Eraser Crimson

by Megan Keith

  “I promise.”

  He was close to his mother and the physical distance didn’t deter that, she could read him, even over the phone. Carol wasn’t naïve enough to believe that he’d been celibate all these years, far from it, but she’d always ignored that side of his life, his player ways, in the hope that he’d meet the right girl one day. He was well aware of that.

  His mom was wrong on one thing though – he hadn’t been guarded with Mackenzie, not since she had said the words, “I’m done fighting this,” two weeks ago. Those four words had changed everything for him. Mackenzie, on the other hand, was still a little guarded but he was slowly breaking down her barriers.

  Nate had never felt so vulnerable or strong, and though it was a total contradiction, Mackenzie made him feel both. He needed to tell her that he loved her. He also needed to come clean. He pulled the file that had been weighing heavily on him from his desk drawer. He was drumming his fingers on the folder, deep in thought, when Stacey knocked on his open door and walked into the office.

  “Mackenzie’s here to see you,” she whispered when she noticed the phone pressed to his ear. She placed some papers on his desk.

  “Five minutes,” he replied, sliding the folder underneath the paperwork. Then his dad came on the line to discuss business and Stacey left the office.

  “He won’t be too long,” his assistant said before taking a seat behind her desk.

  It had almost been a month since that very first night with the mysterious Sir. In that time so much had changed. Now she was waiting for Nate, her boyfriend, to take her to lunch. She couldn’t help but feel giddy they’d reached this point.

  It was her first time in his office. She’d only ever seen the building from the outside on a couple of occasions. But today, Simon had dropped her at the lobby of the building and pointed her to the 19th floor where she now sat. The reception area was open, modern and sleek. Large windows overlooked the city down below. Dark polished floors, grey office furniture and pops of bright lime on the white walls made it look sophisticated. She sunk further down into the large sofa. Knowing that Nate ran the place was more than a little intimidating.

  Mackenzie thought she heard her name spoken and she looked to Nate’s assistant to see a man in a suit with his back to her. At first glance her heart sped up, she thought it was Nate, but when he looked briefly over his shoulder at her she was disappointed to see that it wasn’t. The fact that Nate’s assistant was now talking in whispers to him, and they both continued to glance in her direction, made Mackenzie squirm in her seat. She adjusted her position to look out the window, trying her best to ignore the two that were obviously talking about her.

  “Can I help you?” a masculine voice spoke. Mackenzie looked up to find the man looming over her. He wore a navy suit, dark hair and dark eyes that twinkled with mischief. He was gorgeous and … familiar.

  “I’m just waiting on Nate.”

  “Nate, huh?” The man stepped closer and held out his hand for her to shake, a crooked grin on his face. “You must be Mackenzie.”

  “Yes, I am.” Mackenzie straightened her back but kept her hands clasped in her lap, feeling a little taken aback by the man’s forwardness and annoyed that he obviously knew who she was by the way he’d just been gossiping to Nate’s assistant. “And you are?”

  “Pleased to meet you, that’s for damn sure.” He seemed friendly enough but Mackenzie was still a little wary. “I’m Tom,” he smiled a broad smile at her and the resemblance was uncanny. “I’m-”

  “Nate’s brother,” she finished for him, then stood and took the man’s hand, returning his smile with one of her own. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Please, sit back down.” Tom motioned back to the sofa. “He’s on a call with our father, it could be a while,” he sniggered. “Dad may have retired but he can’t seem to keep his nose out of the business.” Tom walked by and took a seat beside her. “I’ve been wondering about you, Mackenzie.”

  “Oh?”

  “You’ve got my brother tied up in knots.”

  Mackenzie laughed at the image of Nate being the one tied for a change, she couldn’t help it. Actually, that’s not a bad idea.

  “What’s so funny?” Tom asked, pulling her from her dirty thoughts. “You don’t believe me? It’s true. I’ve never seen him go ga-ga over a woman before.”

  “Really?” Mackenzie asked skeptically, while quietly thrilled at the idea.

