Wednesday morning, Mack put his hands behind his head and stretched, warm and comfortable in bed. He had the day to do whatever he wanted. Well, after he met his brother for lunch. Apparently, Alec had wedding stuff he wanted to talk about, and for some reason he thought Mack would be the best person in the family to bounce ideas off.
Mack loved Alec’s fiancé. He hadn’t liked his brother’s last girlfriend at all. Then Alec had brought home Dean, a man with a sense of humor and a confidence that meshed well with Alec’s ability to charm anything that breathed.
Alec, a bisexual cop and member of SWAT, was so good at his job, so dependable, and such a dead-on shot that he took a lot less flak than anyone might have guessed when entering the elite unit.
And so, for the most part, Alec’s lifestyle became nothing more interesting than his fellow officers’ fixation on Hamilton, his sergeant’s obsession with sudoku, or the team commander’s fourth attempt at marriage. Alec’s pending marriage was what it was.
All that made Mack very happy. Having to talk about wedding planning over lunch? Not so much.
He sighed. Life would be bearable if Cassandra Carmichael would put him out of his misery and freaking call him.
He’d taken a chance by provoking her last night. He’d been vague enough that no one would know anything about them being lovers. But he’d still talked down to a cop among her peers, hoping for a reaction.
And what had he gotten for taking such a risk? Nada.
He groaned and turned onto his stomach, burying his face in his pillow. He should have just asked her out on a date. Gone for the tried and true, keeping it simple. Yet some part of him still insisted he wouldn’t have had a chance if he treated her with gentle teasing and kindness. Bah. She’d eat that up and spit it out.
Hell, he couldn’t go a few minutes without thinking about her. About how she smiled, how angry she seemed to get over little things, how hard she concentrated when competing.
And, of course, how good she’d felt when he’d been buried balls deep inside her.
He turned over and stared at the ceiling. “This sucks.” Stop thinking about her, moron.
He washed up, taking his time since he had nothing planned except lunch with his brother. Other than that, he’d be bumming around for the day, something he hadn’t done in ages.
Once dressed in jeans and a “Chevy Does It Better” sweatshirt, he stared out the front window of his house and sipped hot chocolate with mini marshmallows. The snow kept coming down, and he could only be glad he’d put his snow tires on at the beginning of the month.
The whole family had stopped by Mom and Dad’s to utilize their garage after Halloween. Mack could have changed his tires at home in his own decked-out garage. But he’d subjected himself to a family brunch after helping his mechanically challenged brothers work on their cars. It hadn’t gone as badly as most of their family get-togethers had. They never teased him about his knowledge when it came to cars.
Born with a wrench in hand, his dad liked to say, Mack knew automobiles. He loved everything about them, even the new technology that made it difficult to diagnose problems without system schematics and the right electronic gizmos.
Still, he remained partial to the old muscle cars and trucks that needed no more than simple tools, mechanical know-how, and a paper manual to fix most problems. For a while growing up, he’d wondered if he might become a mechanic, but he loved cars too much to make them a job.
The Air Force had been a great start out of high school. Though it hadn’t been the Army, it had been close enough to eventually satisfy his parents. Especially because he’d become a military cop. Until he’d been done. Needing something more, something else.
To say he’d disappointed his parents would be putting it mildly. Though he knew his family loved him regardless, they just loved their sons who toed the line a little more.
Mack sighed.
He kept feeling anxious about Alec’s wedding and didn’t know why. Or he did but didn’t want to face the truth.
James, the oldest at thirty-six, had married a woman content to be a cop’s wife. Mack liked her a lot. She was sweet and kind and had always treated everyone as real family.
Alec, the second oldest at thirty-four, had finally gotten engaged to be married. Man or woman, his parents didn’t care so long as he started on a family.
Xavier, that tool, was only older than Mack by two years and dating the woman who would surely become his wife. A smartass like Xavier and sexy as all get-out, she fit his brother to a T.
