Page 44 of UnWholly Angels (Crestview Cardinals #1)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Riley

I f this woman doesn't….

There was an important stop we needed to make before heading to the arena, but this godforsaken woman was taking her time, and I only had a small window to pick it up.

Freeing my watch from under the sleeve of my button up, I checked the time once more and scoffed.

It was already quarter to one. “Maya!” I hollered from the bottom of the stairs.

“This is the last time I'm going to tell you we have to go.”

She sounded embarrassed, facing the bottom of the stairs. “I…I’ll be down soon.” It only took another ten minutes of my impatient foot tapping and huffing before she came down, listening to her cackles and ‘hold on a minute’ tease.

I still couldn’t help but stare at the way she waltzed fashionably late down the stairs.

My throat seemed incredibly dry, and the sound of the slight squeak her hand made as it gripped the railing had my attention fully on her, dressed in a simple ensemble of black leggings that showed all her curves, with a fuzzy green jacket.

A white tank top sat under it, leaving this tiny one inch gap where I could see the smallest amount of skin. Man, do I have it bad for this woman.

I swallowed, trying to find the words. “You know, most men have to wait for their women to put on makeup, not me, though. I have to wait for you to take a shit.” I laughed.

“Well, since waiting is your favorite past time, next time I will take even longer.” Maya replied in a snarky tone as she placed the hoodie over her.

She already had that jacket, so I wasn’t really understanding her logic, but damn did that hoodie look amazing on her, even if it was two sizes too big.

Seeing her in it reminded me of the first time I got her on the ice.

She wanted to start twirling immediately and kept falling.

Maya vowed from that day she would learn, and I was pretty damn excited to see if she remembered anything.

“Where are we going that's so important anyway?”

“That’s for me to know and you to find out.

There’s a couple things I want to do before skating tonight, and if you are up for it, I have something else in mind instead of going to the bar.

” Gripping the handle of the car door, I yanked it open and ushered her to get inside.

She just couldn’t resist blowing a kiss at me, getting comfortable by sinking lower into the leather seats.

No awe thanks Riley, such a gentleman, or that was so nice of you Riley what would I do without you.

Making my way to the driver's side, I slid in and set the key in the ignition, the car roaring to life. “Do you trust me?” I asked, running my free hand along Maya’s thigh comfortingly.

Her eyes beamed, seemingly excited about what was to come, and she nodded before moving her gaze to the window.

“I hope it’s hot chocolate, it’s been a long time,” she murmured softly.

“When all of this is over, I want to go to school. I know that was a slightly random statement, but I’ve been thinking about it for a while.

I want to develop a skill or two, make my own money. ”

As I reversed out of the driveway, I couldn’t help but think of her previous statement.

Was not drinking hot chocolate a personal choice?

It had me thinking of all the simple pleasures and dreams that Maya had lost because she thought it was somehow protecting me.

My grip tightened on the steering wheel, and it wasn’t out of anger, but determination.

Intimacy was the last thing on my mind as I watched Maya’s subtle movements and shifts in her seat.

“When I’m gone, Maya, have Chloe help you decide what you want to do, and I’ll pay for it, whatever you want to do, just name it.”

“Really? You would put me through school at almost thirty?” Her dumbfounded tone insulted me, the layers that were Maya Whitlock’s porcelain mask cracking at the surface.

Age was just a number, and if she wanted to spend the next hundred years paving the way for the life she wanted, then yes, I would do it.

“Age is just a number, Maya. One of the things I love about you is the amount of ambition you have. You will find your way, and I’ll be here to help you. I’m going to be your biggest hype man.”

She leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to my jaw.

It was quiet after that, and I watched Maya slowly drift off as the city passed by us.

Not only would I put her through school, but I would make sure that my girl had a lifetime supply of the best hot chocolate there was before I left.

I’d give my left nut if it meant while I was away, she had comfort in any form if I couldn’t give it.

Our first destination was a little over two hours away, and Maya slept for most of it, so I entertained myself with the melody of the soft rock coming from the radio.

