Lost Heartbeats (Alexander & Maya Book 2) by Ella Maise Read Free Book Online Page B

gestured at her to give me a minute.
    “I was supposed to head over to Ester’s as soon as I got out of work, but when you came in…it slipped my mind,” I admitted, searching through my bag for my keys. “Would you mind going in yourself? You can take a shower if you need to; you must be tired after so many hours on the road.” I let the keys drop into his waiting palm and met his eyes. “They are a little worried about me so I just want to go in and let them see that I’m okay. It won’t take long.”
    “Why are they worried about you? Did something happen?” he asked as he took a step toward me, his hand touching my waist.
    “Yeah, no, everything is fine. Yesterday was a little rough for me, that’s all. We can talk when I get back.” I took a step away from him and called Max to my side.
    “This is my place.” I pointed to the house. Suddenly it felt awkward to have him in my space. No matter how much I loved it, it wouldn’t be luxurious enough for him. “Please make yourself at home. I’m sure you’ll find your way around, it isn’t that big. You can also make yourself a sandwich if you are okay with eating that. You can look through the fridge, or you can use the coffee machine, if you want hot coffee. I have tea too. I won’t be gone for that long though, so I guess I can make you something that is more to your taste. Or if you—”
    “Maya,” he called, and I stopped moving backward.
    In two long strides he was in front of me; I braced myself, more than aware of Ester’s presence behind me just a few feet away.
    “I guess I can visit them tomorrow too if you don’t want to—” I murmured against his lips just before he kissed me. It was a barely there caress, but it still sent beautiful tingles through my body. It would’ve felt even nicer if Max hadn’t been stepping on my toes trying to get in between us.
    “I want nothing but you. Don’t worry about me,” he whispered, and then his warmth was gone.
    When I opened my eyes he was already halfway across my lawn. Taking a deep breath, I turned around and made my way to the slightly ajar door, knowing full well Ester was still lurking around, trying to get a better look at Alexander. A small smile playing on my lips, I tried to think of a fast way to assure Alan and Ester that I was feeling better and get back to Alexander ASAP.
    Pushing the door open, I let Max get in before me and closed the door. As soon as I lifted my face, I was welcomed with two smiling faces looking happier than they ought to.
    “What are you guys smiling at?” I asked, groaning when their smiles only got bigger. I knew they had seen the gentle touch, but apparently they’d watched the kiss, too. That would explain their grinning faces; I definitely agreed with them. That kiss deserved more than just a grinning face, but I wasn’t going to act like a sixteen-year-old and squeal in front of them.
    Ignoring the big pink elephant in the room, I kissed them both and jumped right into the subject at hand to make them sure I was doing okay after selling my dad’s house.
    Even though my heart still hurt, I didn’t want them to worry about me.
    It took me fifteen minutes to assure them that everything was okay with me—fifteen very long minutes where I worried about what Alexander was doing in my house.
    As I got up to get going, Alan whispered into my hair, “You’ll be okay, little girl.” His arms around me gave me much needed strength.
    “I know. Having you guys around me helps. I don’t want you to worry about me. Yesterday was just harder than I thought it would be. I’m being unreasonable.”
    “There is nothing unreasonable about this. We know how much you miss your dad, and it’s okay to be sad every once in a while. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You know, we are here for you whenever you need us.”
    Max whined and gently hit my leg with his paw, showing me his support in his own way, I assume. Laughing, I bent down and gave him a quick