Heartbeat, p.7
Heartbeat, page 7
She set her phone to her “Love Groove” playlist and sat in the chair closest to the window as Sam Smith, Adele, Prince, and Maxwell washed over her. With her feet tucked tightly to her butt in the chair and her chin on her knee, she watched the day move outside her window. Prince’s “The Question of U” was playing when she sensed him behind her.1
“I’m all out of chips, Detective.” Her voice sounded tired even to her. She kept her eyes focused on the window.
“Checking to see if you’re good,” he rumbled.
“Mmm...” The best noncommittal reply she could muster.
She had no idea whether she was or wasn’t. She felt so many things she didn’t know what the priority was.
“Are you?” He prompted.
She shrugged. Mike came around to look at her. She must have looked as exhausted and worried as she felt because he squatted beside her and peered into her eyes.
“Sunshine?”
“Have you ever got the sense that your time was moving by too quickly? Like your plans for your life were slipping through your fingers?”
“Talk to me.”
There was such a kindness in his eyes, and he looked at her like her words mattered, like he truly cared and wanted to know… but she’d said too much. No good could come of that…
She let herself stare at him, absorb his kindness and intense interest for a moment more before she forced herself to turn back to the window.
“This is a nice place to raise a family. Even the bikers are nice.”
“Some of them are,” he replied. His eyes were still on her.
“You’re one of them.”
“Maybe.”
She nodded. “I’ve been wrong before.” Amazingly wrong. So wrong it stupefied her.
“Maya...”
“If you are going to stay, no talking.” she demanded and waited for him to leave.
Instead, Mike stood, went over to the other chair in the room, and brought it next to hers. He sat in it, putting his motorcycle-booted feet on the windowsill, and stayed with her until she went to sleep.
7
This Maya Woman
Four days later...
CAINE
“Hey Caine, it’s Jake. Listen brother, something’s going on with this Maya woman.”
“What?” Caine wiped his fingers off on a towel and stepped away from the engine he was working on. After she was discharged three days ago, Tori insisted Maya come back to their house. The kids loved her, Tori adored her, and she had a way of throwing sass that made him smile. She was special, but something was off. She was hiding something, and he couldn’t let anyone with secrets around his family — especially ones that came with the type of injuries she’d endured.
“Maya Anderson is completely clean. That’s the good news,” Jake started. “She’s got no credit issues, no record, no actual employment history, nothing…”
“What?” Caine stopped wiping his hands and scowled at a blank spot on the ground in front of him. “How is that possible? She’s what, 25? She’s gotta have something.”
“That’s the thing. Maya Anderson didn’t exist until six weeks ago, brother.”
Shit. “She’s playing us.” The muscles in his neck tightened.
“I don’t know about that man, but she isn’t who she says she is. Whoever got her a new ID knows their shit. A total pro. It all looks legit until you look too deep. Real companies, but they mainly operate as a front, for the sole purpose of confirming the info on these IDs. What I do know is she paid cash for her truck and registered the title in Vegas.”
Hearing Vegas, Caine’s whole body tighten. His first thoughts flew to a time he usually refused to let himself think about. There were several low lifes from his past that made his life hell when he was on the inside. He’d been out for years, but that didn’t mean there weren’t people hoping for a chance to come after him.
“Someone from the inside?” Caine asked, holding his breath.
“I don’t think so, man. Anybody important from your time in doesn’t have that kind of pull anymore, especially since you got out.”
“You met her. What do you think?”
“She’s a sweet kid... gorgeous, funny, and self-assured when she forgets about the wall she lugs around. She’s as big a goof as your wife. Not exactly the makings of a hardened criminal.”
“Right, but she’s also wicked smart... smart like Mace.” Mace had a rumored IQ that put him in the genius circle and an off-the-book, post-rugby job they called “research and acquisitions.” Both Mace and Jake’s side professions sometimes took them out of legal lines. Brains like that could be dangerous, especially when hidden behind a bright smile and charming eyes.
