Eraser Amber

by Megan Keith

  “You can open your eyes now.”

  She looked at her reflection and gasped when her eyes caught on the necklace. Her hand came up to gently grasp it and she blinked her jade eyes at his reflection.

  “Do you like it?” he asked cautiously.

  “No, I love it.” She continued to stare at the amber crystal heart and he saw the emotion on her face, her eyes wet. “I love it,” she repeated softly, fingering the delicate silver lines encasing it.

  “I love you.” He stared at her before entwining his fingers with hers and tugging her hand away so he could see the jewel. “I gave you my heart a long time ago, Mackenzie, but when I saw this I wanted to give it to you again. This necklace represents the warmth and the sunshine you have brought into my life, and into my heart, since I met you.”

  She spun around and hugged him close. “Thank you. I love you, Nate.”

  He gave her a swift kiss on the lips and then tapped her on the ass. “Come on, I don’t want to be late.”

  He cleared his throat and left the room. Mackenzie could tell he was emotionally choked up. This necklace obviously meant a lot to him. She took one more look in the mirror. It was stunning, but the huge smile she was sporting had more to do with the man who gave it to her, and his reasons for it, than it did the gorgeous jewelry itself.

  Nate was nervous. He hadn’t felt like this since that very first night at the mansion. He had a lot riding on tonight. He had plans for Mackenzie. He’d been waiting for a chance to spoil her. Wrapping his arm around her waist, they exited her building and he pulled her toward their waiting limousine.

  “What’s this?” Mackenzie asked, when the unfamiliar driver opened the door and Nate ushered her inside.

  “I’m trying to buy your affection, of course,” he joked. “Just enjoy it.”

  “Oh, I plan on it,” she happily replied.

  Nate watched her wide eyes take in the large vehicle around them, a smile playing on her lips. They didn’t have far to go but he felt the need to do something extra special tonight. He held her hand in his and kissed her every so often as they made their way through the city.

  “Ooh champagne!” Mackenzie said excitedly. He’d been so busy admiring her and trying to calm his nerves that he’d forgotten all about it.

  “Allow me,” he said, taking the bottle from her hand and popping it open. Mackenzie squealed with delight when the cork hit the roof and champagne spilled to the floor.

  “My, my, what big fizz you give.” She took a sip of her overflowing glass.

  “I’ll show you my big fizz later.” He winked at her.

  “Why not now?” She angled her body to face him. “It would be a shame not to utilize the limo to its fullest potential. It’s to be expected.”

  “Is it?” He chuckled.

  “Yes.”

  “Raincheck? We’re almost there.”

  The car slowed to a stop and Mackenzie pouted, then quickly finished her flute of champagne. Nate ushered her from the car slowly, so as not to damage her just healed, high-heeled leg.

  “Good evening Mr. Pierce, welcome to Délicieux,” the maître d’ greeted him. “Your table is ready. Please follow me.”

  Délicieux was a quiet restaurant, only a low hum of conversation could be heard over the soft classical music playing in the background. They made their way past circular tables decorated with white linen, sparkling silverware and candles floating in glass bowls filled with rose petals. Mackenzie noted everyone was dressed as elegantly as they were – men in tuxedos, women in evening gowns. She thought back to the many times she had served people like this at The Blue Room. How many of them would look down their noses at her when she took their orders. Usually stopping in for a night cap, after having been at a restaurant like this one. She held her head high but couldn’t ignore the eyes on her.

  A couple of people nodded at Nate and Mackenzie as they passed and it occurred to her that they were greeting her as an equal, not at all what she was used to. It made her smile and hold her head higher, though she knew most would not even blink had she been wearing her work clothes, and not been on the arms of such a handsome man who obviously belonged here.

  Nate held her chair out and she took a seat at the table at the edge of the large room. He was fully aware of all the eyes on his woman. She was a sight to behold and he was mad at himself for not flaunting her before now. He couldn’t have been prouder to call her his.

  “Your waiter will be with you shortly,” the maître d’ said with a nod and a slight bow before retreating.