Then there was Mack, the odd duckling without a woman on the horizon. He cared more about cars, exercise, and fires than entering a relationship, and he spent more time with his firefighting brothers than he did his own family. The shame…
God, I sound so dramatic. Cass would totally laugh at him for that.
He smirked and drank his cocoa, thinking instead about the men he loved like real family, brothers at heart, men who had his back regardless of anything that might be going on in their lives.
Which was what had initially made him so nervous about his crew entering relationships. But Brad’s girlfriend always made sure to include him, same with Tex’s and Reggie’s ladies. Heck, the girls had left during a game night, sensing his need to have more guy time. They cared about what he thought and felt.
Though he knew his family loved him, he didn’t think they cared about him as much as they wanted him to fit into their expectations.
Mack sighed. This is why I like to be busy. I don’t think so much.
Sadly, he knew if Cass were to call, his crappy mood would vanish as if it had never been despite nothing changing with his family.
After doing some much-needed laundry and entertaining himself with his secret indulgence in The Golden Girls, an ’80s sitcom about four older women living in Florida—and who didn’t love Betty White?—he finished folding his last load of whites, wondering where the hell half his socks had gone.
His cell phone rang. He glanced at the number, intending to ignore it, and froze at the sight of Cass Carmichael’s name. His heart raced, and he forced himself to be calm as he answered.
“Hello?”
“First off, I’m not afraid of you.”
“Who is this?” He heard a small growl and grinned.
“Nice try. I know you have my contact info, buddy.”
“I’m sorry. My name is Mack, not ‘Buddy.’ Are you sure you dialed the right number?”
When she swore, he had to stifle laughter.
“What the hell were you talking about last night? And why call me out in front of everyone?” She didn’t sound annoyed, just curious. Huh. He’d have expected anger.
Mack needed to put one fear to rest. “Look, what happened between us Saturday stays between us. I told you I wouldn’t say anything about it, and I didn’t.”
“I realize that, but—”
“I think I know why you’re avoiding me.” He deliberately gentled his tone. “And I wanted you to know it’s okay. I get it.”
“Get what, exactly?” Ah, now she sounded annoyed.
“That Saturday was so good you’re afraid it wasn’t real. We share some amazing chemistry. I think you know that, and it scares you.”
She snorted. “You don’t scare me, sweetcakes.”
“See? You’re making jokes over the phone, but you’re too afraid to come say all this to my face.”
A pause. “Fine. You want to talk face-to-face? Give me your address.”
“Oh please. Like you don’t know it already.”
“What?”
“You mean you didn’t already look me up in your cop database?”
“Um, no. You’re not an official suspect in any crime—not yet, at least—and we don’t do things like that.”
“Sure you don’t.”
“Mack, do you want me to come over to talk this out or not?” she growled.
He rattled off his address. “I’m just folding clothes and watching TV.”
“Fine. I’ll be there in ten.”
He hurriedly turned the TV to something sophisticated. The Punisher seemed like something she’d like. While he watched the start of the second season for the fifth time, he kicked back on the couch and shoved his clothes basket aside.
Ten minutes after he’d ended the call, a knock came at his door.
“Damn, you’re punctual,” he said as he opened it.
She looked better than good with rosy cheeks, her eyes sparkling, and her dark hair pulled back in a ponytail. She had her jacket all buttoned up and a scarf around her neck. He wanted to tug her in with it but feared she’d put him on his ass, so he stepped back and allowed her to enter.
Cass glanced around. “It’s nice and warm in here at least. Makes up for all the trouble you’re turning out to be.”
He gave her his best smile.
She sighed and glanced at his lit fireplace. “Gas?”
“Oh yeah. Wood is way too much work.”
She nodded and turned to him, slipping out of her boots.
He had her stripped out of her coat and scarf before she could blink.
She frowned at him. “Thanks.”
“Sure. Coffee?”
Cass brightened. “Okay.”
He led her into the kitchen, proud of his home as she looked around her, and fixed her a K-Cup.
