by Nicole James
She always tried to do what was proper, what was expected of her, but sometimes she just wanted to do what she wanted and to hell with all of the rest.
She didn’t, though, because one thing that was ingrained in her from a very young age was that you never acted in a way that would bring shame to your parents. Seeing Max would shame her father.
But she wasn’t ready to give Max up… not that she really had Max. They had only spoken twice now. And he probably wasn’t looking for a real relationship with her, not one that would go anywhere. A man like him may tolerate her disability, but would he really want a wife who couldn’t hear him? She didn’t think many men would. There were only a couple of boys in high school who would go out with her, and they never went out more than once. Things with Max probably would never go very far, but whatever happened, she would enjoy the time she could.
Malee inhaled deeply, taking in Max’s scent once again. No, she wasn’t ready to give him up yet.
Chapter Six
Max and Malee’s next meeting didn’t go as well as the last.
Kiet was late getting to the MMA class, and he’d been in a bad mood all day. Malee had noticed it earlier. Lawan said he hadn’t done well on a test in school that day.
She’d asked if she could accompany him down to the gym, making the excuse that she wanted to look into a self-defense class that was offered. Her father, for once, thought that was a good idea and made Kiet take her with him, which made him even more annoyed.
While he was in the class, she sat on the sidelines and pretended to peruse the pamphlets. She’d noticed Max as soon as they’d walked in the door. His presence was magnetic, and she found her eyes immediately drawn to him. He was a big man, tall, muscular, and intimidating with all that ink, and maybe that was part of it, but there was something else, too. It was in the way he carried himself, the way he stood, the way he moved. But especially it was in the way his eyes scanned the crowd, searching her out…and when finally they locked on her, the beautiful grin he tried to hold back but couldn’t.
Through the entire class, as he worked with the teacher as an aid in his demonstrations, she couldn’t keep her eyes off him. That kiss they’d shared had left her restless. Some part of her awakened, making her feel alive in a way she hadn’t before. The pull between them had been that strong. He’d branded her with that single kiss until she’d dreamed of it, over and over. Staring at him now, watching his body move, his muscles flex, the smile on his face… It was all like a dose of a drug she was newly addicted to.
The hour was over much too soon. While Kiet was in the locker room, she moved to the bulletin board on the wall to scan the different classes offered. But it was just a pretense, and they both knew it.
Max joined her. With both their backs turned to the room, he signed, grinning over at her. Hello, beautiful.
She peered behind to see the stragglers who were drinking water and chatting before heading to the lockers. In a soft unsure voice, she spoke. “Hello, Max.”
That had him smiling even bigger, showing perfectly straight white teeth. He lifted a hand and signed to her. You came.
She nodded.
His eyes strayed to the board. Are you thinking of taking a class?
“I told my father I wanted to see about a self-defense class. He thought that was a good idea and made Kiet bring me.”
I see. And do you really want to take a self-defense class?
Her chin came up, and she murmured, “Maybe.”
He turned back to the bulletin board and pointed to the calendar.
She read the listing.
Sundays 2pm
Self Defense for Women.
Instructor: Max O’Rourke
“Then I definitely want to,” she said.
He laughed. She could see his chest shake with it. She couldn’t hear it, but she imagined it must be the most beautiful sound.
He signed slowly. I thought about it a lot. About…you, and about—his eyes dropped to her mouth—everything.
The kiss. He’d thought about their kiss! Happiness burst inside her.
He reached over and let their hands brush, his little finger hooking hers. Then he winked, and she felt her heart melt a little.
Max twisted, looking behind him. Malee followed his eyes to see Kiet was tapping him on the shoulder. His eyes moved between the two, and Malee wondered how long he’d been watching, how much he’d seen. He didn’t look happy.
He jerked his head toward the entrance, his eyes on her, and signed, Wait for me by the door.
Malee was disappointed that her brief time with Max was cut short, but she did as her brother said. Even though she was two years older than Kiet, her father had made him responsible for accompanying her tonight, and he took his duty seriously.
She handed Max the jacket she’d promised to return tonight. “Thank you.”
With Kiet standing there, he could do nothing more than nod and accept it.
She walked toward the entrance. Turning back, she saw Kiet speaking in a firm way to Max, who was clenching his jaw like he was holding back a comment. Instead he just nodded respectfully. His lips moved, but whatever he said, it was short.
Then he turned and walked away. Kiet followed him with his eyes, before swinging back to pin Malee with a look. He moved toward her, coming to stand in front of her.
Father would not want you associating with men like him.
We were just talking, Kiet.
Let’s go, Malee.
She glanced over her shoulder as Kiet held the door for her. Max was wrapping his hands with tape in jerking motions as he stood before the punching bag. His eyes flicked up in time to catch hers as she moved through the door. There was anger there, but they softened for a moment. She tried to communicate with her eyes that she was sorry.
***
Max watched the metal door with the red peeling paint slam shut behind them. He finished wrapping his hands and then slammed a fist into the bag, taking out his frustration.
