McKenzie Cousins Box Set One: Books One, Two, Three

by Lexi Buchanan

  “Are you just going to tease me with that?” I turn and rest the side of my head against the seat, hoping my puppy dog eyes will convince him to tell me more. “That isn’t even a clue.”

  He chuckles, looking relaxed in worn jeans and T-shirt, one of his strong hands rests on my knee, and the other the steering wheel. “It’s something that I hope you are going to love,” he says, maybe a bit unsure of himself. “At least I hope you’re going to love it.”

  “Hmm. Now I’m even more curious than I was before.” I settle back into my seat and contemplate what it could possible be. “You’re mentioning it now because it’s at the house, right?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Yes! So, if it’s at the house then it has to be something that wasn’t there before we left otherwise I’d have been around if a delivery had arrived.” I’m watching him closely while his eyes swim with mirth.

  “You’ll see soon enough.” He smirks, pulling up outside of the house. “Let me come around and help you.”

  Softly smiling, I watch him move around to my side of the car. He opens the door and slips an arm beneath my legs. “Please let me walk.”

  He meets my gaze and sees that I’m serious so instead, he lifts me down and intertwines our fingers together. After placing a sweet kiss to my knuckles we stroll inside.

  As we enter a light odor hits me. Nothing too strong just something to make my nose twitch. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I glance at Garret who smiles, leading me upstairs.

  “I’d hoped the smell would have gone by now,” he comments, directing me into the bedroom, directly beside ours.

  My brain struggles to take in what I’m seeing, from the freshly painted cream walls, to the brightly colored animal mural on one wall. A beautiful wooden crib, rocking chair, and baby changing station have all been set up. The shopping bags with baby clothing and accessories have been set to one side of the door, and it’s just amazing.

  Garrett leads me to the rocking chair and helping me sit, leans forward and kisses my cheek. His lips hover over my lips as he asks, “Good surprise?”

  My eyes fill with tears as I reach up and caress his cheek. “Oh, most definitely, but how?” I wave my arms around and he straightens, his eyes surveying the room.

  “They arrived as soon as we left for the hotel, and they’ve worked around the clock to get the room finished for when we returned home.” He looks sheepish. “You aren’t annoyed that I had it all done without telling you?”

  “Not one bit.” I smile and take his hand. “You’d already asked me how I envisioned the room, and this, is beyond what I imagined. It’s amazing.”

  “That fills me with so much joy.” He tugs me out of the chair and cupping my face between the large palms of his hands, he says, “I love you, Sirena, and nothing makes me happier than pleasing you.”

  He is such a good man that I just want to hold onto him and never let go. I’ve never been the clingy, needy type before. He makes my heart beat with love and excitement every time he walks into a room. I capture his hand in mine and kiss the palm. “Thank you, Garrett.” I smile. “Not just for the room, but for the way you take care of me and our baby, the way you always try and put me first, and just for being you. I never thought that I’d feel lucky getting stuck in an elevator.” I giggle.

  He chuckles. “Best day of my life that will only be second or third to when you become my wife, or give birth to our child. Whichever order that happens in.”

  Leaning into him as he leads me from the room, I ask, “Can we have our wedding here, and soon? My divorce should be final on Wednesday.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want a church wedding?”

  “I’m sure. I love your house,” I assure him.

  “Home.” He smiles. “It’s our home, Sirena,” he says, softly.

  “I love our home . . . and would love to be married out in the back, under the gazebo. It will be perfect, apart from me being huge.”

  He quickly kisses me. “I love your baby belly. You’re one sexy woman.”

  “Well, I can’t wait until we make love for the first time after our baby has arrived. I want you so close that there isn’t even air between us.”

  “Mmm,” Garrett moans. “That gives me all sorts of ideas.” His arms slip around me from behind and he presses close. “Can you feel what just the idea of you being naked and in my arms does to me?” He rubs his arousal against my bottom.

