McKenzie leaned in closer to me, her mouth brushing the shell of my ear. “Has there been anyone since me?”
I gulped, shaking my head. If she only knew how much she consumed me. No one could ever replace her. “No,” I managed.
“Good.” She grabbed my wrist with her free hand, pulling the roach to her lips, while sliding her other over the outline of my erection. I groaned as I watched her take a long drag. “Finish this,” she uttered, letting the smoke escape her lungs into the air above us.
“What about you?” I barely mumbled, because my mind was too focused on the hand that was teasing me.
“My mouth is needed elsewhere.”
I put the remainder of the joint to my lips, taking one last pull, as I watched my beautiful girl drop gracefully to her knees. She unbuttoned my shorts, maintaining eye contact, as she pushed them and my boxers down my legs. I steadied myself, holding on to the lip of the stove as her mouth enveloped me. Lost in an oblivion of Mary Jane and McKenzie, I closed my eyes and exhaled.
C
hapter Twelve
Gentle rays of sunlight danced into McKenzie's bedroom, casting a soft glow of warm light over her silky skin. Unlike when I first arrived, McKenzie appeared relaxed. Content, almost. A gorgeous shade of red painted her plump lips. Golden eyelashes fanned over her cheeks. Her furrowed brow was now smooth and even as I once remembered it.
I leaned up on my elbow, admiring the beauty that rested beside me. Last night hadn’t gone at all as I expected. Although sleeping with McKenzie was definitely a happy circumstance. At first, I was a little surprised and very confused. The way she treated me, it almost felt as though she was using me. Not that I minded. What man would say no to a hot woman using him for sex? So, I kept my mouth shut, figuratively speaking, and simply obeyed her commands. If that’s what it took to break down the powerful walls she’d built up around her then she could exploit me as much as she needed.
And my perseverance paid off. When the walls finally crumbled, my darling girl reemerged, slaying the ferocious woman who needed to dominate me. We spent hours making sweet love. All of the pain I’d harbored evaporated in her arms. I felt renewed. When she whispered her plea for me to stay, as she drifted off to sleep, my heart rejoiced and broke simultaneously. That one little word ‘stay’ echoed through my mind while I slept. There was so much power in that single word.
McKenzie let out a tiny moan and turned toward me. Her hair fell across her eyes. I gently pushed it back, careful not to wake her, and fanned it over her pillow. She was such a rare beauty that she could’ve easily been a fairytale princess, and the fact that she didn't realize it only enhanced her charm.
My princess, I thought to myself, lightly tracing the lines of her lips with my fingertip. Was the princess really meant to save the prince from a life of damnation? Every fairytale I remember had the prince rescuing his princess. So McKenzie couldn't be a princess. No, instead she had to be, "An Angel," I whispered under my breath.
My beautiful Angel.
Prior to this moment, I hadn’t really thought about the implications of using an angel’s wing to depict McKenzie in my tattoo, but now, I couldn’t imagine her being depicted by anything else. A lump formed in my throat and my heart sank in my chest. I had searched for someone like McKenzie my whole life. Someone who understood me, accepted me, and cared for me without rhyme or reason. Someone who saw past the Wise legacy, and saw me as a man with passions, wants, and needs. I yearned for that type of love, and thought I’d found it with Rebecca, but I had been sorely mistaken.
The thought of Rebecca was another reminder of why I’d come to McKenzie’s apartment last night. She was one of the many topics I needed to discuss with McKenzie. There was so much I needed to tell her; so much I wanted to say, but in those wee hours of the morning all I wanted to do was love her. We had time. She’d listen now. My heart and my head both agreed on that point. No more secrets. I’d tell her everything. Even if it meant my father would disown me.
As I gazed upon my sleeping angel, I shifted my weight, rolling forward a little so my arm wouldn’t go numb. A furry head bobbed up from the foot of the bed in dispute to my movements. Mackie’s bright green eyes scolded me for disturbing her slumber. This was a look I knew all too well from my own boys. She opened her tiny mouth in a wide yawn as she pawed at my ankles. Most of the night she’d remained scarce. Lucky for me, she didn’t try to attack me in my sleep.
