Violet’s eyes fluttered open and for an instant she didn’t know where she was. But then the mattress moved and Mac’s arm snaked around her waist and pulled her close. She smiled, this was a good way to wake up, and one she could get used to. Through the open window, Violet could see the dawn break over distant hills. A cool breeze filled the room but she was warmed by Mac’s body. She should be tired, as Mac’s lovemaking had kept her up most of the night, but she wasn’t. Instead there was a buzz running right through her body.
The morning air was still but Violet could feel the potential in it. Anticipation bubbled through her; it was going to be a good day. Everything to do with the wedding was pretty much under control, though there were still a few things to do, but first she needed some coffee and then Mac.
Gingerly, she moved Mac’s arm just enough so she could slip out of bed. The air was chillier than she’d expected and it was all she could do not to jump back into bed and snuggle into Mac. She shivered, then grabbed Mac’s shirt from the chair, slung it on and headed downstairs.
After flicking on the switch to start the coffee machine she hunted around the kitchen for some cups. She’d just have enough time to wake Mac up with coffee, kisses and maybe a little bit more. Yeah, it was going to be a good morning.
‘Did you really mean what you said?’ came a voice from behind her.
Violet swung around to see Jason hunched over at the end of the long kitchen table.
‘Jason, you scared me. I didn’t hear you coming in,’ she said.
‘Did you mean what you said, Violet?’
‘What are you talking about?’ she asked.
‘The other night. Do you really believe I’m still a good man?’
The question hung in the air awkwardly as Violet turned and busied herself making the coffee. ‘I think you’ve lost sight of him, Jason. But he’s still there,’ she said after a while.
‘I’m sorry, about the other night. The kiss, I mean. I was way out of line,’ he said, as he raised his head for the first time.
‘It’s okay,’ said Violet, noticing Jason’s eyes were red-rimmed and he looked as if he hadn’t slept. Not a great way to begin your wedding day.
‘So, you and Mac, huh?’
‘Yes, me and Mac,’ she answered as she walked over and placed a coffee in front of him. ‘Here, you look as if you could use it.’
‘Thanks,’ he said simply. ‘I’m not trying to push in, I don’t have the right. I know I didn’t support you all those years ago and that’s something I have to live with. I’m just curious about Holly. Does she know I’m her father?’
‘No, she doesn’t.’
‘Are you ever going to tell her?’
Violet leaned against the kitchen bench and looked out the window. ‘Yes, Jason, but I want to wait a while. She’s just had Mac come into her life.’
Jason took a gulp of his coffee. ‘Thank you, that’s more than I could really have hoped for, all things considered.’
‘It’s not just about you, Jason. Eventually Holly will want to know the truth.’
‘And what will you say about me. About us?’
‘That we were once, long ago, in love and had a few unforgettable summers. But we couldn’t last, it was all too much, too soon and we were so young and just starting out in our adult lives. No matter how much I might have wanted it at the time, we didn’t have a future together,’ Violet said as she stared out the window. ‘And that she’s a lucky girl because she has two great fathers—one who made her and one who chose her.’
‘Thanks,’ said Jason, his eyes looking a little misty. ‘Mac will do a good job. He loves you both. I just wish—’
‘You can’t live in the past, Jase. Let it go. It’s okay.’
‘I have to start putting things right.’
‘It’s your wedding day, Jason. Cheer up and look to the future. It’s about to change.’
‘Yes, it is. Are you happy? I mean are you happy with Mac?’
‘More than I thought possible,’ Violet answered as she picked up the other two coffees she’d made and took a step towards the door. ‘Now, I’m going back to bed. I’ll see you later.’
‘I’m glad you’re happy. You deserve to be,’ said Jason as she walked out of the kitchen.
Violet tried to put the conversation out of her head as she walked back up the stairs to Mac’s bedroom. She lingered in the doorway and stared at Mac. His hand was thrown up near his head, his wide shoulders spread across the white sheet and his jaw was shadowed by stubble. Violet’s fingers itched to touch him.
She put the cups down on the bedside table and slid back into bed.
‘Hey, Mac,’ she said before giving him a series of kisses along his jaw.
Mac opened one eye. ‘Hey, yourself. Are you wearing my shirt?’ he said, moving his head and gently catching her bottom lip with his teeth. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, and she could feel him getting hard.
‘Ah huh. I borrowed it,’ she said between kisses.
‘I like that you did. You look good in it.’
‘Charmer.’
‘I like waking up with you in my bed. I can’t wait until it’s happening on a regular basis,’ he said with a grin.
‘I might be persuaded.’
Mac reached up and in one fluid movement pulled Violet beneath him.
‘Mac! What do you think you’re doing?’
‘Persuading you, sweetheart,’ he said with a grin as he settled between her thighs. ‘Persuading you.’
Violet stepped into the shower and smiled with pleasure as the steamy water ran over her body. It was amazing to make love to someone she totally cared about and who loved her.
