by Megan Keith
He let out a huge sigh. “I didn’t want you to label me.” He took a shaky breath. What is it about this woman that drives me to be so damn honest? “People always treat me differently when they know who I am.”
“Different how?”
Her directness, coupled with those jade eyes piercing him, made it impossible for him not to answer. She could see right through him. He let his guard down a little lower.
“Once people know of my … affluence … they always want something from me. Whether it be money, a door to a career opportunity, help with something to get a leg up in the world in some way. They tread more carefully around me, stop being themselves. Or pretend to be something they’re not.” He spoke with such bitterness on that last bit, it shocked Mackenzie. “Women, in particular, expect too much.”
She immediately looked offended and he regretted being that honest.
“That’s what you think of me? That I’m some money hungry whore?” The bitterness in her voice not only directed at his reason for not telling her who he was, but the thought that he could ever think so little of her.
“No, I-”
“I assure you, I am not, Sir.” She angrily shrugged his arm from her back. “I don’t need your money or have any interest in it. You’ve taken me to a penthouse, a mansion and you have your own driver! For crying out loud, you spent an absolute fortune on me today!” She waved her hand towards the piles of bags still sitting on the floor. “Do you really think I hadn’t already figured out you were wealthy? You really do think I’m stupid, don’t you?”
“No.”
“I don’t want your money! I thought I’d already made that clear!”
“I apologize. I know you’re not like that. I was just … it’s easy for most people to become blinded by my wealth and not get to know the person underneath.”
“Ah, so buying me a year’s worth of clothes wasn’t trying to ‘blind me’ with your money?” she said sarcastically.
“I wasn’t trying to blind you-I was being generous.”
“An intelligent man wouldn’t feel the need to buy my affections like that, Nathaniel.”
“That’s not what I was doing!” He saw the agitated look on Mackenzie’s face and reigned in his temper. The last thing he wanted was for her to tell him to leave or to storm out again. “But you’re right,” he reluctantly conceded. He scrubbed his face with his hand and sighed. “I guess I can see how you would take it that way.”
He was admitting defeat. She could tell it was something he didn’t do often, he looked painfully uncomfortable. “You guess?” she mocked, her anger immediately dissipating at his awkwardness.
“Okay. I know you’re right.”
“So stop trying to buy me!” she sniggered, unable to fight the smile from breaking out on her face.
“You’ve made your point,” he replied, looking annoyed.
Mackenzie loved that she again had the upper hand. She’d made him uncomfortable – he was unable to meet her eye and it thrilled her.
“Nathaniel.” She lifted a hand to his cheek, forcing him to make eye contact. “You’ve already given me what I want from you,” she said softly. She looked at him seductively, so that her intent was clear, “Numerous times.” She wriggled her eyebrows for emphasis. He needed cheering up and she was happy when his smug smile reappeared with a chuckle. “Okay?”
“I just wanted you to get to know the real me…” She watched his throat bobble as he swallowed nervously. He was showing his vulnerable side again and Mackenzie loved it. It was real. She was getting another glimpse at the man behind the persona of ‘Sir’. He caught her eye as he continued, “Before you judged me by what I have, or who I am. I’m more than money.”
“I know you are. I get that. To be honest, Nathaniel, if anything, your money scares me.”
“Scares you?”
“Yes.” It was her turn to swallow uncomfortably. “I don’t belong in your world.”
His eyes searched hers for a moment and her hand dropped from his cheek. He leaned forward, grabbing a hold of it tightly and, resting his forehead against hers, he said, “I assure you Mackenzie, the more time I spend with you, the more I’m convinced you do … belong.”
His inflection on those last three words sent tingles through Mackenzie’s body. Oh god, I hope he’s right. She sucked in a sharp breath. Belong. It was so possessive of him and she loved it. And though she’d never wanted it before, to belong to someone, in that moment, she’d never craved anything more.
