‘Hey, Mac,’ she said before giving him a series of kisses along his jaw.
Mac opened one eye. ‘Hey, yourself. Are you wearing my shirt?’ he said, moving his head and gently catching her bottom lip with his teeth. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, and she could feel him getting hard.
‘Ah huh. I borrowed it,’ she said between kisses.
‘I like that you did. You look good in it.’
‘Charmer.’
‘I like waking up with you in my bed. I can’t wait until it’s happening on a regular basis,’ he said with a grin.
‘I might be persuaded.’
Mac reached up and in one fluid movement pulled Violet beneath him.
‘Mac! What do you think you’re doing?’
‘Persuading you, sweetheart,’ he said with a grin as he settled between her thighs. ‘Persuading you.’
Violet stepped into the shower and smiled with pleasure as the steamy water ran over her body. It was amazing to make love to someone she totally cared about and who loved her.
Was it wrong to feel this happy? She was in love as an adult woman for the first time—really truly in love. It came from somewhere deep inside her and it felt strong, dependable and profound. Comparing it to what she’d once felt for Jason seemed almost laughable. She’d been so young and naive and though their love affair had been bright, hot and exciting, it had burnt out as soon as the realities of life encroached on them. But this feeling with Mac was something different altogether. Already she could imagine a future together. Yeah, how about that? Life sometimes did end up happily ever after and there was the odd rainbow.
She hadn’t meant it to happen but Mac had wound his way into her heart. And she was so very glad he had.
Violet squirted shower gel onto her palm. It smelt of Mac—cool and clean. She lathered herself with the foaming bubbles and started to hum. All she wanted to do was go back to Mac’s bed—again. After prevaricating for so long, she couldn’t get enough of him.
Her cheeks flushed with heat as she remembered last night. It was in the way he held her and the way he’d made love to her until her body trembled. If she closed her eyes she could almost feel his lips on her nipples, feel him entering her so gently, their orgasms shuddering together and, just as beautiful, Mac holding her in his arms and stroking her afterwards, kissing her neck and telling her how much he loved her.
She ducked her head under the stream of water. Enough! She had to make sure the wedding went off without a hitch. She’d have to leave fantasising about Mac till later. With a little luck, maybe tonight after the wedding was over and Holly was in bed, then they could have a few moments relaxing together.
Savouring the thought for a while, she finally turned off the water, stepped out of the shower and snatched up a fluffy towel. She walked back into the bedroom and suppressed a pang of disappointment when she saw the bed was empty and Mac was gone.
Violet picked up her watch from the nightstand. It was 7.32 so she was already running behind. She slipped back into her clothes and hunted for her shoes. One she found rammed under the bed while the other was halfway down the hallway. She bit back a smile. How had that happened?
She could smell bacon cooking and the heavenly scent of coffee and smiled, realising Mac hadn’t had a chance to drink the one she’d brought to him. Following her nose, she headed downstairs to the kitchen.
Mac was standing with his back to her as she walked through the door. He looked over his shoulder and gave her a grin which melted her heart. His hair was still damp from the shower, it was slicked back, except for one lock that fell forward towards his eye.
Did any man have the right to look that sexy at seven-thirty in the morning?
‘Hey, sweetheart. Sit down and I’ll grab you a coffee,’ he said.
Violet walked over and placed her hand on his shoulder. ‘Thanks,’ she said, reaching up and giving him a kiss on the cheek.
In a fluid movement, Mac moved the frypan off the heat and pulled her to him, kissing her as if he could never get enough.
With each heartbeat, his kisses became more demanding, until finally Violet gasped. Heat travelled through her body. God, she wanted him again. She clung onto his broad shoulders and kissed him back.
By the time they broke apart both of them needed to catch their breath.
‘Now that’s what I call a good morning kiss,’ Mac said as he rested his forehead against hers.
‘Yes, yes it was,’ said Violet, smiling.
Mac released her. ‘Go and sit down and I’ll get your breakfast. Although, I have to admit it isn’t my best work. I got distracted.’