Was it wrong to feel this happy? She was in love as an adult woman for the first time—really truly in love. It came from somewhere deep inside her and it felt strong, dependable and profound. Comparing it to what she’d once felt for Jason seemed almost laughable. She’d been so young and naive and though their love affair had been bright, hot and exciting, it had burnt out as soon as the realities of life encroached on them. But this feeling with Mac was something different altogether. Already she could imagine a future together. Yeah, how about that? Life sometimes did end up happily ever after and there was the odd rainbow.
She hadn’t meant it to happen but Mac had wound his way into her heart. And she was so very glad he had.
Violet squirted shower gel onto her palm. It smelt of Mac—cool and clean. She lathered herself with the foaming bubbles and started to hum. All she wanted to do was go back to Mac’s bed—again. After prevaricating for so long, she couldn’t get enough of him.
Her cheeks flushed with heat as she remembered last night. It was in the way he held her and the way he’d made love to her until her body trembled. If she closed her eyes she could almost feel his lips on her nipples, feel him entering her so gently, their orgasms shuddering together and, just as beautiful, Mac holding her in his arms and stroking her afterwards, kissing her neck and telling her how much he loved her.
She ducked her head under the stream of water. Enough! She had to make sure the wedding went off without a hitch. She’d have to leave fantasising about Mac till later. With a little luck, maybe tonight after the wedding was over and Holly was in bed, then they could have a few moments relaxing together.
Savouring the thought for a while, she finally turned off the water, stepped out of the shower and snatched up a fluffy towel. She walked back into the bedroom and suppressed a pang of disappointment when she saw the bed was empty and Mac was gone.
Violet picked up her watch from the nightstand. It was 7.32 so she was already running behind. She slipped back into her clothes and hunted for her shoes. One she found rammed under the bed while the other was halfway down the hallway. She bit back a smile. How had that happened?
She could smell bacon cooking and the heavenly scent of coffee and smiled, realising Mac hadn’t had a chance to drink the one she’d brought to him. Following her nose, she headed downstairs to the kitchen.
Mac was standing with his back to her as she walked through the door. He looked over his shoulder and gave her a grin which melted her heart. His hair was still damp from the shower, it was slicked back, except for one lock that fell forward towards his eye.
Did any man have the right to look that sexy at seven-thirty in the morning?
‘Hey, sweetheart. Sit down and I’ll grab you a coffee,’ he said.
Violet walked over and placed her hand on his shoulder. ‘Thanks,’ she said, reaching up and giving him a kiss on the cheek.
In a fluid movement, Mac moved the frypan off the heat and pulled her to him, kissing her as if he could never get enough.
With each heartbeat, his kisses became more demanding, until finally Violet gasped. Heat travelled through her body. God, she wanted him again. She clung onto his broad shoulders and kissed him back.
By the time they broke apart both of them needed to catch their breath.
‘Now that’s what I call a good morning kiss,’ Mac said as he rested his forehead against hers.
‘Yes, yes it was,’ said Violet, smiling.
Mac released her. ‘Go and sit down and I’ll get your breakfast. Although, I have to admit it isn’t my best work. I got distracted.’
Violet sat down and a couple of minutes later Mac placed a plate of bacon, eggs and toast in front of her.
‘Are we sharing this?’ she said, staring down at the quantity of it.
‘Nope. I already had mine. I have to stop by the shearing shed now and then there are a few other things I’ve got to clear out of the way. I’ll be back by lunchtime in case you need any more help with the wedding.’
Violet swallowed a mouthful and put her hand up to her mouth and said, ‘This is good.’
‘I’m glad. So what are you doing this morning?’
‘What, other than the walk of shame, only about a hundred things.’
Mac placed a coffee down in front of her and frowned. ‘What the hell are you talking about?’
‘Oh you know; arriving home in the same clothes I wore the day before, after spending a night in a sexy man’s bed.’
‘There’s no shame in that, honey,’ said Mac leaning over and kissing her on top of the head. ‘None at all.’
‘Well, I do have to change and pick up my clothes for the wedding. After that, I better go over to your mum’s place and see how she and Holly are going.’
‘I wouldn’t worry. You know Mum loves her.’
‘Yes, I know. She also knows about Jason being Holly’s father.’
‘I think she’s had her suspicions ever since you returned home. I know Holly looks like you in just about every way except she does have Jason’s eyes. I guess Mum probably has a few questions she’d like to ask. Maybe you should sit down and have a bit of a chat with her?’
‘I will, I promise. But only after the wedding’s done and dusted. Anyway, I still have to double-check everything is set for this afternoon. We have hair and makeup arriving at one o’clock, so that will keep Celine and her bridesmaids busy. The photographer will be here a bit after that. Celine wanted everything documented before the ceremony as well as during it and at the reception.’
Mac shook his head. ‘Everything?’
‘Pretty much.’
‘I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—bat-shit crazy. I wish they’d bloody eloped.’
Violet leaned back on her chair and smiled at him. ‘If they’d done that, we may not have got together.’
‘No way, I would have found you soon enough,’ said Mac, a grin spreading over his face. ‘No matter how insane today gets, it’ll be worth it because once it’s all over, I’ll still have you,’ Mac said as he picked up his hat and headed to the door.
‘The things you say, Mac McKellan. I’ll see you later, then?’
‘You can count on it, sweetheart.’