Eraser Amber

by Megan Keith

“Nate, you can’t carry me everywhere.”

  “Wanna bet?” He smirked at her before flipping her over his shoulder. Big mistake. Her cast hit him in the groin. “Ahh.”

  Mackenzie giggled, upside down against his back. “See?”

  He carried her into the bathroom anyway. She spoke between laughter, “Hey! A bit of privacy would be good!”

  “Sorry,” he muttered, before backing out the door. He had trouble taking his eyes off her when she was laughing, even more so when she was naked, and hadn’t even realized he was still gawking at her when she was about to take a pee. No sooner had he shut the door than Mackenzie was calling his name. “Yeah?”

  “Could you please get my purse?”

  “Sure.” He retrieved it from the guest room, stopping outside the bathroom door, he called, “What do you need from it?” as he opened the bag.

  Mackenzie was embarrassed but she knew he would find out sooner or later. “A tampon.”

  “Oh, I-”

  “Just hand it over,” she said, opening the door just enough for him to slip her bag through.

  “Sorry,” she said moments later, when she hobbled back out the door wrapped in a towel.

  “What for?”

  “Well, for just turning our romance into a reality. That was a bit awkward.”

  “It’s fine, Mackenzie. It’s life.” He shrugged, then came closer to wrap his arms around her. “You know I have no boundaries, I can handle it.”

  Mackenzie smiled into his chest. “Oh, don’t I know it. It’s a relief though, don’t you think? I mean, after our earlier mishap.”

  “I guess you’re right,” Nate replied, though he hadn’t given it much thought. He began to wonder what it would be like to have Mackenzie’s belly bulging with his child. He realized it was a vision he wouldn’t mind seeing come to fruition at all.

  “Now help me get dressed.”

  “So bossy!” he said, lifting her into his arms and placing her on the bed. “I’ll go find you something to wear.”

  He got her dressed quickly and Mackenzie was grateful that they’d got to make love beforehand, particularly when Nate was so handsome that she wanted nothing more than to do it again.

  “Aren’t you forgetting something?” she asked, once he had both of their bags packed to go to her apartment. She remained seated on the edge of the bed watching as he zipped up the suitcase beside her.

  “No?”

  She nodded to the night stand. “Condoms?”

  “Oh but you’re … you know.”

  “For an intelligent man, you’re not very bright.” She laughed. “Luckily that only lasts for a couple of days, Nate.”

  “Of course!” He unzipped the case, opening it wide, then pulled the drawer completely out of its housing. Mackenzie laughed when he tipped the contents into his suitcase. There were four boxes of condoms, each with twelve inside, not counting the one they’d already used.

  “A wee bit optimistic, don’t you think?”

  “I’d call it realistic. You said two weeks until your contraceptive pills kick back in. Two weeks is a long time for us.”

  “You’re still surmising four condoms per day. I’d definitely call that overconfidence.”

  “Oh, you’re a smart and sassy woman, Mackenzie Reed, but don’t ever doubt my sexual prowess.”

  “I wouldn’t dare!” she giggled.

  Nate pounced on her. He leaned over her body, his hands against the mattress, one each side of her hips, caging her in so she had to crane her neck to see his face.

  “You know you’ll give yourself to me any time I want you to. I have the upper hand here, Mackenzie. It will serve you well to remember that.” Her jade eyes widened, her pupils dilated and with a shallow breath she licked her lips. He knew how much she loved when he spoke to her like that. She could never deny it, not when it was written over her face so clearly.

  He stood back and crossed his arms, giving her his flashiest smile. Bastard. He knew exactly what he did to her.

  “Okay, you win!” She threw her hands up in mock frustration. “Now carry me home!”

  Though Nate knew the power he held over her, they both knew she had equal power. He’d do anything for Mackenzie, even if that included carrying her from one side of the city to the other. Not that he was about to, because at that moment Simon knocked on the bedroom door to collect their belongings and drive them to her apartment.

