Second Chances (Athena Group Novel Book 1)

by C. W. Stokes

  Pedro spoke. “There were six field players along with a captain that would attempt to pass the ball through the hoops. The first team that accomplished this was declared the winner. The captain of the winning team was then beheaded.” Shelby felt a shiver run down her spine when she heard Amanda gasp. Pedro continued. “The captains considered it an honor and a guaranteed passage into heaven.” He turned towards the end of the field and began to walk.

  The group continued to move down the field as another group moved into the ball court. Pedro stood next to the wall at the far end of the field. He asked everyone to turn and face the wall as he spoke. “The Mayans were very inventive and ahead of their time. When you face the wall you can talk and the people at the other end of the field can hear every word that is said even if you whisper.” They all turned to the wall, and Shelby watched as the others spoke towards the wall.

  “Hello Shelby.” She heard his voice. She turned around to find him, but he was nowhere that could be seen. She saw a group at the opposite end of the field. She turned towards the wall and said. “Where are you?” She quickly asked as she noticed that Amanda and the others starting back towards the entrance.

  “If you’re hearing me, then where do you think I am?” She heard the smirk in his voice.

  “Are you following me?” She demanded.

  “Shelby, really?” he asked.

  “Oh, right, what was I thinking? You don’t follow anyone, do you? It’s easier to cut bait and run.”

  “Mom, are you coming?” Amanda shouted to her.

  She turned to her daughter in surprise. “Yes.” They began walking back up the field to continue with the tour. As they passed the other group Shelby saw Max watching her intently as she passed by. She could tell her words had hit their mark. But the man sure did know how to unnerve her. They walked through the ball court opening and continued on to the temple of warriors.

  As she walked through the temple, she was admiring the columns which represented the warriors. She saw Max step out from behind one of the columns. She glanced around, and he was gone. She turned only to see him step from behind another column closer to her. Good grief! The man was everywhere. She felt like she was in a hall of mirrors. He was trying to drive her crazy. That was it. She saw him at the last row of the warriors. She started walking towards him, but he turned and walked away. She watched as his group walked towards the entrance of the ruins. She felt both relief and regret at the same time. Relief that she could relax and enjoy the rest of the tour, regret that she wouldn’t see him again.

  As they finished up their afternoon Shelby continued to look for Max, but she never saw him again after the temple of warriors. They were walking back out of the ruins when she stopped at a local vendor table. They had intricately carved masks. She had always been a collector of masks and decided she wanted to take one back with her to add to her collection.

  They were getting back into the van when Shelby saw the tour bus that Max had exited from earlier. She didn’t see him anywhere, but as they were driving out of the gate area she saw him through the back window. He was standing by the bus watching as they drove away.

  Chapter Five

  When they got back to the house it was still light out and Shelby wanted nothing more than to sit and relax on the beach with a good drink. She didn’t mind that everyone went into town and left her alone. After taking a shower she went downstairs, grabbed a beer from the fridge and walked outside. She snuck a peek at her email earlier only to find a scathing email from Liz for reading it. Liz had anticipated that she wouldn’t be able to resist checking email despite being told not to. She mentioned that John had come by to talk about a problem the bureau needed help with, but assured her that there was nothing to worry about and they would talk about it when she returned. Liz said that John wasn’t happy, but of course Liz only did what she felt was right for TAG and its members. Poor John didn’t stand a chance. She wasn’t quite sure what their relationship was, but they had worked together for a long time. She always thought something more was going on between them because every time they were in a room together the air crackled with electricity. But Liz was always the consummate professional and no one ever saw her lose control.

  Shelby leaned back in the chair tipping the bottle to her lips as she looked out over the water. The sun was beginning to set behind the house casting a pink and purple hue across the sky. The moon was already in the horizon waiting to brighten the shores with its silver glow once the sun went down.

  Rain began to fall heavily as a burst of wind blew across the beach. The force of the wind knocked one of the chairs across the patio towards the sand alley. She jumped up to catch it before it got away, but Max caught the chair before she could get to it. Shocked to see him after the building tension from the day she just stood there in between the houses with the rain running down her body not caring that she was getting wet. Soaked head to toe from the rain she saw his eyes trace the rain drops down her body soaking her dress.

  Her body reacted to the cold drops of rain sliding down her skin when she heard him groan; put the chair down and closed the space between them. In once swift motion, he lowered his head and took her with such hunger running he tongue along the bottom of her lip seeking entrance.

  She couldn’t deny him. She allowed his tongue entrance and her mouth began to mate with his when a fire shot down to her very core as he feasted on her mouth. She ran her hands up his shirt and around his neck to curl her hands into his hair. His hand cupped her breast and instinctively she arched into him. She felt his desire as he moved closer wrapping her leg around his hip wanting to climb his body. She moaned and moved deeper into his mouth with her tongue.