The charming two-story home had three bedrooms and two baths, hardwood floors, and a completely remodeled kitchen. Instead of the old, dark cabinetry, he’d upgraded to white cabinets, navy-blue walls, and an awesome butcher-block island with a ton of cabinet and drawer space. Mack didn’t need anything fancy, but when he’d bought the place, the kitchen had been standing on its last legs.
“Creamer or sugar?” he asked.
“Nah. This is surprisingly cute.” She accepted the coffee he handed her with thanks.
“I know.”
She grudgingly laughed. “Okay, Mr. Ego. I’m here. I’m not scared. And I have no idea what you think you won the last time we were together.”
He stared at her until she blushed and barked, “What?”
“You’re just so beautiful.”
Her blush deepened.
He grinned. “For the record, what I said on the phone is true. I do think you’re scared of what we might have together.”
She sipped and watched him, like a wolf analyzing the best way to take down weak prey. “You’re serious? We fucked once, and now you think I’m scared of you?” She laughed.
But he saw that flash of vulnerability in her eyes and smiled. “Yep.”
She sputtered, and he knew he had her. “That’s ridiculous.”
“Maybe.”
“I…” She took a deep breath and let it out. “I need your help, so I’m not going to storm out of here and show you how much I think you’re full of crap.”
“Ask and you shall receive.” He made a short bow, conscious of her biting her lip to keep from smiling. Oh yeah. The Revere charm was in full effect if she hadn’t yet gone for his throat.
“My partner’s wife is obsessed with my dating life. And I don’t date much, like I told you. I’m too busy with work and stuff.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“Right.” She cleared her throat. “So Jed, my partner—”
“I remember.”
“—mentioned me beating your ass at darts last week.”
“I don’t know I’d say ‘beating my ass.’ I mean, you won, but that’s after I crushed you at pool.”
Her eyes glinted with anger, and Mack forced himself not to look so captivated.
“Can you shut up for two seconds so I can explain myself?”
“About that favor you need?”
She gritted her teeth and set her coffee cup on the counter. Likely so she didn’t throw it at his head.
He grinned and zipped his lips with his fingers.
Cass let out breath and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Right. So anyway, Shannon is convinced that you and I are somehow made for each other, and she wants to invite us over for dinner this Friday.”
“I’m working Friday, but I’m off next Thursday and Friday, if that helps.” He checked his phone for his schedule and nodded. “Yeah, either of those days.”
“Hold on.” She texted Shannon. “Next Thursday works. You and I will act friendly. Then Shannon’s happy and not trying to set me up with any more jackholes, and my partner’s happy because his wife is happy.”
“What about me?” Mack asked, loving how steamed Cass seemed to get whenever he asked a simple question. “Do I get to be happy?”
“Look, Revere. It’s a free meal. Shannon is an amazing cook. And you get to spend time in my stellar company.”
“Ah, I see.” He watched her, waiting to see how long she could go without exploding.
Five seconds, apparently.
“Well?”
“Well what? I’m still waiting to hear how this date will make me happy.”
“Are you serious? You just told me we share all this ‘amazing chemistry.’ You obviously want us to hang out more.”
“Are you sneering?”
She sneered. “No.”
He had to laugh. “Right. So you’re begging me for a favor by growling and snarling at me. But not sneering.”
Her lips twitched. “Maybe.”
He stepped closer, taking a chance with his health. “Because you think I want to be with you again.”
“Well, yeah. I’m a ball of joy.”
Mack rested a hand on her shoulder and slid it to the back of her soft neck. “Oh, right. So much joy.”
Her breath hitched, though she tried to keep a straight face. “I told you before not to get possessive.”
“And you won’t be clingy,” he reminded her.
“Not clingy.” She moistened her lips.
Mack was only human. He leaned in for a kiss meant to be quick but that lingered instead. He threaded his hand through her hair, keeping her in place while he kissed her with a warm thoroughness that had him hard and aching and had Cass gripping his waist.
“Wow,” she whispered when he pulled back. “You’re really good at kissing.”
The innocence in her eyes, at odds with the heat from their embrace and passion from her kiss, did him in. Mack wanted to fuck her and take care of her. An odd feeling of protectiveness battled his lust. Cass Carmichael had the strangest effect on his senses.