  Mackenzie insisted on using the crutches that had sat idle since he’d brought her home from the hospital. She winced every step of the way to the elevator, and from the elevator to the car. Such a stubborn woman! So when they got to her apartment and he exited the car, he pulled the crutches from her grasp before she got a chance to stand.

  “I’ll be carrying you up those stairs, Mackenzie. No argument.”

  “No arguments from me.” Her armpits were already killing her from using those nasty sticks of torture, and the thought of using them for two flights of stairs was not a pleasant one. She may be an independent person but if she had to choose between being carried by her handsome man or inflicting herself with more pain, the choice was very simple.

  While still in his arms she took her key from her purse and unlocked the door.

  “Who’d have thought I’d be carrying you over the threshold so soon?” Nate joked as he stepped through the doorway. He got her seated on the sofa and then followed Simon down the stairs to get the rest of their belongings from the car.

  Through the open door Mackenzie watched Nate retreat down the hallway and sighed. She knew his comment was meant in jest but it made her realize just how serious their relationship had become. And so quick! She’d practically invited him to move in. Oh god! The situation was only meant to be temporary, but what if he thought –

  “Knock knock,” Andrea sang, entering the apartment through the open doorway. Mackenzie focused on her welcomed smiling face. “You were a million miles away. Staring right through me you were.”

  “I was? Sorry about that.” Mackenzie sat up straighter.

  “Never mind. I’m glad you’re home.” Andrea leaned down to give Mackenzie a quick hug. “Was that Nathaniel I saw leaving?”

  “Yes. He’s getting our things from the car.”

  “Our things, huh? That sounds promising.”

  Mackenzie smiled and nodded her head. “It is.”

  Andrea took a seat beside her. “I’m glad.”

  They both watched Simon and Nate climb the last of the stairs and head their way.

  “Looks like he’s moving in,” Andrea commented after noticing the arms of both men were full.

  “No. No. It’s only temporary. While I’m in plaster.”

  “But things are good?” Andrea leaned closer and asked Mackenzie softly.

  “Yes.” Mackenzie bit her lip, taking in the sight of Nate walking her way. His eyes were lit up, a smirk playing on his lips, a swagger in his walk. He looked happy. She was happy. How am I meant to send that packing once I’m on my feet?

  “Andrea, hi!” Nate greeted her, then turned to Mackenzie. “I’ll just take these to our room.” He continued past them, bag and suitcase in hand.

  “Our room?” Andrea mouthed.

  “Temporary,” Mackenzie mumbled.

  “Keep telling yourself that.” Andrea laughed.

  They said their goodbyes to Simon and Andrea stood to leave.

  “Andrea, would you like to stay for dinner?” Nate asked, re-entering the living room. “We picked up some Indian.”

  “No thanks, I’m good.”

  “You sure? We have plenty.” He gave her a friendly smile and Mackenzie was pleased to see them getting along, for some reason it made her extra happy.

  “Thanks for the offer, but I have plans. I was just heading out … with my boyfriend,” she added, in a sing-song voice.

  “Boyfriend? So you and Henry?”

  “Yep. All sorted.”

  “That’s great!” Mackenzie beamed at her friend.


  “Turns out we want the same things after all.” She glared pointedly between Nate and Mackenzie. “Seems to be a lot of that going around.”

  Mackenzie caught Nate’s eye and gave him her biggest smile. It made his heart swell.

  “Good to see you both! I’ll shut the door on my way out, shall I?”

  Mackenzie and Nate were still staring at each other when the door closed a couple of seconds later. “Bye Andrea!” they both called out at the same time.

  Nate stalked over to Mackenzie, his eyes never leaving hers. He leaned over the side of the sofa and pressed a searing kiss to her mouth. Her lips parted of their own accord as Nate pushed his tongue inside.

  She moaned sexily and he quickened his pace, bringing his hands to her cheeks. His body followed, his cock straining painfully against the side of the furniture his woman was seated on. She pushed him away with a smile.

  He cleared his throat. “Let’s eat!”

  Mackenzie laughed at his awkward walk to the kitchen. “You, ah, you got something going on down there, Nate?” she teased, pointing at his tented track pants when he faced her.