  She barely heard the moan when he pulled away. “Shelby we have to stop, I’m about to explode right here.” It felt so good to be pressed against him, and she knew that he wanted to take her right there in the sand alley. She saw the hunger in his eyes, but knew if they didn’t stop it wasn’t going to matter who saw them.

  She pushed back at him jumping away as if she’d been burned. What was she thinking? What had possessed her to do such a thing? He had blown in with the storm and scorched her with his touch leaving her wanting so much more, but didn’t dare go down that road again. She turned away from him walking into the house she opened the refrigerator to pull out a bottle of water and took a big long drink. The coolness of the water slipping down her throat helped take her mind of the desire raging through her veins.

  The real storm had been a quick shower across the shores but enough to wet the sand and provide a glorious rainbow as the sun slipped down beyond the horizon. Pulling deep long breaths of air into her lungs she heard the steps behind her. The hot steamy storm just walked into the house.

  The front door opened, and Amanda walked in “Hey mom, you should have come with us it was so much fun.” Everyone stopped when they saw Max. Shelby quickly turned and crossed her arms so they couldn’t see the evidence of what was going on.

  Amanda took in her mother’s face and looked at the man standing at the sliding door to the patio. “Mom? What’s going on?”

  Shelby was stunned when she saw Amanda and Max together in the same room. How did she ever think she could forget him when she saw his eyes every day? She loved Amanda with all her heart and soul, and now Max was standing there looking as if he were looking into a mirror. Shelby knew a fear like none before, but she had to compose herself quickly.

  “Amanda, this is our neighbor Max Taylor. He’s been staying in the house next door. Max this is my daughter, Amanda; her boyfriend Steven and his family.”

  Max shook himself as he moved forward his gaze focused on Amanda. “Nice to meet you.” He was stunned to realize he was looking into his own eyes. Breaking from the gaze, he said, “I was just helping your mom pick up some of the furniture that the storm blew over.” He was trying not to stare, but he was drawn to Amanda. He had to get out of there and think. Nodding to everyone he turned to leave but not bef
ore he stole one last look at Amanda “It was nice to meet you.”

  She turned to Amanda, “So, how was your evening? What did you do?” Thankful she had a distraction from what had just happened. She saw the questioning look in Amanda’s eyes as she watched Max leave.

  “It was really cool. There were street vendors all up and down the beach. “Steven and I saw one of the vendors doing the henna tattoos and you said I could get one, so we did.” She pushed her arm out for Shelby to take a look at the tattoo on her arm. It was a tattoo of several butterflies that trailed up her arm over her shoulder. It was completely fitting for Amanda, very whimsical.

  “I’m glad you had a good time.” Shelby said stroking her hair still shaken by the look on Max’s face when he saw his daughter for the first time. “What are you planning for the rest of the evening?” she asked them.

  “We were going to take it easy for a bit and relax.”

  ###

  He was completely stunned by what he had just seen. The desire completely squashed the moment he looked into his own eyes. Quickly doing the math he realized that it would be correct. The week they had spent together when he was trying to recruit her was 17 years ago. He had had no idea that she had gotten pregnant.

  He had fallen so hard and fast for her that it literally broke his heart when the bureau whisked him away in the middle of the night on a covert assignment. He hadn’t been able to say goodbye or tell her how he felt about her.

  The moment he had been debriefed once he returned home he had searched for her only to find that she was married and had a little girl. She had refused the bureau and had gone to work for Hawk Enterprises eventually starting her own company. He never dreamed that her daughter could have been his. He needed some answers.

  Chapter Six

  Shelby went for an evening stroll realizing she could easily get used to the isolation from everyone. It had a sense of peace, and she was feeling restless this evening. She couldn’t quit thinking about what had happened earlier. She wasn’t quite sure what she was going to do about Max and Amanda. Plus the passion they shared went from simmer to explosion in sixty seconds. She could still feel his kiss and how his rough hands had felt on her. Her skin began to tingle, and as if she could conjure him from her thoughts she saw him walking towards her. Her breath quickened at the sight of him.

  “Beautiful isn’t it?” he asked, “Your daughter looks just like you.”

  Dismissing the obvious bait, she replied “I’ve been told that a lot. She is my pride and joy and my life revolves around her.”

  “Where’s her father?”

  Shifting uncomfortably, “He’s not a part of our lives.” She could see it in his eyes, and she wasn't ready for the conversation that was inevitable.

  “Where is everyone?” he asked her.

  “They’re inside, but I was feeling restless.”

  He reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Why is that?” His finger traced the outside of her ear sending tingles down her body. Every time he was near he set her body on fire.

  She bit the inside of her cheek as she pondered what to say. For someone who was always confident he sent her into a tailspin. She let out a breath, “Because of you.”

  Walking up the beach along the waterline they remained silent for several minutes each in their own thought. The moonlight was shining down illuminating their bodies in its warm glow. There are no street lights on the beach which made it completely dark with the exception of the moon and the lights from the houses on the beach. She stopped and looked out over the ocean closing her eyes she listened to the sound of the water. She could feel the waves as they moved in sliding over her feet and felt the pull of the water when it retreated back into the ocean. Her senses absorbed the atmosphere around her. She was taught a long time ago how to shut off one sense in order to magnify the others. So when she closed her eyes she could enjoy the sounds of the night from the ocean.

