Honestly, he was right to worry. I was half convinced that was the way things were going to go if Mac couldn’t own up to her feelings or if she got bored with me. But that was the whole point of keeping things just between the two of us.
It took the pressure off. I’d known Mac too long, and I’d witnessed every relationship she’d ever had fail for a variety of reasons. But it was never because the guys broke up withher.
I hoped that by keeping this thing between us under wraps, we could avoid pressure from the town. I fought a shudder as I imagined the posts in the Kirby FallsFacebook group. There was every chance a friend or family member or neighbor would get in Mac’s head about dating the guy she’d spent the last twenty years hating. The memory of our date to the Haunted Forest validated my decision. She hadn’t wanted anyone to see us together then. It seemed safer to keep it that way now.
Rationally, I knew we couldn’t stay a secret forever—I wouldn’t want us to, anyway. But I’d really like to have a chance at something more with her before things went public.
It was obvious that Mac wasn’t ready to defend what we meant to each other when she hadn’t even figured it out for herself. I couldn’t expect her to be where I was—not yet, anyway. She needed time to fall, and I could wait. It wasn’t a strength of mine, but I could be patient. She was worth it, and our chance for a future together was worth it, too.
“I’m not being weird,” I answered defensively as Abby finished racking his weights. My response had the distinctly argumentative tone ofI know you are, but what am I, and I felt embarrassingly childish as a result.
My friend’s raised eyebrow said he’d heard it too.
“What?” I challenged.
He brushed a hand through his dark hair and then shook his head. “Nothing. You’re a shit liar but I’m not going to force it out of you. You’ll tell me when you’re ready.”
Guilt and remorse nearly had me opening my mouth as Abby turned away.
He called back over his shoulder, “I’m doing cardio. I’ll see you later.”
“See you,” I said weakly.
With a sigh, I went to the locker room and gathered my stuff. Abby was right. I was worthless today. No point in hanging around.
When I made it outside, a cold drizzle fell, the sky dark and moody as the early-morning sun struggled to rise. I waited until I’d started my truck and cranked up the heat before pulling out my phone.
The unread message was waiting ...
MacKenzie: If you can get away for lunch today, you could meet me at the tiny house. It’s on the farm, behind the big barn. There’s a private lane to the left of the main entrance. Just follow the gravel drive until you get to the little A-frame. You can’t miss it.
Five hours later, I didn’t even have time to knock before Mac opened the door to the small cottage and yanked me inside.
Her lips fastened to mine, and her eager fingers went to work on my belt.
I awkwardly held the bag of sandwiches I’d picked up at Montell’s to one side as I shuffled into the space.
Ah, so this was going to bethatkind of lunch.
Mac didn’t stop until the brown paper bag impeded her from getting my vest all the way down my arms.
She pulled back, red lips plump and tempting. “What’s this?”
I smiled tightly. “Lunch?”
Realization dawned. “Oh.” Then she brightened. “Good, we’ll need to refuel after.”
A surprised laugh made its way out of me despite the disappointment gnawing subtly at my belly.
And then Mac was tugging the bag out of my hand and placing it on the counter. She returned and kissed me slowly this time, quieting the whispers of surprise and confusion and the distress I couldn’t place. The urgency fell away. Her hands were still eager but less careless and rushed. Her touch lingered as she undressed me, and I returned the favor.
It was easy to forget all themoreI wanted when her hands were on me, making me think this was enough. It was enough to have her time and her attention. Enough to gather up her smiles and her laughter and keep them for myself. Enough to bend her over the couch and take her the way she wanted, her voice a desperate chant in my ears. I had to be a greedy bastard to want more than her body in my arms, lost to pleasure and clenching desperately around me.
For now, it had to be enough.
By the time our panting breaths quieted and the sweat had cooled on our skin, I wasn’t even thinking about the fact that she’d meant this to be an afternoon quickie instead of a real lunch date. It was just a chance to see her, to be with her in the confines I’d established myself.
Later, I was unwrapping the sandwiches while she grabbed plates and drinks.
