“And what do I get in return?”
She slipped out her tongue to lick the icing from her fingers. “What do you want?” The smirk on her lips meant she knew what she was doing. Oh, she was such a tease.
“After I give it some thought I’ll let you know.”
Her eyes lit up. “I think that can be arranged.” Her eyes swept the room. “It’s quiet in here. Long night?”
He nodded. “House fire a few hours ago.”
Her eyes widened. “Everyone okay?”
“Yes, but if you don’t mind, a few of the guys and I would like to solicit some donations outside the restaurant on Wednesday.”
“As long as you promise to wear your hat, I’m game.”
“Cool.” He shrugged. “We want to do what we can to help the family.”
“Absolutely.” She took a bite. “I never knew you would grow up and become so amazing,” she said with a wink.
Ryan smiled. “I was just thinking the same thing about you.”
Mackenzie gave a rude snort. “I’m just trying to live one day at a time like the rest of us.” After a quick glance at the clock on the wall, her nose wrinkled. “I better get out of here and open the bar. I’ll see you later.”
He nodded. They bowled every Thursday. “I’ll be over to pick you up.”
She frowned as she rose from the table. “No way. I need to go home, change and make it cute.”
“It’s always cute,” Ryan said and playfully swatted her on the butt. “I’ll be by the bar to pick you up, otherwise we’ll lose our lane at the bowling alley.” Since they’d saved the bowling alley from an arson attempt a year ago, the owner reserved a lane every Thursday night for Fire Station 3. But if there wasn’t someone there by seven the lane was opened up to the public.
Mackenzie made a face and took another bite of the roll before she moved toward the door. “I’ll be ready.”
A sly smile curled his lips as she disappeared around the corner. “We’ll see.” And he wasn’t referring to bowling.
FIVE
“Are you and Ryan dating?”
Mackenzie’s stomach lurched as she swung her head around. “Why’d you ask that?”
Porsha raised her eyebrows, her expression one of keen interest. “Because he hasn’t been able to take his eyes off of you since he arrived.”
She blushed, then gave a dismissive scowl as she reached for a clean martini glass. “We always bowl on Thursday nights.”
The pretty bartender wrinkled her nose. “Uh-uh, I know the two of you have been friends for years, but today there’s just something different about the way he’s looking at you. Almost as if he’s finally seeing you clearly. See for yourself,” she added with a tilt of the head.
Mackenzie was almost afraid to look over at one of the tables near the window where Ryan had been sitting since he had arrived at Spanky’s. She spotted him, staring off at the evening rain dotting the windows. As soon as her eyes landed on him, her heart palpitated. It had never done that before. Ryan looked even better and she wasn’t sure how that was even possible.
She was used to seeing him in his uniform. In fact, she had even seen him covered head to toe in smoke, but this was the look she enjoyed most. He was deliciously dressed in a pair of jeans and a button-down, blue and white Polo. Fresh white sneakers were on his feet. Damn! All that swag! His chiseled features were a perfect blend of masculinity and beauty, but it was his confidence that women were attracted to, that drew her to him.
The bar was relatively busy for a happy-hour crowd and yet it appeared almost every woman in the bar had noticed Ryan. Not that she could blame any of the women who were trying to get his attention. Smiling, batting eyelashes, and even sauntering over to where he was sitting only to return to her chair shortly after. Anyone of those women was hoping to take him home with them, and instead he was spending the evening bowling with her. An unfamiliar feeling of possessiveness caused her insides to churn.
Last night she’d had his hands everywhere, his mouth on hers, his hands caressing her breasts and then his magnificent penis buried inside her. She remembered rocking her hips taking him deeper until the moment escalated and her climax was close. He’d instructed her to wrap her legs around his waist just as their bodies convulsed in invigorating pleasure.
Heart pounding, she dared to look at Ryan again and sighed. How could she be so lucky? She scowled at that thought because luck didn’t have anything to do with it all. They were friends. Nothing more, yet when Ryan shifted on the seat and suddenly their eyes collided, she realized Porsha was right. He was staring, eyes dark, intense and hungry.
Mackenzie swallowed as a quivery sensation shot down her body to settle low in her belly. She’d never had a man look at her like that with all his hunger and need reflected in his eyes. Stunned, she couldn’t move or break the spell. Instead she was locked in by the flash of need that fluttered like nothing she had ever felt before right smack at her core.
“Do you see what I’m talking about?” Porsha said, and Mackenzie was thankful she had broken the trance.
Her face was burning, and she knew she was blushing like crazy. Dropping her head, she mumbled, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” With that, she laughed and moved down to the other end of the bar and took a beer order. As she popped the cap from the top, she stole another glance in his direction. Ryan held up his wrist and pointed down at his watch.
“Yeah, yeah,” she muttered under her breath. “I’m almost done.” The evening shift had arrived and was preparing to clock in.
Mackenzie went back to working, and she wasn’t surprised fifteen minutes later when Ryan was at the bar leaning toward her. Her lips parted slightly at his dominant presence.
“Do I have drag you out from behind that counter?” His eyes were so dark and intense she wasn’t sure if he was playing or serious. Either way she laughed.
