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I thought you’d never ask.
“No, I mean, I don’t want to—”
“Go get your glass of water and then get your ass in my bed.”
Holy fuck.
Why is his demanding tone such a damn turn on. I do not like to be told what to do, except when Mack gives me orders. He’s like an exception to every rule I’ve ever set for myself, which doesn’t bode well for this arrangement of ours.
When I get to the kitchen, I guzzle a glass of water and try to drench my libido, along with my nerves.
Pouring another half glass, I take it with me back to Mack’s bedroom and find him propped up on his side of the bed with a book, and our pillow wall already in place. He’s shirtless and wearing a pair of black-rimmed glasses I’ve never seen before, and he’s never looked sexier.
Sweet Jesus.
“Do the adoring fans know their resident playboy wears glasses?” I ask, trying to sound playful and teasing, but I’m not sure how well I’m pulling that off.
Quickly, I climb into bed and pull the blanket up, hoping Mack doesn’t notice how hard my nipples are right now. If I had to guess they’re about to cut their way out of my pajama shirt.
“No and if it gets out, I’ll know exactly who leaked the information,” he deadpans, flipping a page.
This is not a routine I ever saw for Mack after a game, and I realize, up until a few months ago, it probably wasn’t how he spent his nights. But even now, with this celibate Mack Granger, I still didn’t expect him to come home and make homemade grilled cheese and follow that up with a good book in bed.
It’s unexpected.
And the biggest turn on.
Which, honestly, pisses me off. I need him to say something cocky. I need him to argue with me or pick a fight, anything to get under my skin, so I can forget how much I want to get under him.
* * *
The next morning,Mack and I are both up before dawn. He has to be at the airport by seven and I need to be at the station early. I have a meeting with George and the rest of the production team to discuss possible travel plans as the Revelers’ season progresses.
If they make it to the playoffs, there’s a chance I’ll end up traveling to all of their away games.
I would actually love that. It would get me out of the city and hopefully away from whoever is terrorizing my life. I know it wouldn’t be a permanent fix, but a change of scenery would be nice.
Playoffs will start in a few weeks, so there’s a chance all this stalker bullshit will be behind me by then, but who knows. I didn’t anticipate the most recent turn of events, and I definitely can’t predict the future. So, unfortunately, I’m left to balance what I’m being dealt.
“So, you’ll stay with Sophie and the kids for the next five days,” Mack says, tossing his travel bags into the trunk of his car and looking absolutely delicious in a three-piece suit.
God bless travel days.
“I’m going to be texting you to check in,” he continues, adjusting his sleeves. “Please answer. If you don’t, I’ll worry about you, and then I’ll play like shit. You don’t want the hopes and dreams of an entire city resting on your reckless decision to ignore my texts.”
Hitting the automatic start on my car, I cross my arms over my chest and lean back against the door. “Are you always this dramatic before road trips?” I ask, trying to ignore the knot forming in my stomach.
“I have tendencies,” Mack admits, walking around his car to stand in front of me. “What’s the frown for? You gonna miss me, Reporter?”
I think about bullshitting my way out of this admission, but I need to get this off my chest. “I’m worried this is a mistake.”
His brows furrow. “You mean our arrangement?”
“No,” I tell him, swallowing down my fears. “Staying at Sophie and Owen’s. I don’t want to put anyone else at risk. I’m already worried that I’m bringing trouble to your doorstep, but at least with you, there aren’t kids involved and it’s mutually beneficial…at least, that’s the lie I’m spinning in my head. With Sophie and the kids—”
Mack places a hand over my mouth, stopping my anxiety-laden tirade. “The detective said they’d have someone patrolling the area and will be watching the house the entire time I’m gone, and when I get back, this place will be safer than Fort Knox. Everything is going to be fine,” he assures me, pulling me against his chest.
I don’t know when hugging Mack Granger became a normal thing, but it feels like something I’ve been doing my whole life and also, something I might not be able to go without now that I’ve experienced it.