  “You did that. And if you’re not careful, you’ll be using your mouth to fix it.” Mackenzie gaped at him with wide eyes, her body instantly heating. “Just because one part of you is out of action doesn’t mean we can’t find other ways. I’m not teasing either.”

  “I don’t doubt it,” Mackenzie said under her breath, trying to calm herself down.

  She silently watched Nate set about getting their dinner ready. Then he came to Mackenzie’s side and she used him to lean on as she hobbled over to the dining table.

  “Too much, too soon?” Nate asked, after a short while.

  “Sorry?” Mackenzie lifted a glass of water to her lips.

  “My comment about the blow job. Please tell me if I’ve overstepped the mark. You know how I feel about honesty.”

  “Don’t make me laugh,” Mackenzie spluttered, choking on the water.

  “Honesty, from now on. I promise. There are no more secrets between us, Mackenzie. Not a one. So please tell me why you’re so quiet.”

  “Your comment turned me on, Nate. No mark overstepped, I promise.” Mackenzie laughed and shook her head, loving the easiness that had re-formed between the two of them since their earlier declarations. After a couple of mouthfuls of food, she said, “I suppose I’m quiet because I’m just taking it all in. This month with you has been the biggest whirlwind of my life and I can’t help but wonder if things will ever be normal with us, you know?”

  “Normal? That’d be boring.” He chuckled. “I’ll always be wanting your body, Mackenzie, no matter what the circumstances, so that-”

  “Not really what I meant, Nate.”

  “I know. Things will settle down. You heard what the police said, Greg is out of the picture.”

  “Thank god!”

  “And then there’s you and me.” He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Mackenzie, I love you and I promise to never keep another thing from you again. I know we got off to a rocky start-”

  “The rockiest.”

  “But I have a good feeling about us.”

  “Me too, Nate. Me too.”

  Later that night, Nate was wrapping a blanket around Mackenzie on the sofa as they snuggled in to watch a DVD. He’d allowed her to pick the movie and hadn’t argued in the slightest at her ‘chick flick’ choice. He adjusted the blanket until it was perfect.

  She could hardly move, she was tucked in so tight.

  “You’re loving this, aren’t you?” Normally, she’d be at the bar working by now. “You love that I’m unable to work and I’m dependent on you.”

  “No, Mackenzie, I’m not loving the fact that you’re injured. I hate that I almost lost you.”

  “The accident wasn’t your fault.”

  “I know that now. But the way I’ve treated you and the file-”

  “Shh.” Mackenzie held her finger to his lips. “Let’s not talk about any of that ever again. We’re putting that behind us and starting afresh. Okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “Pardon?” she asked, stifling a giggle.

  “Yes, Mackenzie.” He rolled his eyes at her then leaned down to give her a kiss. “To be completely honest, I do love taking care of you, though.”

  “I can tell. And I love to be taken care of by you.”

  “Good. Now watch the movie.”

  “I’m free!” Mackenzie took a couple of steps and faltered. “And clumsy, too, apparently!” She giggled loudly and Nate took her hand.

  “Come on, silly girl. Let’s celebrate!”

  “Yes please.”

  He pulled her from the doctor’s office and marched her to the street. Mackenzie’s happy smile lit up the interior as they sat themselves in the car. She’d finally gotten the plaster removed and she was giddy with glee. Nate couldn’t take his eyes off her. Not that that was anything new.

  “So what do you want to do now that you’re free?” he asked.

  “Bathe. I want to soak myself senseless in a hot bath. This leg hasn’t seen water in weeks.”

  “I can help you with that.”

  “Oh, I bet you can, Sir.”

  Nate laughed. “I’m taking you out to dinner tonight, though.”

  “You are? Where are you taking me?”

  “You’ll find out. First, let me take you home so that you can have that soak.”

