather than on the phone. Everybody new that about her and didn't text unless it was the best way to get in touch with her.
"No Josh," Maya started, "I don't know who would be texting me this early in the morning."
"But that's the point honey." Josh continued. "Since usually no one ever texts you in the morning when they do at all, this may be something important. So maybe you should check just to make sure."
"All right." She said finally giving in. Sometimes his common sense annoyed her. But he was right she thought. "But as soon as I see that's it nothing, I'm picking right back up right where I left with you if you don't mind."
"Oh I won't mind at all." He said with a smile. "Good." She said back to him with a sly grin.
She got off Josh, walked across the room, retrieved her phone from her pants, and returned to the bed. She laid down next to him, punched her phone access code in, opened he message app, and read the text.
"Oh crap." She exclaimed after reading it.
"What's wrong?" Josh asked a little worried. "Is everyone okay?"
"Yeah, everyone's okay." Maya started. "Well, except Riley. She's probably a little pissed at me right now. She's the one who sent me the text."
"Why would she be pissed at you?" Josh asked a little confused.
Maya heard the confusion in Josh's voice and saw it on his face when she looked at him and realized she needed to explain the situation to him.
"Well you see," she began, "the original plan was for me AND Riley to spend the night with Jazz and Charlotte. But Riley had some unexpected assignments to come up at school. But she decided to come home for the weekend anyway except that instead of hanging out with us last night, she would stay at home and study and meet me for pancakes this morning. That's where she is now. At the diner waiting for me. Because of your little surprise for me last night, I totally forgot about meeting her this morning." Maya looked at Josh with her cute sly grin when she said that last part.
"Oh." Josh said as he understood what Maya was saying.
"Look," Maya said, "I'll just text her back and tell her somethings come up and I can't make it to meet her.
As she began texting, Josh interrupted her. "Wait Maya, don't, you don't get to see Riley nearly enough now and I don't want to be the reason you don't see her today."
"Okay." Maya said. "What should I tell her?"
"Tell her that you just got delayed a little and will be there shortly. And tell her you're bringing a surprise."
"A surprise?" Maya said wondering what he meant. "What surprise?"
"Me." Josh answered.
"No, no, Josh! We can't do that! If she sees you walking into the diner with me, she'll know we spent the night together and she'll freak out! It took me forever to calm her down when I told her we had told each other we loved each other. And I'm afraid this would be worse!"
"I know honey, but she's going to have to learn to live with us being together, isn't she?"
Maya nodded her head reluctantly acknowledging that he was right.
"And we're going to be together for the rest of our lives, aren't we?"
Maya nodded her head again.
"And what happened with us last night will happen again won't it?"
"It will if I have anything to do about it." Maya said with a laugh which caused Josh to chuckle as well.
"So she's just going to have to learn to deal with it and us then. We'll be patient with her and help her along, but she's going to have to accept it."
Maya thought about what Josh had said for a minute, then said to him reluctantly: "You're right Josh." At that point she looked at him, grinned, and asked: "Is that the psychologist in you talking or the loving uncle?"
"A little of both." He answered with a grin of his own. "But mostly the loving uncle."
"Okay," Maya said with a sigh, "I'll text her back and tell her I'm on my way and bringing a surprise."
"But don't tell her the surprise is me! She liable to freak out and run out the diner before we get there."
"You're right about that." She said with a laugh as she began typing. After she hit the 'send' key she said: "Okay, done; let go."
With that they both got out of the bed, found their clothes, put them on, straightened themselves up as much as possible, and left the apartment for the diner.
At the diner a few minutes later
Riley was a little annoyed with her best friend. "What could possibly have caused her to forget about our breakfast together? What could she have done with Jazz and Charlotte last night to cause her to forget?" She wondered. "Our time together is so precious now that we don't see each other every day like we did in high school. She'd better have a good excuse."
As Riley took another sip of her coffee, she heard the door to the diner open and looked in that direction. Because the morning sunshine was coming through the diner door and front windows, she could only see the silhouettes of people entering. But she instantly recognized the shape of her best friend, which made her smile and forget she was annoyed with her. "But wait," she thought, "is that someone following her in and coming over here with her? Who could that be?"
As they got closer and walked out of the sunlight, she recognized who the stranger was, her Uncle Josh. "Well no wonder she was late." Riley thought. "This should certainly be an interesting conversation."
First Maya and then Josh slid into the booth seat opposite of Riley. Before either could say anything to Riley, the waitress came to their table, filled their coffee cups, and took their food orders, pancakes for all, and then left.
"Riley honey," Maya began, "please don't freak out. Yes, Josh and I spent the night together last night, for the first time. Now you must have known it would happen sooner or later. So please try and just be happy for us, okay?"
After staring at the two for a few seconds, which seemed like hours to Maya and Josh, Riley smiled brightly and said: "I AM happy for you guys. It's wonderful to see you together."
"Whaaaat!" Maya exclaimed as her and Josh's jaws dropped leaving their mouths wide open. "Why aren't you upset with us?"
"Why would I be upset?" Riley continued. "You're my two favorite people in the whole world, my best friend and my favorite uncle. You love each other and make each other happy. That makes me happy."
