There's this rush I used to get anytime Paul was near but I couldn't see him yet. Whether he would sneak up behind me or was simply patrolling the forest near our home, I would get this short tingling drop in the pit of my stomach. Like that anticipatory rush at the top of a rollercoaster right before the descent—pure elation, euphoria, bright, light happiness. And that feeling would dissolve into a warm satiated buzz when he would put his hands on me, wrap me in his arms, or lower his lips to my shoulder, the side of my neck, my cheek. Lately though, I've been feeling that rush all of the time. As if he's right behind me, peeking over my shoulder, his warm breath rushing across my neck. When I turn around though, there's no one there and that unrelenting rush never dissipates into that satisfying buzz. It's enough to drive anyone crazy.
"Cheers!" The collection of engineers, scientists, and interns raised their plastic cups filled with cheap champagne in the heuristic lab room amongst scattered papers and gently whirring machinery. Maya's blunt, shoulder length hair was half pulled up into a messy top knot and she beamed at the colleagues she had come to know and become friends with this summer.
Dr. Bronnard's lab held some of the most invigorating and fascinating work Maya had ever encountered. Everyday she woke up in her shared bungalow with Rosalie and Emmett and was thrilled to get to the lab to work. Each day was a new and exciting discovery and Arden had been right—the work that Dr. Bronnard was cross-creating with the aerospace and biodynamics team was right up her alley.
Surrounded by such brilliant and passionate people bolstered Maya's belief that the decision she had made to stay away from the rez this past year was the right one. She knew she might never have had this same experience otherwise. The drama back home, or pending threats, or urge to take care of her chosen family may have overridden any opportunity. Not to mention that with Paul's absence this past year, Maya was able to work closely with Arden without interference and show him that she was worthy of his time and effort. His vouch to Dr. Bronnard pretty much guaranteed her spot in this internship and it was safe to say, it had changed her life.
Maya felt good. She smiled at the people around her, casually joking and chatting about all of the breakthroughs and progress they had made this summer. These people had genuinely become her friends and the opportunities this work held for her future were limitless. She had basically secured herself another industry internship Dr. Bronnard was a part of for next year which would ensure her Junior year was well spent in setting up her thesis and job prospects in her final year.
It was all going according to plan. Even Noah had come regularly to visit his parents on the occasional weekend and let Maya tag along with him. Noah's parents were wonderful, warm, and welcoming. Their home was a generous three story renovated farmhouse—his father's DIY pride and joy as Noah explained that first sweltering afternoon as they walked up the front porch steps.
The home was a marvel to be sure, all shiny, polished wood, and bespoke flooring. Noah's dad, Reggie, was a bit of an aspiring carpenter. Maya thought, upon first entry to the home, that Paul would appreciate the love and care Reggie had put into restoring the home, but she quickly pushed that thought out of her head as the familiar ache squeezed at her heart.
Maya spent many weekends at Noah's family home, helping his mother Martha bake rhubarb pies, picking weeds and gardening a fresh plot of summer squash with Reggie, and even thumbing through some of Noah's old highschool yearbooks with him in his childhood room. She would throw her head back and laugh every time she came across a floppy haired candid of him amongst his highschool friends.
For once, Maya felt normal.
Rosalie and Emmett rented a cabin in the Ohio wilderness and would spend about a week hunting. The short time alone in the bungalow gave Maya a glimpse into what her life might be like if she carried on this way. She spent time with her new friends from the lab, Noah, and sometimes just quietly by herself. Her nights were slow, and she cooked meals quietly to Rosalie's beloved thirties and forties love ballads. She'd spend most of those late summer nights tucked into a hammock on the porch or in the soft low light of the cool living room combing through that day's research and findings.
Each day was peaceful and pleasant. It was one of the best summers she had had in recent memory. Certainly better than last summer with her and Paul so strained.