Mackie stood up, stretching out her paws in front of her. Her slender back sank low and her fine dark hair lifted from her body. She scraped her claws along the comforter over my ankles, reminding me of whose bed I was in. I wanted to hate this cat, which was unusual for me because I’d always loved animals, but there was something in Mackie’s personality that reminded me of McKenzie. Mackie was protecting her owner, and I had nothing but respect for this tiny feline, even if she had clawed the hell out of me.
I brushed my fingers down along McKenzie's jaw. Her long eyelashes fluttered opened and a sweet smile appeared on her lips. She squirmed under the covers, stretching her limbs quite similar to how Mackie had only moments earlier. Mackie bounced up to her, nuzzling her nose against McKenzie’s hand, purring rather loud. "Good morning," she whispered. "How’s my little girl?”
McKenzie scratched behind Mackie’s ears. The cat cut her eyes to me with the smuggest expression. I chuckled at the way this little kitten taunted me. Little Diva. It was safe to say, I liked this cat.
I reached over and tenderly trailed my fingers along McKenzie’s jaw. She purred nearly as loud to my touch as the cat had to hers. “Good morning, Beautiful.”
A tender smile appeared, lighting up her eyes. “Good morning to you too. You stayed.” She sounded almost surprised by that notion.
“I told you I wasn’t going anywhere.”
“I know.” Her smile faltered.
Wishing to reassure her that I wasn’t leaving, I brushed my thumb across her lips, drawing them to mine. Her fingers curled into the hair at the nape of my neck. The sweet, innocent kiss ignited with fire and passion in a matter of seconds. She gently traced my bottom lip with the tip of her tongue as her body moved closer to mine. My heart started to beat wildly in my chest, as I opened my mouth inviting her inside.
McKenzie didn't hesitate. Her soft tongue slipped between my lips. My hands reached up into her golden locks as I fused my mouth to hers. I pulled her closer to me as the hunger for her ignited inside of me once more. If she only realized what she did to me. How a single touch of her lips caused me to lose all control.
Our bodies moved toward each other as though gravity was pulling us together. She pressed her chest to mine, as my hands moved down her back, cupping her firm ass. From the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Mackie, bounding off the bed in a huff. Serves her right for flaunting her morning affection in my face.
My fingers travelled back up McKenzie’s body, sliding over the curve of her hip and along her thigh. I pushed the covers away from her body as though I was unwrapping a delicate present intended only for me. She placed her hands on my chest and pushed me to my back. Her lips trailed down my neck as she crawled on top of me. There was nothing more beautiful in the world than a naked McKenzie. All I wanted to do was touch her. Slowly, I explored her gorgeous curves, savoring the feel of her warmth pressed into my stomach. She cupped my face in her hands, pressing a passionate kiss against my lips.
"My beautiful angel," I whispered between kisses.
She pulled back, looking deep into my eyes. An obscure thought, more like a feeling, went through my mind. It screamed at me to proceed with caution. She was trying to rebuild her walls. I couldn’t allow that. I pulled her back down to me, kissing her with every ounce of love and passion I could muster. She melted against my chest. Whatever had bothered her was gone now. She cupped my face in her hands, returning my kiss with fervor. Just as I was about to claim her again, someone pounded on the door.
McKenzie pulled away, a look of
chagrin on her face. “What time is it?” she demanded in a panic.
I glanced over at the alarm clock sitting on the nightstand. “A little after nine.”
“Fuck!” McKenzie threw her legs off of me, landing on the floor.
Another knock came from the door. “Mick, open up. I’m already late.” Jackie’s muffled voice reverberated through the door.
“Shit!” Mickie hissed. “Where the hell are our clothes?”
I moved out of the bed, wrapping my hands around her shoulders. “Calm down. We left them in the kitchen last night.”
McKenzie yanked herself from my grasp, rushing into the kitchen. “Just a sec!” she called out. I entered the living room only to be slapped in the face with my clothes. “Stay in my room until I tell you to come out.”
Suddenly, I felt like a teenager who’d been caught having sex for the first time. I slipped into my boxers, and watched as McKenzie frantically got dressed.