  “Yes. I’ll be honest with you, I was concerned at first, considering what you do for a living.”

  “Sorry, what?”

  “But my brother quickly squashed my ‘money hungry’ theories. He told me you’re uncomfortable with wealth.”

  “He did?”

  “If you intend on sticking around, you’ll have to get over that.” He chuckled softly.

  Mackenzie didn’t know what to make of the man beside her. One second she was smiling at his words, then she was offended and uncomfortable with his familiarity.

  “It’s a good thing us Pierce men are great judges of character. My instincts tell me you and I will become the best of friends.”

  “Is that so? Well my instincts tell me that Pierce men are all very forward and full of themselves.”

  Tom laughed and kind of sounded like his brother. She couldn’t help the smile that formed on her lips.

  “That’s the spirit! We’ll be best buds in no time!” he beamed.

  There was something about the man that made Mackenzie believe he may be right. She was already warming to him.

  “Nathaniel will see you now,” Nate’s assistant interrupted, standing from her desk. The amused smile on her face made it known she’d heard the whole exchange.

  “Thank you.” Mackenzie stood, turning to Tom. “I’d say it was a pleasure to meet you, Tom …” She grinned at him teasingly and leaned toward him when he stood. Lowering her voice she added, “But that wouldn’t be completely honest now, would it?” She held out her hand for him to shake. “It was an interesting and inappropriate conversation.”

  Tom laughed loudly and shook her hand. “I like you already.”

  A small giggle escaped Mackenzie’s lips as she walked to the woman’s side.

  “I’m Stacey, by the way,” she said with a friendly smile.

  “Hi.”

  “Follow me.”

  The tall redhead led her down a short corridor to an office with its door open, sweeping her hand inside before turning to walk away. Mackenzie entered Nate’s office and quickly focused on the sexy man behind the large desk. She took a deep breath and gave him a smile, all thoughts of her weird encounter with his brother escaping her mind in an instant. The heat in his eyes prompted her to close the door for some privacy.

  Stunning. Nate couldn’t take his eyes off her as he stood from his chair and met her at the side of his desk.

  “Nice office you have here, Mr. Pierce,” Mackenzie said, looking around the room.

  “Why thank you, Ms. Reed. It’s not too shabby. I must say it looks a hell of a lot nicer now that you’re in it.” His arms curved around her lower back and he leaned in for a kiss.

  “That’s very nice of you to say. I appreciate that.”

  “Well, I do know how to appreciate my assets.”

  “Your assets?” she asked, with a glint in her eye.

  “Aha.” His hands smoothed over her body, grabbing hold of her ass and giving it a squeeze. He lifted her and quickly spun around to place her on the side of his desk, causing a small squeal to leave her lips. “I know a good investment when I see one, too.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Mhmm.” He rained kisses down her neck. Mackenzie’s hands found his hair and she arched her back to allow him better access.

  “Well, I heard that I have you ‘tied up in knots’.” Mackenzie gasped as Nate nibbled her ear lobe and his stubble rubbed along her neck.

  “What?” he whispered against her skin, pushing his body between her thighs but not st
opping his assault.

  Before Mackenzie could answer, a loud knock sounded.

  “Sorry to interrupt.” Tom snuck his head in the door.

  Nate straightened up and helped Mackenzie to her feet.

  “No you’re not,” he said with a sigh. “Mackenzie, this is my brother, Tom.”

  “We’ve met,” she mumbled under her breath.

  “Yes, we had a lovely chat only moments ago,” Tom said, stepping into the room with a wide smile full of mischief.

  “What did you do?” Nate asked his brother in an accusatory tone. He took hold of Mackenzie’s hand. “Whatever he said, take it with a grain of salt. He is quite the asshat.”

  “I learned my skills from my big bro.”

  Both men laughed and Mackenzie looked on in wonder as Tom gave his brother a thump on the back. The comradery between the two of them was sweet. She had been seeing more and more of the softer side of Nate but now she was seeing him in his natural habitat, with his brother, and it was a breathtaking sight. He was relaxed and fun and it warmed her heart to be a part of it. Nate let go of her hand and folded his arms across his chest, gazing at her. She noticed Tom was standing in the same position also watching her expectantly.