Still, even in her moments of peace, there was a faint, hollow ache that echoed through her and let her know that something was missing. Maya knew what that meant. The imprint was alive and well. But she didn't begrudge it this time.
Now, as the celebration began to die down around her in the lab, she smiled as a bittersweet feeling came over her. This is everything she'd wanted so far, and she felt like there was so much more to come. But what would she have to give up to get there?
Maya's phone buzzed in her pocket and she set her cup down excusing herself from the group of scientists surrounding her. She quickly opened her messages, her heart giving an involuntary flutter.
The fluttering settled once she saw that it was a text from Arden. She promptly opened it, ignoring the still astronomical amount of messages, though now dwindling, that were from home.
Arden: Today's the last day of your internship, right? When are you back in New York?
Maya bit her lip and smiled before replying: Yeah, just finished up today. I'll be back this weekend.
Maya watched as the bubbles appeared and disappeared on her screen. She couldn't help the butterfly sensation from erupting in her belly despite herself. It was odd—it was only a microscopic feeling of what she used to experience with Paul, but it was there.
Even stranger, Maya hadn't heard anything from Paul since she had ran into him at the art show back in May.
For those first few weeks, she was convinced that he would track her down or that Arden would show up with mysterious bruises one random afternoon. But it was all quiet.
No texts. No calls. No Paul on her doorstep.
She didn't even know if he knew where she lived to be fair. And that felt….weird. Her imprint had no idea where she lived. An involuntary shudder rushed through her, one that left her feeling cold and uncomfortable.
Arden's reply finally pinged through and Maya raised her cup to lips, letting the bubbles of the champagne tickle her nose as she read from him:
Perfect timing. I'd love to grab a coffee and catch up on everything before the semester starts. Maybe informally interview you for a TA'ship. What do you think?
Maya stared at the text message feeling the swirl of uncertainty flip over and over in her stomach, mixing with the champagne.
Sure. When and where?
She responded with a smile and downed the rest of her glass before slipping her phone into her back pocket.
It was nice to be back in the city. As much as she enjoyed the late afternoons in the lab back in Ohio, she had missed the buzz of New York and all of her usual haunts. When Rosalie, Emmett, and Maya returned that Friday, it was dark and drizzling rain—perfect weather for vampires returning to their city. Emmett carried their bags into the three story Brownstone Carlisle had owned since the early 1900's. Rosalie and Emmett typically occupied the top two floors and Maya had the entire first floor to herself equipped with a wide marbled kitchen, complete with cozy hearth, couches and lounge chairs that spilled into an ample living room, a library off to the left of the main entry, two large bedrooms and a lush, well manicured garden complete with glassed in sunroom off of the main kitchen.
Maya had only lived at the Brownstone for a couple of weeks before heading to Ohio after the semester ended, but in that short time, she had fallen so deeply in love with it that when she crossed over the doorway, she breathed a sigh of relief. Rosalie gave her a soft smile and promised her and Emmett would join her downstairs in a bit after she got settled.
Maya walked down the hall and set her purse on the marble kitchen island before sinking into a soft, overstuffed yellow armchair in the living room and took a deep breath. The vibe returning to New York was calm. As far as Maya knew, there hadn't been any new developments regarding the Volturi scouts looking for her. Or any new vampire sightings in Forks or the greater Washington area that seemed to be a threat for that matter. She had gathered that Rosalie and Emmett felt fine leaving Maya mostly on her own both in the city and during her time in Ohio.
Again, Maya felt fortified in her decision to return to New York, despite the tension at home and her falling out with Paul. She never wanted to feel so at odds with her imprint, but for now, it still seemed like the best decision to leave the reservation and leave….him. She swallowed hard and fought back the sting of tears forming behind her eyes. Before she could devolve too deeply into her feelings, Rosalie's soft footfalls could be heard across the foyer. When she entered the kitchen, she gave her a knowing look, but Maya averted her eyes and was thankful for the distraction when her phone buzzed in her pocket.