Their dinner arrived a short while later. The atmosphere was relaxed as they talked while they ate. Nathaniel spoke of how he and his brother, Tom, had taken over the family business two years ago when his father, Lincoln, decided to retire early. Lincoln and Nathaniel’s mother, Carol, had since spent their time travelling, eventually settling in London a few months back. He missed them, but spoke to them often. He was close to his parents, his brother too. He had such adoration for his family it made Mackenzie envious. She’d never had that type of relationship with her parents and, being an only child, she had often wondered what it would have been like to have siblings; to have someone to share triumphs, tragedies and everyday life with. It warmed her heart to see him speak so highly of his brother, they seemed like the best of friends.
He told her of his own travels around the world and Mackenzie sheepishly admitted that, even though she had never left the country, she had obtained a passport a couple of months back as an incentive to travel one day soon. He encouraged her to make it a priority, claiming that she would appreciate everything she has all the more by seeing the world around her. He spoke with passion and happiness and Mackenzie could literally feel herself falling for the man during that conversation.
Eventually their talking petered out and Mackenzie fell asleep beside him on the sofa. Nathaniel loved the way her head was resting against his chest, his arm tucked around her. It made him feel fantastic to have her by his side in that way, she was comfortable with him. The earlier dramas of the night were now behind them and he could finally be himself. No more games. The conversation had flowed and he couldn’t remember things ever feeling so right.
When Nathaniel finally carried her to bed, he was content to just lay with her and hold her in his arms. His body relaxed further with every rise and fall of her chest until he drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
Mackenzie woke the next morning to an empty bed. Glancing at the clock on her night stand she saw it was a quarter to nine. It had been quite a weekend and she had been exhausted. She’d needed the sleep and was happy to realize that Sir had tucked her into bed when she must have fallen asleep in the living room, and she was quite amazed to find she was still wearing her dress from the night before. He was a gentleman for a change, she thought with a wistful smile.
She knew Simon was coming by with his suit that morning at eight, and in a way, she was relieved to have missed him leaving the apartment. It was a new day and it brought along new thoughts about her situation. Clarity. That’s what she needed. And time away from Sir, Nathaniel (she was still getting used to calling him that). Time apart to think. So much had happened in such a short period. Her head was constantly swimming in a cloud of lust and confusion around him and some space would allow her to clear her mind, put things in perspective. She needed to think things through without his influence or sexy body distracting her.
Mackenzie removed her new dress and opted for her favorite warm robe instead. She pulled it tight around her body when she left the bedroom to get her morning caffeine hit. She stopped short when she saw the sexy sight in her living room. She was so caught up in her thoughts, she hadn’t even heard the low hum coming from the TV.
“Sorry, did I wake you?” Nathaniel asked, pulling his feet from the coffee table and muting the TV. Mackenzie stood opposite him, wearing a fluffy white robe. She was bleary eyed and her hair was a mess. She looks fucking gorgeous.
“No, I … hi.” She blinked rapidly, making sure she wasn’t
hallucinating. Nathaniel was casually positioned on her sofa wearing his jeans and nothing else. He had a bowl of cereal in one hand and the TV remote in the other. Her heart rate increased and her breathing became heavy at the sight of him. Yep, totally clouding my judgement already. “I thought you would have left already,” she stammered. “Didn’t Simon bring your clothes?”
“Yes, he did.” He nodded to the suit bag hanging on her coat rack by the door. “But I decided not to go in until later.”
“Right. I guess that’s the beauty of being the boss.”
“Yes, it is.” His grin aimed at her had a warmth instantly spreading over her body.
She glanced at the TV just to break the hold his eyes had on her, if only for a moment. Mackenzie was more than a little stunned. He runs a multi-billion dollar company but he’s choosing to stay here, in my apartment, watching cartoons! She smiled. It’s the simplest things…
“Would you like a coffee?” she asked, passing him to go to the kitchen.