Violet sat down and a couple of minutes later Mac placed a plate of bacon, eggs and toast in front of her.
‘Are we sharing this?’ she said, staring down at the quantity of it.
‘Nope. I already had mine. I have to stop by the shearing shed now and then there are a few other things I’ve got to clear out of the way. I’ll be back by lunchtime in case you need any more help with the wedding.’
Violet swallowed a mouthful and put her hand up to her mouth and said, ‘This is good.’
‘I’m glad. So what are you doing this morning?’
‘What, other than the walk of shame, only about a hundred things.’
Mac placed a coffee down in front of her and frowned. ‘What the hell are you talking about?’
‘Oh you know; arriving home in the same clothes I wore the day before, after spending a night in a sexy man’s bed.’
‘There’s no shame in that, honey,’ said Mac leaning over and kissing her on top of the head. ‘None at all.’
‘Well, I do have to change and pick up my clothes for the wedding. After that, I better go over to your mum’s place and see how she and Holly are going.’
‘I wouldn’t worry. You know Mum loves her.’
‘Yes, I know. She also knows about Jason being Holly’s father.’
‘I think she’s had her suspicions ever since you returned home. I know Holly looks like you in just about every way except she does have Jason’s eyes. I guess Mum probably has a few questions she’d like to ask. Maybe you should sit down and have a bit of a chat with her?’
‘I will, I promise. But only after the wedding’s done and dusted. Anyway, I still have to double-check everything is set for this afternoon. We have hair and makeup arriving at one o’clock, so that will keep Celine and her bridesmaids busy. The photographer will be here a bit after that. Celine wanted everything documented before the ceremony as well as during it and at the reception.’
Mac shook his head. ‘Everything?’
‘Pretty much.’
‘I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—bat-shit crazy. I wish they’d bloody eloped.’
Violet leaned back on her chair and smiled at him. ‘If they’d done that, we may not have got together.’
‘No way, I would have found you soon enough,’ said Mac, a grin spreading over his face. ‘No matter how insane today gets, it’ll be worth it because once it’s all over, I’ll still have you,’ Mac said as he picked up his hat and headed to the door.
‘The things you say, Mac McKellan. I’ll see you later, then?’
‘You can count on it, sweetheart.’
Chapter 32
There just didn’t seem to be enough time. No matter how fast Violet moved, unexpected things kept being thrown at her. She’d already comforted a distraught bridesmaid who was convinced she looked like an overblown stick of fairy floss in her pink dress. Plus, the box of spare candles had vanished and then she was busy trying to track down the missing makeup artist.
She was just moving a large crystal bowl of roses on the entryway table to allow room for the guestbook when she heard a car rolling up the drive.
Violet glanced at her watch and headed over to the window, hoping against hope it was the makeup artist, who was already two hours late and not answering her mobile. Violet made a mental note as soon as she got back to he
r office that she was removing Katie’s Professional Makeup Artistry from her contacts list. Looking out she watched as the car sped to the front of the house and screeched to a halt. A tall man in an exquisitely tailored suit stepped out of a blue BMW.
Violet frowned, so not ‘Katie’ the makeup artist then. From his bone structure and the harassed look on his face, he had to be Celine’s father.
She looked around the almost wedding-perfect area, there was no sign of Mac or Sarah, and as far as she knew Celine was upstairs with all her bridesmaids. There was nothing for it, she’d have to get the door.
Violet readjusted her messy updo as she headed to the front door, opening it just as the man knocked on the other side.
‘Hello, and welcome to McKellan’s Run,’ said Violet with a cheery smile.
There was a slight smile on his lips but it didn’t reach his eyes as he studied Violet’s shirt and jeans-clad form.
‘Is Celine here?’
‘Yes,’ said Violet, thinking he was as rude as his daughter.’
‘Laurie Thornton, father of the bride,’ he said, looking past her.
‘Please come in,’ said Violet, swinging the door open wider and standing to one side. ‘I’m Violet Beckett, the wedding planner. Celine is upstairs with the bridesmaids. It’s the first door on the left.’