She fished it out as Rosalie clinked pleasantly around in the kitchen, no doubt preparing her some tea with a punch. Maya opened her messages and smiled at Arden's recent text:
If we're still on for tomorrow, I'll swing by and pick you about 7. My co-collaborator invited me to the opening of this new ritzy club in Soho. Would you be interested in dropping by with me?
A club. Fuck. Maya would have to really dress up now for this 'catch up dinner' that was certainly turning into something more. A feeling akin to guilt started to stir in her stomach, but Maya banished any hesitance and quickly typed back.
This is all starting to feel strangely like a date.
Before Maya could even shoot off her next text he responded with.
We'll see.
She'd be lying if she didn't say the quip didn't send a thrill through her. So, she smiled and typed back.
Sounds good then. I'll dress accordingly, trash bag and all, and see you around 7 tomorrow.
Maya turned her screen off just as Rosalie set her tea down on the small side table next to her.
"Mm," Rosalie hummed softly. Maya took a minute before meeting her golden gaze. "I'm assuming that's Arden." Maya let out a huff of breath and grabbed her tea.
"We're catching up over dinner tomorrow," she said matter-of-factly. Rosalie watched her for awhile and then simply said:
"Just be careful, Maya."
To which Maya fixed her with a somewhat annoyed stare and shook her head. "Nothing is happening, Rose. I'm not an idiot."
"I know," Rosalie said softly, "I just worry about the perception of others in this…delicate situation we have so far successfully maintained."
"By 'others' I'm assuming you mean Paul?" Maya shot back a little too harshly. She closed her eyes tight and just as breathed out a "Sorry" Rosalie stopped her.
"You never have to apologize for choosing this path, Maya. To be honest, while I understand the spirit of a thing like an imprint, it still feels very much like being put into a box sometimes for your friends and family. We just need to be mindful of what gets back to them and how. Jacob…Jacob and I have been friends for a long time now. And he has a tendency to change his mind," Rosalie said this all very sympathetically and Maya gave her a small smile.
"I know, but if I live under the weight of a fickle alpha decision, I'll never truly get the life I want out here. Arden is a….friend. A colleague," she quickly corrected. "I'll be careful, though."
Rosalie patted Maya's hand and got up to grab a book off the bookshelf in the living room and headed out into the soft glow of moonlight in the garden. Maya toyed with a loose thread on the armchair and thought about Rosalie's words again. There was nothing to worry about. Arden had set a clear boundary with Maya earlier in the year when she'd slipped up. Plus, unless Rosalie and Emmett were reporting back to Jacob—which they'd never said they were—she wasn't really sure how anyone could perceive her out here.
Still, she'd be careful. If not for herself, then for her life out here.
Just as Maya had expected, the dinner with Arden was friendly and focused solely on her internship in Ohio. He asked her such thoughtful questions and posed ideas to her regarding how to build her thesis around what she'd learned.
Maya was happy to just be back and in comfortable company. Rosalie's warning was unnecessary, Maya thought as she sipped her third glass of white wine and laughed at Arden's recounting of his hapless solo trip to Rome this summer.
They were friends. Maya could have friends.
After dinner, Arden placed his hand on her lower back and guided her outside to hail a cab so they could drop in on the new club he had mentioned in his text the night before. Maya tugged down at the hem of her burnt orange halterneck mini dress. The soft fabric clung to Maya's curves and ended tightly just above her knees.
Arden opened the taxi door for her and helped her into the cab. They laughed and chatted all the way to the club and Maya was having such a good time that she didn't notice Arden's warm hand on her bare knee.
Once they'd made their way across town, Maya could tell that this was definitely not your average night club hang out. The outside was lined with expensive foreign looking cars and real lighted torches flickered and set the entryway off with a sensual glow.
