Mac (HC Heroes Series, #1)

by Donna Michaels

  “For a few weeks?” she asked, gaze hopeful and wide. “Until it’s extinguished?”

  “Yes.” He nodded and when he stared into her eyes, he wanted to touch her, hold her, be with her. Those thoughts, those needs, petrified him. But not enough to make him leave.

  “Good,” she said, reaching behind her to unzip the dress and send his pulse to Mach ten. “Because I’m ready for my ride now. What ya got, Delta Boy?”

  He choked out a laugh, then swallowed his tongue as her dress fell to the floor revealing a matching blue lace bra and panties that showed off her hourglass curves to perfection. She slipped off her sandals, stepped out of the dress then turned around so he could have a heart attack.

  There wasn’t one inch of her he didn’t want to touch, or kiss, or lick.

  She sucked in a breath. “W-what are you thinking right now? Your eyes are like top-shelf bourbon...”

  “That you’re hot as hell, and I want to make you scream my name. Several times.”

  She sucked in another breath then cocked her head, her gaze darkening to a mesmerizing cobalt. “Then take me.”

  Son-of-a-bitch. She was bold, and it fucking turned him on.

  After years of following orders, Mac knew how to carry them out, and this time he was more than happy to comply. He stepped closer and lightly trailed his fingers up her arms, holding back a smile as she trembled under his touch. “Yes, ma’am,” he uttered, tipping her head to the side before he leaned in to inhale her scent again.

  Mmm...strawberry candy.

  He brushed his lips all the way up her throat before sinking his teeth into the curve where her neck met her shoulder. She gasped out his name and clutched at his arms.

  “That’s one,” he mumbled against her skin, kissing his way to her chin. Next time, he’d make her say his name louder.

  He cupped her face and kissed his way to her lips, taking her mouth in a hot, desperate, demanding kiss.

  Pressing his tongue to hers, he deployed the same glide and pull his body ached to achieve with hers, while he ran his hands over her curves, caressing and stroking along the way. She was soft, so damn soft, and hot. He unhooked her bra and stepped back to watch, his body tightening, as he tugged the blue lace from her mouthwatering breasts, freeing her nipples. “Perfect,” he muttered before dipping to suck one peak in his mouth and cup the other with his hand.

  “Mac...” Her grip tightened on his arms, and she leaned into him, filling his mouth with more of her delectable curves.

  Switching his attention to the other nipple, he trailed his hand between her quivering thighs, finding her wet.

  Her breath shuddered out in a sexy, low purr, and his need to taste the woman increased to an unreasonable, insatiable throbbing. He released her to tug the remaining lacy garment down her body until it hit the floor, and she stood before him completely, gloriously naked.

  Finally.

  “Since Thursday. I’ve wanted you like this since our chopper ride on Thursday,” he murmured, running his lips and hands up her naked body, lingering on some of his favorite parts, until he had her panting and sweating.

  “M-Mac...I don’t think I...c-can stand,” she muttered, voice shaky with need.

  “I’ve got you.” He swept her into his arms, kissing her neck as he carried her through the open door of her bedroom where he set her on the bed. “I’ve been thinking of this, too.” He dropped to his knees, spread her legs with his shoulders and kissed one inner thigh, then the other. Then the hot place in between.

  Her breath caught as she grabbed his head, and her fevered responses fueled his desire to give her more. Running his tongue over her in feather-light strokes, he increased the pressure when she wiggled against him.

  The tiny, little pants she made nearly ripped him in two.

  He lengthened his strokes, and she cried out and arched up into his mouth.

  “You taste amazing.” Fucking amazing. He licked her again.

  “Mac—” She thrust into him and clutched his head.

  That was what he wanted to hear. Music to his damn ears.

  Eyes glazed over, head thrown back, she had her bottom lip pulled between her teeth as she rocked against him.

  So damned hot.

  He increased the pressure and pace of the stroke. Stefanie moaned and bucked up off the mattress, but Mac held on and stayed with her, watching as she exploded, calling out his name, and nearly taking him with her.