“So are you,” he said as an afterthought, content to just look at her.
“Huh?” Her hands crept to the skin under his waistband, her touch lighting him up all over.
“Good at kissing,” he said, his voice low, gravelly.
She unsnapped his jeans, which sounded incredibly loud despite the gunfire on television. “About this favor…”
He couldn’t help the laugh that escaped. “Are you trying to sex me up to get me to go on a date with you?”
She paused.
He fitted his hand over hers to get her moving again. “No, no. It’s working. I just wanted to be clear.”
She grinned and unzipped his fly slowly.
“Cass, I’ll go to dinner with you.”
She parted his jeans and reached inside, down past his underwear. “You’re not supposed to agree until after you come.”
He’d swear his eyes rolled back into his head when she gripped him with her hot hand.
She chuckled. “Let’s take a look at your bedroom this time, shall we?”
“Is this where you say you’re leading me around by my dick? Because you really are.”
She pulled free from him only to shriek with laughter when he lifted her in his arms and booked it down the hall to his bedroom.
He kissed her before she could say a word and continued kissing her before he tossed her down onto the bed and followed, quickly getting naked while she did the same.
The fun left as frantic need engulfed them both. Writhing together, touching, kissing, licking, they rolled around his neatly made bed like two combatants struggling to victory.
“In me,” she breathed as she pumped him, her clever hand stealing his ability to reason.
“Yeah.” He reached blindly into his nightstand and found a condom, thank God. “Put it on me.”
She hurried to do so, but before she could move back beneath him, he turned so that she straddled him instead. Mack wanted to watch her, committing this to memory.
She met his gaze as she positioned herself over him and slid down, one glorious inch at a time. Seated fully inside her, he gripped her hips as she began to move, up and down, riding him faster and harder.
He reached for her breasts, in lust with her curves, and palmed them, tweaking her nipples as she threw back her head and moaned his name.
Finding the sensitive spot between her legs, he rubbed, feeling her excitement build as she slammed harder onto him. Mack wanted to last, but watching her incredible body and feeling it at the same time, he simply couldn’t.
“I’m coming, Cass,” he warned, his body one giant supernova waiting to happen.
“Me too. Oh God, Mack,” she cried as she slammed down one final time and shivered.
He jetted into the condom, light-headed and thoroughly done in by one very sexy cop. He did his best to catch his breath while she did the same, leaning over him.
They remained joined, and he didn’t want her to move ever again.
The feel of her body against his just felt right. He couldn’t explain why, even to himself, but Cass fit as no one ever had. And now he had a second sexual memory to torment him into eternity. The sight of Cass, naked and grinding on top of him, was better than anything he’d ever had. Seriously, ever.
He pulled her in for another kiss that turned hot from one breath to the next.
“Do you ever turn off?” she asked, kissing her way to his ear, where she whispered, “Does that big cock inside me ever go down?”
He groaned and palmed her ass, rotating his hips and making her moan as well. “Do you want it to go down?”
“Um, not yet.” She nibbled his ear, and he moved a little more.
“I should probably get a new condom.”
“You probably should.” She pulled back and sat up straight, shoving him deeper inside her. She closed her eyes and sighed. “Hurry.”
She lifted off him, and he replaced the used one with a new one in seconds. But this time he had plans not to be rushed. He forced her onto her back and smiled down at her, wearing a wicked grin he’d perfected long ago.
“I don’t trust that smile.” She narrowed her eyes.
“Smart woman.”
“It’s the cop in me.”
“No, honey, it’s the firefighter in you.” He entered her in a swift push, his cock hard and getting harder. “One that needs just a little time to work up to a flash fire.”
“Seriously? More fire puns? I’d arrest you if you weren’t so good with your hose.”
“Good one.” He was relieved to be in control of himself again. With Cass, his body seemed to turn on and off at will—her will. “Now lie back and enjoy.”
“If you insist.”
“I do.” He took his time insisting, and one sweaty hour later, he’d say his efforts had been well worth it.