Arden's hand landed lower on her back this time and Maya couldn't shake that tingling tug in her belly as soon as they got out of the cab. He ushered her past the line and through the front door as the guard waved them in without a second glance. Maya beamed up at Arden, completely enthralled by her surroundings.
Once in the main lounge, Maya was overtaken by the high ceilings that glittered with faux starlight and opulent gold chandeliers that mimicked planets. There was a low bar at the center and plenty of lounge spaces with black leather and deep purple suede chairs and couches.
Maya was definitely dressed up, but even here she felt a little out of place. Most of the seats were packed with well-dressed New Yorkers, socialites, and even some celebrities Maya recognized. Low, articulate pop pulsed through the club and the hum of constant chatter buzzed through Maya's ears. It felt like she was in a much too high-society hangout and was such a stark contrast to the home she had come from that it made her slightly dizzy.
She pushed some hair behind her ear and tucked herself a little more into Arden's side in hopes of blending in. Arden led her toward the bar and leaned down to whisper softly: "Most of these folks are socialites and artists, so don't worry too much about giving them the signature science Maya razzle dazzle."
Maya giggled and ducked her head a bit as they leaned conspiratorially toward one another against the bar. He did have an easy way of drawing out some of the best parts of her personality, she had to admit. Still, that aching tug wouldn't leave her and Maya grimaced as she brought the fancy cocktail to her lips that Arden ordered her, wishing she had a warm whiskey to calm her nerves instead. She was determined to have a good time despite the sickening feeling growing in her stomach.
Maya was halfway into her second drink when a prickling sensation began on the back of her neck. Arden had stayed close to her by the bar and carried on talking and laughing with her, even touching her occasionally. Although Maya became a little quieter as that aching feeling grew. He didn't seem to notice though, not even when Maya winced and leaned across the bar to order a water mid-conversation.
He was absently stroking her thigh and carrying on when Maya got the distinct feeling that she was being watched.
Suddenly, the bar felt sweltering and Maya had an overwhelming flash of stress brought on by the last time she was at a club and there were preying vampires about. Instead of bolting, which she desperately wanted to do, Maya covertly glanced around the bar for any standouts. Rosalie and Emmett had schooled her well in picking up on vampires when they were out and about, but Maya couldn't pinpoint any here, though she was sure there must be given the scene. Her heart rate picked up and she felt a soft bead of sweat start to form on her forehead.
"You okay?" Arden finally said, his voice sounding like he was under water. Maya snapped her head back toward him and swallowed thickly to clear her head.
"I, uh," Maya stuttered and tried to give him her most convincing smile, "No. Yes, I'm fine, I just got a little hot, I guess. This tequila really warms you up," she joked. Arden nodded and watched her curiously. She was sure she didn't look too good at the moment. When she felt that sharp tug again at her belly, Maya was awash with a sudden sense of dread. She remembered this feeling.
Slowly, she let her eyes sweep across the club again and finally travel up across the elevated area of the club that held VIP sitting areas, roped off with gold chains at the top of a short wide staircase. Maya didn't have to scan for long before she met the dark pair of eyes that had been staring at her for god knows how long. Sitting in the VIP area on a plush leather couch was Paul.
His arms were outstretched on the back of the couch and his left foot was crossed over his right knee. The dark, trimmed beard and soft swept back hair was still the same as it looked from their last meeting all those months ago—seamlessly put together, darkening his entire face, and matching that sharp, brooding look that emanated from his eyes. Maya's mouth went dry as she let herself drink in his image—black slacks covering his thick thighs, black button up covered with a fitted black sports jacket. His eyes were locked onto her, dark and alight with something terrifying and feral.
A line of fire could have erupted between them from the heat of his gaze on her. Maya's lips parted as she stared back, and felt that familiar tug in her belly that pooled warm and thrilling at the apex of her thighs: the imprint, or Paul maybe, beckoning her over. Maya snapped her mouth shut and set her mouth in a firm line, turning back to Arden and placing a hand on his bicep to help steady herself as she tried to continue their conversation.