  She heard him breathing and could almost hear his heart beat speed up as he moved closer she could feel the heat from his body even though he wasn’t touching her. She felt his presence behind her but wouldn’t open her eyes. She wanted to enjoy this moment.

  He ran his hands along her arms, and the rough calluses on his palms made her body come alive. Slowly he moved up to her neck wrapping his hand around the base of her head and up to her ponytail. He loosened her hair from its band when she moaned he began to massage her scalp sending shivers down her body. Her senses slowly came to life with each touch and pressure of his fingertips. He pulled her slowly against him and felt his breath just above her ear.

  “I make you nervous.” He whispered.

  He lifted her hair off her neck, and his mouth touched her ever so slightly at first then descended down to her shoulder. She reached back with her arms wrapping her hands around his neck she turned her head up to him. That was all the invitation he needed and kissed her. He was gentle at first, probing, but the moment she parted her lips immediately his tongue darted in and took possession of her mouth. His hands wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer.

  “I like the way you feel in my hands.” He squeezed her gently.

  She turned in his arms to wrapping her hands around his back, she became lost in the vortex of his kiss. She felt him begin to guide her towards the house and was helpless to stop as she wanted to feel him wrapped around her.

  When they reached the house, Amanda came out. ” Mom!” She yelled.

  Shelby jogged over to her. “Is everything ok Amanda?”

  “Yeah, I was about to go to bed and I just wanted to say goodnight, but didn’t see you.” She looked worried.

  “I’m fine; I ran into Max, and we were just taking a walk. But it is getting late and we should go in.” She looked over at Max nervously, but he nodded his head.

  Max gave a small wave. “Nice to see you again, Amanda.” He slowly turned and walked away.

  Wrapping a protective arm around Amanda, she walked inside for the evening glancing behind her to watch him slip away.

  Max went inside and watched from within the darkness of the house. It was clear she was a loving mother, but the question was why she hadn’t told him about Amanda? Because you ran out on her that’s why! He thought to himself.

  Shelby intrigued him; she always had, but there was something about her now that kept nagging at the back of his mind. The maneuver she used on him the night before wasn't something that just anyone would know how to do. Let alone detect him coming up behind her as she had. She gave no indication she had heard him or that she was about to strike. It was as if it were second nature to her.

  He knew they were leaving at the end of the week, but he needed talk with John to see if he could find out more information about what she has been up to for the past seventeen years. She was stirring him back to life and maybe it was time he went back to the states to take care of some unfinished business. He had too if he wanted to move forward and unlock the mystery of her past.

  Max went upstairs to take a very long and cold shower. One thing was for sure; he wasn't walking away from this. He stepped into the shower and began to lather up letting his mind wander back to that fateful day that sent him into his self-imposed exile in Mexico.

  ###

  One of his agents, Kim Le, was under cover working an international human trafficking operation when she went missing. She was required to check in every day. When she didn’t check in everyone was on high alert. One week later they found her body had been dumped in a field. She had been tortured before being killed. He was the one to identify her. He had seen a lot of horrendous things in his career, but Kim’s body all broken, lying on the table was more than he could handle. He demanded a leave of absence and John granted it. He had been doing fine down here in solitude until Shelby and her family arrived. It was time to take a trip to town to one of the internet café’s. He would call John first thing in the morning when he got into town.

  Chapter Seven


  Shelby watched the kids while they were snorkeling and finding shells to take back the next day. Picking at her lunch, she thought back over the past few days wondering why she hadn’t seen Max since she ran into him on the beach. She was relieved for two different reasons. The first that she wasn’t ready to talk about Amanda and the second every time she thought about him her body would flush. They were leaving the next day, and she had to admit she was disappointed that she hadn’t seen him again. The feelings he stirred up had been buried a long time ago.

  She pushed her plate away and got up from the table, picked up one of the skim boards and walked out into the ocean where the kids were snorkeling. The fish danced around her legs as she walked past. They dart in and out from between her legs barely brushing her as they danced in the water. She kept walking out and just as a wave rolled in dove into the water. Yes, this was what she needed. She swam out just beyond the wave and climbed onto the board, sat relaxing while she enjoyed the soothing sounds around her.

  From this point of view, she could see the houses and people. It really was a breathtaking view. The kids were having fun. She watched as Steven picked Amanda up and threw her into the air to dive in. She shook her head as her daughter came up with another find. They had already amassed a bucket full of shells to take back. The others were sitting on the beach soaking up the sun like all of the other people. She lay down on the board feeling the sun soak into her skin and the solitude out on the water relaxing her bones. Every now and then she would feel a fish nip at her toes, but she wasn’t alarmed. She looked down into the water and watched a small jellyfish float through the water as she lost herself in her thoughts.