“They could. I mean, they certainly wish that I would take their money.” He turned off the engine and held out his can of soda to Maya. He tilted his head back and finished it when she held up her hand in refusal. “But it’s their money, right? My mother insisted, and they did help out with undergrad. But for law school, I just felt I...”
“...had to do it for yourself.” Maya caught his eye and nodded her head. This guy just kept impressing her.
“Exactly!” He beamed at her as he checked his watch. “Two minutes.” The look of disappointment on his face mirrored her own feelings. What would happen if she just sat here in this car with Sam? She flushed at the thought.
MAYAWASKEENLYaware of the warmth of Sam’s hand on the small of her back as he escorted her to the door. It was protective and intimate, and she found comfort in it. His touch sent a welcome thrill up her spine, making it difficult to focus, resulting in silence on her part as she failed to come up with even one thing to talk about. Only the sounds of the summer night were between them as Sam was also quiet.
Maya turned to face him when they stopped at the porch. He was close enough for her to feel the heat from his body. The night had turned humid and silence hung between them thick as droplets in the air.
“Well, you should probably...” He motioned toward the door before shoving his fists in his pockets. “You know, before the giggly one comes out.”
“Yeah, right. Okay.” Maya willed herself to turn and take the first step up. She could feel Sam still behind her.
“Maya.”
It wasn’t anything more than just a hoarse whisper. But it held desire and longing and everything else Maya wanted to hear.
She didn’t think. She spun around and wrapped her hands around his face as she leaned in and kissed him. His surprise lasted only an instant before he kissed her back. His lips were soft and insistent, and she closed her eyes and let herself go. He tasted sweet like the Coke he had been sipping in the car, and he smelled like the concert: a touch of grass, a hint of smoke and a lingering trace of his cologne.
Sam’s body was strong and she relished how his muscled arms felt wrapped around her as he deepened their kiss and pulled her close enough that she could feel his heart pounding hard against hers. It could have been days or minutes or seconds. Maya had no idea. She let herself get lost in his mix of sweetness and warmth and strength.
Somewhere, almost as if from a tunnel, came the sound of a door opening and a small voice disrupted her bliss. “Maya-didi! I swear I’m not looking, but Papa fell asleep waiting for you and it’s after midnight.”
Sam stopped kissing her but did not pull away. “It’s the giggly one.” His lips were near her ear as he whispered into her hair, causing her to shiver despite the heat. “She really does have her eyes covered.”
“Pretend she’s not there.” She opened her eyes enough to see Sam’s lips curve into his smile as she leaned up and took his mouth again.
“Maya-didi! If you ever want to see him again, Papa can’t know you were late.” Sejal’s voice was worried and urgent. “And if he catches youkissinghim...”
“What will happen if I catch her kissing him?” The familiar deep voice rolled out to them.
Oh, shit!
Maya jumped back from Sam, her heart hammering somewhere in her belly, and nearly fell backward onto the porch. Sam caught her before she fell, easily lifting her back to standing, his face grim. But he didn’t step away from her, or even let her go. Instead, he drew his gaze over her and to Deepak-mama. She turned to follow his gaze and face her uncle, Sam’s hand still supporting her arm, his chest secure against her back.
“Uncle, I’m sorry she’s late. I meant no disresp—”
“Didn’t you?” Deepak-mamanarrowed his eyes and slowed his breath. He barely moved his mouth to speak. “That is not true, considering what I just saw.”
Behind him, Sejal’s eyes were huge and filling with fear. “Come, Papa. Everything is fine.” She tugged on his shirtsleeve.
Without shifting his gaze, Deepak-mama addressed his daughter. “Sejal. Go inside. Now.” Sejal took a step back from him, but remained in Maya’s line of view.
“Sir.” Sam’s voice did not falter. “I—”
“Stop. Talking.” Deepak-mamabarely moved his lips.
Sam did as he was told, but Maya felt his muscles tighten while his heart thumped wildly against her back.
“Maya. Come.”
Maya did not move. “We didn’t do anything wrong.” Maya surprised herself with the strength in her voice.
“Your mother will disagree.”
Still, Maya did not move.
“Come. Now.” Deepak-mama’ssimmering anger was getting ready to explode.