Violet felt the room temperature drop suddenly as an invisible frost wall crashed down between them.
‘So you’re Violet Beckett?’
‘Yes.’ Violet pushed back her shoulder and stood a little straighter.
‘I’ve heard a lot about you.’
‘All good I hope,’ said Violet, smiling innocently. ‘I have a lot of things to do. Celine is upstairs on the left.’
‘I told her to be wary of you. We thought—’
‘I’d be very careful about the next words out of your mouth,’ Mac said as he walked through the doorway and next to Violet, draping his arm around her. ‘It’s your daughter’s wedding but this is my house and my land.’
‘So you’re Jason’s famous brother?’ said Laurie.
‘That’s right. Now as Violet said, Celine is upstairs. Don’t let us keep you.’
Thornton nodded, before walking to the stairs, his back stiff and unbending.
With a pang of regret Violet wriggled out of Mac’s arms. ‘I’ve still got some stuff to finish up. What do you have to do?’
‘Kiss you again.’
Violet reached up and kissed his cheek.
‘Seriously, that’s all I get?’
A grin tugged at her lips. ‘Yep, that’s it. Now go and do whatever it is you have to do.’
‘I’m heading up to get changed in a minute. What about you?’
‘I just want to do the last minute run-through to make sure everything is perfect.’
‘Okay, I’ll see you soon,’ said Mac, kissing Violet on the top of her head before heading upstairs.
Violet stood there for a moment thinking how much she loved him and how well he wore a pair of jeans.
Violet tapped on the door as she pushed it open. The room was filled with women, including the errant makeup artist, bridesmaids’ tulle and the air smelled of French perfume and roses. Celine turned her head towards the hairdresser, who was just pinning in the tiara and wispy veil and gave Violet a slight smile.
No matter how Violet felt about Celine, she had to admit she made an absolutely stunning bride.
‘You look beautiful, Celine. Absolutely breathtaking.’
For once the smile on Celine’s lips reached her eyes. ‘Thank you, Violet,’ she said as she stood up and walked over to the full-length mirror hanging on the wall.
The gilt-edged mirror was ornately carved with flowers and cherubs. Violet glanced at the reflection. For a second, Celine looked like a serene princess from a fairytale. The moment vanished as Celine looked over at Violet.
‘The Cassidys have just messaged me. They’re going to be able to make it after all. So, that’s another three for the reception and dinner. You’ll let Dan know, won’t you?’
Violet bit her tongue. ‘Yes, of course,’ she said as she went to leave.
‘Oh, and Violet, Marina Cassidy is gluten-free and young Amelia doesn’t like orange food.’
‘Orange food?’
‘Carrots, oranges, pumpkin; anything orange in colour.’
Violet wanted to say that at this late notice Amelia should be grateful for whatever she could get, but Celine had already turned back to admire herself in the mirror a little longer.
Violet checked her watch as she sprinted back down the hallway. There was less than two hours before the wedding started and she had to squeeze in another three dinner settings to her finished reception space. Even worse, now she had to break the news of more guests to Dan.
She stopped outside the master bedroom and knocked on the door. It swung open and Mac seemed to fill the space.
‘Hey, sweetheart,’ he said before he swooped down and laid a kiss on her mouth.
It would have been so tempting to give in to it but Violet placed her hands on his shoulders and gently pushed him back.
‘Have you seen Dan?’
‘We’re really going to have to work on how you greet me. I swear I’m beginning to feel unloved.’
Violet let out an exasperated sigh. ‘I love you, Mac McKellan, but at the moment I need your brother.’
With a shake of his head, Mac stepped aside and opened the door to reveal Dan in the centre of the room.
‘Mac, I can’t get this tie to work. Oh, hi Violet.’
‘Forget the tie, we have a little problem,’ said Violet. ‘There are another three guests coming. One is gluten-free and one doesn’t like orange food.’
‘You’re messing with me, right?’
‘Nope, I’m serious. Apparently there shouldn’t be any orange food on the plate. So no carrots, mangoes or pumpkin. I’m about to try and fit in another three table settings. God only knows where.’
