Maya

Did I flex my arms taut for her perusal? Perhaps.

"Hi," she said with a smile. Her friend spoke in another language and Maya nodded, her cheeks turning red. I raised an eyebrow at the pair of them.

Her friend stuck out her hand. "Alex," she said. "Nice to meet you."

Her handshake was strong. "Gray."

I took another drag of the cigarette and stubbed it out in a nearby ashtray.

"So what was all the screaming about?" I asked.

"Oh!" Maya's face lit up instantly, her eyes wider than I've ever seen them. "Alex is getting married!"

Seriously? At least that assuaged the surprising spark of jealousy. "How old are you, kid?"

She didn't take that well. "That's really none of your business, grandma," she returned. I felt a spark of anger in my chest but tamped it down with a big breath. Jean would be proud, god rest his soul.

"I didn't mean to offend you," I clarified. "You just look a little young to be getting married."

She shrugged. "When you know, you know."

Maya seemed to be vibrating with excitement. "I don't care when it is, Alex. I'll be there for your big day."

I couldn't look away. She was happy, genuinely happy, and the twin dimples on her cheeks made an appearance every time she smiled. My gaze followed the curve of a cheek to the lashes that framed her expressive brown eyes. I wondered what they would look like glazed over with passion.

I realized a little too late that they were talking to me. "What?" I asked, pulling up my shades.

"Would you like to join us?" Maya asked, indicating that I should pull up a chair to join them. I waved to Miranda inside the café, signaling for my usual.

"So who's the lucky lady?" I asked as I sat down, propping a booted leg over my knee.

Alex opened her mouth to reply but Maya beat her to it. "It's Cady. They met in Singapore three years ago and fell in love when Alex was her student. How romantic is that?"

Alex rolled her eyes. "That's also very inaccurate. We never dated while she was my teacher."

"Sure." I said with a snort. "So is that where you're both from? Singapore? I couldn't place the accent when we met."

"Yep," Maya took a sip of a sugary pink drink that barely resembled coffee. "Alex and I were childhood friends. But we lost touch over the years."

Alex reached out to pat Maya's hand - her touch was familiar but friendly.

"When I heard this one was in New York, I had to get in contact," Alex supplied.

"I can't believe it, Alex." Maya said, her voice low. "I can't believe everything you've done to get here."

Alex's smile was sad. "I know. But I'm okay. I'm learning to live with it."

I raised an eyebrow but said nothing. It wasn't my place to pry.

"So what do you do?" Alex directed the question at me.

"I own the tattoo shop two blocks over." I noticed that she didn't seem to have any visible ink. "You should come by sometime. Take a look, if that's your thing."

"Yeah, right. Any tattoo on me would just look like a giant bruise."

That surprised a laugh out of me. "That's not true."

But Alex was already shaking her head. "I know a tattoo would look cool up close. I've admired enough of them to know. But with my skin color, from afar, it'll just look like someone beat me up. So, no, but thanks."

"Suit yourself."

"Yours look amazing, though. This one here," she indicated Maya, "is a sucker for tattoos. Always has been."

I turned my attention to the girl who seemed to permanently be in a state of mid-blush. "That right?"

"Um..." She bit that thick bottom lip of hers. "Maybe."

I thought she looked a little like a frightened rabbit. Testing the waters, I leaned forward and flexed my bicep muscles, making the dark owl tattoo come alive.

"Does this do anything for ya?" I asked, tongue-in-cheek.

Her cheeks flamed even more.

Alex laughed so loudly that it drew stares.

"If you're quiet enough," she said, eyes filled with tears of laughter, "you may even hear her panties drop."

I sat back, holding Maya's gaze. Nothing like being outed by your friends.

A warm feeling of satisfaction - or what is anticipation? - trickled through me. Now that I had my answer, what was I gonna do about it?

She met my gaze squarely, her eyes filled with longing and... was it trepidation? Before I could comment on it, Alex called out a greeting, snapping our eyes to her. A lovely little blonde in a short, pleated red skirt and heels walked up to the table. In her hands was a bejeweled iPhone.

"Hi, baby," Alex's voice dropped several octaves as she pressed a kiss to her fiancée's lips. At least I hoped this was her fiancée.

Alex pulled a chair up for her and introduced us.

"Cady, this is Gray. She owns a tattoo shop nearby."