  “Good evening, Nathaniel,” a man and woman both said when they passed the table arm in arm.

  “Good evening,” Nate replied with a smile.

  Then a waitress appeared.

  “Nice to see you again, Sir. Here are the menus for this evening. Can I start by offering you a drink?” The woman was all smiles and Mackenzie couldn’t ignore the way her eyes were traveling Nate’s body like he was on the menu.

  “Mackenzie? What would you like to drink?” Nate asked, his eyes only for her.

  “I wouldn’t mind some more champagne,” she replied, having got the taste for it on the ride over.

  Nate ordered a bottle and the waitress left.

  “This place is beautiful, Nate.” She saw him nod to a man seated at a nearby table. “Do you know everyone here? You come here often?”

  “Is that a line, Mackenzie?” he asked with a cheeky smirk and a raised eyebrow.

  “No.” She laughed.

  “The firm does the accounts for this restaurant and we manage the portfolio for its owner. So yes, I’ve been here a few times.”

  “It’s quite extravagant. I’m surprised you like it here when you prefer simpler things.”

  “What I like is that you don’t expect all this. I do enjoy being extravagant from time to time. It’s nice to treat yourself once in a while. Particularly on special occasions.”

  The waitress returned, popping the cork and pouring their champagne, before taking their meal orders and slipping away. Mackenzie was happy to see that Nate barely paid her any attention, even though she was stunning and couldn’t take her eyes off him. The woman had practically drooled at the sight of the handsome man opposite her and Mackenzie couldn’t blame her. It suddenly occurred to Mackenzie that they really hadn’t spent much time out in public together since they’d started dating. The ogling of her man was something that she’d have to get used to.

  “What are we celebrating?” she asked, lifting her glass for a toast.

  “Us.”

  “I’ll drink to that.” They clinked their glasses and both took a sip, their eyes remaining glued to one another until Nate looked away briefly, looking a little uneasy. “Why is tonight such a special occasion, Nate?”

  “We’re celebrating you no longer being in a cast.”

  He looked nervous which, in turn, made Mackenzie nervous. He opened his mouth but closed it again. Mackenzie hadn’t seen him look this uncomfortable in weeks. She’d been thinking about what would happen between them now that she no longer required Nate’s assistance. Without the cast she had no excuse to keep him at her apartment. And as reluctant as she was for him to leave, she figured it was inevitable. He was probably trying to find a way to break it to her gently, it was time he moved out. Tonight was a reminder of just how wealthy he was, why would he want to stay in her tiny apartment anyhow?

  “So, now that the plaster is gone you are no longer required to slum it with me.” She was trying to play it cool, make light of the situation, even though it tore at her heart to think of not having him in her bed every night. “I’m sure you’re anxious to return to your own apartment so I relieve you of your duties.” She said it with a smile, though it was forced.

  “You won’t be getting rid of me that easily,” Nate replied, with a tight smile of his own. He swallowed the lump in his throat. Why is this so damn hard? Just out with it. “About that ... Mackenzie, I’d-”

  “Well, well, wh
o do we have here?” Mackenzie and Nate were startled by the loud booming voice of Tom. “Imagine seeing you two lovebirds out of the apartment.”

  “Hi Tom,” Mackenzie greeted him with a wide smile. “Would you care to join us?”

  “I would love to,” he replied, pulling a chair from a nearby table.

  Mackenzie was relieved to see Tom’s smiling face. It allowed her the chance to avoid Nate’s conversation of his impending departure for a little while longer. She’d been getting to know Tom recently and had found that he was in fact very wise. The first day they met he had said they would become the best of friends and he was correct. They got along extremely well.

  “Wonders will never cease, you can tear yourselves away from one another and make it out into the daylight.”

  “Ah, you do realize it’s night time, right Tom?” Mackenzie laughed.

  “So it is! I’m surprised you noticed. You two barely come up for air.”

