“I guess I better go.”I don’t know whether to kiss her, hug her, or hold her.I want to do all those things and so much more.“Thanks for dinner.”
“My pleasure.Anytime.”
We both laugh a little, and the tension breaks.I leave overheated, unfocused, emotionally rattled.That kiss.What was that?I didn’t make the first move.She did.The memories surge back in a rush—stolen glances at the Knight Estate, trying to dodge my father, Maya sneaking books in and out of the library.The ache of something interrupted.It all comes flooding back, like a tidal wave, relentless and all-consuming.
There’s been a shift this evening and our dynamics have changed.The feelings between us have come back, and they’re not one- sided either.I could have made out with her all night.Could have talked for hours, but instead I need to leave and see my Dad.I can’t think clearly, but I must.I need to get my brain and my cock into gear.
I plan to go straight to the penthouse, hand over the document, and leave.I don’t want to risk him asking any questions about Stella.But when I get there, my father’s housekeeper answers the door and tells me that he’s resting.Concerned, I ask if he’s okay, and am about to head for his bedroom to see him, but the housekeeper stops me.
“He asked for no visitors.He’s tired.”This concerns me, but not enough, because my thoughts soon return to Maya.I’ve been distracted by her ever since I left the apartment.
I hand over the form and leave quickly, wondering what’s wrong with Dad.He has been pushing himself more than he needs to.Maybe I should suggest that he cuts back on his time in the business now, and leaves the running of Knight Enterprises to the rest of us.
I hear notification beeps on my cell phone.When I check, I’m alarmed to find three messages from Maya.
Maya: I had something important to ask you.
Maya: It can wait.
Maya: It’s not too important.Don’t worry.
A hundred questions hurtle through my mind.What was so important?I call her back.She doesn’t answer.
She did say it could wait.
But I can’t.
I call her again.
Still no answer.
I get into my car and drive back to my apartment, but it’s not easy ignoring Maya’s texts.She says it can wait until tomorrow, but there was clearly something she forgot.Also, we both weren’t thinking straight.Maybe it is something important.I pull over and call her again.I call her ten times.Still no answer, and now I’m starting to worry about her even more.
I rush to her apartment, and the concierge lets me in.He knows me.Knows it’s my apartment.I rush to her door and knock but still no answer.
I call her again on the phone.
No answer.
I’m stuck in a tricky situation.I have the fob to let myself in.
Question is—do I?
The fact that I can’t get in touch with her is what concerns me.So I let myself in and call for her as I rush around looking for her.“Maya!”The kitchen island is clear.The place is spotless.“Maya!”
Still no answer.I call her cell phone again, and this time I can hear her phone ring.It’s lying on the coffee table next to the sofa.Now I’m really scared, and thinking of the worst—that she’s fallen, and hit her head, or … bad thoughts crash through my head.I rush around, checking the bedrooms.And then I hear her voice.
She’s singing.
In the bathroom.
It’s a song I faintly recognize.A soft, stripped-back cover of a timeless Elvis Presley song.It catches me off guard and cracks me up.Coiled up tension leaves my body and I start to relax.
She’s okay, and that’s all that matters.
I hover outside the bathroom door, debating whether to knock.Hell, I’ve come all this way, I should at least let her know I’m here.I knock again, but still get no answer.
“Maya!”I knock harder.She’s still singing away.I have no idea what I’ll find, but I just need to know that she’s okay.She needed to ask me something and now that I’m here, I might as well ask her what it is.I decide to take a step inside, but I’m still hovering near the door, and can’t see a thing.