“No thanks, I just had one.”
“Making yourself right at home, I see.” She noted the washed coffee cup in the drainer by the sink and grinned. Sir cleans up after himself, huh.
“What are your plans today?” he asked, coming up beside her while she poured a coffee.
“I was thinking I might watch cartoons all day.” She smirked at him then watched him wash his cereal bowl and spoon. So domesticated. “I normally go for a run in the morning.”
“Oh yeah? Me too.” He turned toward her, wiping his hand on a dish towel. “Hilda sent over some running gear. Let’s do that,” Nathaniel said excitedly, his eyes lit up.
“Ah, not before my coffee, I really need it today,” Mackenzie replied, walking to the dining room table and plonking herself down in a chair. Her eyes wandered over to the piles of clothes tucked in the bags that littered her living room floor.
“What else do you need to do today?” Nathaniel asked, pulling out the chair beside her and taking a seat.
“I was just thinking I better find room for all of that.” She motioned to the bags.
“I’ll help.”
“No, that’s okay. I’m sure you have better things to do.”
“Nonsense. I’ll help you after our run and then I’ll take you to lunch.”
“You don’t need to take me to lunch, I’m more than happy to make myself a sandwich right here.”
“Okay, we’ll have sandwiches here for lunch then.” He was being too damn agreeable, it was beginning to feel suffocating.
“Don’t you have some work to do?” He scrunched his nose just a little when he looked at her, almost like he didn’t understand what she was saying. “Like at the office or something?” she prompted.
“Mackenzie, are you trying to get rid of me?” he asked with a sly grin on his face.
“No-I-”
“This is what couples do. It’s called spending time with each other.”
“But-”
“You agreed to try this.”
“Yes I did, but you seem to be forgetting that you have other commitments. Nathaniel, we haven’t been apart since-”
“I know,” his hand covered hers that was now resting in her lap, “and I like it.”
He spoke so tenderly and with such warmth that Mackenzie couldn’t help but wonder what was real anymore. Was this really the same man that came into The Blue Room every Friday and left with a different woman? The man known only as Sir? The man of her sexual fantasies for the past few months? Was he really here, in her apartment, holding her hand and wanting to be one half of a couple with her?
“Everything is happening so fast,” she murmured, not completely sure if she meant to say it out loud or not.
“I like it fast.”
Mackenzie caught his eye and couldn’t stop the small tug of her lips at his sexual innuendo. “Well, I kind of like it slow,” she said more seriously. “Nathaniel … I need some time-”
“Is this because I drugged you?” That wasn’t what she had been thinking at all. He stood from the chair and started pacing. “I said I was sorry. If I could take it back I would.” He tugged at his hair with a frustrated growl. “That was so stupid!”
Mackenzie could clearly see that it had been playing on his mind. She knew he regretted his actions. She had already forgiven him. Probably too effortlessly, come to think of it. Shit! Why did I let that go so easily?
Looking at the man pacing in front of her she knew, smart or not, that wasn’t the reason for her hesitation. She was concerned with how fast she was falling for him. How she, who never got involved, was so caught up and willing to try with him.
“Nathaniel, it’s not that.”
“It’s not?” he asked dubiously, stopping in front of her.
“No.” She shook her head and she meant it when she said, “I know you would take it back if you could.”
“So, it’s just because of last night.” He felt somewhat relieved.
“No, I may have overreacted a little about that.”
“Are you admitting defeat, Ms. Reed?” he asked with a smirk and a raised eyebrow.
“Maybe.” She smiled sheepishly.
“What is it then?”
Their eyes locked and he could see there was something on the tip of her tongue when they were interrupted by a phone ringing. Mackenzie tried to stand from the chair but he held her in place by leaning forward and resting his hands on her thighs.
“I need to answer that.”
He huffed in defeat and grabbed her cell from the kitchen counter. He stared at the name on the screen. Alex.