“Mick, c’mon. I ain’t got all day,” came Jackie’s impatient plea.
“Just one more second,” Mickie cried out.
McKenzie turned to me, as I pulled my shirt over my head. “Room. Now,” she demanded, pointing toward her bedroom.
“What’s the big deal?” I slipped my legs into my shorts.
“They don’t need to know my business, okay!” she snapped.
I raised my hands in defense, stepping backwards toward her bedroom. “All right. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize my being here was such a huge secret.”
My words stopped her in her place. She sighed and finished pulling her hair through a rubber band before walking over to me. “I’m sorry. I just don’t...” - she paused, placing her hand on my cheek - “Never mind. Just trust me. Her not knowing you spent the night is better for us both.”
I leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose. “If that’s what you want. I’ll disappear.”
“Thank you.” She pulled my glasses out of thin air and slid them over the bridge of my nose. “I really do like you in glasses. They make you look -”
“Hot,” I finished for her.
She chuckled, shaking her head. “Sophisticated.”
“And hot.” I tweaked her nose.
Mickie giggled, swatting at my hand. “And hot,” she agreed.
“McKenzie, c’mon. Norma’s probably foaming at the mouth already,” Jackie yelled.
“You better get that.” I placed a light kiss to her lips and disappeared into her bedroom, closing the door behind me.
Perched in the middle of the bed was none other than her highness, Diva Mackie. She extended her paws out in front of her, stretching her tiny body to its full length. I chuckled and sat down on the end of the bed. She pranced over to me, nudging her head underneath my hand. “Oh, now you want to be my friend,” I observed, as I obliged the kitten’s request; scratching her behind her ears. When she was finished with me, she nudged her wet nose to my hand and bounced off the bed. “I feel so used,” I proclaimed. Mackie snorted at me, then lifted her tail in the air and walked away.
Outside the room, I could hear the muffled sounds of Jackie and McKenzie talking. I struggled to make out what was being said, but failed in my attempts. Bored, I did what any sensible guy would do - I snooped.
Each drawer of her dresser was stocked with fresh panties, socks, bras, and all those other lacey things women use to drive us men wild. I didn’t find anything really interesting, until I got into the nightstand beside her bed. McKenzie hadn’t lied. She didn’t have a vibrator. She did, however, have a dildo. A massive, flesh colored monster that would make any man feel as though he had a micro penis in comparison. I withdrew it from the drawer and waved the thing in front of my face, sputtering and snorting, trying everything in my power to keep my laughter under control. “Damn, Mickie. I knew I had a bad girl on my hands but this,” - I shook it harder, watching as it flopped back and forth - “is more than I bargained for.”
I couldn’t resist the opportunity of getting a picture with this thing. I patted my shorts pockets, searching for my cell phone. All I came up with was my keys. That’s when I remembered I was phoneless. Disgruntled, I dropped the dildo back into its resting place and returned to my excavation of her privacy. She’d kill me if she knew what I was up to, but this was far too much fun to worry about her lopping off my dick if I was caught.
Deep into the back of the drawer my hand went, searching for other secrets to be revealed. What I came across next was anything but funny. My fingers brushed over a hard, rectangular shaped box. I pulled it out, thinking maybe it was a diaphragm, only to discover it was a pale blue Tiffany & Co. jewelry box. My heart lunged into my throat, pounding in rapid succession. I lifted the top off the box to find the diamond necklace I’d given her nestled inside.
I staggered back, dropping down on the bed. This necklace lying inside this box was a reminder to me that everything was not okay between McKenzie and me. Even if last night had been a breakthrough, there was so much we needed to discuss. There was a lot for us to work on, and a single night of passion wasn’t enough to fix the damage done. We still needed to talk, and work through why she left me in the first place. Not only that, but it was time for McKenzie to know about my past. If she chose to make this work between us, and if last night was any indication that she would, then she had the right to know everything there is to know about me. Starting with the monster that I truly was.
As I sat mesmerized by the stone and my thoughts, the bedroom door flew open. Justice dashed into the room. “Mackie!” he hollered. “Here, Mackie!”