  “Well, it’s a special occasion. We’re celebrating.” Mackenzie lifted the white linen table cloth and swivelled in her chair. Lifting her dress to above her knee, that she could finally bend, she showed Tom her plaster-less leg.

  Tom let out a low whistle. “Back to two sexy legs, hey?”

  “What are you doing here Tom?” Nate interrupted them, trying to keep the annoyance out of his voice. It didn’t work. Tom’s smile dropped when he turned to him. It was almost as if he’d forgotten Nate was even there, he was so preoccupied with Mackenzie. He shouldn’t be upset; it was fantastic that his brother and his girlfriend got along so well, however, dinner with Tom was not on the agenda tonight. He wanted Mackenzie all to himself. “Don’t you have a table to get back to?”

  “I was dining on my lonesome tonight, Nate. But now it appears I’m joining you,” Tom replied with a smirk, not unlike his own. He waved down the nearest waitress and ordered his meal so that there wasn’t any time for Nate to object. Bastard.

  “Did you know we were coming here?” Mackenzie asked.

  “No, it was purely a coincidence,” Tom replied. “A good one at that. You look lovely tonight, Mack.”

  If it wasn’t for the fact that Tom was his brother, and gay, Nate would have been seeing red by this point, having another man weaselling in on his date. But when Mackenzie struck up an easy conversation with Tom, Nate couldn’t help but smile at the way she spoke. She was over the moon happy tonight and he wasn’t about to do anything to jeopardize that, including kicking his brother to the curb.

  The night had not gone according to plan, but Nate had let it go and enjoyed himself none the less.

  “I had a great time tonight,” Mackenzie said, leaning against him in the back of the limo on their way home. “I really like Tom. He’s a lot of fun.” She removed her heels and yawned. “I can’t believe I’m finally going back to work tomorrow.”

  “I really wish you wouldn’t.”

  “Nate, we’ve been through this. I enjoy my job, please don’t argue with me.”

  “I’m not. I don’t understand why you have to rush back though, you only just got the plaster off. You don’t need to be on your feet for eight straight hours so soon, that’s all.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You took your heels off as soon as we got in the car,” he pointed out.

  “I will wear flat shoes tomorrow night, if it will make you happy.” She poked her tongue out at him and he laughed.

  “Yes, that will make me happier.”

  “Good.” She snuggled into his side and closed her eyes.

  “I guess we aren’t going to christen the limo after all,” he said in mock annoyance.

  “Sorry, I’m tired.”

  He kissed her forehead. “That’s okay, I’m not really in the mood.”

  “Ha!” Mackenzie flew into a fit of giggles the more she thought about his comment. “Since when?”

  “Since never.” He laughed. “But I’ll let you off the hook just this once.”

  “Welcome back!” Alex gave Mackenzie a big squeeze. “It’s good to see you, Mack.”

  “Good to see you too, Alex.”

  “I’ve missed you.”

  “You only visited me last week.” She laughed.

  “I know, but it’s not the same as having you here. I’ve missed working with you. Will Mr. Hot Shot be joining us?” he asked, turning to face the door.

  “Nope. I asked him to drop and go.”

  “And he listened? I’m impressed.”

  “He’s not a total control freak, you know.”

  “Yeah, but it’s your first night back and you only got that plaster off yesterday. I kinda expected him to hover a little, you know?”

  “I know. But Nate’s learning what’s good for him.”

  “You cracking that whip, hey?”

  “Something like that.” Mackenzie smirked, knowing just how close to the truth Alex was, except in reverse. Nate is really good with a flogger.

  “Let’s put you to work then,” Alex said with a smile.

  She felt his presence before she saw him. She handed the client in front of her his drink and felt the tiny hairs on the back of her neck raise. The door to the bar opened and there he was, wearing the same navy suit with a lemon colored shirt and tie he’d had on earlier. Her eyes slowly made their way to his face and he gave her a knowing smirk, then flicked his eyes in the direction of his chair.

