The Hero

by Amelia Shea

  Macy shook her head. “No, he’s Emme’s dad. If he were truly your husband, he wouldn’t treat you the way he does. You deserve someone who will love the amazing woman you are. And if you want him, he’s out there, Tri.” She took a breath. “But if you stay and tie yourself down to this guy, you’ll never find him. And stop thinking ya need anybody. You are fully capable of doing it alone if that’s what you want.” Macy dropped her hand to Trini’s and held onto her. “You are so much stronger than you think you are.”

  Honesty in the truest form was hard to hear. Macy knew this from experience.

  She sighed. “You really want me living next door to you?”

  “Hell yeah.” She smirked. “I’ve got at least twenty hours a week which need to be filled at the shop. Already talked to Chey and she agreed. It’s yours if you want it. But even if ya don’t, and you wanna do something else, there’s opportunity. And Rourke and I can help with Emme if you need it. I love that kid, nothing I wouldn’t do for her.” She paused. “Or you, Trini. You’d have your own house with a yard and us right next door if ya ever need something.” Macy tilted her head, all set to unleash another guilt trip if need be. “And sometimes, I’m gonna need you to come over so I can bitch about your brother over Margaritas and tacos. I need you, Trini.”

  She glanced at the table where the drawings were and lowered her tone. “I wanna say yes.”

  “Then say it.”

  Trini laughed through her tears, peering up at Macy. She was sure she had her. “I totally understand why he loves you so much.”

  Macy teared up a bit herself. “So, it’s a yes?”

  Trini chuckled and nodded her head. “Yes.”

  ****

  “Oh God,” she screamed through gritted teeth. She held nothing back, and chances were the whole mobile home community was hearing her in mid-orgasm. He didn’t fucking care, as long as she got off.

  He’d had many women in his life but none as good a Macy. Maybe it was because, for the first time in his life, he was fucking a woman he loved. Better than anyone he’d ever had.

  She moaned, and he stroked her pussy, wet and warm, as he gripped her shoulders. Her lips pressed against his neck, and he groaned. Anytime she touched him, it was fucking perfect.

  He sat back on his knees. He grasped her ankles, lifted both of her legs to rest against his shoulders, and enjoyed watching the glazed pleasure in her eyes. She fucking loved this position and got off quick every single time. Her hips bucked forward, trying to control his pace. She could try, but he wasn’t having it. He pounded inside her setting himself on the verge of exploding inside her. Holding back with her was virtually impossible, but her coming was not an option. She would. He grasped her ankles and thrust deep inside her, and watched as she grabbed a fistful of the sheets, squeezing her fingers tightly around the soft material. God, it feels so good.

  He knew she was seconds away. His hand reached down and grazed his finger over her clit. Her head strained back into the pillow as she screamed out his name, riding the wave of her orgasm.

  He dropped her legs, which fell to the side, and thrust deep inside her until he came. Fucking perfect. She panted and wrapped her arms around his neck. He should have known what was coming next.

  “We should stay in bed all day.”

  He tried to pull away, but her hold was tight, and when he heard her giggle, it made him smile. This woman may own his heart and get away with a lot of shit. But they were not staying in bed all day. Fuck no, she had shit to do.

  “Macy,” he warned, and she dropped her arms.

  “It can wait another day,” she said.

  She had officially moved all her stuff over to his place so Trax and Chey could take over her old apartment since selling his house. But just because her things were there didn’t mean she officially unpacked. And it was pissing him the fuck off. If he tripped over one more fucking box, he was going to lose his shit.

  “You need to get your shit out of the living room, Mace, I’m not fucking playing,” he growled.

  She had done her best to argue her case. Since they were moving in a few months, she thought it seemed too ridiculous to unpack just to repack in such a short time span. He listened, then shot it down. His living room resembled a storage unit, and he wasn’t having it. Also, which he never verbalized, he wanted her shit in his drawers, her candles on his table, her moisturizer and shampoo in his bathroom. He wanted all of it.

  “Fine.”

  She ambled her way out of bed and threw on her jeans and t-shirt. She sighed. “I hate unpacking.”

  “Kase said the renovations would be done in the next few months,”

  She glanced over her shoulder. “And they are doing Trini’s place at the same time, right? I was thinking we could just hire one moving truck and get all of our shit moved together.”

  She was doing shit like that all the time. Thinking of not only him, but his sister and niece. He wasn’t sure if he would have been able to convince Trini to move to Ghosttown, had it not been for Macy. This woman was everything.

