No, not really but I was going to fake it anyway. Mackenzie put on her best grin. “I’m a big girl and Ryan makes me smile. What more can a girl ask for?”
Kaelyn and Ashton arrived, ending Charlie’s interrogation. The four of them sat in the room, waiting for Ryan to return. Charlie still wasn’t happy about the idea, but he cared enough that once he knew Ryan was okay, he departed in a huff, grumbling as he left.
Ashton suggested the four of them go out for an early dinner and drinks.
Later, freshly showered, Ryan swung by and picked up Mackenzie, then they retrieved the happy couple and headed to a popular Thai restaurant in Rehoboth Beach.
“Sooo…, have you lovebirds picked a date yet?” Mackenzie asked once they were settled in their booth. The two had been going back and forth for days.
Kaelyn turned and looked up at Ashton, with love beaming in her eyes. “We decided to go ahead and get married next month.”
Her brow bunched as she looked at Ryan, then back at her best friends. “Next month? But I thought you were planning a big fall wedding?”
Kaelyn had this weird look on her face and then started laughing. Reaching over, Ashton laced his fingers with hers on the table. The other hand, he lowered to her stomach. “I think what Lynn’s trying to tell you is that we’re having a baby.”
Mackenzie’s eyes widened. “A baby? Oh my goodness!” She jumped up from her chair and rounded the booth to hug her best friend. The two were laughing and squealing. “I’m so happy for you two!” she cried and then quickly lowered her voice and glanced around at the other customers looking curiously in her direction. “She’s having her first baby!” she happily blurted. There were several oohs and aahs and a few customers even started applauding.
Kaelyn had tears shimmering in her eyes. “You know I’m going to get you for that.”
Laughing, she returned to her seat. “As long as I get to keep her whenever I want, who cares.”
Ashton held up his hand. “Whoa, wait a minute now. We’re having a boy. I have a family business to pass down.”
“Are you saying a woman can’t run the dealership?” Kaelyn asked.
It was the same old argument over and over. Ashton wanted a son to pass on Platinum Pre-Owned Automotive, the largest preowned dealership in the state. With a groan, Mackenzie buried her head in the menu.
“Ignore them,” she whispered over at Ryan. “I guarantee they’ll be kissing in the next thirty seconds.”
Playing along he held up his menu and leaned in close as the couple continued with their debate. “Are they always like that?” he asked and she glanced up into his eyes and her breath stalled. His smile was so beautiful.
“I guess that’s how people in love behave,” she whispered, and hoped he didn’t hear the tremor in her voice.
“Is that so?” he asked with a wickedly sexy gleam in his eyes.
His mouth was so close she felt his warm breath against her nose and she found herself leaning forward just enough so that she could –
“Hello… I’m Melanie, are you ready to order?”
Her head jerked up over the menu and heat stung her face as she smiled at their server before shifting her eyes across the table. Following another groan, Mackenzie turned to Ryan and tilted her head toward Kaelyn and Ashton. “See, didn’t I tell you.”
The lovebirds were locked in a deep kiss.
* * *
After dinner, Ryan returned the couple home, then invited Mackenzie back to his place. He was exhausted, but glad to be alive. Last night’s fire had erupted inside a large recreational center, injuring five firefighters and a janitor. More than forty firefighters battled the fast-moving blaze that ended up taking the life of one man. The ten-year decorated firefighter had died with no family to claim his body.
He scowled at the thought that had haunted him over the past few months; leaving the world without anyone who had loved him. Sure he had tons of friends and a mother and sister who both now lived in Charleston. He was thinking about the love of a woman. Not to mention, now that Ashton and Kaelyn were having their first he couldn’t help but wonder if he would ever get his chance. He’d turn thirty-two on his next birthday and he wanted plenty of time to enjoy his children before he was too old.
Children?
Ryan frowned. Where did that ridiculous thought come from? He always planned to have children and was ecstatic when Anika found out she was pregnant. But after losing his family, he vowed to never fall in love again so the odds were against him. However, as he saw Kaelyn and Ashton, and listened to them talk about the future, he felt a pang of something at his chest he hadn’t felt in years—longing.