  She tasted so sweet, he lingered, letting her down gently before he moved his mouth to her inner thigh, then slowly drew back and rose to his feet to stare down at her.

  “I needed that.” He also needed to be inside the sexy woman eying him with a lazy, sinful smile.

  “Me, too.” Her satisfied sigh shook through him. “Why do you have on so many clothes?”

  He stripped in several, swift, economical movements. “Better?”

  She smiled a wicked ass smile. “Almost.”

  Before he could blink, she had her hands on his hips and twisted them around, so he was seated on the bed and she was standing.

  Then she dropped to her knees, and his heart dropped to his.

  “Better,” she murmured, surging up to put her mouth on his chest while her hands pressed into his thighs to keep him there. “So much better.” Her lips moved lower.

  “Stef, wait. Don’t...” He reached for her shoulders to hoist her up, but he was too late.

  Her fingers wrapped around his throbbing dick and she licked him.

  Son-of-a-bitch.

  He wasn’t going to last. “Stef...don’t. I want to come inside you.”

  She glanced up, and the heat smoldering in her wicked gaze stole his strength. Fuck. He nearly lost it right there.

  “You will.” She licked him up one side then down the other. “I promise.”

  Sweat broke out over his shoulders and chest. “This isn’t—damn—”

  Her tongue swirled over his tip, and he clenched his jaw and groaned, trying to decide whether to retreat or surrender. Then she slowly took him into her mouth, and his choice was clear.

  Ah, hell. She was so wet and warm and moving in a rhythm he loved. “Stef...so good...”

  The exquisite feeling became too much. He shoved his hands into her hair, twisting the stands that had fallen loose from her bun around his palm, and he closed his eyes. So fucking good. He arched his hips up to meet her mouth, thrusting as he tugged. He’d been sporting a hard-on all day, fantasizing about her all damn weekend. Heat skittered down his spine, and the telltale tightening in his groin signaled he was about to lose control.

  He forced his eyes open to stare at the vision of the sexiest damn woman he’d ever met, kneeling between his legs, gloriously naked, escaping strands of hair brushing his body, as she worked him in and out of her mouth.

  She slayed him. Her lack of inhibition. Her acceptance. Her fierce need for him, which matched his need for her.

  She picked up the pace.

  “Ah...yeah...fuck, yeah...” His eyes nearly rolled back in his head.

  It was all too much. And so damn good. The pent-up frustration he’d endured all week. The amazing things she was doing with her tongue and mouth. The feel of her soft breasts bouncing off his thighs.

  Her thumbs brushed over his sac and liquid, hot pleasure like he’d never known shot through him. Mac was done. Cupping her head, he thrust up into her mouth and came so hard he saw stars and stripes.

  When his vision finally cleared, he sucked air into his lungs and focused on the woman smiling up at him.

  “Think we burned off some chemistry?”

  Mac laughed and hauled her up onto his lap, feeling lighter, better. Relaxed as hell. “Nah. Think we only managed to create more,” he said, before kissing her lips, already plotting their next chemistry-burning move.

  ***

  Wednesday afternoon, Mac was back in his office, having returned to Harland County an hour earlier after another successful assignment wrapped up. This part
icular security detail was a little more eventful, and a lot more his speed. Car chases, bullets flying, a kidnapping thwarted. The excitement and adrenaline of a successful, kick-ass case still pumped through his veins.

  “Just like old times, ‘eh, Mac?” Dex said, walking into the room with Carter.

  Neither guy sat down. They were too pumped.

  Back in D-Force days, when they finished an assignment and weren’t near civilization, they used to kick the shit out of a heavy bag...or each other, in order to rid their body of the extra energy.

  “With some heavy action.” Carter grinned, adrenaline still apparent in his buddy’s energized tone.

  He nodded, a smile tugging his lips. “The good kind.” He refused to think about the bad ones and put a damper on his buzz. He wanted to channel that buzz into some hot and wild skin-to-skin action with Stefanie later.

  She was currently in Galveston, working with a client right now. So, until she got back, he’d decided to get his paperwork squared away. Not exactly an adrenaline-worthy task.