  He reached for her and wrapped his arm around her waist, tugging her back into bed. Her back hit the mattress at the same time his body slid over hers. She smiled, gripping his shoulders. She opened her mouth, but he cut her off.

  “I love you,” he whispered.

  He’d never spoken those words to a woman. Not even his sister, though he was sure she knew he did. But with Macy, he felt compelled to say it, so she knew.

  She drew in a breath. “I-I love you too.”

  He scanned her face wondering what he’d done to deserve her. Nothing, yet here she was.

  “Rourke.” She slid her fingers over his jaw.

  “What ya did, back there with Trini and Emme, taking them in like ya did? It reminds me of who you are, and maybe I don’t deserve you.”

  “Babe.”

  “Doesn’t matter, you’re mine, whether I deserve you or not. Not letting you go, Mace.” He leaned in, taking her lips for a soft kiss. He wouldn’t let her go. He may not be good with his words, but he was prepared to put it all out there.

  “And I’m gonna marry you, put a ring on your finger, even if I gotta fucking trick ya to do it.”

  She smiled. “All ya gotta do is ask, Rourke.” She hoisted herself up for a kiss.

  He scowled, bracing himself for her next response. “Be my old lady?”

  She groaned and sank into the mattress and sighed while rolling her eyes. “Old lady? Really?” She pursed her lips. “How about hot wife or sexy baby mama? Anything but old lady.”

  Rourke chuckled, leaning into her ear. “That’s my old lady.” Teasing a woman was new territory for him, but with Macy, it came naturally. Everything did with her.

  Macy moaned. “Fuck, I’m an old lady.”

  Fuck yeah, she was.

  “Yeah.” Rourke kissed her neck and curled into her arms. “But you’re my old lady.”

  Chapter Twenty

  She was getting a kink in her neck from having the phone wedged between her shoulder and her ear.

  “Is there anything he doesn’t like?”

  “Mom, he’ll love anything you make, I promise.” She sighed with a smile. Her mother had been on her to meet Rourke. He was going to be the guest of honor at her mom’s Sunday dinner. It had been planned a few days ago, and ever since Macy had been taking calls about it.

  “But I’d like to make something he likes.” She gasped. “How about filet mignon? I’ll have Jerry cook it on the grill, and I have that rub, you remember, you all loved it last time.”

  Macy grasped her phone and bowed her head. “Make that, Mom.”

  “Or, my lasagna?”

  Macy groaned. “Mom, whatever ya want. Trust me, after eating my cooking, Rourke will be happy with anything you make.”

  She scoffed. “Hush, you are a great cook, Macy.”

  Macy smiled. She was far from great, but her mother had a way of seeing her in a brighter light than she saw herself. While
she didn’t mention it to Rourke, Macy was happy her mother was going all out. Rourke meant a lot to her, and her mother knew it. She wanted to make it special.

  “And Trini and Emme are still coming too, right? I picked up a few books and toys from the consignment shop so she’d have fun while she’s here.”

  God, I love this lady.

  “Yeah, and they’re super excited.”

  “Well, so am I.” Her mother paused. “Any man who makes my daughter light up the way you do when you talk about him has my approval already.”

  She’d shared with her mom. From the move to how much Rourke meant to her. All of which had made her mother overly excited.

  Macy smiled. “We’ll see you at four next Saturday.”

  “Can’t wait, sweetheart. Love you.”

  “Love ya, Mom.” She hung up and tossed her phone onto the carpet next to her.

  Macy stared at the boxes. Start moving.

  She’d been at it for a few hours when the door creaked from behind. She figured it was Rourke or Trini. When she turned her head, Trax was standing in the entry. She smiled and cocked her head.

  “Hey.”

  Trax lifted his chin. “How’s it going?”

  She rolled her eyes. “It’s a fucking nightmare, Trax. Apparently, I’m a pack rat, and I didn’t even know it.” She rested back against the sofa, watching him walk to the counter. “Is Chey here?”

  He glanced over and shook his head. “She’s sleeping. Has a shift tonight.”

  “Oh,” she said and sat up. It was no secret she and Trax weren’t best buddies, but it seemed odd he’d come over without Cheyenne or Rourke being around. He glanced around the mess in her living room and leaned against the counter folding his arms.

  “Chey tell ya she apologized to Rourke for losing her shit that night at the clubhouse.”

