4. Maya

4

MAYA

Why does it freak me out when he says I need him? Maybe it's because I've prided myself on never needing anyone. I've always been able to take care of things on my own. Yeah, I always know that I have my brother, but even with him, that was iffy because he is on a mission more times than not. I've been on my own since I turned eighteen and have made it through some crazy things. Surely, I can survive a stalker.

"I don't need anyone. So I think you've wasted your time by coming here. I'll be happy to pay you for your time and your flight."

Under Legend's scrutiny, I try not to fidget. From the moment he walked in the door, he's had his eyes on me, and I've never been this close to anyone as handsome as he is, especially not in my house. And what was I thinking, asking him what he thought about the sex scenes? Can I make things any more awkward?

He doesn't seem discouraged at all when I tell him I don't need him. "I'm not leaving," he grunts .

"But—" I start but stop when he slides closer to me on the couch.

He leans toward me. "Have you heard the story about how your brother saved my life?"

For just an instant, I feel like I'm going to throw up. I just met Legend, but I don't want to think about him being in danger. My throat feels thick, and I shake my head.

"Well, he did. We were on a mission in Africa. We were supposed to be in and out. I was captured and tortured." He points to the scar on his face. "Anyway, Mav refused to leave me behind even though everyone thought I was dead. He led a mission that was meant to extract my dead body, but he got there in time to save my life. He brought me stateside and didn't leave my side until he knew I was going to be okay."

"Wow," I say and then feel ridiculous. He spilled his heart out, and that's all I can say? I'm a writer, for goodness sake. Surely I can come up with something more than wow. "I'm so glad my brother was there for you and that you're okay. He never told me that story, but that's my brother. He doesn't tell me anything that he thinks may worry me."

He bobs his head. "Yeah, so you see that I owe Maverick and when he calls to ask for my help, I'm going to do it."

There's a part of me that wants to say thank you and then throw myself at his mercy. How nice would it be to have someone else to lay my worries on? For years, I've had to do it on my own, so I wouldn't even know how to depend on someone else. "Legend, as much as I appreciate this, I can't accept it. I don't need you to help me because you feel like you owe my brother. I promise I have things under control."

The fact that I'm telling him I don't want him here doesn't even faze him. "I came because of your brother, but I'm staying because of you."

I lean back and poke my thumb in my chest. "Me? You're staying because of me? What does that even mean?"

He smiles softly at me. "It means that there's no way I can leave here knowing there's someone out there that wants to hurt you. I'm staying until you're safe."

"I'm an author, Legend."

He's makes a steeple with his fingers and tilts his head to look at me. "Yeah, remember, I'm reading your latest bestseller."

I blush, knowing that he's reading my books, which means he's reading the intimate scenes that I have written. "Well, that means that I'm here at home like ninety percent of the time. You're going to be bored."

He smiles. "I think I can handle it."

Why does he have to be so good-looking? Even that scar on his face that he keeps trying to tilt away from me is sexy. There's no way I can let him stay here because I will make a fool of myself. Especially with what I have coming up. I can't have online sex with some random guy while Legend is here. No, now is not a good time at all.

I shake my head. "No, really. You don't understand. Sometimes I don't go out of the house for days. I sit at my desk most of the time or on this couch with my laptop. You will be begging to leave after one day."

"I'm staying until I know you're safe, Maya. "

Sitting this close to him is just too much, and I can't think straight. There's a part of me that wants to lean into him and just let him hold me. Before I give in to it, I stand up and walk across the room to put some distance between us. I throw my hands up in the air. "I can't do this, Legend. I'm trying to hold myself together, and I can't do that with you here telling me that I can depend on you."

He stands up and shoves his hands in the front of his jean pockets. "Why not? What's so bad about depending on me?"

There's no way I'm going to get into this with him. "I just can't."

He takes a step toward me, and I suck in a breath. He doesn't realize that I'm barely hanging on here. The stress of knowing I have a book I have to finish, the stalker and the lack of sleep is getting to me. "Legend…." I start and then let my voice trail off.

He takes another step toward me and holds his hands out, palms up. He's moving really slowly, as if he's approaching a wounded animal or something. Is this how I present myself? I don't want to be treated like I'm weak and can't take care of myself. "Stop. It's okay… I'm okay. I don't need help from anyone."

He doesn't stop though. He keeps coming toward me, talking real low and softly. "I know it's hard. I know you're on your own and you're used to taking care of yourself, but honey, this is different. Whoever this guy is, he's dangerous, and he's only going to get worse."

I cross my arms over my chest. "You think I don't know that? I know he's going to get worse."

He takes another step toward me. "Yeah, and you don't have to do this alone."

My body starts to tremble because the thought of depending on him shakes me to my core. The physical reaction surprises me, and he takes another step toward me and then surprises me when he holds his arms open wide.

I look from his large, muscular hands, along his muscled arms, across his chest and then up to his face. "What are you doing?"

"Let me hold you."

I put my hands on my hips and try to seem as if I'm still in control here even though I can tell I'm losing it inch by inch. Before I can tell him no, he takes another step toward me, and he's so close I can feel the heat from his body. "I know you don't need anyone, Maya, but maybe I need you… maybe I need to do this for you. Maybe there's something inside me that will be unsettled until I can assure your safety."

"But…" I start, and he smiles softly.

"Come here. Let me hold you."

I should tell him no. I should stand my ground and refuse to give in, but the idea of leaning into him is too much to resist.

Slowly I move into him. First, I let my hands slide around his waist, but I'm about to pull back because it feels so awkward. I don't get the chance because he wraps his arms around my back and pulls me to him. He doesn't just hug me. It feels like he's taken up all the space around me, and all I can feel or think about is Legend.

His body is hard compared to my soft one. He's hot, but it feels so good that I burrow into him. I lay my cheek against his chest, and as he takes a deep breath, I notice that my breathing joins in unison with his.

I never would have thought that I would feel comfortable in his arms, but the way he's holding me, running his hand up and down my back is so soothing that I start to melt into him.

He settles his chin on the top of my head. "Talk to me, Maya. Let it out. Scream, cry, hit me… quit holding it all in."

"How did you know?" I ask him, stunned. I just met this man, and somehow he seems to know me better than anyone.

"No one is going to hurt you, Maya. I promise that I'm not going to leave your side until I know you're safe."

And just like that, the floodgates have opened. It begins with a lone tear that travels down my cheek, and before I know it, I'm crying and unable to stop. I try to do it silently, but then the sobs start to wrack through my body. He holds me tighter, running his hand along my hair and whispering to me softly. "That's it, baby girl. Let it go. I got you."

I don't know if it's his attentiveness, the sweet way he talks to me, or the way I feel in his arms, but I don't want it to end. Even when the tears have stopped flowing, I don't move.

Eventually, he whispers to me, "Hold on."

Without much warning, he bends down, puts one hand behind my knees and one behind my back, and lifts me easily into his arms.

"What are you doing?" I stutter.

"Moving to the couch."

He sits down and settles me on his lap. Now with his eyes on me, I try to draw back. "I should get—"

He cuts me off. "You should stay right where you're at."