  They had been living together in Mackenzie’s apartment for six weeks now and their relationship had gone from strength to strength. She’d found learning to live with another person was surprisingly simple. Mackenzie had also found she’d fallen more in love with Nate every single day. He took care of her in a way that she’d never had someone do for her before. He cooked for her, helped her shower, made sweet, sweet love to her, more than that, he’d been real with her, no more secrets or lies, everything laid bare. And she’d been just as open.

  Not to say things had been perfect. They were both stubborn so they’d had their fair share of arguments, but the good times outweighed the bad, and the making up times after a fight made them both want to goad the other into an argument. Constantly.

  “Nate?” Mackenzie called from where she was lying in the bath, shrivelling to a prune, her first opportunity to do so in the longest time.

  “Yes?” he asked, appearing in the doorway. He looked so damn sexy in nothing but a pair of worn jeans and his trademark smirk.

  “Aren’t you going to join me?”

  “If I get in there with you, we’ll never make our reservation, Mackenzie.”

  “I don’t care. Please Nate.” She pouted at him in the way she knew drove him wild.

  He chuckled and folded his arms across his chest. “Stop that. You know how incredibly hard you are to resist.”

  “I know how incredibly hard you are right now, Sir,” she said, looking pointedly at the bulge in his jeans. “So why don’t you come over here. I can help you with that.” She winked.

  “Fuck! You’re an infuriating woman,” he said with a groan. “Stop interfering with my plans.”

  “Stop trying to control everything,” she countered with a smile.

  “Control? I’ve been out of control since you entered my life!” He chuckled. He shook his head, then turned and walked away. “Delayed gratification, Mackenzie. Look it up!”

  “Fuck you and your delayed gratification!” she yelled after him, causing him to laugh from the other room.

  Yes, she was deliriously happy.

  It was the first time Mackenzie had gone out in ages. She’d spent nearly all of her time since the accident locked away in her apartment. Finally having the opportunity to dress up and join the real world again had her excited. Under strict instructions to ‘wear something elegant’ she put on a sparkly silver evening gown. It fit her well, hugging her hips, showing off her back and dipping enticingly low in front, baring just the right amount of cleavage and dropping almost to her ankles. It w
as a dress that she’d acquired on her shopping spree with Nate all those months ago but this was the first opportunity she’d had to wear it.

  “Do you think that’s wise?”

  Mackenzie lifted her head from where she was perched on the edge of the bed, strapping up her shoe. She let her eyes slide up his frame, from the shiny black shoes to his face, where her gaze met his hungry one. His hair was gelled back, something she’d never seen him do, and though he hadn’t shaved in a few days his facial hair was neatly trimmed, the look suited him. It was also the first time she had seen him wearing a tux. He looked positively delicious.

  “Hmm?”

  “The shoes. Do you think heels are a wise idea? You just got rid of the plaster today. I don’t want you injuring yourself.”

  “I’ve missed wearing my heels, Nate.”

  She’d picked the pair he loved the most, the black ones with diamantes on the cuffs. The fact they matched her dress was just a bonus. Mackenzie stood and did a slow twirl, loving the way Nate’s eyes stuck to her.

  “Thank fuck for heels,” he said under his breath, but she heard.

  “I thought you’d say that.” Mackenzie smiled at him then swanned her way to the long mirror in the corner of the room. “See, I’m fine,” she said, lifting her dress and showing him her bare legs. She kicked her previously injured one out to prove her point.

  “You are more than fine.” Nate came up behind her, pressing the length of his body against hers, watching her fix her dress. He caught her eye in the mirror. “You are exquisite, papillon.” He gathered her long hair and swept it over to one side, baring her back. He ran a finger the length of her spine and then, leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder. She shivered. “You’re mouth-wateringly,” kiss, “sexy.” He saw the goose bumps on her skin and pressed another kiss, moving toward her neck for yet another. He kissed under her ear, then whispered, “I have something for you. Close your eyes.”

  Mackenzie did as she was asked and he withdrew the necklace from his jacket pocket. Lifting his arms around her from behind, he placed the jewelry over her neck, clasping it closed at the back and then loosened her hair. He admired the beauty in front of him and hoped like hell she’d like his choice.