"I'm coming back to New York. I'm coming back to take back what's mine." Isadora's voice is loud and angry. Too fucking loudfor me to shield it from Maya. I know she hears it because she rolls over onto her back and opens one eye.
"I'm hanging up."
"Go ahead." I hear the jingling of keys in the background. "You have some of my things, Julian. I want them back."
That's bullshit. She never left anything here because she loathed this place. Every time she set foot in my apartment, she'd bitch about the size of it. She hated the neighborhood, the furniture, the simple way I've chosen to live.
"Stay away," I say brusquely before I end the call.
Maya's already on her feet next to the bed before I have a chance to stop her. "I'm freaking out right now. I want to run, but I won't."
I watch her rub that tattoo on her wrist. She's naked and beautiful. The soft light that's filtering in from the street illuminates her skin.
"I don't care about her." I pat the bed next to me. "I haven't for a very long time, Maya."
"You broke up just a few weeks ago." She bounces in place. "What if things change? I know we've only spent one night together and our first kiss was yesterday, but I feel things. Not like love things, but really strong like things."
I can't hide my smile. "I feel really strong like things too."
"If you didn't care for her for so long, why stay with her?"
I move to stand too. I want to be on level ground with her. "It was easy to stay with her. Our relationship was primarily about the business. It was uncomplicated."
"Do you like uncomplicated things?"
"No," I answer honestly. "I like things that challenge me. I want someone who makes me feel things I've never felt before. I've felt more alive these past few weeks than I've ever felt before."
"I'm scared, Julian." She sits on the edge of the bed. "I'm so fucking scared that I'll start to feel even stronger things for you and you'll tell me you want her, and not me."
I start to open my mouth to assure her that won't happen, but she stops me with a hand in the air.
"I have to finish. Please let me say my piece."
I nod as I move to sit next to her. "Tell me how you feel."
She slides closer until our outer thighs touch. "I've been hesitant to get serious with anyone for years because of what happened back in San Francisco."
I nod. "I understand."
"I'm not saying this will get serious, but I know that I like being around you and I loved what we just did."
"I loved it more," I crack.
That brings a smile to her full lips. "We'll go again soon and compare notes."
I laugh aloud. I could spend every minute with her. I want to.
"Promise me something." She reaches for both of my hands to cup them in hers.
"Anything," I say as I bring her hands to my lips. "I'll promise you anything."
She leans forward to rest her forehead against mine. "If you start feeling anything for her again, you'll tell me. The second it happens, you'll sit me down and tell me."
"That will never happen, Maya. Never. I don't want anyone but you."
"Promise me," she insists. "Just promise me."
I tug her beautiful bare body into my lap. "I promise."
