Page 189 of Callan

It’s only natural. She’s a smart woman.

She’s caught the nuance, but we still have to play this game, or we’ll have nothing in the end.

I pour two glasses of Champagne and turn to her.

“The fireworks look better from the bedroom. Let’s go there.”

Smiling, she takes the flute dripping with condensation before we make a beeline for the bedroom.

MACKENZIE

My focus is split.

A part of me is in awe with the fireworks, while a part of me is smitten with the man standing next to me. And it’s partly because he is off limits.

Despite trying to behave like all options are on the table, we know they’re not.

Not to mention the big trouble I am in.

I wouldn’t have had people chase me down the street if it wasn’t for him.And I wouldn’t be here with him if it wasn’t for him.

He can be the greatest thing to me, but he can also ruin me.

“Happy New Year, Mackenzie,” he says, clinking his glass to mine and giving me a soft smile as we watch the fireworks from behind the patio doors.

“Happy New Year,” I say, my voice fading, my smile failing to show up.

“Is something wrong?” he asks before sipping his Champagne.

“No. Nothing’s wrong.”

A lot is wrong, but this is neither the time nor the place to overanalyze things to death.

I want this man.

I want him tonight more than ever.

I wouldn’t have been at the park had I not thought about our first moments together in his car.

I drink Champagne and eventually smile before he takes my almost empty glass and sets it on the window sill next to his own.

His focus comes swiftly back to me.

“We don’t have much time,” he says, smiling apologetically, his need to have me as intense as mine.

Without wasting another moment––as if this has been the sole purpose of this meeting––he slides his hands down my neck and slinks his fingers inside my jacket.

Goosebumps spread across my skin.

I wish I could say something in response, but his lips come to mine, rushed and hungry, not allowing me to form words.

Heat rams through my blood when his hand travels to the front of my jacket, undoes the only button, and straightly makes a go for my chest.

He must’ve wanted to do this the entire evening as he scoops my breasts out of my bra and kneads them while kissing me with even more passion.

A tornado barrels through me, fueling my need for him. I move my hands to my sides while he peels my jacket off.

Next, he undoes my waistband button before inviting me to step out of my pants.

---