Page 31 of Key Of Dreams

“Does it matter?” I’m astonished at the complexity of the situation just to make Gertie safe.

“It will to that woman in there, who has more pride than anybody I’ve ever met,” Phoenix replies. “Look, I agree with you. We just have to find a way to do it so that we don’t make it seem like charity.”

“What charity? She’s family.”

“Again, I’m on your side,” he huffs as he puts in the last nail. “This is good for now.”

“Fine, we’ll talk to the rest of the guys tomorrow and see what we can come up with,” I say. “Maybe Maya and Kailyn will have an idea of how to get her to go for it.”

We walk back into the living room. Gertie is sipping her tea, and Kailyn is sitting on the arm of her chair with her arm around her. Maya’s curled in a ball in the corner of Gertie’s sofa.

“Poor little thing just drifted off,” Gertie says.

“She hasn’t had much sleep in the last couple of nights. I’m taking her back to her place and getting her into bed,” I say. I look over my shoulder, catching Phoenix’s eyes. “You got this?”

“Yeah. No worries. We’ll keep Gertie company and make sure all’s well before we leave.”

As I pick Maya up, she stirs in my arms. “I can walk,” she says, slurring her words sleepily.

“I got you.” I turn at the door to say goodbye. “I’ll see you all later. I’ll check in on you tomorrow.”

Maya’s so out of it that she doesn’t move when I undress her and put her in bed. I clean up the living room and make sure the kitchen is tidy before locking down the apartment. It feels good to stand under a hot shower and wash away the day.

I was hoping for a nothing kind of night. This is less dramatic than running through a hail of bullets behind enemy lines, but not as relaxing as I wanted. I was thinking of pizza, a movie, and making love to my girl, followed by a decent night’s sleep.

I slip into bed and snuggle Maya into the crook of my arm. Instinctively, she slips her legs between mine and throws her arm over my stomach. My cock is begging me to roll her onto her back and slip inside her, fuck her slowly, watch her the entire time, and listen to her voice grow breathless and ragged.

Patience is a virtue, so I’m told. Early morning sex is going to be fantastic. I can wait.

Chapter16

The Word Is Love

Maya

This time, it’s Bull who’s up early. The aroma of sizzling bacon and freshly brewed coffee wakes me out of a deep slumber. I don’t remember anything after checking in on Gertie. I look around for my robe and see a note on Bull’s pillow.

Coffee’s ready, babe. Come and get it.

He says he doesn’t do sweet, but he does. That smell of bacon is beckoning. I rush to get ready for work, grabbing a quick shower. I’m about to get dressed when Bull comes into the bedroom.

“I’ll be out in a minute. I’m just going to get dressed.” I reach for a black pencil skirt only to have Bull tug it out of my hand.

“No clothes,” he says.

I gawk at him. “I can’t eat breakfast naked,” I state huskily.

Bull hands me back my robe. “I’ll meet you halfway,” he says with a sly smile.

“I have to get dressed sometime. I don’t think this would be appropriate work attire for a high school teacher,” I retort.

“No fucking way does anyone else get to see you like I do. This is just for me,” he responds quickly.

I humor him and put on my robe. “I’m only doing this because I smell bacon.” I laugh. I brush past him, and his big hand on my lower back guides me out to my small table set for two. There are no candles, but a vibrant bouquet of sunflowers sits in its center. My heart swells with happiness. He places me in my seat and sets down my plate. Bacon, eggs, hash browns, and toast on the side. His is the same, only more of it. “You did this for me,” I say with a lump in my throat. I know this took effort on his part. Not the cooking, but the detail in making it all look nice. He wanted to do for me what I did for him.

“You took care of me. I want to look after you,” he states plainly.

I reach over and squeeze his free hand. “Thank you.” I’m not sure if Bull can blush, but his eyes light up.

---