Ryan arrived at the complex, anxious to get the thought out of his head. He was thinking way too hard. He liked his life just the way it was. Didn’t he?
Over a week ago he would have not hesitated to say yes, but now that he was seeing Mackenzie and they were spending so much time together really getting to know each other, he really wasn’t so sure about anything anymore.
He climbed out his truck and walked around and opened the door for her. Mackenzie stepped out and when she looked up at him, he was momentarily frozen by the swelling of emotion that tightened at his chest. She looked so beautiful, like a happy and satisfied woman and hoped he had something to do with that sparkle.
After he saw the fear in her eyes when she came to the hospital, he was starting to think that she was more woman than he had ever imagined her to be. His body and his emotions had always been separate with women, but not with Mackenzie.
“I saw your car this morning when I left, and you need a car wash,” he said trying to shift his train of thought when she caught him staring.
“I know. I’m just too lazy.” She leaned into him and the intoxicated scent of her flooded his senses.
Ryan leaned into her and pressed a kiss to her temple. “I’m off tomorrow, so I’ll drop by the bar and take it to get detailed.”
“You’d do that for me?”
He took her hand and led her toward the front door while thinking, she had no idea the things he was willing to do. He just wasn’t ready yet to even admit it to himself how good she made him feel.
Once inside, he tossed his keys into a bowl on a table near the door. “How about a movie?” he suggested, glancing over his shoulder.
Mackenzie yawned and gave him a sleepy smile. “Sure, as long as it’s in your bed.”
He swallowed at the suggestion. “Absolutely.”
She headed up to his room while he retrieved two bottles of water, popped a bag of popcorn, and grabbed the movie he had rented yesterday from Red Box. With long strides, he climbed the stairs and made it down the hall where Mackenzie was already spread out on his bed. Jeans and t-shirt were gone and she was lying down in one of his SBFD t-shirts and black panties.
“I hope you don’t mind,” she said and blushed.
Mind? Hell no. There was an instant tightening at his loins. “Not at all. By all means make yourself comfortable.” He put everything onto the nightstand, then reached for the remote and turned on his blue ray player. “I’m gonna do the same thing.” He popped in the DVD and while the previews played, Ryan slipped out of his own jeans and slid into the bed beside her.
“I’ve got a space right over here for you,” he said and patted his chest.
* * *
Smiling, Mackenzie scooted up on the bed and laid her cheek to the heart of his body. A feeling of contentment washed over her. Ryan pressed Play on the remote and started the movie. Being this close to him, watching a movie was the last thing on her mind. She hooked her fingers into his boxers and yanked them down his legs, then smoothed her hands up his muscular thighs.
“You’re starting something Mack,” he warned.
“That’s the plan,” she purred then skimmed the patch of hair surrounding his cock. His erection jutted and she thrilled at his response. As she admired his body, she licked her lips. Ryan was the epitome of what a man should be.
Hard and sexy.
Leaning over, Mackenzie took the head of his cock into her mouth.
“Oh shit,” he groaned, then gripped her head, weaving his fingers through the strands. The sounds coming from his throat was all the encouragement she needed as her mouth worked his full length, sliding up and down his erection. The hands on her head tightened, and then he was gently pushing her up and down, guiding her, and she felt the tip tickling the back of her throat.
Within minutes, Ryan was dragging her up on the bed and taking her mouth in a deep kiss. She melted into him, her body craving the heat from his. Frantically she yanked at her panties, and pushed them down over her hips, then broke the kiss long enough to straddle his waist.
“Horny?” he growled.
“You have no idea,” she said in a strained voice as she adjusted her position on his lap.
“Then let me help you out with that.” He settled her onto his cock, pushing into her damp core, filling her completely.
“Damn,” he cursed and then his lips claimed her mouth again as she began to move.
Staring into his eyes, she rode him, arching her body into the downward stroke, and moaning on the recovery. She was ready to come far too soon. It was wild and intense and he felt so good, she couldn’t contain it.