“I’m coming.”
“Five minutes, Mack,” he warned.
With a roll of her eyes, she headed over to the other end as far away from his piercing stare and sexy, low authoritative voice. As a shiver raced down her spine, she was starting to think that maybe she was totally out of her depths with him.
* * *
He was totally off his game.
“Yes!” Mackenzie screeched when all five pins went crashing to the ground.
He had just come off a twelve-hour shift and after two meetings and another emergency call, he should have been tired, but instead he was wildly awake. His body was actually energized, awakened by the twin peaks of her breasts and the swell of her round ass. They were on their second game, and Mackenzie was kicking his butt, yet for once Ryan didn’t even care. Instead he was more interested in the way her lush hips moved in those jeans. When she turned and caught him staring, he shifted on the bench and said, “I’m off my game tonight.”
Her laughter was so desirable. “No, you’re just getting that butt spanked and you should just admit it.” Her eyes were sparkling, softening her features, making her look even more feminine and sexy.
Ryan rose and reached down for his bowling ball. “It’s not over yet,” he reminded her. Grinning, Mackenzie stepped to the side. He moved into position, took a deep breath and sent the ball sailing down the lane. The pins exploded. “Yeah boy!”
She gave a dismissive wave. “Whatever,” she mumbled playfully.
“Huh? Did you say something?” he teased.
“I said get out of the way. It’s my turn.” She pushed him with her hip and when his arm brushed her breasts, he felt that all too familiar tightening at his gut.
He stood back, staring at her round ass as she moved toward the lane. Desire crackling between them. Mackenzie bent over and the jeans tightened over her curvy behind. Damn, she was sexy!
She’s always been sexy.
True, but now he noticed her more than he had ever before. The entire time he’d sat in the bar, the only time he had taken his eyes off of her was when some female ca
me over to proposition him. He was polite but for the next two weeks the only woman he ached to be inside, filling her—was the woman who had just landed another strike.
“You gotta be kidding?”
Mackenzie swung around, sending her breasts bouncing right before his eyes. “I told you I got skills.”
“It’s going to take more than skills to beat me tonight,” he said competitively.
“Oh no! Keep thinking that lover boy.”
Laughing, Ryan reached for a size fourteen ball and headed back up the lane, but just as he sent the ball rolling, she came up beside him and bumped his arm. His ball went right over into the gutter.
“What the…”
Mackenzie was laughing uncontrollably, her entire face lit up and she looked so desirable she took his breath away. “I’m sorry. I just couldn’t resist.”
He moved to her and put her in a fake headlock. “You know that’s cheating.”
“I know…I know!” she cried with laughter.
Chuckling, he released his hold and then dragged her into the circle of his arms. “You know you’re gonna pay for this later.”
She looked up at him with a saucy grin. “I’m counting on it.”
“I told you I would win.” She was bragging all the way from the bowling alley.
Ryan took his eyes briefly away from the road and nodded in agreement. “Yes you did.” He would never tell her that he allowed her to win. One, because she was such a sore loser, and two, he just felt this unfamiliar need to make her happy at any cost. “How about we celebrate?”
He saw her eyes twinkle as she suggested, “Ice cream on the boardwalk?”
“Ice cream it is,” he agreed softly.
The rain had stopped, and yet, thickening clouds slid across the sky, foretelling more rain. He parked the truck near the boardwalk, then climbed out and helped her from the vehicle. He was a gentleman, so nothing about that was unusual. What surprised them both was that he unconsciously reached down and clasped her fingers with his. She looked up at him, eyes wide with surprise and then smiled. Never in a million years would he have imagined something feeling so right.
“What are we doing?” she asked after they had both gotten waffle cones loaded with rocky road ice cream.
He stared down at her blankly. “What do you mean?”
“We’re walking along the beach, holding hands, eating ice cream. We’ve never done that before.”
She was right. They hadn’t. Usually they got ice cream and then he dropped her off at home. Instead his long fingers were linked with hers, their bodies brushing with each step.
Ryan licked his ice cream and gazed out over at the waves caressing the sandy beach as he replied, “We’ve never dated before either, but now we are.”
Mackenzie ate her ice cream and didn’t bother to respond.
While they continued to stroll down the long tourist pier lined with specialty shops and delicious fast food, Ryan caught her frowning. As she stared down at the ground those long lashes of hers were sweeping shadows across her cheeks.
“Is something wrong?” he asked between licks and he noticed the way the cool winds ruffled her hair.
“No, not at all. And that’s the problem. Hanging out, spending time with you feels so natural,” she admitted in a deep gravely voice.
Ryan stopped walking, turned, cupped her chin gently and turned her face to him and those deep-set eyes pinned him. “That’s because you’ve known me half your life.”
He was happy to see the smile had returned to her lips as she said, “Is that what it is?”
Nodding, he yanked on her hand, drawing her to him. “Yes, that’s it,” he said slowly. “The only thing different between now and a week ago, is that after we get done eating our ice cream, I’m taking you home with me to bed.”
Leaning forward, he met Mackenzie halfway. The kiss was so long and deep, he didn’t know where he ended and she began as his tongue moved with hers in a sensual dance they managed to do quite well. Ryan flicked and teased until soft whimpers escaped her parted lips. The sound caused his body to tighten and pulse.