The tug became more persistent though, and the pang between her legs grew to an unbearable level that she could barely concentrate on what Arden was talking about. Her face heated as warmth pooled between her thighs and she abruptly interrupted Arden just as he was going on about something Maya knew she'd be interested in normally:
"Could you excuse me for just a second?" Without waiting for a response from him, Maya hopped up and turned on her heel to stomp toward Paul. His arms were still outstretched across the couch and he turned his head lazily toward her as she ascended the short steps to the lounge area he occupied. He gave her a warm, knowing smile, but his eyes held complete fire. He glanced behind her to see that Arden had stayed put by the bar with a worried grimace on his face for a half a second. Paul let out a short low laugh before turning his attention back to his imprint.
"What the hell are you doing here?!" Maya snapped. Paul let out a low chuckle and the sound sent a thrill through her. This was ridiculous. She had barely seen him in over a year and her body hummed with such intense heat and desire that she thought she would combust on the spot from just his laughter.
"You're being a bit dramatic," Paul finally replied gently, a condescending tone in his voice, taking a sip from his whiskey. His eyes never left Maya. She bristled at his tone.
"This is New York. There are literally so many other clubs you could go to and you just happen to be at this one?"
"Imagine that," he said bluntly. She couldn't stand this blase way he drenched his every word in as if he was bored, as if he was fed up, as if he might snap at any moment. Maya's thighs clenched together instinctively. Her eyes drifted over to the collection of people scattered around the small VIP area Paul occupied. They all gave her varying looks of interest, but no one really paid much attention. A hard blush rose up to Maya's cheeks regardless. Paul's eyes lit up at the wash of color on her face.
"I am happy here you know," she nearly pleaded, as the anger pumped through her, the heat of her blush stinging her ears.
"Oh, yeah, I can tell," he mocked, a cruel smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Maya took a step forward in her fury as if to grab him or slap him, but she stopped herself. Paul's eyes shot down to the miniscule step she had taken forward before his gaze slowly traveled up the length of her body to her face. A smug look replaced that blase attitude and Maya stilled as the anger roiled up in her. It was as if getting a rise out of her was the whole point. Or to prove that he still had an effect on her and always would. Maya clenched her fists.
"Get over yourself," she spat, "It's a little desperate that you keep showing up like this." She would do anything at this point to throw him off this smug little hill he was standing on.
"Oh, so you're fucking drunk," he quipped, his words echoing in his glass as he took another nonchalant sip. Maya almost lost it at that, her fingernails digging into her closed fists as a sharp jolt of anger ricocheted down her spine unpleasantly and landed between her legs. She took a minute to get herself under control before deciding not to take the bait.
This wasn't her Paul. Or at least, not the Paul she had fell in love with, but something darker, angrier. She couldn't help but feel like she had driven him to this point and she wondered what it meant. This distance between them, this lapping lick of anger that they threw at one another was what their relationship, or lack thereof, currently rested upon. It filled Maya with such sadness that she had to clench her jaw tightly to dispel the tears fighting their way out behind her eyes.
"Fuck you," she finally said with a hard smile as she flipped him off. "Have fun watching me walk away. Again," Maya whirled around, her hair swishing against her back and stomped back down the steps without a second glance. Maya could feel Paul's eyes burning into her back but she didn't dare look behind her.
The minute she reached the bottom, she felt the imprint slam through her, hollowing out her stomach and making it hard to breathe. Suddenly, the club felt too crowded, over-perfumed, and loud. She didn't even look up to try and find Arden. Maya knew she had to take a minute of reprieve, to gather herself and catch her breath before returning to him or else he'd ask her too many questions she couldn't bear to answer.
