I slung my arm around Mackenzie’s shoulders, pulling her in close, making damn sure he saw exactly who she belonged to. My grin stretched slowly and sharply, the kind that begged for a fight.
Fuck off, Kenswick,I thought.
I didn’t want him angry. I wanted him gutted and hollowed out. If I could tear his guts out with my bare hands, I would. I wanted him to know she’d never be his again, and that the sight of us together was the closest he’d ever get to her.
If he wanted to take a swing at me, I’d welcome it. Hell. I hoped he would. Because I’d swing back, and I wouldn’t stop until he was on the ground, choking on his own blood. Maybe I’d kill him. Perhaps I’d like it.
I took a breath. Honestly, I was a little shocked at my own thoughts. A feral monster had been unleashed from me with that kiss. The monster was ugly. But I didn’t give a damn. I was a fucking lunatic for Mackenzie now. Possessive. Territorial. Obsessive. Call it what you want. She was the oxygen I needed to breathe. And anyone who tried to take that from me… I’d bury them.
I didn’t speak as we walked back toward the cabins. I couldn’t. My head was a warzone, and my pulse hadn’t slowed since her mouth touched mine. I still had her hand in mine, and the thought of letting go made me feel like I wouldn’t last long without touching her again once we got inside our room.
By the time we reached the porch after climbing the two steps, I had already decided that her shirt and shorts were the first to go, but I’d take my time with her underwear.
She’d object at first, saying we were moving too fast. But I was done pretending. Honestly, I didn’t even want anything in return; I just wanted to touch her, pleasure her, and obsess over her. I was picturing the whole thing in my mind when a syrupy voice hammered into my skull.
“Hey, Max.”
I stopped and turned to see Heather leaning against the porch railing like she’d been waiting for us. Her tits were straining for attention in a red bikini top, her shorts half-buttoned, her ponytail high and glossy, makeup heavy.
I blinked, thrown off guard, and Mackenzie slipped her hand out of mine.
“Uh… Hey,” I managed, my voice flat, my brain still wired on Mackenzie and her beautiful freckles sprinkled across her nose.
Heather sauntered closer, eyes dragging down my shirt. “That shirt looks really good on you.”
My chest tightened when I saw Mackenzie stiffen next to me. My autopilot took over because I had no idea what the hell to say. My whole system was crashing under this much attention, and I honestly didn’t know how to respond. There was only room in my mind for one girl, and that was Mackenzie.
“Uh… Thanks, you look good, too, I guess.”
The second the words left my mouth, I knew I’d fucked up. Mackenzie’s body froze, like ice in the air.
Shit.
Heather smirked.
“We’re heading down to the waterfront later. A couple of us are swimming if you want to come.”
I opened my mouth to answer, but Mackenzie cut in, casual on the surface, sharp underneath.
“He’s busy,” she said, stepping a little closer. Not clingy—just there. Her voice didn’t need volume; the possessiveness in it did the work. “Right, baby?”
I nodded once. “Yeah. Plans.”
Heather lifted her brows like she wasn’t buying it. Her hand skimmed my forearm, fingertips brushing the edge of the Saniderm under my sleeve. I flinched before I could stop myself.
“Oh—damn, did you get a tattoo?” she asked, pulling her hand back.
“Yeah,” I said, adjusting my sleeve so she’d stop touching the wrap. “Still healing. I can’t get in the water, yet.”
“Looks good,” she said, letting her eyes linger for a second too long. “I’ve got a thing for tattoos.”
She didn’t touch me again. But her gaze slid to Mackenzie, waiting for a reaction.
She got one. Mackenzie’s jaw tightened, eyes dark with something territorial. It was subtle enough that Heather wouldn’t name it, but I felt it like a hand around my throat.
Mackenzie smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Good for you.”
Jealousy looked good on Mackenzie. Too good.