Watching her was peaceful, her quiet snores, and the way her chest rose and fell.

She felt safe enough, starting to let her guard down and open her heart to me.

Her progress had been nothing short of incredible.

I hardly noticed her small voice as my eyes darted between her and the road, breaking me out of the trance I found myself in.

“Why are we so far away from Crestview?” she asked.

“Why does it matter. Maybe I just wanted to give you a change of scenery. I promise we will make it back in time,” I relented. I could feel her gaze burning into me, but it only reignited me. She was the hand, and I was the damn lighter.

“You’re right,” she replied, leaning back into the seat. “I thought you were going to finally kill me.”

My lip twitched into a smile as I spoke. “Nah, if I did that, there’d be nobody to mess with, or hair to clean out of the drain.” Met with silence, I faced her and flashed a smile. “I just think that would break my heart.”

Her laugh made my smile falter, but not in concern. It was nostalgia. That cannon-like laughter that I’d heard the first time I saw her. This laugh was genuine, and it was easily the most beautiful laughter that I’d ever heard.

In about half an hour, I found myself parking in front of the jeweler and coaxing Maya out of my hoodie.

I wanted her to take a look around while I collected a custom order.

Jumping out of the driver's side, I ran around to the other side to open the door for her.

She gracefully accepted my hand as it was outstretched toward her and stepped from the car gracefully.

My chest tightened when she let me continue to hold her hand even after we’d already entered the building.

Maya admired the marble floor and intricate designs as we waited for the elevator, staring in awe at the sight.

It was a pretty fancy place, but it wasn’t the first floor that I was aiming for.

The doors opened, and we stepped in, and I felt her confidence falter as I pressed a button with no number.

Her eyes stayed glued to the floor numbers as they increased.

I didn’t even think about the secrecy or how suspicious it looked to be entering a floor without a number.

I just wanted it to be a surprise. Her past should have been taken into account, and maybe one day she would tell me more about what she went through. Did I really want to know, though?

The doors opened, and she pushed out a breath of relief before her face contorted into one of amazement and curiosity. I leaned down to speak in her ear. "It’s all legal." I chuckled. “This floor is for people with finer taste.”

She continued to stare at the large jewelry cases in awe. Running a finger over the glass counters, we stopped at one near the wall. It housed different bracelets of all karats, but Maya eyed one in particular. I squeezed her hand in reassurance. “Do you want to see it?”

Her mouth parted, disbelief etched into her features. "I beg your finest pardon," she whispered. “This bracelet is three thousand dollars.”

I rolled my eyes at her, pulled her into my side and placed a kiss on her temple. “I told you one day I would give you everything, and if you can buy an insane amount of money on puzzles, then rest assured, I can buy you as many gifts as I want.”

Her body relaxed, and she stepped away from me.

Maya pointed to the bracelet, and I watched her slide it onto her wrist. It fit perfectly, and I couldn’t quite pinpoint the feeling I had, watching her look over the counter in bliss and be so modest in her choices.

My heart thrummed against my chest at the fact that I’d waited so long for this.

I’d never brought anyone else here. Only Maya deserved to be treated like royalty, not that others hadn’t.

It just wouldn’t be from me, and that expectation was quickly set from the beginning.

My jaw ticked when I felt a light tap on my shoulder, breaking me from this beautiful moment.

"Mr. Kingston, so nice to see you," the man smiled at me. "Your order is ready if you’d like to follow me to the back."

I really didn't, but I would. I shook my head, stepping toward the jeweler. "Please wrap the bracelet up and anything else she wants,” I said, placing my card onto the smooth glass.

She nodded. "Any sort of budget, Mr. Kingston?" I eyed Maya as I spoke to the older woman behind the counter. "Anything she wants. I don’t believe I stuttered the first time it was said."

Maya threw a mischievous smile my way, and it almost…

almost made me regret that decision. Turning on my heel, I followed the gentleman behind a black curtain, my own amazement making an appearance as various custom toys and familiar equipment came into view.