So, she stumbled off in the direction of what she thought might be a bathroom. Maya pushed through a dark door and found herself in a secluded hallway. Not thinking too much about it, she carried on toward another door at the end of the hallway, and pushed it open. She reveled in the gentle breeze of summer air that hit her face. The door led outside to a dark alleyway and Maya let it close behind her as she leaned up against the cool, damp brick of the building taking in deep lungfuls of air and trying to calm herself down.
Back on the couch, Paul seethed. He had watched Maya stalk away from him, his whiskey glass clenched dangerously tight in his hand. When he watched her make her way out toward the back door, he immediately snapped up and after her, unable to stay seated a moment longer. The people around him gave him an odd glance as he quickly glided off toward the direction Maya had gone, simmering with rage.
He had realized her presence the minute she had arrived in the club, that asshole's arm wound down around her waist and leaning down to whisper something in her ear. It had taken everything in him not to shout at her across the lounge just to get her to see him—Jacob's ridiculous alpha order not to interfere kept him glued to the spot. Instead, he stewed in his own shimmering rage, disinterested in the conversations happening with his artist friends around him. His eyes had stayed glued to Maya's form, traveling down her soft curves that her dress clung too.
She made his mouth water. Her image sitting at that bar with that old, fucking professor consumed him and he shot through with feral anger whenever Arden would lean forward to say something closer to her so she could hear, his hand travelling the length of her thigh nonchalantly.
Was this what he meant to her? Their bond, their life? Easily discarded and forgotten at the first opportunity? No. He wouldn't allow that. She was his. Their bond was taut between them and he could feel it sharpen every day to an excruciating point since she had left him behind. Now, he wielded it against her. Prodding at the imprint to stir her awareness of him in the club. He smirked when he saw that familiar grimace come over her face, that pang of understanding and uncomfortableness that plagued his every waking moment that he wasn't near her, that she wasn't underneath him.
The last year had been nothing short of excruciating. Paul knew he had to get Maya back, but this time things would be different. She belonged to him, body and soul, but tethering her to the reservation had been his downfall. Trying to box her in had backfired. This time, she would have to come to him. Willingly. No more promises, no more broken bonds, no more running off.
But in all that time, Paul's black and burning anger had grown, not necessarily at her, but rather at the absence of her. And, even moreso, at himself. He would get her back, but he didn't know if he could quell his rage long enough to do it. So, he acknowledged that things might get a little messy.
When Maya had finally seen him, her gorgeous amber eyes connecting with his across the room, he knew he had her. When she had stomped over to him, barely acknowledging Arden in her haste, a sick thrill had rocketed through him. And when she was close enough to him, he could smell every enticing inch of her. Getting her angry was easy. Getting her back would be harder.
So, he'd start there—with anger. That oh-so-familiar feeling that he had too much experience with and had tried not to let completely consume him again this past year. Anger. He could get her angry to get her close, or at the very least weaken the alpha order so he could remind her of who exactly he was.
Her little charade had been cute—asking him what he was doing here, as if he had even planned their encounter. He hadn't, but he'd let her think that just to get under her skin a little bit. That pulsing anger would be her undoing if Paul had anything to say about it. Which was why, when she had taken a step toward him after he had mocked her happiness, Paul felt the cinch of the alpha order loosen in that moment. His eyes lit with fire and he worried he was giving too much away, because Maya retreated almost immediately, but not before giving him a hardy 'Fuck you.'
Oh, you will baby. He had thought to himself as he watched her walk off for a moment. Patience had never been Paul's strong suit however, and the anger ticked a vein in his forehead.
Slamming through the hallway door, he saw it was empty and quickly walked the rest of the way to the door that led into the alleyway. The sound of the metal door banged against the brick wall, startling Maya who had had her eyes closed, with her hands over her face, trying to take calming breaths.
Maya straightened, her back pressed into the cold brick as her wide eyes watched Paul glare at her from a somewhat safe distance.
"What the fuck, Paul?" she nearly choked out.