Behind her shades, I could make out Cady's eyes flitting between Maya and me. Then she looked at Alex, who shrugged as though to say, "none of my business".

"Hi," she said finally, offering me her hand. "Nice to meet you."

"I hear you're getting married," I said. "Congratulations."

"Yeah." The smile on her face was brighter than the diamond ring she wore. "We haven't started planning or anything."

She turned to Maya. "We'd like you to be a part of it, if you can."

"I'd love to," Maya said, reaching out for Cady's hand. "Anything you want me to do."

I didn't understand the next words out of Cady's mouth.

"What's that?" I asked, taking a large sip of the double espresso set in front of me. The too-hot coffee instantly imbued some semblance of peace inside me.

"Oh, it's Tamil. I'm learning how to speak it." Cady beamed.

I watched Alex's eyes cloud over with affection. I felt a ridiculously out-of-place pang of envy lance through me. I didn't like it. Maybe it made me wonder if anyone would actually learn Spanish for me - not that I spoke it that often but it would be nice if someone wanted to.

"Yeah, I figure that if Alex can already speak my mother tongue, I should learn to speak hers," she continued.

"And she's getting really good, too," Maya commented.

"Well," I said, standing with a rough scrape of the chair. "I have to get back to the shop sometime today."

I tipped the paper coffee cup in lieu of a wave. "It was really lovely meeting you two. And good luck."

I turned to Maya, who seemed rattled by my abrupt departure.

"I'll see you around," I said, retreating from the uncomfortable cloud of love hormones that seemed to be smothering the table.

Maybe that's why I was still single.

*

An hour later, I was working on a stencil in my office when there was a hesitant knock on my door.

I frowned immediately. None of the employees ever knocked; they had no sense of privacy and took the "what's mine is yours" sentiment to the limit. And I doubted it would be a client. Melissa wouldn't be silly enough to let someone through to my office without booking an appointment at least two weeks in advance. It was important to be available but unavailable, you know what I mean?

"Come in," I called out.

There was a moment of hesitation before the doorknob turned.

And there she was, standing right in my office, the girl I'd been thinking about all day (who was I kidding? All week, actually). She had a backpack slung over her shoulder and thick textbooks clutched to the front of her "We Are Columbia" hoodie.

Her lips had a fresh coat of red that hadn't been there an hour ago. With the black glasses perched on her nose, she looked like a naughty little librarian. It was kinda hot.

"Hi," she said, still standing in the doorway.

"This is a surprise." I leaned back in my swivel chair, watching her fidget, trying to calm the sudden butterflies in my belly. "What's up?"

"Well, I..." she started and then turned around to shut the door. That was probably wise. I was almost certain Melissa was eavesdropping on our conversation.

She turned back to me and walked around my desk, stopping a foot away and resting her hip against the table. She was smiling, those twin dimples almost making an appearance.

"I was wondering if you're doing anything tonight." The words came out in a rush, like she'd wanted to get it all out before she lost her nerve. I simply stared, wondering if this little doe-eyed cutie was asking me out. Jesus, I couldn't remember the last time someone had done that. I'd always had to make the first move.

I cleared my throat.

"No, nothing," I said, trying to keep my cool.

"Well," she toyed with the pencil I'd been using. "Maybe you'd like to have dinner? I mean, only if you want to. I can cook; I'm a good cook. I won't poison you or anything..."

She rattled on nervously, and I watched her lips work. My brain had somehow tuned out the noise and all I could see was the movement of her lips - the generous curve of her bottom lip meeting her top lip as she spoke.

Red lips, beautifully painted. I couldn't wait to smudge it... maybe with my fist holding her hair back. Her breath escaping her lips in little pants, echoing the word "please"...

"So, would you like to?" she asked, snapping me out of my cloud of fanciful thinking.

"Yeah, sounds great. When and where?"

"My apartment. It's the building just above the café. Buzz 12."

She smiled in earnest now and the dimples were endearing. Inviting.

"Great." I glanced at the clock. It was almost three. "I'll see you around eight or eight thirty?"

"Okay. I'll see you then."

She turned and walked towards the door, giving me the chance to admire her generous ass in skinny jeans. Then, just as she reached the door, she turned and walked quickly back to the desk.

"You might need that back," she said, handing over the pencil she'd been playing with earlier. "I'll go now so you can get back to work. Okay, bye."