  “I love being naked with you,” I mumble incoherently.

  “You’re beautiful and I can’t get enough.” He kisses my shoulder and then my stomach growls. “I think that I better feed you both.”

  “I’d rather you were seeing to a different kind of hunger,” I mumble as we move downstairs.

  “You’ll be sick if you don’t have a small snack.” He frowns, knowing me well.

  “You’re really good at looking after me.”

  “It’s simple . . . I love you.” He kisses me on the forehead just as someone knocks on the front door.

  “I’m not expecting anyone,” he says, his frown deepening as he opens the door.

  My eyes widen in surprise at seeing Tina and Charles Bennett at the door. My feet move me slowly toward them in confusion. “What are you both doing here?”

  Tina looks between the two of us, and nervously asks, “May we come in?”

  Garrett looks at me for guidance, which I appreciate, even though at the same time I’m hoping he’ll say no. They make me nervous now they know that I’m pregnant. It hasn’t been said, but I have a feeling that they’ve discovered Harry fathered the child I’m carrying. I’d rather send them away, but I’ll worry unless I hear them out.

  Stepping away, I indicate for them to join us in the living room. “Please take a seat.”

  “Thank you,” Tina says.

  Charles clears his throat. “Thank you for seeing us.” He winces. “I thought you might have told us to leave.”

  I smile sadly, and add, “You haven’t given us cause to do that.”

  As Garrett sits beside me, I reach for his hand, intertwining our fingers. “Going back to Sirena’s question, what are you both doing here?” Garrett asks.

  “Harry hasn’t once mentioned that you’re pregnant,” Charles says. “And, I know you want us to believe that Garrett is the father of your child, I just don’t think he is. You were with Harry then Sirena, and although I wish I didn’t know what Harry was like, we do know that you wouldn’t have been unfaithful to him.” He pauses while my mouth goes dry. “I’m asking you to be honest with us, and please tell us the truth.”

  I glance at Garrett and find his gaze on me, and with just that look, I realize that I’m not going to tell them anything until I’ve talked to him.

  I squeeze his hand and turn my attention back to Harry’s parents. “Doctor’s orders are for me to be resting so that my blood pressure doesn’t get dangerously high, but can we please have this conversation another time? I’d like time to talk to Garrett first.”

  Tina looks to her husband for direction while Charles stares at me. “I think,” he pauses, “that you’ve just answered the question.”

  “I probably have, but before we talk any further I’m going to talk to Garrett. He’s going to be my husband as soon as it can be arranged. So him and our child come first.”

  Charles opens his mouth to say something, but Tina places her hand on his arm, and says, “I know you put up with a lot from Harry, and as his mother, I’d like to apologize for his behavior toward you.” She nervously glances at her husband. “All we’re asking is that you let us, in someway, be part of your child’s life.”

  I reach up and rub at my forehead while catching Garrett’s concerned gaze.

  “Why don’t you let Sirena get some rest and we’ll be in touch.” Garrett stands and waits for Tina and Charles to do the same. “I’ll show you out.”

  Tina looks as though she wants to say something else, but Charles ushers her out with him.

  I do
n’t pay too much attention to what is going on at the front door, I just want them gone so that I can think. I hadn’t expected to see them at Nirvana, or especially at my home.

  My temples throb now that I’ve been given the added worry about what they actually want. Do they just want to have visits with our child or are they going to want more in the future.

  Resting my head against the arm of the chair, I sit back with my feet up, and close my eyes. I smile softly when my legs are lifted up slightly and cushions are shoved beneath.

  “I’ll always take care of you,” Garrett says.

  I slowly open my eyes and find him sitting on the floor at the side of me. “That wasn’t expected, huh?”

  Reaching out, I caress his jaw and rub my fingers along his beautiful lips before meeting his gaze. “I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t once given thought to Harry’s parents.” I smile sadly and let Garrett take my hand. “I only met them once and Harry didn’t really get along with his dad, so he kept me away from them.”