  That night. It would forever go down in history as that night. She’d put it past her, so had Rourke for the most part. A lot had been said, and while Macy tried her best to block it, she remembered how fiercely Cheyenne had gone for Rourke. Though, neither Cheyenne or Rourke had mentioned making amends, she assumed they were leaving it the past.

  Macy shook her head and tucked her knees against her chest. No one had said anything about an apology. When had this happened? Trax sighed and raised his brows.

  “She said she doesn’t want Rourke to hate her.” He shrugged. “Doesn’t want to come between you and him or me and him.”

  Macy smiled. “Typical Chey, wants everyone to get along.”

  He snorted with a sharp nod. “Yeah.”

  He stared back at Macy.

  “You waiting on an apology from me?” she asked.

  Trax laughed. “That’s Chey’s thing, not yours. Ain’t holding my breath.” He glanced up at the ceiling and cocked his brow. “Probably dying waiting on that anyway.” He looked over at Macy with a smile playing on his lips. “It’s all good on my end, Mace. To Chey, you’re family, to Rourke, you’re more, I’m game for calling truce with ya.”

  Macy smirked and glanced up at him. “This is your apology?”

  He snorted. “I ain’t apologizing for shit.”

  She chuckled. “Good. Me either.” She settled back against the couch. “This is not an apology but,” she paused. “I was wrong about you, Trax.”

  He smiled. “And I was right about you.”

  She furrowed her brow. “What the fuck?”

  He laughed and shook his head. “After the fight you had with Rourke at the clubhouse? Chey told me about you being a fucking mess.”

  She straightened her back and scowled at him. “Shut the fuck up, asshole, I wasn’t a mess.” She folded her arms. It was a lie. She had been a crazy hot mess after losing Rourke and their fight.

  Trax knitted his brows. “When I talked to him, could see he was hurting too. You two are cut from the same fucking cloth. Fucking stubborn as hell.” He shrugged. “But I knew you guys belonged together, like me and Chey.” He paused. “That’s why I reminded him of my own fuck up with Cheyenne. None of us are perfect. Had your back, Mace, ’cause I knew you were who he wanted.” He paused. “I knew you were it for Rourke. He’s a good guy, one of the best I know. He needs a good woman.” Trax sighed. “That’s you.”

  She bit her lip. Trax was the one who had her back?

  Macy smirked. “Ya think this was how Chey and Rourke amended things?”

  Trax pushed off the counter and snorted. “No, I think my girl was all sweet while your man silently nodded.” He winked and started to the door.

  “Hey,” she called out and waited for him to turn back at the door. “Not gonna wait for Rourke?”

  “No.” He opened the door. “I was here to see you, Mace. I’ll catch him later.” He smiled with a nod and walked out.

  She stared at the door for a few minutes after he’d left. Trax’s admission gave her a newfound respect for him.

  It was another few hours before Rourke came home.

  Macy had made good on her promise and by the second hour, had put a dent in the boxes piled in his living room. When he arrived home, he’d moved some to the spare room. Then headed back to their bedroom where she had retreated. He had cleared a few drawers for her clothes, and space in his tiny closet. It was an odd sight. Her colorful wardrobe mixed with his black, gray, and denim attire.

  “Next weekend, dinner at my mom’s, don’t forget.”

  He snorted. “I remember. Curb my use of fuck, right?”

  She laughed and poked her head out from the closest to find him leaning against the doorframe.

  “Full disclosure? She’s so excited, you could probably curse throughout the whole dinner, and she’d still love you.” She stalked closer and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her chin on his chest. His palm caressed her back, tugging her closer.

  “She said she’s never seen me so happy, Rourke.”

  His eyes crinkled. “Yeah?”

  Macy nodded. “She’s right, ya know. Never been this happy.”

  His gaze softened. I love that look. His finger trailed over her back and shoulder to cup her jaw. Kiss me. He leaned forward, sweeping his lips against hers.

  “Gonna make it, so you’re always this happy.” His nose skimmed hers and she closed eyes, curling into his chest. “With me,” he whispered.

  The End

  About The Author

  Amelia Shea

  Amelia Shea is an author of contemporary romance. She released her debut novel in 2015, and has continued her passion for writing romance series. A little sweet, a little sassy and lots of steam has been her formula for her writing. And of course, a happily ever after.

  Born and raised, a Jersey girl, she has settled down in the south with her amazingly supportive husband, her fabulous (most days) children and her trusty, loyal, four-legged, furry sidekick, Bob.

  Ghosttown Riders Series

  The Favor

  The Hero

  The Samaritan

  The Saint

  The Enemy

  The Return

  The Outlaw