Tonight, he’s mine.
THIRTY-FOUR
Mackie turns to me as Conan leaves and smiles, and any lingering jealousy I felt disappears. It’s impossible to be mad at him. “Your garage is usually closed,” he murmurs as his eyes sweep over the cars and widen. “Holy shit, Noah, is that an Aston Martin Vulcan?” he murmurs, stepping closer, but he doesn’t seem to want to touch it, his hands hovering midair. Adorable. I’d put a ring on his finger today and give all of it to him if he asked.
“That’s my dream car,” he whispers reverently. “I have images of this on my phone. How the hell did you afford this?”
Smirking, I grab the key and toss it at him. He catches it automatically, his driver reflexes showing as I stalk toward it. I never usually drive it because it’s too fancy, especially for work, but how could I not with the way he’s staring at it? He looks like he’s seen God, and I want to show him how I’m going to provide for him for the rest of his life. “You can drive today. My head still aches from drinking.”
“Drive . . . this?” He clutches the keys. “I can’t?—”
“Sure you can.” I pull him closer, slipping my hand into his back pocket. “What’s mine is yours. Now drive your boyfriend to work before we’re late. I hear our boss is grumpy.”
“But hot.” He smirks as he looks at the car, biting his lip. “I want to, but it’s too expensive.”
“Drive the fucking car, baby,” I mutter. “There’s no one I would trust with this other than you.” Smacking his ass, I open the door, and he slips into the driver’s seat.
When I climb into the passenger seat, he strokes the wheel, and I raise a brow. “Fuck. I shouldn’t have let you. You’re going to love my car more than me.”
“Already do.” He glances at me. “I’d fuck this car if I could.”
“Brilliant. Come on.” I reach over and start the engine, and it roars to life. His smile is so wide, his dimples show as he tugs down his shades, grips the wheel, and looks at me.
“Hang on.” He peels from my driveway and guns it, throwing me back to my seat as he whoops. Despite the fact that he’s speeding, I smile at how happy he is.
I want to see his smile forever.
He’s reluctant to leave the Vulcan, so I take his hand and lead him toward the garage before he proposes to it or something. I never thought I’d be jealous of a car, but I am.
He stops at the garage door.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
Biting his lip, he looks inside then at me. “Nothing.”
He hesitates, however, before stepping away and putting space between us. I understand his uncertainty. He thinks I don’t want people to know. The only reason I was distant was to protect him, but now that he’s mine, everyone will know.
Narrowing my eyes, I grab his hand and drag him, where I lift our joined hands into the air. “I’m dating Mackie. Does anyone have a problem with that?” I yell loudly. The garage becomes silent as Mackie gasps and tries to tug his hand from mine, but I refuse to let go.
“Yes, about time!” Skylar cheers so loudly, the rest of the garageturns to look at us. “Team Noah and Mackie! Wait, Nomack. Oh my god, your couple name is so cute!” Skylar carries on chattering, and I hear him taking pictures, but I ignore him and look at Mackie.
“I am not and never will be ashamed of you. I’m still your boss at work, but I’m also your boyfriend, and I won’t compromise on that.” Kissing his cheek, I drag him past Skylar, who’s wiggling his eyebrows at us, and head to my office.
Once we’re inside, he lets go and gapes at me. “Noah,” he hisses.
“What?” I ask as I slump into my seat and watch him with heavy-lidded eyes. They always ache when I drink. Stupid brain.
“They . . . Your garage . . . The press,” he stutters, and I crook my finger.
“Come here,” I tell him. He looks at the door then me. “Don’t make me chase you. We can do this out there in public when I catch you.”
Swallowing, he pushes from the door and heads toward me, hesitating at my side, so I yank him down onto my lap. “I meant what I said. I am not ashamed of dating you, and I do not give a fuck who knows. We don’t have to advertise it if you’re worried about your reputation in the industry, but I won’t keep it a secret, okay?”
“Okay.” He bites his lip, and my eyes narrow as his teeth sink into the plush flesh. “I don’t want to either. It just surprised me.”
“I promised I would never hurt you again, and I meant it,” I murmur as I rub his back. “When I’m certain about something, I’m sure, and I never look back.”
He nods, playing with my shirt before he looks up and stops. “Your eyes are red.”