  “You do realize that you don’t have to do anything to please them?”

  “I know, but now that they’ve shown interest in our child, I really don’t know what to do. I feel bad for them, but at the same time, I don’t want to have anything to do with Harry ever again. That’s all over with.” I sigh. “And as soon as our child is here we’re going to make everything legal so that no one can ever take him or her away from you. You’re the father no matter what.”

  “We’ll do all that.” He smiles and kisses the back of my hand, holding it close to his cheek. “If you want to let them visit with the baby, then I’m okay with that. I just want you to know that incase I’m the reason why you’re holding back.”

  “Before we bumped into them everything was so straightforward, and now I feel unsettled. I know what the right thing to do is, I just don’t want Harry to come along and cause more trouble once the baby is here. I mean do you know the legal ramifications if Harry changes his mind?”

  “I’m not sure he can change his mind, but if the adoption is made legal then I don’t think there is anything he can do because he’s the one who willingly gave up his rights.”

  “Ugh!” I moan and sitting up, hold my hands out to Garrett for him to help me up. “I’m hungry and don’t want to think about it for the rest of the day.”

  “Okay, honey. Sandwiches coming up.” He grins and I pad softly after him into the kitchen.

  21

  Garrett

  “You have a beautiful hotel, Garrett,” Charlotte McKenzie compliments as she enters my temporary office here at Nirvana.

  “Thank you. I think so too.” I grin as I move around my desk to join her on the sofa.

  Once we’re both sitting with a cup of steaming coffee in our hands, she asks, “So, why did you want to see me without me mentioning it to Sirena?”

  Chuckling, I admit, “Your sister is very observant and this needs to be kept on the down low.”

  “I’m intrigued.”

  “We’re getting married on Saturday.”

  She chokes on her coffee, and quickly slams the cup and saucer back to the coffee table, her eyes wide with surprise. “Married.” She coughs and clears her throat. “Sirena doesn’t know that she’s marrying you on Saturday?”

  “She knows that she’s marrying me as soon as it can be arranged. She just doesn’t know that it’s happening on Saturday . . . at our home.”

  “Oh, wow!”

  “I need you to make sure that all your family are invited and I need to know numbers on Thursday so I can give them to the caterers. It’s nothing formal and will just be a buffet with the short time frame. Think you can help me?” I grin at her hopefully.

  Charlotte blinks a few times and then giggles. “I’ll help. In fact, let me really help you. I can liaise with caterers and whatever else you need doing. Does Sirena have a dress?”

  “Um”

  “I’ll take that as a no.” Charlotte raises a brow and pulls out a notebook. “So give me a list. I’m good at this.” She grins.

  “Mmm, Sirena might have told me that.” I chuckle at her surprise, which turns into amusement.

  She coughs and holds her pen over the paper, giving me a questioning look. Shaking my head, I start giving her the list she wants . . . twenty minutes later, I finish with, “Harry’s parents want access to the baby.”

  Her pen hesitates over the paper. “Can they after Harry signed his rights away? And how is Sirena taking this? You?”

  I’m thoughtful for a few minutes and finally admit, “It’s become more complicated than it needed to be.” I sigh. “I love your sister, Charlotte, so whatever she decides I’ll go along with.”

  “Even if you don’t like it?”

  Sitting forward, I lean on my desk and hold Charlotte’s gaze. “At the end of the day, I don’t think they’ve done anything wrong. Why shouldn’t they be allowed to spend time with their grandchild? I feel sorry for them, that because of Harry’s actions, they could loose that right.” I run my hand through my hair. “I don’t think they will though. Sirena is softening toward letting them be part of the baby’s life. We just need to talk it through and make sure no stone is left unturned.”

  “I’m having lunch with Sirena, but why don’t you meet her instead and get the decision over with. I know my sister and she’s going to be worrying about this until it’s solved.” She gives a wry smile.