Kiet had warned him off Malee, telling him to keep his distance and refrain from speaking to her. Max wanted to argue with him, but he knew it would get him nowhere. If he wanted in the good graces of her family, arguing with Kiet was not the way to go about it. All he could do was assure the boy he meant no disrespect. The kid had moxie, though; he gave him that. He was twice Kiet’s size, and the boy didn’t even flinch in telling him there’d be trouble if he didn’t keep his distance. Something told him that was going to be easier said than done.
Chapter Seven
Max walked out of the Main Street Diner and stood under the awning, waiting while Liam paid the check for breakfast. His eyes flashed up to the sun. It was after ten, and they needed to get back to open the shop by eleven. His gaze dropped back to scan the street as he lifted his to-go coffee to his lips. He paused, the cup half way to his mouth, his eyes doing a double take across the street.
Malee.
His piercing stare focused in on her like a hawk’s.
She was walking down the sidewalk, an empty reusable shopping bag over her shoulder and a girl who must have been her sister at her side. Her hair swung and her hips moved in an enticing sway as she walked. He felt a kick in his stomach.
She didn’t see him as they approached, so he eased slowly back against the wall and surveyed her.
He took pleasure in watching the way she moved so carefree and easy down the sidewalk. It occurred to him that she must enjoy the bit of freedom from the restaurant, even if it was just to run to the Asian grocery the two stepped into. He decided he’d wait a while, just to get another chance to see her when they exited.
Liam came out, but Max wasn’t ready to leave just yet, so he instructed, “Go on ahead, I’ll be along in a few minutes.”
Liam gave him a funny look and noticed where Max’s eyes went. Once he saw the Asian market, it only took him a second to put two and two together.
“Ah. Is the girl from Thai Garden in there?”
&nb
sp; Max gave him a piercing look that told him to shut up.
Liam chuckled, punched him in the shoulder, and headed down the street. He got about five steps before turning back and shouting, “We could use some soy sauce, if you want to stop and pick some up!”
Max ignored him. He would be content to just catch another glimpse of Malee when she came back out. So he leaned against the wall and sipped at his coffee, his eyes repeatedly darting to the market’s glass doors.
Two groups came out of the restaurant and brushed past him. And still Max waited, barely mindful of them. When the market door opened, he straightened. The wait had been worth it. It had been a week and a day since he’d seen her last, yet she was every bit as beautiful as she had been when he’d first stared down into her eyes.
Another group of diners exited behind him, and the sun’s strong morning rays hit the glass door as it swung open, and a blinding flash reflected across the street onto Malee.
She looked up quickly, eyes drawn to it, and that’s when she spotted him. There were maybe a hundred feet between them. It didn’t matter. Even across that distance with people passing by and cars driving past, he saw her flush and swallow, and look away only to glance back again.
He could read her expression—she remembered, just like he did, how that kiss had been between them.
She turned back to her sister, walking away, pretending a nonchalance he knew she didn’t feel. He knew it, because he still felt what they’d shared. And she felt it, too. She glanced back once more, giving herself away. He’d been right. It was just an act. She was as affected by the sight of him as he was by the sight of her.
He stared after her, letting her see that he watched her still, followed her every move with his eyes as she walked away and disappeared up the crowded sidewalk.
***
The restlessness that flowed through Max the rest of the day wouldn’t leave, no matter what he did. Finally, as evening closed in, he walked into the break room.
Liam was bent at the waist, his head in the fridge. He looked up as Max dropped himself in a chair, folded his arms, and leaned back, a scowl on his face.
“What’s your problem?” Liam asked.
Max stayed stubbornly mute.
Liam reached and grabbed an energy drink from the top shelf and joined his brother. The only sound in the room was the pop of the can opening with a fizz as Liam cracked it open. “You gonna be like this all week?”
Max flipped him off.
Liam chuckled. “Now that’s the only sign language you’ll ever be any good at.”
Jameson walked in, took one look at Max and asked Liam, “He in another mood?”
“Yup.”
Jameson pulled the carafe from the burner, poured himself a mug of coffee, and turned to lean back against the counter. He paused, the rim at his lips. “You want the girl, do something about it. Otherwise, you need to shake this funk you’re in.”
Max stared at the tabletop until both his brothers’ remarks sank in—really sank in.
They were right. He needed to put up or shut up. And if he wanted Malee, he was going to have to earn her, , he was going to have to show her he was worthy, and he was going to have to learn sign language. Not just the alphabet—the real stuff like Liam knew, so he could converse with her at a conversational speed, his hands and fingers moving as quickly as he’d seen Liam do when he’d signed to Malee.
So, there it was: the big decision. Did he want a real chance with her?
“So what’s the verdict?” Jameson asked. “You goin’ after her or not?”
Liam huffed out a laugh and teased, “He’d need to learn how to communicate with her first. Not sure he’s a good enough student. Can’t teach an old dog new tricks, and all that.”
“Who are you callin’ an old dog, dickhead?”
“Either she’s worth it or she’s not,” Jameson stated.