  “You can’t half tell you’re brothers,” she remarked, looking between the two.

  “Maybe so, but it is rather obvious that I got the good looks in this family,” Tom said with a smug smirk.

  “I beg to differ,” Mackenzie replied, giving Tom a taste of his own medicine. “But don’t worry, you’re not exactly ugly, I’m sure you can still pick up the odd woman,” she teased.

  Tom scrunched his nose up.

  “Not really his type, babe,” Nate said with a snigger.

  “Sorry?”

  “I’m gay,” Tom explained. “I believe you’ve already met my ex, Greg.”

  The expression on Mackenzie’s face was priceless. Nate gave her hand a squeeze, unable to hide his smirk.

  “Greg is your ex?” she asked, astonished.

  “Yes. My apologies for that asshole. Hopefully he won’t bother you, or Nate, again.”

  “Huh.” Well that definitely explains a few things. “And you claimed to be a great judge of character,” she teased.

  “Well, even a fine specimen like myself can make momentary lapses in judgment from time to time.”

  “Momentary? You were with him for nearly two years!” Nate laughed.

  “Yes, well … thanks for that reminder!” Tom shook his head. “Anyway, what I came in here for, Nate – I need you in on a quick meeting with Bill if you have a couple of minutes before you go to lunch.”

  “Sure. I’ll be with you in a moment.”

  “It was nice to meet you, Mackenzie. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you.” Tom gave her a wink before leaving the office, closing the door on his way out.

  “So that’s what the fight with Greg was about? You were protecting your brother?” she asked Nate. “Why didn’t you just tell me?” He shrugged and she realized that, even though she’d thought she’d let it go, it wasn’t until that moment she felt the full weight of the fight actually leave her. It really wasn’t over a woman!

  “Greg’s a lying, cheating scumbag and he didn’t like it when I told Tom what I knew. He blames me for wrecking their relationship,” Nate explained.

  Now it makes sense. Mackenzie smiled with relief. “Well, well, who’d have thought,” she teased, draping her arms around Nate’s neck.

  “What?” Nate chuckled.

  “That the mysterious and sexy business man from the bar was just a big, soft family guy at heart?”

  “I assure you Mackenzie, when it comes to you,” he pressed himself against her body and she felt his cock hardening against her lower stomach, “I’m never soft.”

  “You don’t say?”

  “Always hard for you.” He gave her a quick closed-mouthed kiss on the lips. “It will serve you well to remember that,” he added with a wink. He led her around to his chair. “Now sit, I won’t be long.” He kissed her on the cheek before leaving.

  Mackenzie sat in the silent office. The sun beat in from the large wall of windows behind her and she spun the chair around to admire the city view. A smile played on her lips as she replayed the last fifteen minutes in her mind. She could barely believe this had become her life; that she had found Nate, or rather he found her, and changed everything, it was far more than she ever imagined for herself. Now that she had met, and liked, Tom she began to imagine a future with both men in her life. The possibility of having a partner and a brother made her lightheaded with happiness.

  She spun the chair full circle with a giggle. The way Nate made her feel was evolving every day and she couldn’t wait to see what the next one would bring. Spinning back to face the desk she eyed the perfectly neat piles of paperwork, admiring Nate’s impeccable handwritten notes. Neat freak. She smiled. Looking around the large office, she could practically feel the authority, the stature that Nate held, behind his big desk. She rolled the oversized, black, leather chair in closer and accidentally knocked some papers aside. When she went to right them her heart stopped.

  Her name was printed neatly on the edge of a beige manila folder. She opened the file, with her heart thumping hard in her chest and her eyes wide.

  What the hell is all this?

  Copies of her bank statements, her resume, and the lease for her apartment … even school records … piles and piles of personal information.

  Why would Nate have all of this? Her vision blurred and she felt weak. He’s been checking up on me?