  To anyone paying attention he was just a man entering a bar on his own. They wouldn’t notice him bypass the waitress closer than need be, or the way his finger grazed her ass as he walked by. The way Mackenzie sucked in a breath would, too, go unnoticed by anyone around them. He made his way to his usual seat and glanced at his watch. Nine o’clock. The last time he had arrived at nine on a Friday night, he’d taken that waitress home and claimed her as his. There was no doubt in his mind he would be doing the same again tonight.

  “No hovering, huh?” Alex said when Mackenzie rounded the bar.

  She only smiled then collected the Glenfiddich from the top shelf, selected a glass and poured. She inhaled the scent that was now ingrained on her soul, then took the amber liquid to her favorite client.

  “Good evening, Sir. Your usual.”

  “Thank you.” He gave her a polite nod then took a cigarette from the pack and lit it, dismissing her. Playing with her.

  Mackenzie smirked then went about her job as usual. She tried to be professional, ignoring the man in the corner, but she could feel his eyes on her and she couldn’t help looking in his direction over and over again. He gave nothing away, only continued to stare at her like that night, his eyes dark, intense and full of heat, no matter how far away from him she worked. He caught her eye on one of those occasions and lifted his finger, signalling another drink order. Mackenzie poured him his drink and made her way to his table again.

  He sat up straighter in his chair when she neared. She leaned across to place the glass of scotch on the low table and he lifted his fingers from his knee to lightly touch just above hers. She paused, looking down on him with those gorgeous jade eyes full of arousal and he slid his hand up higher, until his index finger slipped under the hem of her skirt.

  “You’re one sexy woman. Come home with me,” he said with a husky voice.

  She pushed his hand away, acting annoyed. “I don’t think so.”

  “I could offer you pleasure like you’ve never known before.” He smirked.

  “I think you may be wrong there. My boyfriend has probably tried all the tricks you could think of, Sir.”

  “Is that a challenge?”

  His hand was on her leg again, creeping higher up her thigh. The heat from his touch, and voice, arousing her so much she closed her eyes, briefly forgetting where she was. She allowed it to happen. He quickly withdrew his hand and she opened her eyes to scowl at him.

  “You are one challenge I will accept,” he said.

  Giving him a dirty look she turned around and headed for the bar, hearing him laugh behind her bac
k.

  About half an hour later, Alex approached where she stood behind the bar. “How’s the leg holding up?”

  “Good.” Mackenzie looked down at the flat shoes she had worn. “It feels kind of weird wearing these shoes instead of heels to work though.”

  “I wouldn’t know about that. I’m not one for high heels myself.” Alex laughed and she gave him a friendly shove. “Seriously though, you’re alright?”

  “Yep. I’m good.” She smiled.

  “Go tell your boyfriend that. He looks concerned.”

  Mackenzie followed Alex’s line of sight to see Nate staring at them intently. She grinned at him and he lifted a finger for another drink. Alex poured it this time, placing it on her tray.

  “Things good with you two?” he asked.

  “More than good.” Mackenzie took her tray to the man staring at her, his heat searing her and making her wish it was closing time already. “Everything okay? Alex seems to think you have something on your mind.”

  “Oh I do, Mackenzie. I’ve been sitting here contemplating how many ways a man can drink from a woman’s body. I’ve been imagining how good you would taste,” he lifted his glass from the table and toasted her with it, “covered in this.” He put the glass to his mouth and tilted it back, his dark eyes latched onto hers. Mackenzie stared at his mouth when he licked his lips. “Tell Alex you’ll lock up tonight,” he said, his voice thick with need, his dark eyes focused on hers.

  Mackenzie stood frozen, wetness pooling between her thighs, her muscles clenching with desire. Nate lifted his eyebrow in question, awaiting her answer to his request.

  “Yes Sir,” she managed softly, before walking away to serve other clients.

  She had a hard time keeping her thoughts on her job from that moment on, but on the outside she was sure she had fooled everyone into believing she was being professional. By the time the last client left for the evening, her heart was pounding so loud she was sure Alex could hear it when she stood beside him, counting out the till.