Maya and Josh continued to stare at Riley with their mouths open. Then they looked at each other for a few seconds before they finally closed their mouths and returned their gaze back to Riley. "Okay," Maya said, "who are you and what have you done with my best friend?"
Riley began to giggle now and simply stated: "Role reversal."
"Role reversal?" This time it was Josh. "Riley you're not making any sense."
"Well," Riley began, "you two came in here expecting to me to freak out while you remained calm. But instead, you're freaking out and I'm the one remaining calm: role reversal." Riley ended with a big giggle and then took a sip of her coffee.
"So, you're completely okay with us being together and everything that entails? Maya asked cautiously.
"Yes I am Maya, completely." Riley said, now totally serious. "And one day when you become my aunt, I'll be completely okay with that too."
Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Maya and Josh exclaimed at the same time as they sat back in their seats. Then Maya said: "We haven't even talked about marriage Riley. We both decided not to talk about future plans until we both have graduated and have jobs. So let's don't go jumping the gun on things."
"I know." Riley continued, now very calm and serious. "But you two can't tell me you haven't at least talked about the possibility. You talk about everything."
Maya and Josh looked at each other and grinned. It seems they could finally talk to Riley about their plans for the future. "You're right Riley." Josh said. "But like Maya said, that won't come for a while yet."
"I understand. "Riley said. "But I expect to be in on the wedding planning and to be your maid-of-honor." Riley was laughing now and caused Josh and Maya to laugh as well which eased their tension.
"Okay Riley," Maya finally said through laughter. "duly noted." After a few minutes, Maya looked at Riley and asked with a serious face:" Why'd you change you mind Riley. When I told you that Josh and I loved each other, you really freaked out and hit me with the whole "You are not going to be my aunt" thing.
"I know." Riley said with a smile. "But things changed after that."
"How so?" Josh asked.
"Well, that really shook me up. I guess I really never expected to hear you say you loved each other and it got me to thinking. With what's happened in your life Maya, I knew you'd never say you loved Uncle Josh unless you really meant it. And I knew Uncle Josh was the same way because he'd never hurt you. So, I began to watch you two more when you were together at mom and dad's or at your house when we'd all have dinner together. And what I saw opened my eyes to what was really going on between you two."
"What did you see Riley?" Josh asked.
"It was the way you two looked at each other. You look at each other like mom and dad look at each other and the way Uncle Shawn and Aunt Katy look at each other." This made Maya smile. Riley had always called her dad "Uncle Shawn" but after they married she asked her mom if she could call her "Aunt Katy." And it thrilled her mom. She said it made her feel more like part of the Mathews extended family like Shawn felt.
"And that made me realize that two people I love so much, you two, were meant to be together. And I've been okay with it ever since."
"Oh Riley," Maya began with tears beginning to form in her eyes, "you have no idea what this means to us."
"Now come on you two," Riley started, "you were going to do what you wanted to do and stay together no matter what I thought about it. So what's the big deal?"
"Yes Riley, Josh and I were going to stay together because we knew we belonged together. And even though everyone else: Josh's parents, my parents, and your parents, was fine with it, the fact that you weren't bothered us."
"Riley," this time it was Josh, "the only thing, and I mean the ONLY thing, negative about our relationship was you not being comfortable with it. But you've removed that now, and we can't tell you what that means to us." Josh was almost in tears now. "Maya and I both love you very much and hated that us being together hurt you so much."
"Gosh guys," Riley began, "I had no idea how I made you feel. I'm so sorry. I love you both too."
"That's okay Riles," Maya began as she reached out and took Riley's hands in hers and squeezed them, "that's in the past now and gone forever. You're just made Josh and I happier than we've ever been. So, let's not speak of the past again, okay?"
"Okay." Riley answered with a smile.
Just then the waitress brought their pancake orders and put them down in front of each of them. "Great!" Maya exclaimed after the waitress left as she began pouring syrup all over hers. "I'm starving."
"Me too!" Josh exclaimed also.
"I bet you two are after last night." Riley said as she looked at the couple across from her and smiled.
Maya and Josh's eyes shot wide open in disbelief at first as they froze and stared back at Riley. But then the three burst out laughing as Maya and Josh realized that Riley was indeed alright with last night.
The three tore into their pancakes as if they hadn't eaten is a week and were just enjoying the moment together. They weren't saying anything because their mouths were full. Then, someone's phone beeped. This time it was Josh's. He decided to ignore it though.
But Maya couldn't. "Wasn't that your phone Josh? Didn't you just get a text?"
"Yeah, it was a text." Josh said between bites of pancake. "But it couldn't be anything important. It's a Saturday morning for God's sake."
But just as Maya was about to remind him that he'd said the same to her a little more than and hour ago, Josh suddenly stopped eating and said: "Oh crap!"
"What is it Josh?" Maya asked.
"Oh crap!" Josh said again as he pulled out his phone and checked his text messaged. "Oh crap!" He said for third time.
Now Maya and Riley were a little concerned about what was going on with Josh.
Josh, seeing the concerned looks on their faces, realized he needed to explain what was going on.