“Whatever is going on, man,” Jake continued, “you don’t want that shit to blow back on you and the family.”
Never again.
“Thanks man, keep looking.”
“You know I will, man.”
Caine stared at his phone for a moment and thought about the young woman he found making glitter pen drawings with his daughter this morning. He grew more uneasy. He would find out who Maya was tonight, or she had to go. No one would ever put his family in danger again.
Later that day...
MAYA
Maya decided she would make herself less of a mooch by making a meal. She liked the Walters. Tori was a hoot. The kids were sweet, loud, and a ton of fun. She even liked Caine. Especially Caine. Lately he seemed antsy - in a quiet, broody dude kinda way - and she wanted to take his mind off whatever put him in that mood. She enjoyed seeing his tender side when he was with his family and how gentle and attentive he was with his girls. They knew they were the center of his world. It was a beautiful bond.
Before she died, Maya and her mom were close. They’d have all-night gab sessions and dance while cleaning the house on Saturday morning to old school R&B. Maya’s mom was so proud when she graduated from high school and college early. It was as if she beat back cancer just long enough to see Maya cross the stage one last time.
Maya smiled to herself, thinking about the smile on her mother’s face as she crossed the turf at THE Ohio State University, diploma in hand. Their eyes met and their dimpled grins matched. It had been a gorgeous, Midwestern, blue sky day. Distracted by her memories, Maya bumped right into a wall at the end of the grocery aisle. She quickly realized the wall was a man in a tight navy-blue t-shirt, wearing a badge on a silver chain like on TV. And she knew who it was before she looked up.
Detective Sheppard.
Maya was almost 5’10, wearing wedge sneakers, and still needed to tilt her head back all the way back to see those gorgeous green eyes. She could feel his body heat and her brain flashed to a picture of what he would look like naked, all those muscles and that hair and those eyes. She bit her lip to keep those thoughts from escaping her unpredictable mouth.1
“I’m glad to see you’re doing better Maya.” His voice was low and deep as he searched her face.
God, she loved hearing her name on his lips. A tingle activated by his voice washed over her from head to foot.
I’d love for other things to be on his lips - like my nipples.
No!
Get it together Maya. It’s pregnancy hormones. Get. It. Together.
Maya took a big step back. “Detective Sheppard, nice to run into you,” she said politely.
Run into you after you literally ran into him? Dork.
“Wait... I meant not actually running into you that would be assaulting an officer, right? But you know... seeing you,” she finished awkwardly.
Dork.
Dork.
Dork.
Why was it Maya had no trouble discussing contracts worth millions of dollars with titans of industry, but talking to one small town cop made her sound like a junior high kid? It was disturbing on several levels, but mainly because junior high sucked.
What didn’t suck was the way he was looking at her right now.
“You changed your hair,” he said, reaching out to touch it. Thinking better of it, he dropped his hand. He brought his eyes back to hers and waited.
“What? Oh. Yes. I just took the twists out. Though, as the day goes on, it gets bigger and, unfortunately, I can no longer fit it under my hat.” She lifted her knit beanie from her little hand cart and twirled it.
That was cringe.
He stepped back into her space and took all the air with him. “I like it.”
Maya swallowed hard, and it was a wonder she could manage that. He was... overwhelming. His size, his presence, his pull on her... Maya forced herself to take a step back. Losing her train of thought again, she heard herself whisper, “Oh, I do too.”
He again stepped into her space. “You do what?” he whispered back as he reached back out to touch a curl, unable to resist.
“Like it,” she whispered, not bothering to move her feet again because the blood had left her extremities and was traveling to other, more sensitive places. His lips came closer as he bent down. His hands were traveling deeper into her hair and there was nothing Maya could do but watch, wait, and pray he kissed her.
Rational Maya was trying to make sense of all that was happening, trying to hit the panic button, but it was too late. The Maya standing in the middle of the frozen food aisle with melting ice cream had no time for rational thought because she could count the number of freckles on Detective Sheppard’s nose. They were small, unnoticeable until he was close, and thank God, he was close.
