Page 38 of Shattered

Aurora snorted. “If you can afford renter’s insurance, I’m sure it is.”

Mackenzie’s eyes widened. “You don’t have insurance?”

“Can’t afford it, Mac. Food and Abby’s medication takes precedence,” she admitted, keenly aware of how poor they really were.

The tears she’d been struggling to keep at bay, finally gave over and rolled down her flushed cheeks. Aurora bit back the sob, not wanting to fully break down in front of Mackenzie. She turned, hoping to make a quick exit to the bathroom to get herself composed. Instead, she found herself pressed up against the wall, Mackenzie’s big, warm body surrounding her.

“Shh, star,” he murmured. “Don’t cry, I can’t deal with your tears, they’re breaking my heart.”

The slight control she had of her emotions, dissipated with his sweet, kind words. Aurora laid her head on his chest, giving over to the emotions within. How long she cried for, she had no clue. All she knew is he never released his hold on her, even once she stopped. Now her eyes were sticky with tears, and her nose felt swollen. Not only would she be tired for her shift tonight, but she’d also have a headache with her little emotional fit.

Life hadn’t been easy for her, or Abby, for that matter. She didn’t complain or bemoan the chances she missed, or the life she could’ve led. Abby was worth every struggle, every sleepless night, and worry. It was something she would’ve done again without a second thought.

“You okay?” he asked.

She nodded, not wanting to move. Mackenzie was giving her something she hadn’t realized she missed or needed until this moment. More specifically, male adult contact. Not as if she had a ton of experience with the male species. Sure, she had dated before Abby was born, but never after, and it’d been a long, lonely existence.

Aurora reached up to swipe the wayward tears off her cheek, knowing she had more important things to do than rest in a strong man’s arms and wish for something that could never be. “I need to clean this mess up.”

Mackenzie shifted and Aurora felt it. His erection pressed into her lower belly, and she tensed even though arousal crawled through her veins. Her nipples stiffened. Her clit throbbed, and she grew wetter by the second.

“Fuck,” he growled, rubbing his erection harder against her stomach. “I can smell you, star. Smell that hot, sweet pussy. You’re gettin’ wet for me,” he mumbled into her hair.

“Mac—”

“I hate that I crave your taste and scent, star.” The dark timbre of his voice tingled down her spine.

A spark of desire flared in his icy-blue eyes and his features were taut as if he held back on her. His cheeks flushed pink. She should’ve voiced a protest about him being in her personal space or at the very least made sure he was there with her after everything she’d learned. She meant to say such at the same time as his mouth crushed hers. She moaned, giving him access, and Mackenzie took advantage. He ran his tongue across her bottom lip before slipping inside. Fire bloomed to life in her lower belly as their tongues clashed, tangling together. Foreign sensations pinged through her, causing the perfect storm of emotions. She was hot and cold. She wanted to push him away, while also keeping him close. She’d never understood how people in books and on television could get up in someone’s face like this and feel all those things, even if it was acting. Now she did. If she’d been asked a week or a month ago if she enjoyed a kiss—a French kiss, she have said no. Now, she needed it like she needed air to breathe.

Her belly wobbled and her panties were wet with her need as he roughly pushed his thigh between her shaking legs. Aurora rolled her hips, gliding the sensitive flesh between her thighs over his jean-clad leg, seeking relief. She let out a startled cry, and Mackenzie grabbed her hips. He guided her as she continued to move, chasing the most delicious feeling building within her.

He broke the kiss and buried his face in her neck, quickening her pace. The rough sounds he made turned her on, but it was the sound of his voice that got her. “Get off on me, Aurora. Spill it all on me. Fuck, I want inside you so bad right now.” He took her hand and lowered it to his groin. “Touch me. Take me with you.” He opened his pants with one hand and pressed her palm to his straining dick.

Later, she’d think about what they were doing; in the moment, she didn’t. She stroked him, trying to keep pace with him while he nibbled and sucked on the sensitive flesh of her neck. Her head bounced against the wall as everything inside coiled into a giant ball of pleasure. “Mackenzie.”

He growled against her neck and made a harsh sound. The warm, wet heat of his release sent her tumbling over the edge. Her back bowed, and her breath hitched in her chest. A soft whimper escaped her while she shook in his arms.

As quickly as it started, Mackenzie pulled back, panting as he ran his one hand through his hair and growled. “What the fuck?”

“I’m sorry,” Aurora squeaked unsure what she was apologizing for. She certainly hadn’t pushed him against a wall and kissed the shit out of him.You did jerk him off, though.She glanced down at her hand, surprised by the sticky white liquid coating her palm.

“Stop apologizing,” he snapped, stuffing himself back into his jeans.

Aurora wondered, not for the first time, if Mackenzie was mentally stable. One minute, he was sweet and caring, the other, angry and grumpy. It was giving her whiplash. He took long deep breaths in through his nose as if he was attempting to control himself. A good two minutes later, he seemed to finally get himself together.

“Go get a bath,” he ordered, and before she could refute him, he continued. “I’ll clean this mess up while you soak. I’ll also fix the sink and check on the tenant below you for water damage.”

“And then?”

“Then you crawl that sweet little ass of yours into bed and get some sleep before Abby comes home,” he said, his brisk tone bordering on harsh.

Aurora narrowed her eyes, contemplating her next move. Deep down, she knew if she tried to argue with him, it’d get her nowhere. It’d just expel energy she didn’t have to give. Without another word, she turned and all but ran to the bathroom to start a hot tub. Later she’d think of a way to repay the ill-natured man bitching in her kitchen as he fought with the vacuum. Later, she’d think about what happened to them, in her kitchen, and why she wanted more.

Chapter Six

Rinse, lather, repeat.

Mackenzie stripped his bed once more and carried the sheets down to the washer. The dream had been more vivid and alive. This time, he knew what Aurora tasted like the minute his tongue touched hers. He also craved black licorice, which didn’t make a lick of sense because before then he hated it with a passion. But ever since the other day when he fixed her broken water pipe, he had to have them. The small box filled with the bite-sized candies rested in his jeans pocket. It rankled his nerves and pissed him off. Plus, when he’d returned home from helping Aurora, he’d smelled like cum and sex, and he couldn’t remember what he’d done, other than he smelled honeysuckle and jasmine—Aurora’s scent. It could easily be explained, though. Right? He’d been in her apartment. All the rest?

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