“Feel good?”
It was better than good. “Oh, so good. I’m getting… ready… to come.”
Eyes twinkling wickedly, Ryan reached between them and brushed his thumb across her clit. On contact, she cried out his name. Then she was riding him hard and so fast until she shattered and screamed out his name. It felt like nothing they had shared before. She felt more alive than ever. Tears of joy streamed her cheeks as Ryan grabbed onto her hips and thrust upward with long hard strokes. Within seconds he was hissing and growling out his own release.
Completely spent, she collapsed onto the pillow beside him. Ryan rolled over and draped an arm around her, holding her tightly to him. She found herself clinging to his body, his warmth and his strength. The overwhelming need to be as close to him as she could was so scary it sent a shiver down her spine.
How could she let this go?
NINE
The next few days passed in a daze. She and Ryan spent every second possible together. Long lunches, intimate dinners, and of course, hours of mind-boggling sex. He had become addictive and downright dangerous. And the feelings he invoked were the tipping point. All the moonlit walks on the beach and Ryan holding her in his arms while they slept in bed were more than her heart could handle.
By day eleven, Mackenzie woke up and finally admitted there was no way she could deny she didn’t want their relationship to end. Her body still tingled with longing. Last night Ryan had come over after his shift, scooped her into his arms and carried her to bed. She hadn’t given one thought to how long they’d stay up, only that she needed to be one with him. Even now, she ached to hear the sound of his voice, his touch, and the thought of no longer being able to wake up with Ryan’s warm body lying beside her caused her heart to ache.
How could she have fallen in love with the one man she could never have? She wasn’t sure how many times she had asked herself that same question and yet she still didn’t have an answer. All she knew was the unthinkable had happened and in three days their relationship was over. For a stubborn moment, she thought about riding it out, showing him that she loved him, helping him to love again, but she pushed that thought aside. It wouldn’t work. That wasn’t the plan. They had an agreement and falling in love hadn’t been part of the plan.
Mackenzie spent most of the day feeling sorry for herself, then cleaned her house and got ready for dinner with Charlie’s parents. They had a monthly ritual on every other Sunday. Aunt Josephine was her mother’s sister and such an amazing cook that she looked forward to spending time with them. Unfortunately Charlie would be there as well, raining bitterness on the meal. She would have rather canceled and spent the evening with Ryan, only he was working at the station. He promised to swing by and join them for dinner as soon as the evening shift arrived.
The Batums lived on Davenport Beach, a quiet old fishing village on the water that was entirely single family homes and a quaint country store. Mackenzie pulled onto a large cul-de-sac and up a long paved driveway lined with red roses. The house had been built on stilts, so she steered her car into the carport underneath. Charlie’s Lincoln was already there.
Wait until he finds out Ryan’s coming.
Smiling to herself, she climbed out the car and smoothed down the front of a white pencil skirt that she had paired with red come-fuck-me stilettos and a fire engine red top. The hope was that Ryan would be undressing her later.
She sauntered around to the side and up the steps that took her to a Florida porch, with a deck that wrapped the ranch style home. Wicker chairs on the porch gave magnificent views to the sandy beach and promised ocean breezes.
Mackenzie rang the bell and within minutes her uncle greeted her at the door. “There you are!”
She beamed and draped her arms around his thick neck. “Hey Uncle Nick.” She kissed his chocolate face, then leaned back and gazed into his dark round eyes. “Sorry I’m late.”
“No problem. Your aunt is just setting the table.” He stepped his short, stocky body out the way so she could enter. Her uncle had strong distinguished features and was relatively attractive, with midnight brown eyes and hair that was completely salt-and-pepper. Still in the clothes he had worn to church, Uncle Nick looked handsome in a white dress shirt, a checkered cardigan sweater and dark slacks.
Mackenzie brushed past him and walked across the cherry wood foyer. The house was open and elegant, with vaulted ceilings, plenty of windows, decorated in soft pastels and traditional furnishings. The television was on in the living room, and she paused to see Charlie sitting in a chair, chatting away on his cell phone. As Mackenzie passed the room, she frowned. He was such a workaholic. No wonder he couldn’t keep a woman in his life.
