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Declan’s eyes shoot to the ceiling. “Help me, God,” he mutters.
Addy doesn’t try to hide her giggle, clearly enjoying getting under Declan’s skin. I know that feeling too well. The only difference being I do it to his literal other half sitting across from me.
“Besides,” I say, raising my eyebrows in defiance. “You’re one to talk. When was your last serious relationship? I think all men could learn a thing or two from Declan and actually go after what they want.”
“Maybe it’s not that simple,” he spits back, lowering his voice and leaning forward across the table to cut out everyone else.
“Maybe that’s an excuse,” I whisper back.
“Maybe men have a responsibility to provide and protect.”
“Maybe they’re just cowards.”
“Maybe they’re scared of being led on like your little doctor friend,” he responds loud enough for the table to hear.
My jaw drops. I can’t believe he just called me on my shit right here in front of everyone. I squeeze my fingers around my fork. “Maybe she never had anyone’s love to model after.”
Mack’s eyes soften, and there’s immediate regret on his face. An awkward silence falls over the table, and the tension is palpable. Trevor gives Mack a funny look. “You guys good?”
“What?” I try to laugh it off. “Yeah, we’re just kidding around.”
I shoot my eyes back to Mack, urging him to run with it. He forces a smile. “Sorry, we’ll tone it down.”
It’s Declan and Addy’s turn on dishes, and those lovebirds couldn’t be happier getting soapy together. Mr. Carver takes Trevor out to the garage to see his new car since he wasn’t here last time, and Mack’s mom goes out there with them to water her flowers, leaving me alone at the table with Mack.
I stand from the table, trying to leave the dining room and debating if I should go home. I don’t have a chance to think about it as Mack grabs my hand and starts pulling me down the hall, shoving me into his old bedroom.
“What are you doing?” I ask, startled and out of breath as he pushes me up against the wall, his hands pressed against the wall on both sides of my head.
“Please shut up so I can think.”
I cock an eyebrow. “Am I just supposed to stand here while yo-”
“Thea! Shut the fuck up.”
I snap my mouth shut, and he searches my face. His eyes flick down to my mouth and then back up to my eyes, only to fall right back down to my mouth.
I’m not sure how he got so close, but his hand falls from the wall, brushing my hair back. He stares at me, not saying a word before he leans in the remaining distance, pressing his lips against mine so gently that I barely feel them.
He pulls back, trying to read my reaction, but I’m frozen. I suck in a breath blinking a few times. He cups my jaw, leaning down again, pressing his mouth against mine harder than the first time before once again pulling back to look at me.
“Mack…”
That’s all the confirmation he needs. He threads his fingers into my hair and slams his mouth against mine, smashing my body back against the wall with his. I open my mouth, deepening the kiss, allowing him to bite down on my lower lip and slip his tongue into my mouth.
I’m so consumed in the moment that it isn’t until I hear the garage door open that I realize where I am. I shove Mack back by his chest. He takes a step back, his mouth hanging open as his chest heaves up and down. Our eyes remain locked until his mouth twitches up to the side into a full blown smirk.
I push myself off the wall. “Carver,” I curse, brushing past him out of the room.
He chases after me, leaning his head down over my shoulder. “You really need to stop running away from me.”
I stop, causing him to run into my back. I whip around to face him. “Okay, tell me what you want, Mack.”
“I…I uh…” His eyes flick behind me where Trevor and his parents are walking back in. “Can we talk about this when we’re alone?”
“I’m not going to be your dirty little secret.”
He clenches his jaw. “Don’t act like I’m the only one keeping this a secret.”