A long black box was placed in front of me, the man opening it with care so I could take a look at the piece of turquoise material.

“You haven’t made a request in a while. I was starting to think you went to someone else,” he chuckled lightly.

Picking up the collar, I examined it, making sure every stitch was sewn correctly and that the inside was comfortable.

The heart would sit right at the base of her neck, only unlocked by a key that I would carry.

This was something sacred, and a whole new level of trust in our relationship.

I’d ordered something basic, only to have it upgraded when I knew for sure Maya might entertain this, and if she didn’t, that was okay.

If she didn’t want it, then I didn’t either.

“You're the best when it comes to creating exactly what someone is looking for, and I’ll be getting an upgrade for Lux soon, so you’ll be seeing me. Charge my card. I have to grab my girl and get going.”

“Nice seeing you again, Mr. Kingston. We look forward to your continued partnership.” The gentleman waved before disappearing back behind the curtain, and Maya’s soft giggle rang in my ears.

Deciding to sneak into the conversation, I put my finger to my lips, telling the jeweler not to cause a scene.

Why is watching Maya spend my money so…arousing?

"Do you have anything with turquoise or sapphire in the center?" Maya asked calmly.

"We do, follow me over here, and I can show you the selection we have, sweetheart.

" Making sure to stick to a safe distance, I followed closely behind the pair to a case.

She still had hesitation in her voice, and I needed her to know that this was okay.

"This is a fourteen-carat white gold band with a princess cut sapphire in the middle. If you look at the shank, each side has three smaller diamonds,” the jeweler replied.

Maya put it over her finger, and it was then I’d realized it was a ring.

A fucking ring.

Shit.

“You know,” the older woman suggested. “I think you should put it…here.” She moved the piece to Maya’s ring finger, and I instantly started sweating.

Yes, I planned to marry her, but not so soon.

We…we still had Rocco after us, and the playoffs were coming up.

Marriage was the furthest thing from my mind right now.

And…

And…

And…

Fuck it…

"How much is it?" Maya asked.

“Sixty, sweetheart,” the jewelry replied.

Maya looked at it, her eyes wide as saucers. "Sixty dollars?" she asked. "For all this?"

Oh, my naive Maya. I chuckled internally at the small amount of innocence she held. My hands fisted my pocket, heart clenching as she fell further in love with that ring.

The attendant laughed and told her the amount was sixty thousand, to which Maya set it gently back on the counter, but there was something behind that smile.

Something had changed in her expression.

Maya no longer looked like she wanted to be there; the attendant may not know, but I did. Her body language wasn’t fooling me.

No, not right now, but one day that ring will be hers. She looked genuinely in love with the ring, and I…I was falling for that soft look on her face. I could bury myself in her beautiful smile as she slowly fell in love with the world again, and I could live in it forever.

I nodded toward the attendant and gave her a motion with my hand to hold it. Once this was over, I’d be back for it. I’d make sure to get her size when she was sleeping or something.

Clearing my throat, I strode over to her. “Have fun?”

Maya nodded with a smile, and I took her hand in mine gently. For the first time in a long time, a feeling other than anger surrounded me. “I hope you remembered everything I taught you. I wouldn’t want you to embarrass yourself.” Or make me lose money to those assholes.

“At least I know if I fall, I'll have you to catch me,” she whispered softly as we headed for the elevator.

The elevator dinged, and we stepped inside. As it descended, I couldn’t help but wonder if the knot in my stomach was from going down, or my deep rooted love for her branching out to my other extremities.

I took her in my arms and placed my lips against hers in a slow, loving kiss. Maybe it was time for me to submit to this wholeheartedly. I refused to be scared for a moment longer. Every breath I took was Maya’s, always had been and always fucking would be.

Reluctantly, I pull away, mainly because we had to get off the elevator, but I held her for just a moment as people started to file on. Locking eyes, I held her gaze and swallowed thickly. “Always Maya. Always have and always will.”