With a quick wave, she ducked out the door, leaving me just a tiny bit - okay, a lot - confused. I usually prided myself on being able to read people but I'd already been so wrong on so many levels with this girl. Timid? Pfft.

But did it really matter? I had a date!

#

Chapter 3

She buzzed me in at twenty past eight and I felt lightheaded as I walked up the carpeted stairs. In almost eighteen years of dating, I don't think I'd ever anticipated a date quite as much. She was attractive, yes, but I didn't think it was lust. Okay, I didn't think it was just lust. Whatever. I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

Wine bottle in hand, I rang the doorbell, giving my patterned bowtie one last corrective tug. Yes, I was wearing a bowtie on a date - you got a problem with that? It was too warm for a blazer and I wanted to seem like I'd dressed up for her.

I heard multiple locks being pulled back before the door opened.

Remember when I said I felt lightheaded? Multiply that by ten. Or a hundred. I think I stopped breathing for a second as I (tried) to take in what she was (not) wearing.

"I'm early," I croaked. My eyes probably looked comically wide but I couldn't seem to control my face.

She smiled, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ears. A floral scent drifted into the hallway. "Don't worry about it. Come in."

She stepped back, the silky robe she wore parting just enough to provide a tantalizing view of her breasts. I felt my feet move into the apartment, although I doubted my movements looked remotely human.

"You can put the wine on the kitchen counter. I'll get us some glasses."

I nodded and set the bottle down, as instructed, just in time to see her slide the last bolt on the door back into place. She turned, the robe swishing against the tops of her thighs.

Her dark hair was tied up in one of those Japanese-style buns at the back of her head, held in place by two elegant gold chopsticks. As I watched, she tugged at the sticks and the waves tumbled over her shoulder, the curls ending at her waist.

I couldn't move. It felt like my every wet dream come true. Her eyes met mine and a fierce blush crossed her cheeks. "You don't mind, do you?"

"Mind?" I echoed. There was something wrong with my throat.

"I thought this would be much easier. No pretenses."

"Pretenses?"

"Yes," she said, her fingers entwining nervously. She hesitated a moment, an irresistible blend of hesitance and half-nakedness. Then she walked towards me in what I now realized were five-inch heels.

"I'm sure our date would have been fantastic." She pulled on the ribbon that held her robe together. A sleeve fell down her arm, revealing a lace black cage bra that seemed to lift her generous breasts like an invitation. "But what's the point when we both know that this is what we truly want?"

I'm dreaming. This has to be a dream.

I didn't say anything. I don't think I could've.

"Gray," she breathed, placing both her palms on my chest and sliding them up to my collar. A flush still coated her cheeks. "If this isn't what you want, you can tell me. I'll stop."

Her eyes were wide, seeking.

SPEAK! Say something. Say words. Anything. Maybe just nod?

Her fingers unclipped the bowtie and let it fall to the floor. Then they found the buttons on my shirt. I was probably in a state of shock but that didn't stop me from noticing that her fingers fumbled, possibly in fear.

"You know," she said, her voice low. "The first time I saw you, I knew I wanted you. You're so beautiful."

She traced the outline of the tattoos she revealed across my chest. "The way you looked at me was so... bold."

"You looked frightened to death." Was that huskiness actually my voice? Where had it been all my adult life?

"I was so attracted to you. Of course I was frightened. I think I still am. But it's not going to stop me." Her fingers undid the last button of my shirt, baring my midriff - I still wore my chest binder. She stepped back and let her robe fall to the floor, engulfing my bowtie in a sea of dark satin.

Her rounded hips were encased in a matching pair of black lace panties that revealed and concealed just enough for my salivary glands to kick into overdrive. She reached for my hands and placed them on her generous bare ass.

"What do you think of the outfit? Cady helped me pick it out today." She leaned forward and placed a kiss to the base of my throat. I trembled and tried to conceal it by digging my fingers into the flesh of her ass. She pressed herself closer to my body.

"You got this for me?" I asked and she nodded, looking extremely satisfied with herself. Too satisfied.

"Then I think I'd better get a good look." I felt my control returning somewhat. I think anyone would find it difficult to recover from being slapped in the face with so much... beauty. And skin.

I leaned close to her ear, pulling several locks of hair out of the way to make room for my lips. "Face the wall, baby. Hands up, ass out."