‘Shit,’ said Dan. ‘This bloody wedding’s going to be the death of me.
‘My sentiments exactly. I’ve got to run,’ said Violet.
Violet turned to leave but paused just long enough to rise up on tiptoes and give Mac a kiss on the cheek. ‘I’ll see you later.’
‘We are so working on this,’ he growled as he tried unsuccessfully to catch her.
‘Tomorrow, Mac, I promise we’ll start working on it tomorrow,’ Violet said with a smile as she headed down the hallway.
‘Mac, did Violet Beckett just say she loved you?’ came Dan in a booming voice.
‘You bet your arse she did,’ said Mac, beaming.
Violet scrutinized the table where she’d fitted in another three settings. She’d had to move everything around and it was a pretty tight squeeze.
‘Well, that will just have to do and if anyone else turns up they’ll have to eat their dinner in the kitchen,’ she muttered to herself.
‘You know, darling, talking to yourself is the first sign of madness,’ said Sarah, standing in the doorway hand in hand with Holly.
‘The first sign? This wedding has definitely sent me around the bend. I think I can safely say I’ve been there, done that and bought the t-shirt. You look beautiful by the way, Sarah,’ said Violet smiling at her. The periwinkle blue of Sarah’s dress accentuated her eyes and showed off her figure to its best advantage. ‘Fab dress! I love it.’
‘Oh, so do I, but you don’t think it’s a bit too much? Is the colour too bright?’
‘No, absolutely not! You look terrific, you really do. As do you, sweetie,’ Violet said as she scooped Holly up in her arms. ‘That’s a very pretty dress you’re wearing.’
‘Thanks! Nana Sarah bought it for me.’
‘I hope you don’t mind, Violet. It’s just that we were out shopping and we both fell in love with it.’
Violet looked down at the creation in soft pink and tiny rosebuds. ‘Of course I don’t mind. Thank you.’
Violet gave Hol
ly a quick squeeze before she put her down. ‘Now, what are you two up to?’
‘Nana Sarah said I shouldn’t go and see the kittens just yet in my new dress so we’re going to see if we can help in the kitchen,’ said Holly as she twirled and swished her skirt.
‘What she really means is, we’re going to see if we can snag something to eat before the wedding starts,’ said Sarah.
‘Mind that Dan doesn’t catch you.’
‘What can he do? I mean, I am his mother.’ Sarah laughed and held out her hand to Holly. ‘Let’s see what yummy things we can find. Shouldn’t you get changed, Violet? It’s almost time.’
Violet glanced at her watch. Damn, where had the last half an hour gone?
‘I sure should. I’ll see you both at the ceremony.’
‘Bye, Mummy,’ Holly said, blowing her a kiss.
Violet made a great show of catching it in mid-air before she blew one back. ‘Be good.’
‘I’m sure she’s always good,’ Sarah answered.
‘But I was talking to you, Sarah,’ said Violet, laughing as she hurried towards the door.
‘Your mummy is very cheeky,’ said Sarah to Holly.
‘Yep, she is,’ Holly said with a laugh.
Chapter 33
Violet brushed a thread off her slate-grey jacket as she made her way down the hallway. Mac appeared and wrapped his arms around her waist as she walked past the study.
‘Not so fast, Ms Beckett,’ he said, pulling her close, his lips nuzzling the side of her neck. ‘Did I ever tell you just how sexy you are in a suit?’
‘No, but I’m listening,’ she said, looking up and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. ‘You scrub up well. You’re pretty damn hot in a tux.’
‘Just in a tux?’
‘Nah, I’d have to say all the time.’ Violet stood on tiptoes to kiss him just as someone knocked at the door.
‘Sorry but, um, Mac, I need to talk to you for a minute,’ said Jason, standing in the doorway, looking serious.
Mac let go of Violet’s hand and kissed her. ‘I’ll be right back.’
Violet reached up and wiped a tiny smear of lipstick from the edge of his lips. ‘Okay,’ she said with smile. ‘The ceremony is going to start soon. Are you alright? Is there a problem?’ she said to Jason.
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