So close she inhaled him to the back of her throat. She detected musk, sandalwood, fresh air and just... man. He was so close, she wondered if he sensed her growing wetness. So close his lips moved in slow motion when he asked again, “What do you like, Maya?”
“You.”
She’d done it again. She said the quiet part out loud, and the crinkles returned to the corners of his eyes as his lips parted into a smile. Her heart dropped to her feet - it was devastating, that smile. She didn’t have time to gather her senses because out of nowhere, a high, shrill voice killed the mood.
“Mike Sheppard?! Mikey Sheppard, is that you?!”
An older woman with a big voice practically galloped to Mike situating herself closer to him while also slightly bumping Maya out of the way. Her skin-tight, sky blue velour track pants and fried, blonde extensions distracted Maya from the personal space invasion, so she just stared with curiosity. The different textures and otherworldly stiffness of the woman’s hair mesmerized her. She wanted to poke it.
“I thought that was you! You remind me of your daddy, Mikey, and I swear you’ve grown a foot since I last saw you!”
Maya slyly slid her phone out to snap a picture for examination later, but at the mention of his father, both Mike and Maya froze. Mike stood ramrod straight as the patience drained from his eyes.
They were standing in the frozen foods section where it was already cold, yet Maya noticed the temperature drop another twenty degrees. The older woman didn’t seem to notice. Probably because of all the hot air she pumped out. It somehow kept her cocooned from the large waves of deadly chill Mike radiated.
“Mrs. Snyder, nice to see you again, ma’am,” Mike said politely as he took a step back and out of Mrs. Snyder’s grip, causing her long French-tipped nails to click together. She was undeterred and kept yakking.
“Guess what, Sarah Beth is back in town as well!” she shrieked, stepping forward and gripping him again. “We were talking about you and first loves and how you two should reconnect.” She sighed happily.
Mike glanced at Maya uncomfortably, and she got pain in her chest. It made her breath hitch in the back of her throat. Rational Maya used that opportunity to take over and remind all the Mayas arguing in her head that it would be a lot easier to keep to the “no men vow” with a “Sarah Beth” around.
While deep in inner monologue, Maya blurted, “It’s always nice to reconnect with old friends.”
Mike looked at her like she had two heads, and Mrs. Snyder pointedly ignored her.
Okaaay.
“You should call her,” Mrs. Snyder tried again.
“I’m working a lot right now.” Maya watched with growing amusement as he slid his arm away from Grabby Hands Snyder, yet again.
“You know what they say about all work and no play,” the old woman teased as she reached in and pressed herself against Mike.
Mike cringed. Maya’s eyes widened in shock, and she silently shook with laughter. It was good Cougar Snyder ignored Maya because she struggled to keep it in.
“Oh Mikey, you have grown up,” the woman purred as she shivered in delight and her ass wobbled to and fro.
It. Was. Horrifying. And FREAKING HILARIOUS!
Maya lost it. A loud snort escaped, followed by Maya slapping her hand over her mouth. Her body was still shaking with laughter, a stitch threatening to form as she tried in vain to hold in her merriment. Maya almost forgot her wet panties and melting ice cream. She watched Mike with wide eyes, her eyebrows raised to her hairline. The woman suddenly turned and narrowed her own. The amount of venom coming from the woman shocked Maya. She swallowed the guffaws and moved cautiously back.
Yeah, it was time to go.
“I’m sorry, Detective Sheppard, I’ve got ice cream, so I should be going.”
The older woman took the classic bitch stance with a hand on her hip and gave her the top-to-bottom glance. Heat rose from Maya’s cheeks and headed for her scalp. She had about three seconds before this turned into a viral video and she could NOT get caught in any shit.
“Is she shoplifting?” Cougar Snyder whispered loudly. “Were you going to arrest her, Mikey?”
“Wait, what?” Maya’s head jerked back.