  “I agree, but I think you need to meet her for lunch. She was excited this morning.”

  “Okay.” She smiles. “I’m looking forward to seeing her too, and now,” she glances at her notebook, “I’m more excited than before because we have some shopping to do and I know just the store where Sirena will be able to relax.”

  Rubbing her hands together Charlotte jumps up and quickly shoves everything into her purse. When she’s ready to leave she smiles and quickly gives me a hug. “In the end you’ll both make the right decision toward Harry’s parents.” She squeezes my biceps as she steps away.

  “Thank you, Charlotte. For everything.”

  She grins and then she’s gone—a whirlwind in such a small package.

  Laughing, I step away from behind the desk and look out through the window and toward the city of Lexington. There really is no place like home and it fills me with so much joy to have a hotel in my hometown. I’ve finally accomplished what was my original goal. It really does make sense for me to take a step back and handover the reins to my managers. I’ll never be able to completely let go, but now I’m about to have a wife and child, maybe more children in the future, I want to be around to enjoy my life with them.

  Staring at the picture on my desk of Sirena and me, which was snapped by Charlotte at the opening of the hotel, I smile and trace a finger along her beautiful smiling face . . . a light knock to the door distracts me. “Come in.”

  “Um, there’s a Michael McKenzie to see you,” my nervous assistant announces. “He doesn’t have an appointment, but he said you were about to be family, so . . .” she trails off.

  “Show him in, please.”

  I’m not sure why Angela is so nervous around me. I’m used to it with being ‘the’ boss, but I’ve tried to put her at ease. So far nothing seems to be working.

  Expecting Sirena’s father, I’m surprised to see her brother striding into my office.

  I shake his offered hand. “This is a surprise,” I comment.

  He offers a shaky smile before he takes the offered seat. “You’ve just missed your sister.”

  “Yeah, she was just getting off one elevator as I stepped into another.” He shrugs and runs his hands through his hair. “I’m in need of some advice that can’t go beyond this room.” He holds my gaze and the worry etched into his face makes me agree.

  “Whatever we discuss, as long as it doesn’t involve Sirena, won’t leave this office.”

  He smirks. “I admire how true you are to my sister. Thank you.”

  “I love her, so no need of tha
nks.” I wave it off.

  “Right.” He yanks his tie free from the noose around his neck and sighing heavily, asks, “What do you know of Mitchell Jordan?”

  Groaning, I lean back in my chair and take a closer look at Michael who looks as though he has the world on his shoulders—for such a young man that shouldn’t be the case. He has me curious, so I’ll humor him for now. “Mitchell Jordan is an astute business man. We’ve done business in the past and he was a straight shooter. I’ve never heard anything negative about him or his business dealings.”

  Michael nods his head, not saying anything.

  “Why are you asking?” I lean forward and wait.

  “He says he wants me—not the company—but me to spend the summer on an Island in Greece. He wants me to get a feel for the area, and he then wants me to design him a holiday complex that will cater for the rich and famous. It will be a place of luxury without the intrusion of the press.” He sits forward and rests his hands on his knees. “The project is something that I want to take on. I know I’m young and not as experienced as most, but I know that I can do this project justice.”

  “So why do I sense a but in there?” I query with a frown.

  “I’d be spending the summer at his villa with his family. I’d have my own apartment, which he apparently uses for business associates, but . . .”

  It suddenly hits me and I start laughing, which draws a frown from the other man. “He has two daughters.” I grin.

  “It gets tricky. Mitchell has hinted that if something was to happen between his daughter, Carrie, and me, that he’d be more than happy.” He holds my gaze. “I got the feeling that the deal might depend on my, um, association with his oldest daughter.”

  Relaxing back in the chair, I wonder what Mitchell is playing at because this is certainly new. “Look, I think you need something in writing from him that your lawyer looks over before you agree to head out to Greece for the summer. Also, are you free to spend the summer overseas?”