"You left me, remember? I'm the one who gets to be mad this time," his voice was grave, halting as he slipped his hands in his pockets. Maya shook her head, unable to hold back the tears this time as one escaped and rushed down her cheek. Her hands shook as the rush of the imprint pulsed painfully through her and she thought she'd collapse on the spot. This wasn't fair. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. Why wouldn't he just go? If he left, maybe she could get this pain under control and get back to her life. She drew in a shuddering breath and closed her eyes tight as the tears came in earnest now.
"Fuck," she breathed out, pain lacing her tone, "Just…fucking go, Paul. Please just go," she begged as she wrapped her arm around her stomach. If she had been able to keep her eyes open, she might have seen him take the five short paces to close the gap between them. Suddenly, Maya's bare back was pressed firmly in the cold brick making her gasp. Her eyes shot open and she was immediately enveloped in his warm, soft aroma. That soft spice and citrus that smelled like the forest after a fresh summer rain invaded her senses and her gaze traveled up his frame to his eyes that were burning with so much anger that it physically made Maya wince. "If this is how it's going to be, please just…leave me alone," she couldn't even say each word fully she was lacking so much breath.
This must be how she'd die—with the imprint tearing her apart piece by piece until there was literally nothing left. He lowered his fact toward hers so she could feel his warm breath cast across face as he said in almost a growl:
"I've heard you in my head everyday for a fucking year," his warm hands cupped either side of her neck as his thumbs coasted across her jawline. Maya erupted in goosebumps down her spine at his touch. When he lowered his forehead to hers, his mouth hovering over hers she couldn't help but groan with need. The imprint thrummed in her, the pain still erupting and subsiding as waves coming in with the tide. Paul was only holding her head against his, leaving just a little bit of space between them, but Maya arched her body up to connect with the line of his and she felt him breathe out across her face as if in relief at the contact.
He was so big. Was he always this big? She wondered as he pressed his entire body against hers in response. Her naked back dug into the brick wall of the alleyway as he ground his hips into hers. Maya was dizzy, she was aching, and that pulse between her thighs was making her knees buckle. She held onto the underside of his biceps to steady herself, but she was close to shattering or bursting apart into a million pieces and scattering across this alleyway. Paul stilled, his eyes closed as he pressed his forehead to hers simply breathing her in, or trying to get himself under control, Maya wasn't sure. She hadn't forgotten that feral, dark look in his eyes she had seen just a moment earlier. That cruel and unabashed tone that had eviscerated her heart when she had just been starting to get by again.
Her hesitation was laid plain by her shuddering breaths despite her body pressing and pushing against his, her hips moving of their own accord as her body called out to his. His eyes shot open suddenly, boring into hers and Maya could have moaned for all that need it shot through her. His eyes were wanting, dark, hard, but shining with that same need that she felt.
"Please," she mouthed wetly, not knowing exactly what she was pleading for. For him to go? For him to stay? Her head was a dizzy mess and Maya would have given anything if this pain and overwhelming sensation would just stop so she could think it through.
Paul's eyes danced around her face, searching for some answer, but his need overtook him before he found a compelling answer in her and he crashed his lips down on hers, pressing her body impossibly harder onto the brick. Maya groaned and deep inside, she felt her belly erupt into white hot flames and spread outward to every limb, searing that pain clean away and leaving nothing behind but relief.
Her mouth remembered his instantly, and she opened her lips eagerly to taste the forest on her tongue, to taste home again. She had never quite quelled the tears that had burst forth and brought him closer, but she felt their plain wetness on her cheeks as he brushed them away.
Paul let a guttural moan escape into her mouth, chasing his own relief as the imprint rejoiced in both of them.
His hands never left her neck as he gently tilted her head to the side to gain more access to her mouth, hungrily devouring her, claiming what was always his again. Maya was lost in the rush of him, all at once, and she couldn't breathe let alone pause to think about what it meant.