“Mack,” he murmured, his hand stroking along the curves of her body. While his lips continued to tease her like a sensual whirlwind, his thoughts shifted to making love to her… waking up to her and sliding inside her body. When he finally ended the kiss, he rested his chin on the top of her head. She breathed heavily and placed her cheek to his chest and clung to him while Ryan tightened his hold and focused on how well they fit together in more ways than one.
I want her in my bed now.
With a shuddering breath, he inhaled the salty air as he pulled back to look at her. Fire and desire were dancing in her eyes.
“Let’s get out of here,” Ryan said then took Mackenzie’s hand and led her toward the truck.
* * *
They arrived at his townhouse located on a private golf course. Once inside, Mackenzie stepped into his spacious living room that she had been begging him to let her decorate. It was a contemporary design that suffered from no personal touches. A big couch, entertainment center, and a dated recliner. In the kitchen, a plain table and two chairs. “I see this place still looks like a man lives here.”
His mouth curved ruefully. “That’s because a man does live here.”
“You know what I mean,” she added with a scowl although the way he was looking at her, made her stomach do some odd flip-flop thing.
He looked faintly amused. “Maybe one of these days, but for now I like my place just the way it is.”
“Bland and boring.”
“There’s nothing boring about what goes on upstairs,” he added and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and her mind conjured up explicit images of his tongue sliding across the slick folds of her sex before plunging inside.
She swallowed, with difficulty. “You’re so cocky.”
“And you like it.” His voice was deep and intimate as he leaned in so close she felt his warm breath against her nose. “Tell me you don’t.”
If she did, she’d be lying. Mackenzie met his penetrating gaze and felt so exposed. She pushed him away and moved into the kitchen and removed a beer from the refrigerator. “You want one?” she asked.
He followed her into the room and nodded. She reached for another, then retrieved the corkscrew from the top drawer near the sink, popped the cap from both bottles and handed him one.
“Thanks.”
Mackenzie took a long thirsty sip, then moved into the living room and stuck her iPhone in the docking station he kept in the corner. Mary J. Blige filled the air. She closed her eyes and started swaying to the beat of the music.
“I love that song.”
Her eyes sprung open to find Ryan standing in front of her.
He took another sip from his bottle and lowered it to the coffee table. “Let’s dance,” he suggested.
There was something in his eyes, she’d never seen before. Wild and almost… predatory.
Mackenzie accepted his offered hand, hoping he didn’t notice how nervous she suddenly was.
He led her to the center of the living room floor.
“Bring it here girl,” he murmured, and she laughed as she moved tightly into the circle of his arms. She wrapped her arms around him and pressed her face against the heat of his body.
The music was alluring, captivating and Mackenzie found herself moving to the beat. One of his hands was at her waist, the other was low on her back, bringing her breasts into contact with his hard muscles. Her nipples tightened, ached with the need to feel his lips on them again. What was going on?
Her heart was pounding, hands sweating, pulse racing. That was unusual, but then Ryan was far from normal. She couldn’t take her eyes off him, and apparently the feeling was mutual. His dark penetrating eyes set off a sweet throb between her thighs. With each step, she felt his cock through his jeans. It was unmistakable. He felt so hard and huge, pressing up against her, swaying, moving against her that her breathing ca
me in haggard gasps.
He was a great dancer, especially one dance in particular. Ryan changed the rhythm of his moves and guided her with each step. “You don’t know nothing about that,” he teased and she tilted her head and stared up at him with a slight smile that quickly changed to an O. Ryan looked so sexy, he sent her heart pumping frantically against her ribs.
Mackenzie had to grip his broad shoulders to keep her knees from buckling beneath her as she whispered, “You’re such a show-off.”
“You know you like it.” His husky voice contained amusement as his hot breath fanned across her lips. She leaned closer, the woodsy scent of his cologne still teasing her nose. A desperate need to lean into him, kiss him again raged through her that was so intense, she drew back slightly. Unfortunately, he noticed.
“You’re running.”
“Running from what?”
“From this?” Ryan took her hand and guided it over to his crotch. She could feel the length of his hardened arousal.
Mackenzie drew in a shaky breath and willed her pulse rate to slow down.
Smiling, Ryan lowered his head, and kissed her neck. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about last night.”
She felt his lips trailing a hot path down along her neck to the crook of her shoulder. Goosebumps spread across her body causing her skin to burn with desire. “What part have you been thinking about?” she whispered.
“All of it,” he said as a calloused hand moved downward, stopping at the edge of her neckline. “Starting with the moment you propositioned me at the bar.” She held her breath, while his hand moved down her arm and then around to cup her breast. Desperate need ricocheted down her body. Her nipples strained beneath her bra, begging to be touched. The pad of his thumb grazed her nipple and she gasped.
He sent her an amused glance. “You like that.” It wasn’t a question as he cupped both her breasts, holding the weight of them in his hands, then squeezed and caressed each until she was moaning and arching into his hand.
For Her Pleasure (The Pleasure Series Book 2) Page 5