Page 37 of Tainted Tempos

“Guys—” I start, feeling my anger rise.

But Mckenna shrugs cheekily. “Too soon to tell.”

I watch in awe as she navigates the paparazzi with ease. A few months ago, Mckenna hated this part of our lives, now, under even more stressful circumstances, she’s managing it like it’s second nature.

“One last photo, guys. Then, I want to be alone with my husband,” Mckenna says, her voice firm.

And the paparazzi agree. They don’t try to outmaneuver her. There’s something akin to respect in their gazes as they raise their cameras.

I pull Mckenna closer, and we both smile for the cameras.

Flash. Flash. Flash.

“Have a great night, guys!” Mckenna announces before the group can make any more demands.

Then, we enter the hotel and retreat to our suite, with Mckenna laughing with the hotel staff as they shield our retreating backs from the paparazzi’s cameras.

When we’re safely inside our suite, I sigh. “I’m sorry, babe. That was?—”

“To be expected,” Mckenna interrupts with a shrug.

I lift my eyebrows at the understanding in her tone. Her eyes glitter as she pulls her wild hair back into a messy bun.

“I don’t even want to know where those photos are going to end up,” she says, glancing at herself in the mirror and wincing. “I look like a mess.”

“You look beautiful,” I refute. “Happy.”

“I feel happier. Lighter.” She turns toward me, and I’m reminded of the girl from the cove—Mckenna’s all dancing eyes and soulful lips.

Holding my gaze, she pulls off her tank top and wriggles out of her shorts. Bending, she kicks off her sneakers. When she’s clad in just a bikini once more, she bites her bottom lip.

“Do you still want me, Mav?” Her voice is strong, but I note the quiver that wavers at the end.

“More than anything in the world.” I tug off my T-shirt and drop it at my feet.

Mckenna takes the first step toward me, and I realize that she’s trying—hell, she’s going above and beyond—to fit into my life, to meet me where I’m at, to be my wife.

Wrapping my arms around her, I hold her against my chest. Her breasts press into my skin, and I nearly groan at the contact. After our time at the waterfall, I’ve been fantasizing about Mckenna. About being with her like this—intimate and alone.

Mckenna palms my cheek, and I dip down. Our lips meet and I realize I was telling the truth.

Kissing her feels like a homecoming.

ELEVEN

MCKENNA

I losemyself in Mav’s kiss. His hot mouth, his guttural groan.

The feel of his hands on my waist, my back, my ass.

His lips drop to press kisses along my jawline, down the column of my neck. I toss my head back and close my eyes. My nerve endings are already on fire.

“Wait,” he pants, ripping his mouth from the side of my neck.

“What’s wrong?” My eyes fly open. Worry knots in my stomach and a sense of foreboding darts up my spine.

“If I do something, anything, that…” Mav’s face twists, pain blazing across his expression. “I don’t want to mess this up with you.”

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