"W-what?" she stammered as her eyes widened.

"You heard me." I ran a finger down her neck and her breath hitched. "If we're doing this, we're doing it the right way. Now turn." I slapped her ass lightly. "Hands up, ass out."

She moved away slowly until her back hit the wall, then she turned, displaying the cheeks of her luscious ass in the black lace thong. With her hands up, it jutted out invitingly - more so when she shrugged her hair out of the way and looked at me over her shoulder.

Nervous. Breathless. Turned on. Trembling. Perfect.

I jerked my belt out of its loops. It landed on the satin with a muted jangle.

"Eyes forward," I said, unbuttoning my pants. Her eyes met mine hesitantly before she turned to face the wall - but not before I caught the tremble that made her arms quiver.

So she liked a bit of power play - this could be fun.

I stepped close to her, the front of my unbuttoned pants caressing her bare bottom. She made a little noise, like a quick, involuntary exhalation. Goosebumps appeared on the back of her arms. I slid my fingers into her hair, pulling it away from the nape of her neck to make room for my lips. Her eyes closed and her breath thickened as I placed a kiss at the expanse of skin under her ear. She gasped and trembled as I gently bit into the fold of flesh.

Her skin felt incredibly soft under my fingers as I ran my palms over her raised hands, down her biceps and onto the sides of her breasts. I lingered there, letting her wonder if I was going to start exploring her breasts so soon.

(Of course I wasn't - I hadn't even kissed her properly yet!)

She didn't breathe as I fingered the lace edges of her bra maddeningly slowly before moving my fingers across her stomach. Her breath exited her lungs in an audible whoosh and her stomach trembled as I ran the tips of my fingers along the sensitive curve of her stomach. A little half-moan escaped her lips and her ass ground into my crotch - involuntarily, I think.

She had a sensitive little body with several little nooks and crannies that I was dying to explore more intimately with my mouth. I had to admire her control though - she said nothing but stood there and trembled as I took my time with my fingers on her skin. Her eyes were closed and she was biting her bottom lip - most women would've told me to hurry it up by now. But I liked to take my time. I always did.

"Maya," I whispered, running my nose along the column of her neck. "Do you want something more?" My hands were inching towards her bare ass again.

She nodded.

"What is it, gorgeous? You can tell me."

I thought she'd ask me to touch her more intimately, but instead, she said: "Kiss me, Gray. Please, I -."

I spun her around, catching her by the waist. Her eyes, still wide and hesitant, met mine in a moment suspended with so much expectation, so much tension. The floral scent she was wearing seemed to encase us in its sweetness. I think I'd forever associate the scent of jasmine and vanilla to the soft weight of the woman in my arms.

I slid a finger under her chin and lifted her lips to mine. I wanted to take it slow. I wanted to take my time to explore - I promise I did. But the moment our lips met, the moment her lithe fingers delved into my neat blonde quiff, it felt like all bets were off.

Sometimes, even though a date progresses to the sex stage, the chemistry is all off. You feel like you're kissing her or she's kissing you. On very rare occasions do you truly feel like your partner is meeting you in the middle, giving you exactly what you need and taking what she wants. But that's the way I felt when I felt Maya's tongue against my bottom lip, seeking.

I pushed her back against the wall, sliding one knee between her parted thighs to keep her there. She moaned deep in her throat, pressing herself even closer to me. Her hands wandered over my neck and shoulders in one long urgent caress.

I could tell that she wanted me to take it further but she didn't push. She let me kiss her, letting me learn the way she liked to be kissed, nibbled and licked, letting my hands wander along the length of her body.

When my palms pressed against the fullness of her lace-covered breasts, she leaned into me with a sigh against my lips. As my fingers reached for the clasp of her bra, she ran her fingers lightly under the seams of my binder.

"Do you mind?" she asked, her voice all husky from my kisses.

I shook my head. I'd long made peace with the fact that I'd always have breasts that were just a little too big. But that didn't mean I couldn't enjoy the pleasure they brought.

Maya reached for the zipper that lay against my chest and worked it down the same moment the clasp on her bra popped, releasing her breasts. She wasted no time wriggling out of it before returning her fingers to my chest.

But I clasped her hands, holding them at her sides, feeling a slow burn spread through my body at the sight of her breasts.