Art of Misalignment

Chapter 12 Veneer in the Dawn

She pulled on her robe and walked out. Liam was in the kitchen, apron tied on, flipping eggs. The sun hit his face and for a second he looked like the guy from years ago—the one who’d stay up drawing with her and bring breakfast when the sky was still gray.

“Awake?” He turned, giving her a small, easy smile. “Go wash up. Food’s almost ready.”

Chloe stopped in the doorway. Last night had been a wreck, but this felt like something safe she hadn’t had in a long time. She sat at the table and watched him plate the food. For a minute they looked like any couple who’d been doing this forever.

Then Liam’s phone buzzed on the table.

Maya.

Chloe saw the quick flicker in his eyes. He typed fast: “Sorry babe, crashed on the couch after late work. Heading over soon.”

He put the phone down and looked at her, already shifting. “Chloe, uh… something came up at the gallery. Gotta run. Rest up, I’ll call later.”

It was a weak excuse and they both knew it. He grabbed his coat, keys, moved toward the door fast.

“Liam.”

He stopped, hand on the knob.

Chloe opened her mouth, the words “don’t go” right there, but they died. Instead she said, “The key… don’t lose it.”

Liam gave a quick nod, patted his pocket, smiled once, and left.

Chloe stared at the plates still steaming on the table. The warmth that had started to settle in her chest was gone in seconds, replaced by a sharp, familiar ache.

Liam pushed open the weathered wooden door to Maya’s apartment, holding her favorite small cake in one hand. He took a quick breath, shoving the memory of Chloe’s bed that morning deep down where it couldn’t touch him. When he looked at Maya, he managed a tired but warm smile.

Maya was sitting next to her cello stand.

“Liam!” She stood up fast. No hesitation this time. She walked straight to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding tight.

“Sorry I couldn’t get away last night,” Liam murmured against her temple. “Phone died. Studio ran late.”

Maya didn’t ask for details like she usually would. She pressed her face into the side of his neck, breathing in paint and tobacco—and the faint, cool perfume that wasn’t hers. She forced herself to ignore it.

“It’s okay,” she said quietly. “As long as you’re here now.” She pulled back just enough to look at him, eyes burning with something close to desperation. “I’ve been thinking. I’ve been too tense lately. From now on, let’s just be us, okay? No more of that.”

She took his hand and led him to the sofa. Then she climbed onto his lap—quick, a little clumsy, urgent. She kissed him hard, fast, like she was trying to erase something with every press of her mouth.

Liam was surprised, then pleased. He was in a dark place where he needed women to want him, need him, to prove he wasn’t worthless. Maya’s sudden hunger filled that hole perfectly. He kissed her back, hands sliding up her back.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he whispered against her ear, breathing hard. “I’ll always stay with you.”

Maya closed her eyes. A tear slipped out, ran down her cheek, disappeared into her hair. She had decided. From today on, she would pretend last night never happened. Even if this wasn’t pure anymore, even if it was just clinging to a sinking ship, she would hold on. Liam was the only light she could still reach.

She reached out, hands shaking but steady, and started undoing his shirt buttons.

“Liam… I need you,” she whispered, voice low.

Liam’s breath caught. “Maya—”

She knelt between his legs, pulled his pants down fast. When he was bare, she leaned in and took him into her mouth.

Liam groaned, fingers sliding into her hair.

She moved slow at first, then faster—urgent.

Liam’s head fell back. “Slow down…”

She pulled off for a second, looked up at him.

She went back down, harder. Liam’s breathing turned rough. “God… Maya…”

Maya stood suddenly. She pushed him flat on the sofa, stripped off her own clothes quickly.

She climbed on top, guided him inside, sank down fully.

“Ah—” She gasped, head tilting back. She started moving—up, down, faster each time. Sweat slid down her back.

Liam’s hands gripped Maya’s breasts—small but fitting perfectly in his palms.

“Liam…” Maya gasped, voice raw, no longer soft.

She leaned forward, then turned around on his lap, back to him. She sank down again, guiding him inside. She started moving—up and down, hard, fast, punishing. Her hair fell down her back, brushing his face now and then.

Liam watched her arched back. Then his eyes drifted past her shoulder. The curtains were only half drawn. Through the gap he could see the street below and the gray office building across. From the upper floors, anyone looking out would have a clear view straight into the room.

He froze for a second. Maya didn’t notice. She was lost in it, riding him like it was the only thing keeping her together.

The sight of the open gap mixed with her frantic rhythm sent a sharp rush through him. Liam groaned low, hands clamping her hips. He thrust up hard once more and came inside her.

Maya went limp right away. The fire that had driven her vanished. She turned slowly on his lap, clumsy, and collapsed forward against his chest. Her face buried in his neck.

They lay there in the quiet. After a while, Liam shifted under her.

“Maya…” His voice came out rough. He waited, then asked, “What happened to you? You’re not the same.”

Maya stayed quiet for a long moment. Then she lifted her head just enough to look at him, eyes still wet. Her voice came out soft, almost a whisper.

“Liam… promise me. Promise you’ll never leave me.”