Max’s pissed off eyes swung from Liam to Jameson. “She’s worth it!”
Jameson nodded, then grinned over at Liam. “Guess that makes you his new tutor.”
Liam’s brows shot up as he pinned Max with a look, the front legs of his chair hitting the linoleum with a bang. “You serious, dude?”
“Yes, I’m fucking serious.”
Liam grinned. “Well, hell. I wondered how long it’d take for you to come to your senses.”
Jameson looked at the calendar on the wall. “Eight days. Rory wins the pot.”
“What pot?” Max asked.
Liam was only too happy to inform him. “We each put in twenty bucks. Rory bet you’d take ten days or less. Jameson said two weeks.”
“And you?”
Liam’s face split in a wide smile. “Me, I said six months.”
“You suck. You all suck.”
Jameson let out a laugh as he walked out of the room.
Max slammed a fist into Liam’s shoulder. “Asshole.”
“Hey.” Liam rubbed the spot. “The student doesn’t hit the teacher.”
“This one does.”
“How much does this gig pay, anyway?”
“I’ll give you my tips.”
“You realize it takes years to learn.”
“Are you shittin’ me?”
“Nope.”
“Christ, I can’t wait that long.”
“Well, you pay attention and practice a lot, and maybe I can teach you enough phrases to say a few things to her in a month.”
“A month? She can talk to me; I don’t need to be able to read what she signs. I just need to be able to sign what I need to tell her.”
“Well, I suppose if you write down a list of some sentences, you might be able to learn them in a couple of weeks.”
Max nodded. “Okay. I can do that.”
Liam stood and tossed his can in the garbage. “Decide what you want to say. We’ll start tomorrow.”
Max stopped him at the door. “Liam?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks.”
His brother paused to study him. “She better be worth it.”
“She is.”
Liam winked at him and walked out.
***
Good to his word, Liam used any free time they had teaching Max as much as he could. Every day for two weeks they worked together until Max was a natural at signing the twenty odd phrases he’d asked Liam to teach him. Liam called them Max’s two-a-days, just like they’d had to do in high school football. Only this time it was two phrases a day that Max had to learn. And Liam cut him no slack, drilling him endlessly until Max’s frustration would boil over and he’d flip Liam off.
Max would then run his hand over his head, take a deep breath, shake it off and start again.
His determination to learn this stuff for a girl had all his brothers watching him with admiration. They ribbed him, but they encouraged him, too.
Chapter Eight
Two weeks later—
Max stood at the front window of Brothers Ink, sipping a cup of coffee. He stared past the cheesy Halloween decorations—that Ava had insisted they put up on the glass—to the street beyond. The holiday was a week away, but with the snap in the air, it already felt like November.
Max eyed the sky. It was early yet. The shop didn’t open for another hour, but Jameson had taken Ava to her obstetrician’s appointment, and Max had promised to open up. He’d left the farmhouse right after the two of them. His brother was a nervous wreck the closer she got to her due date, and Max found that hilarious. Jameson was totally out of his depth.
And he wasn’t the only one. Ever since Max had met Malee, he couldn’t get her out of his mind; it kept straying back to the way she had felt when he’d pulled her up against him in his truck, the way her lips had felt under his. Hell, it had been almost a month, and he still couldn’t forget the delicate, sweet taste of that innocent mouth.
“Max!” He turned at the sound of Liam’s sharp voice.
“What?” he snapped, pissed to be shaken from his sweet thoughts.
“Jesus, dude. I called your name like three times. Are you spacing out again over that chick?” Liam came to stand beside him.
“Just trying to enjoy my fucking coffee. That okay with you?”
Liam huffed out a laugh. “Yeah, right.” He folded his arms and leaned against the window frame. “When’s Rory due back in town?”
“Fuck if I know. Call him and ask.”
“He’s not answering.”
“Typical. Whenever he’s on the road with his band, he’s notoriously hard to reach. Text him. You might get a reply in a day or two.”
“I bet if Jameson called him, he’d fucking answer.”
“Yup. He’s smart enough to know better than to piss off big brother.”
At ten in the morning, Main Street already had a lot of foot traffic. Maxwell sipped his coffee and watched absently as people moved past on the sidewalk.
“Look, there’s Steffy,” Liam pointed out. Maxwell’s eyes swung to the coffee shop across the street and two doors down, spotting Ava’s sister. She came out juggling a tray of coffees and a bakery bag. But it wasn’t her that had him straightening; it was the person on the street she bumped into, sending the coffees spilling and crashing to the pavement.
Malee!
“Whoa, shit! Did you see that?” Liam shouldered away from the door.
Malee was shaking her hand like the hot drinks had burned it.
“Come on!” Max snapped, and both brothers went out the door and dashed across the street.
Steffy was apologizing profusely. “I’m so sorry, Miss. I didn’t see you. It was my fault entirely. Are you okay?”
Max’s voice was calm as he said, “She can’t hear you, Stef.”
Steffy frowned. “What?”