  It didn’t make any sense. He’d been looking into her records, from before they’d ever spoken – a letter from a private detective dated months ago confirmed it.

  I trusted him!

  “Sorry about that,” Nate said, before he noticed the office was empty. “Mackenzie?”

  Figuring she must have gone to the bathroom or something, he sat in the chair behind his desk to wait for her. And that’s when he saw it. The file. Wide open. Fuck! No!

  He bolted from the desk and out into the reception area.

  “Stacey? Where is she?” he yelled frantically.

  Stacey was on a phone call but pointed to the elevator. He caught a glimpse of Mackenzie before the doors shut. Her head was down, shoulders slumped and shaking. She was crying. Fuck! He ran over to the elevator. Fury wracked him as he stood, punching the button violently. When the doors to the other elevator finally opened he jumped in.

  “Mackenzie!” he called when he eventually made it to the lobby and saw her leaving the large front doors. He chased her. “Mackenzie!” He reached her on the street, grabbing hold of her arm. “I’m sorry. I meant to throw all of that away. You shouldn’t have-”

  “Seen it?” She swung around and shoved his chest, hard. “You were going to toss it out and you think that makes it all okay?” She pushed him again. “I don’t understand! You had no right! I trusted you. You had a detective – what – follow me?” She wiped at her wet cheeks.

  “No! I didn’t have–”

  “Why?” she interrupted. “Why would you do that?” She was met with silence. The look of guilt on his face was palpable. After a long quiet moment she turned away from him and lifted her arm to hail a cab.

  “Please, let me explain!” he said in a panic. He didn’t know how to justify his actions but he knew he had to try. He couldn’t just let her leave.

  “I can’t talk to you right now, Nate!” I need to get away from him.

  He reached for her arm, taking hold and tugging her toward him, desperate to stop her.

  “Just go!” she yelled.

  She yanked her arm from his grasp. So hard that she lost her footing. Mackenzie’s ankle twisted and she cried out in pain when she landed on her side on the pavement.

  “Mackenzie!”

  “Leave me alone!” she screamed through her tears when he tried to help her up.

  Out of anger, she kicked him in the shin with her g
ood leg and he stumbled backwards. She quickly crawled out of his reach, catching a glimpse of something large and blue from the corner of her eye.

  Searing pain tore through her body and her head hit the hard pavement. She blinked a couple of times but couldn’t focus on anything. She could hear screaming … and Nate … she could hear panic in his voice … what’s he saying?

  All she could see was blurred movement and red … and then … nothing.

  “We need an ambulance … been hit by a car …” Nate heard voices around him but he couldn’t focus. He crouched down on his knees beside her. His woman, his Mackenzie. The sounds of commotion faded in and out. His hands shook as he reached for her. Her eyes were closed. Dark red was everywhere. It was blood.

  So much blood.

  Woah! It sure was a challenge to write about a man with no name for the first three books of this series! Keeping it from all the people who were demanding to know was the easy part. To say, “Nope, I’m not telling you!” (totally in a sing-song voice, of course!) gave me great pleasure.

  Keeping his name out of teasers, excerpts and off the pages was a little harder, but so far, it's worked! I’d like to challenge YOU to leave HIS name out of your reviews (which I love reading by the way, so have a go if you've never tried before).

  Here's the thing, I'M so glad the secret is out, but Nate, he’s a little concerned. You know how he likes to be in control and all ... he would love for you could keep HIS secret. He wants other readers to find out the same way you and Mackenzie did, it’s only fair.

  Plus knowing a secret when others don’t might give you ‘pleasure like you’ve never known before’. Go on try it! It would really mean a lot to me ... and even more to Sir.

  Thank you.

  Thank you Renee Kubisch for being my biggest cheerleader. You keep me in line with your reasoning even when I don’t want to hear it (damn you!). I appreciate all of the time you put in critiquing my work, editing, making teasers, sourcing swag … you go above and beyond and I don’t know what I’d do without you. I appreciate your friendship so very, very much!