Here, again with him. It always felt right with Paul, even when she was running, she knew he was it. And if he needed to give chase for a bit so she could get some distance and fulfill her dreams, then so be it.
But this was no longer the chase. Maya was well and truly caught and as Paul let out another satisfied groan into her mouth, she couldn't bring herself to care just yet. All that mattered in this moment was that that dull ache was finally gone for the first time in a year and Paul was here, kissing her.
Maya had no idea how long they stayed pressed together, reveling in the home they found once again in one another. But when Paul's kisses softened and slowed, gently peppering her lips and around her mouth, Maya took her first full breath as her eyes opened slowly.
She had no words, as she looked up at the man who had all at once loved her, trapped her, found her, and invaded all of her senses again. Her breathing was labored, but the pain was long gone as she held tightly to him.
"Come on," he said gruffly as his eyes narrowed. He took a step back from her, the cool summer air rushing in and sending a chill across her.
"Where?" Maya breathed out softly, her voice a heady whisper as her heart raced. But she was already following him, her fingers lightly tangled with his as he tugged her down the alley and toward the busy street. She felt like a lamb being led to slaughter, but the ache between her legs urged her on anyway.
When they reached the street, Maya bumped into him and wobbled a bit on her heels. She grabbed the wrist of the hand that held hers and looked up at him as he towered over her, his free hand high in the air as he hailed a cab.
Maya felt like she was floating in a dream and before she could will herself to wake up, the cab pulled up to the curb and Paul yanked the door open to usher Maya inside before he followed her.
She had no idea where he was taking her but when he opened his mouth and easily said, "Upper East, 5th and Madison, please," it took Maya a moment to realize he had said her address.
"You know where I live?" she finally managed. Paul glanced at her sideways and gave a low chuckle.
"Of course, I do." He said it so easily, as if she was ridiculous for even thinking he would have no idea where she was at all times. Maya pursed her lips and looked down at their gently clasped hands as the lights of the city washed them in a warm amber glow. "Hey," he said with a bit of a tenderness. Maya looked up at him and almost lost her breath again just at the sight of him.
She opened her mouth as if to respond, but nothing came out. He smirked and leaned forward to kiss her again, his other hand gently caressing the side of her cheek. Maya felt her nipples tighten and that fresh need sweep through her again. But just as she began leaning into his kiss, running her free hand down his neatly trimmed beard, the cab pulled over and the cabbie cleared his throat. Paul pulled away slowly, his eyes racing across every inch of her face again. Maya was dumbstruck. All from a kiss.
He paid and opened the door, pulling her out behind him and up toward her house like he had been here a million times. Maybe he had. The thought made her heart race as they reached the stoop awash in a soft amber glow from the iron porch lamp that hung above them.
Again, Maya was lost for words and she was seriously starting to second guess her education at such a prestigious school if she couldn't even string a few words together in front of the man she loved.
They just stood there, looking at each other, standing just a few inches apart. She needed to say something, anything to him. To explain, to set things right, or at the very least ask him what exactly was happening. But she stayed quiet, her body content just to be close to his in the moment and not in pain.
His eyes never left hers as he tried to understand what might be racing through her head. When he suddenly leaned forward slowly, his hand coming up to cradle the back of her neck, Maya's breath hitched in her throat.
"Maya," he said softly with so much adoration, love, and desire that she thought she was going to combust right there on the doorstep. But instead, he leaned forward, kissed her softly and said, "Goodnight."
Maya's eyes fluttered open just as he was stepping away and moving gracefully down the stairs, leaving her there. Her mouth fell open as she watched him push his hands into his pockets and walk down the sidewalk and out of sight.
She stood there for awhile after he had disappeared and when she had finally shut the front door behind her and leaned against it, she breathed out a sigh and said "What the fuck?"
What the fuck, indeed.
Later, when Maya was tucked away in her bedroom, she pulled her phone out and listened to every voicemail and read every message from each of her friends and family back home until the early hours of the morning.