“Nathaniel.” Mackenzie held her hand out expectantly and he reluctantly handed it over.
“Hi, Alex,” she answered.
“Mack! What’s going on?” Alex’s joyful voice made her smile. “I dropped one hell of a bomb on you and you never even responded,” Alex teased.
“Sorry, I’ve been a little … preoccupied.” She stood and started walking toward the bedroom. Nathaniel was hot on her heels. She spun to face him, a look of warning on her face and he stood still.
“I was shocked to see that picture. I mean, I didn’t even see anyone with a camera or anything that night, did you?” Alex asked but didn’t wait for a reply. “Tina was surfing the internet and brought it to my attention because The Blue Room was mentioned. And what do ya know? Mystery solved. So, now you know who he is, what are you going to do about it?”
“Ahh ... Alex, listen. Can I just speak to you later? At work.”
“Oh, okay, sure. Is everything alright?”
“Yeah, fine. I’ll see you tonight. Bye.” She hung up before he could respond. Dropping down on the bed with a sigh, she lifted her eyes and saw Nathaniel standing in the doorway. “This is the problem,” she said, waving her hand in his direction. “I came in here to have a conversation in private and you followed.”
“Why would you need to speak to him in private?”
“I expected maybe a goodbye as you left for work this morning,” she continued as if she hadn’t heard him speak. “Not that you’d want to hang around all day and eavesdrop on my conversations. There needs to be some boundaries.”
“I don’t believe in them,” was his simple reply as he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the door frame.
“Well I do. We can’t go from being complete strangers to living in each other’s pockets, it’s unnatural.”
“What’s going on between you and Alex?” Nathaniel asked, instead of addressing her concerns.
“Nothing. He’s a colleague and a friend.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes.”
“Nothing more?” he asked, with a raised eyebrow.
“No. We work together and we’re friends.”
“Ever slept with him?”
“No!” Mackenzie yelled furiously. “What is wrong with you? He’s a happily married man!”
That eased his concerns some. Mackenzie didn’t come across as the type
that would have an affair with a married man, but he needed to know for sure.
“Do you want-”
“For fuck’s sake! Alex is a friend. That is all!”
“Good. I just want to be clear. You can’t have sex with anyone else. You can’t see anyone else. Not if you’re with me.”
“That goes for you, too!” Mackenzie blurted.
“Of course.” Her words felt like a slap to the face. He walked to her and sat beside her on the bed, noticing the hurt look back on her face. “Of course. I don’t want to be with anybody else.”
“Are you sure about that Nathaniel?”
“What?”
“Who was the woman you and Greg were fighting over?” She was afraid for his answer but she needed to know.
“We weren’t fighting over a woman.” He took her hand and smiled at her reassuringly. “I promise you. That’s just the media making up garbage. I told you, you can’t believe everything you read. Is that what’s troubling you?”
“I guess.” Mackenzie slowed down her breathing and focused on his hand holding hers.
“Mackenzie?” He waited until she was looking him in the eye. “I’m not interested in anyone but you.”
“Ditto,” she whisper-sighed. She could see it on his face then. Sincerity. Longing. Desire. All aimed at her. He meant it. This is it. The moment I jump head first into a relationship with the most intriguing man I’ve ever met. “Nathaniel?”
“Mackenzie?” He hushed her by placing his fingertip to her lips.
“Hmm?” She blinked to focus.
He snaked his arms around her waist, holding her with his gaze. “Please call me Nate.”
“Nate, huh? So will I hear Mack from your lips any time soon?”
He shook his head with a laugh then gave her a sexy smirk. “We good?”
“Yes, Nate, we’re good.”
If he thought hearing her call him by any name was music to his ears, then hearing her say ‘Nate’ was a symphony. A happy grin formed on his face. Mackenzie leaned forward and gave him a sweet kiss, showing him that all was right in the world again. He returned it hungrily but when his cock was called into action he pulled back abruptly.