Turning to Mike, Asshole Snyder leaned in and whispered loudly, “Some of us don’t think your dear departed daddy was wrong.”
To recap, I’m standing in the frozen food section with melting ice cream, an interrupted kiss I don’t need, but unfortunately want so bad, I have wet panties; and fate adds a racist old bitch to the mix.
Beautiful.
Maya gave the woman a death stare and turned to leave when Mike placed his hand on her arm. He stepped out of the older woman’s grip and stared at Snyder, hard.
“Those people better get over it,” he growled. “The rest of the town is glad to be rid of the bastard.” The anger coming off him was stifling, and the cougar’s claws flew to her mouth. She looked as frozen as the pizzas behind her, much to Maya’s inner glee.
Mike turned to Maya, his hand still gripping her arm. “I’ll walk you to your car, Maya.” Maya took one glimpse at his face and nodded. This was not a time to “throw sass” as Caine would say. They stood quietly in the checkout line, his anger palpable. She was still kinda pissed, but she’d dealt with people like Cheapy McCougar before. She wasn’t numb to it, but she didn’t need to call attention to herself. One well placed “I feel threatened” could end with Maya being exposed.
It was so awkward, yet it was also nice that he was pissed on her behalf. When they finally began checking out, she noticed the cashier stealing glances at Mike as she rang Maya’s groceries. Finally, the cashier spoke. “Mike Sheppard, right?”
“Yes. Amy Gibson?”
“Yes! You remembered! How have you been, hon?”
“Good Amy, how’s your family?” he replied, the heat from his anger slowly dissipating.
“They’re good. Glad to have you back, Mike,” she said with a smile and a pointed expression.
He nodded and Maya sensed him relax even more. The small act of kindness truly affected him. It must be hard for him, she realized. Every day was a reminder of who his father was and what he’d done. Amy announced the total. By the time she reached into her purse, Mike had his money ready.
“Oh, Detective Sheppard, that isn’t necessary, I—” Maya started out.
“Sunshine.”
Boy, he packed a lot in one word. It was a request, an order, and an apology. It wasn’t his fault Snyder was the way she was. Why did he feel obligated? But she realized the gesture meant more to him than the 40 dollars for dinner fixings, so she gave in, nodded, and slid her wallet back in her purse.
He nodded once and Amy finished the transaction. “Amy, this is Maya. She’s new to Rough Ridge. Maya, Amy and I attended to school together.”
“Nice to meet you, Maya. Welcome to Rough Ridge.” She smiled big.
Maya took in the fresh-faced beauty and instantly liked her.
“Thanks, Amy, I appreciate that.” Maya smiled back.
Mike lifted the bags of groceries and waited for Maya to walk ahead of him. They made their way out to Maya’s truck in silence. Mike stopped by the smaller, second cab door of her truck and waited expectantly.
“Listen, Detective Sheppard, that was nice, but you didn’t have to pay for my groceries,” Maya said.2
“Open the door Maya,” he said with his eyes locked on hers.
Maya shrugged and opened the door, and Mike put the groceries inside.
“You want to come to dinner?” she asked in a rush with a small smile. “You paid for it. I’m making dinner for the Walters’ crew to say thank you and to be less of a mooch.”
At the mention of the Walters family, Mike shut down. Maya had never seen anything like it. It was absolute. A gut punch.
She realized... he lived with an overwhelming amount of guilt. He was always trying to right a wrong around her. It wasn’t about her. Guilt was his cilice, a painful penance he submitted himself to everyday — and that broke her heart. No one should live with guilt like that. She should know. The weight from her own actions was almost unbearable. Imagine carrying around the weight of someone else’s.
An overwhelming need to provide comfort to him destroyed her good sense. Maya stepped in close and put one hand on his chest. The rhythm of his heartbeat made her own rush in her ears. She braved his closed-off face, and, letting instinct guide her rather than sanity and basic social boundaries, she stroked his jaw, bringing her fingers through his goatee, and grazing his chin with her thumb. Her gaze shifted from his chin and lips to his eyes.