“No, Justice!” McKenzie called out.
The boy saw me and jumped back. His eyes widened upon recognizing me. “Dwuw!”
I sprang up from the bed, startled by the sudden intrusion. I tucked the necklace under the pillow and smiled. “Hi, Justice.”
McKenzie ran into the room followed by Jackie who held the baby tight to her chest. So many things rushed through my mind at once, but the close proximity of me and the child won above all others. I backed away, willing myself to breathe. Perspiration trickled down the back of my neck, and my body felt as though it had suddenly turned to jelly. The room started to spin and my stomach began to churn. There was nowhere for me to run. I had no way to hide. Jackie stood between me and the bedroom door, my only escape, and all I could do was stand there. Helpless.
“Well, hello there,” Jackie greeted me. Her gaze washed over me, producing a very inquisitive smile.
I waved. “I, um, uh, hi,” I stuttered, desperate not to choke. My lungs felt as if they were starting to collapse.
“Are you okay, Andy?” Mickie asked, raising her eyebrow. The deep lines were back in her forehead. I wished I could get rid of our intruders so that I could once again kiss those lines away.
“Yeah. Fine,” I gasped.
“I wike your shiwt, Dwuw.” Justice pointed to my chest. “Yoda cool.”
I looked down at my shirt and chuckled. “Yeah. Yoda’s awesome.”
Jackie handed McKenzie the baby. “I’d love to stay and chat longer, but I really need to get to Norma. Thank you again for watching the kids, Mick. Lindsey said she’d be here around ten-thirty or so to take them off your hands.”
“Kids?” I croaked.
“Yeah, since Mom has her weekly ladies prayer meeting this morning, I told Jackie I’d babysit while she helped out with the preparations for the festival.” McKenzie rocked the little girl in her arms, and for an instant the pressure in my chest faded. She looked gorgeous holding that precious little bundle against her chest. In my heart, I could see her as a mother. It was something she deserved. Yet the nagging thought entered my mind. Could I give her a child? Would I be able to get over my fear in order to give her the one thing we both have always dreamed of; a family?
My mind wouldn’t allow my heart to answer. Instead it flooded me with images of what I’d lost all those years ago. A lifeless body in my arms. Rebecca in tears, screaming at me. I closed my eyes, taking a
deep breath, willing the dark ghost of my past away.
“Norma called after we got home last night, begging for my help today. It was a last minute thing,” Jackie supplied. “Are you sure you’re okay, Drew?”
I opened my eyes and took a step back, finding my legs pressed against the nightstand. “Yeah. I’m fine.”
Justice grabbed my hand, staring up at me. “Will you pway with me?”
I smiled down at the child and squeezed his hand. I hated the reaction I had to Honor. I really liked this kid, and under different circumstances I would’ve been more than willing to play with him. But in the here and now, I had to get away. This was neither the time nor place for me to let McKenzie in on my secret. “I wish I could, buddy, but I have to head out for a bit.”
“What?” McKenzie exclaimed. “Now?” Her voice came out strained and full of malice.
I hunched my shoulders and looked away. “Yeah. You know, I forgot. Ethan set up an appointment for me to pick up my new phone this morning.” I released Justice’s hand and shuffled my way toward the door.
“You need an appointment to get a phone?” Jackie didn’t sound at all convinced by my rouse.
“Yes.” I used my best courtroom voice, hoping to sound more convincing. Let’s face it, an appointment to pick up a new cell phone was the poorest excuse in the book, but it was the only one I could come up with. “It’s a corporate phone.”
“Ah, I see.” Jackie nodded, but wasn’t buying my story.
I maneuvered around, placing a small kiss on Mickie’s temple. Being this close to the infant made my empty stomach heave. I had to get out of this enclosed space and fast. “I’ll be back after I get my phone.”
“Don’t bother.” Anger and hurt poured out of her with every word.
“No, I want to,” I argued. “I just need to handle this one little thing. I’ll be back.”
McKenzie lifted her eyes to meet mine, and fixed me with a narrow stare. “I’ll see you at the festival.”
The Certainty of Deception Page 15