Like I’m one to talk.
“Mack is that you?” her aunt called from the other room.
“Yes, it’s me!”
She hurried down the hall and entered the formal dining room where Aunt Josephine was setting food on the table. Mackenzie swept an appreciative look around the linen-covered table. Duck, mashed potatoes, asparagus, homemade rolls, and on the buffet, homemade chocolate cake. She walked around the room toward a pair of French doors that stepped out onto a white deck that gave breathtaking views of the lake, and kissed her aunt on the cheek. “Everything looks and smells delicious.”
“Thank you dear,” she said and there was no mistaking the deep pride in her voice. She was a tall beautiful woman who wore her hair in an elegant chignon that accentuated her round face and sensual lips. She was dressed in a cream blouse and pleated navy skirt that showed off shapely legs for a woman her age. One look at the woman’s peanut butter-brown complexion and hazel eyes, anyone knew she had to be related to Charlie. The only thing he got from his father was his dimpled cheeks, broad nose, and dark, wavy hair.
“You need some help?” she offered.
“No, I think we’re ready to eat.” Aunt Josephine’s keen eyes zeroed in on her. “Where’s your date?”
“He’s working late but he’ll be by a little later,” Mackenzie murmured without elaborating. Her aunt didn’t ask about him again until they finished saying grace.
“Should we wait a few more minutes for Allen to arrive?”
“Allen?” Charlie barked.
“Her boyfriend,” Uncle Nick said as he bit into a roll. “He joined us for dinner last month.”
Her cousin’s eyes landed on her as he replied. “I know who he is.”
Mackenzie glanced over at the vacant place setting and said, “Allen and I aren’t dating anymore.”
“I guess they haven’t heard the rumors,” Charlie mumbled under his breath.
“Then who’s your date?” Aunt Josephine’s dark eyes widened before roaming across Mac
kenzie’s face.
“Ryan’s coming.”
Charlie stared across the table. “Ryan’s showing his face here?”
Mackenzie nodded, as she draped the napkin across her lap. “Yes, Ryan is coming for dinner.”
Aunt Josephine beamed as she passed the asparagus. “I always did like that boy.”
Charlie’s eyes widened. “Dad, did you hear what she said? Ryan’s dating Mackenzie.”
Uncle Nick shrugged as he reached for the plate of duck. “Well, at least she’s finally dating someone we approve of.”
“Approve?” His eyes shifted from his father and mother. “Are you both crazy? Ryan’s the biggest player in town.”
His mother frowned. “You shouldn’t say such terrible things.”
Uncle Nick chimed in. “I think the two of them are perfect for each other.”
So do I. Now if only we could get Ryan to see it.
Charlie shook his head. “I can’t understand any of you.”
Mackenzie winked and replied, “Cheer up Chuck. It’s not a real relationship. Ryan and I are just having sex.”
“Well, good for both of you!” Aunt Josephine replied, then reached over and patted Mackenzie on the arm. Her aunt and uncle were so open-minded when it came to sex. “That poor boy went off the deep end when he lost his pregnant wife. Chuck, don’t you think he deserves to be happy?”
Her cousin’s lips thinned with displeasure.
“Auntie, Chuck doesn’t think Ryan’s capable of loving again,” she murmured dryly.
“That’s because he’s spent years trying to get over what happened.” Aunt Josephine shrugged. “And maybe he’s finally ready. What would you rather he do… be alone?”
“No. I would rather he’d date someone other than Mack,” Charlie retorted, then blew out a heavy breath. “You forget. I was on the phone with him when he got the news about Anika. And he hasn’t been the same since.”
“Personally, I think he’s grieved long enough,” Uncle Charlie said between chews.
“I agree,” Aunt Josephine added as she reached for her fork. “He deserves a second chance at love. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if he could find it with Mackenzie?” She winked at her niece.
For Her Pleasure (The Pleasure Series Book 2) Page 9