  “Dex and I are going to head to Houston to...work off some of this energy,” Carter said. “Want to come?”

  “No.” He shook his head. “Thanks. I’m good.”

  Carter snorted. “That’s right. You don’t need to head to Houston. You have a hot woman who works right next door.”

  Dex snickered. “You could, too, you know.”

  Mac raised a brow, because hell-fucking-no. No one was touching his hot woman. Stefanie was...not his. Not really. Sure, they’d had sex a few times, and planned to continue, but only until their chemistry burned out, which could be next week...could be never.

  His heart rocked against his ribs. What would he do then? Was he prepared to do another “never” relationship?

  He blew out a breath and inwardly shook his head. He had no fucking clue.

  “What are you talking about, Dex? I’d never make a move on someone’s woman.” Carter scowled. “And certainly not Mac’s. You know I don’t work that way, man.”

  “Not Stefanie, you ass.” Dex snorted. “I’m talking about Mel.”

  “Mel?” Carter’s scowl deepened. “She’s too mouthy.”

  Mac laughed. He used to think that about Stefanie and was wrong. Chances were, Carter was wrong about Mel, too. “He’s right. You two have some serious sparks.”

  “Yeah. It’s always a crapshoot to see if it’ll be fireworks or confetti poppers with you two,” Dex said. “Sooner or later, you’re going to take a cue from Mac, here, and give into those sparks and discover some serious fireworks.”

  “Is that right, Mac? You have some serious fireworks going on now?” Carter asked.

  How the hell did they get on this subject? He could tell by the determination in their eyes, their adrenaline channeling was now focused on interrogating him. Shit. They weren’t going to let up until he gave them a crumb. “Something like that,” he said, then hit them with a stare. “I thought you two were heading to Houston? If not, you could always stay here and help me fill out this paperwork.”

  “Gotta go.”

  “We’re out of here.”

  And two seconds later, he was alone.

  Mac laughed, then glanced at the expense statement on the monitor in front of him and sighed. He didn’t blame them.

  By the time Stefanie returned to her shop next door, Mac was ready to climb the walls. Maybe he should’ve gone a few rounds with the heavy bag in the garage. He’d finished the expense statement and the mission report ten minutes ago. Then waited. Paced a little.

  And watched for her out the window.

  Christ, he had it bad.

  As soon as she texted him that she was leaving Galveston, he’d been at the window in his office that faced her building every time he’d heard a damn noise outside.

  This time the noise was her, and he sent her a text to just come over. Adrenaline kicked up at the thought of finally spending some time with her. On Sunday, he’d ended up staying at her place until early morning, only leaving with enough time to run home, grab a quick shower, and his gear. Thank God he’d had it all packed and ready in the hangar.

  That was three days ago. He was more than ready to burn chemistry. He grinned as he thought about what she’d do if he waited just inside the door and grabbed her. Probably pin him to the wall and have her way with him.

  That worked. He was onboard with that.

  He had the lights off in his office and the door closed, so as soon as it started to open he’d pounce. Smile still tugging his lips, he got into position and waited, blood pumping, harder, louder, as he heard her steps draw near. He couldn’t wait to hold her, couldn’t wait to hear her say his name. Couldn’t wait to sink into her warm, slick, heat.

  “Mac?” Her voice was a little muffled through the door, but he could hear her excitement, mingling with concern. “Are you here?” she asked, slowly opening the door.

  As soon as the door swung wide enough, Mac pounced, grabbing her upper arms, intending to pull her close. But she stiffened and screamed, her guttural tone stopping his heart, and he realized a split second too late she hadn’t comprehended it was him as she sent a knee to his groin and a fist to his face.

  Chapter Eleven

  Stefanie’s heart hit the floor and pulse raced out of control as she struggled with her attacker. He released her, but not before memories from her youth flooded her brain. She forced them aside to deal with the present threat.

  Where was Mac?

  God, was he okay?

  She couldn’t see a damn thing with the blinds down and the lights off. And the natural light from the windowless hall was too dim to be of much help.