"Last week I set up a meeting for our project group to go over some final points of our findings before we turned it in." Josh told them.
"On a Saturday morning?!" Riley asked in amazement.
"Yeah," Josh began, "it was the last meeting we needed to have and Saturday was the best time to do it because of all our schedules." Then he looked at the two girls and continued. "Last night was a kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing. Everything just happened to fall into place. So I asked Maya. And everything went so well, that I completely forgot about the meeting this morning.
"Well I should hope so Uncle Josh." Riley said with a laugh. Which caused Maya and Josh to laugh as well.
"I'll just text Cheryl," Josh said, "and tell her that something came up and I can't make the meeting. She'll understand and take over for me and lead the meeting."
"No Josh, you can't do that." Maya said. "You've told me how important this project is, so you can't just blow off this meeting, especially one that you set up."
"But I have to Maya."
"Why Josh, why do you have to?"
"Because it wouldn't look right or be right after last night. I can't spend the night with you and then abandon you the next morning like some girl I picked up for a one-night stand."
"Oh come on Uncle Josh," Riley exclaimed, "that's sweet and all, but do you really think Maya or me or anyone who knows you would think that?"
"Riley's right Josh. That never crossed my mind. And besides, what have we always told each other: we're not going to let our relationship interfere with our school work. Right? This is a perfect example of that. I know you love me, now go."
"You might as well go Uncle Josh. I've seen that look before. Her minds made up and she's not going to give in."
"Yeah, I've seen that look to." Josh said with a slight smile.
"And besides," Maya continued, "this was supposed to be 'Riley and Maya time," not 'Riley and Maya and Josh time.'"
"Yeah, Uncle Josh, you're really being a big buttinsky." This caused Maya and Josh to laugh. Riley might be a mature Yale student but she was still a "silly little goofball" at times.
"Alright, I get it." Josh finally said and then looked at Maya. "Are you sure honey?" He asked one last time.
"Yes, I am Josh." She said to him trying to ease any last worry he had. "I love you. And I always will."
This seemed to finally convince Josh that it was okay to go. "Alright I'll go." He texted Cheryl then and explained to her he was running late but would be there shortly. "Okay done." He said. "Love you Maya. I'll see you later today. Bye. Bye Riley."
"Bye Josh. Love you too."
"Bye Uncle Josh."
Josh took one last sip of coffee, slid out of the bench seat, and headed toward the door. But when he got about halfway, he suddenly turned and walked back to the table. When he got there, instead of sliding in next to Maya, he slid in next to Riley. He put his arms around her and hugged her tightly. Riley and Maya looked at each other with "I don't know either" looks on their faces. Finally Josh spoke:
"Thank you Riley. Thank you for being happy for Maya and me. Thank you for not being freaked out about us anymore. It means so much to us." He looked at her and said: "I love you Riley." Then kissed her on the cheek.
"I love you too Uncle Josh. I'm so happy you're in Maya's life." Then she asked: "And you'll take care of my friend?"
"I will Riley; just like I always have; I promise." He then smiled at Riley; turned to Maya and said: "I'll call you later Maya." And with that he was out of the booth and out the door.
After Josh left, Riley and Maya finished their pancakes. They were sipping their coffee while sitting silently enjoying their time together when Riley suddenly asked: "So, you and Uncle Josh last night?"
Maya looked at her in astonishment and asked: "You want to talk about me and your Uncle Josh last night?"
"Of course I do." Riley replied. "We always talk about the boys we've been with, especially the first time."
"Wow, you really are okay with us, aren't you?" Maya replied. She sat quietly for a few minutes thinking about what Riley had just asked her. Then she answered:
"You know how we've always said that there's 'what sex should be like' and 'what it really is like' and they never seem to be the same?"
Riley nodded her head to let Maya know she knew exactly what she was saying.
"Well last night, with Josh, they were the same."
"Really?" Riley asked with astonishment in her voice. "How so?"
"I don't know. It was several things I guess." Maya answered. "I've heard that being with someone you love and that loves you makes it a far better experience. It was the way he touched me, firm but gentle; the way he talked to me, loving and reassuring; and the way he looked at me, like I was the center of his whole world. He made me feel like I was the only thing that mattered in his life; that my feelings were the only thing that mattered. I've never experienced anything like it Riley. It just made me love him even more."
"That's wonderful Maya. I'm so happy for you. It's what we've both always wanted. I wish I had the same thing with Lucas."
Maya smiled at Riley then and said: "It'll happen with you and Lucas Riley. You two have just gotten back together. If you're anything like Josh and me, it'll just take time, so don't rush things. But it'll be worth it. And I think that his time back in Texas made him realize what he walked away from. And he'll have to look long and hard to find someone better."
"Do you really think so Maya?" Riley asked.
"I do Riley." She answered. "You just gotta have hope. I learned that from you ya know."
Riley turned a little red with that statement from Maya. It was a wonderful message, the message of hope. Maya lived by that message. And her life was better because of it. She was a little embarrassed that Maya gave her so much credit for teaching it to her. But she guessed it was true. And it made her smile. "I'll have hope too." She thought as the two life-long friends continued with their time together.