  “Stef...” His voice sounded strained. And in pain.

  Dammit. He was hurt.

  “Stefanie, it’s me.” And he sounded like he was...right in front of her?

  “Mac?”

  “It’s okay, it’s just me.”

  A second later, the lights came on and she discovered the identity of her assailant. It was Mac. And that she was the reason he was in pain.

  “I’m sorry, Stef,” he said, half bent over, concern dark in his eyes. “I had no idea you’d react like that.”

  “Oh, Mac. God, I’m so sorry.” She glanced from the red bruise forming on his cheekbone to his groin and his slightly doubled-over posture. “I’m so sorry,” she repeated, heat flooding her face. “I didn’t realize it was you.”

  “Don’t be sorry. It’s my fault.” He walked her over to the couch near the far wall and sat down with her, then gently grabbed her hand to examine her knuckles. “We need to ice this. I’ll be right back.”

  Before she could say more, he disappeared from the room. Her mind replayed what had just happened, and more heat rushed into her face. God, she couldn’t believe she’d hit him like that. He’d only tried to be playful and she could’ve ruined him for life.

  Closing her eyes, she inhaled, blew out the breath, then re-opened her eyes. Her gaze fell on her purse tipped upside down, contents spilled out just a few feet away. She got up to grab her crap and managed to shove most of it back in by the time he returned.

  “Stefanie, don’t worry about that now. We’ll get it later,” he said, setting the cold pack on the desk before helping her back to the couch. Her hands were shaking so badly the damn thing slipped from her grasp and spilled again. “I’ll get it. You sit.” He pushed her gently onto the cushion, then shoved her stuff back in her purse and set it on the floor against the side of the couch.

  “Thanks,” she said.

  He nodded, grabbed the cold pack from the desk and hit it against the side a few times before he shook it. “This should help,” he said, squatting down in front of her, a slight wince flickering across his face—no doubt from her knee-to-the-groin maneuver—then he gently grabbed her hand and set the pack on top. “It’s okay,” he said, lightly stroking her other arm, his gaze sincere and full of concern.

  The warmth of his touch and that of his gaze removed
the chill from her body, and she hadn’t realized she’d been shaking until it stopped.

  He lifted a hand to slowly drag his finger from her temple to her cheek. “Wanna tell me about it?”

  She lifted a brow. “About what?”

  “About what I triggered?”

  She blinked and drew in a breath. “Oh...that.” Not really. She released the breath and gave him the short version. “When I was seventeen, I was sneaking back into my room from a night out with my friends, when my stepmother’s boyfriend at the time grabbed me from the shadows and pinned me against the wall.”

  Mac muttered an oath, the vein in his neck bulging. “Where was your stepmother?”

  “Asleep in her room.”

  “And Chloe?”

  “Gone. She was a year ahead of me, so she was already away at college,” Stefanie replied. “And she doesn’t know, so don’t tell her.”

  God, if her sister ever discovered half the shit Stefanie had put up with after Chloe had gone, she’d never forgive herself, which was foolish because Chloe hadn’t done anything wrong. And probably would’ve been a victim, too.

  Mac muttered another curse, and the murderous glint in his eyes made her shiver. “And this...bastard? Where is he?”

  She stared at him a beat, wondering why it mattered, then it hit her. “You want to pay him a visit, don’t you?”

  “Damn straight,” he said through clenched teeth, and she could feel his body vibrating from the tension rolling through him.

  His concern, his desire to protect and defend her, was pretty potent stuff. No one had ever wanted to do that for her. It warmed all traces of chill from her body.

  “I don’t know where he is,” she finally said, cupping his face. “But it’s okay. Nothing happened. He didn’t get the chance. My stepmother burst in and pulled him off me, then tossed him out.” About the only good thing that woman ever did for her, although it was really only for her own sake. Naomi hadn’t liked not holding her man’s attention. “Then she came back in to lecture me for sneaking out and told me the attack was my fault for walking around in shorts and tank tops all the time.”

  “Christ.” He shoved a hand through his hair and his lip quivered into a sneer. “She better hope I never meet her.”