Shattered

by T. L. Reeve

  “Fuck, star.” The pained sound of his voice had been erotic. “You’re melting on my dick. Squeezing me.” He groaned.

  “Sorry?” She didn’t mean to. She didn’t have the ability to convey to him how it felt to have him moving within her, other than his erection rubbed areas so filled with nerve endings, it drove her to the point of delirium, forcing her to flex her muscles in hopes of slowing him down, giving her a chance to catch up to him.

  He chuckled. The deep rumbled vibration spread through her. She moaned, straining against him as the spark of tingles grew more powerful. It felt so good, she didn’t want to lose it. Instinct told her to reach for it. Let it detonate within her and watch herself fly. Mackenzie ground his groin against hers, and she scored his back with her fingernails. She hitched one of her legs over his hip, which caused him to fill her more. Her eyes snapped open along with her mouth. The change of their position, had him touching her in a different spot. The energy coalescing within her pulsed to life, threatening to swallow her whole.

  “That’s it,” Mackenzie groaned. “Fuck yes, get me all wet, star. Give me your sweet cum.”

  His words were dirty and salacious. She wrinkled her nose, surprised by how much she liked hearing them while also still causing a twinge of awkwardness. He sat back on his haunches and drew her legs over his elbows. Aurora took a moment to appreciate the massive mountain of a man hovering over her. His golden skin glistened with perspiration. His eyes were still the unnatural ice-blue color, and his lips were parted. The wild lust in his expression aroused her.

  Even though she knew they shouldn’t be doing this—having sex, she didn’t want it to stop. Then, he picked up the pace. She screamed, gripping his forearms for purchase. “Mackenzie!”

  “Give it to me,” he snarled. He held her in place with one of his hands while using the other to circle her clit. He placed his thumb to the hard bud and pressed down.

  She inhaled and tensed. Every inch of her snapped to life as this amazing white-hot pleasure flowed through her. She couldn’t make a sound while she shuddered and shook through the most incredible sensation overtaking her. Her vision narrowed to where Mackenzie and she were joined together, while he continued to rub her clit, drawing out the eruption of her orgasm.

  Mackenzie’s hips faltered then he was groaning. His strokes were long and slow, and she felt it then. He throbbed within her, filling her with his release. Mackenzie fell forward, burying his face in the crook of her neck, panting. She placed her hands on his shoulders while trying to gather her tattered wits. They’d just had sex. They were both still dressed. Holy shit. They’d done it like she’d read about in one of those raunchy books she’d borrowed from the library—the same one she’d laughed about because it seemed so corny at the time.

  “Wow,” she muttered.

  “Told you.”

  She bit the inside of her cheek to hold back the smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “You’re crazy.”

  He eased up onto his elbow and stared down at her. His eyes were still the icy color of his wolf. “Tell me something I don’t already know.”

  “I can’t even think.”

  “Neither can I,” he mumbled, flexing his hips.

  “Mackenzie, are you?” She furrowed her brows.

  “Shh, go with it. We both need this.”

  As much as she should tell him no, who the hell was she kidding? She’d gotten a taste of Mackenzie Raferty, and she wanted more. Tomorrow, she’d worry about the consequences of taking advantage of a man who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. “Just promise you won’t hate me later.”

  He peered down at her, rubbing his nose against hers. “Never. I could never hate you, star.”

  That’s what he say now, but what happens when he finds out the truth?

  Chapter Seven

  The demanding knock on Mackenzie’s bedroom door, startled Mackenzie awake. He blinked, trying to orientate himself. The pounding began again as he rolled over and stared at the clock. What the fuck? How did it get so late?

  “Dad,” Royce’s gruff voice, snared Mackenzie’s attention. “Dad!” The handle of his bedroom door jiggled. Had he locked it?

  Fuck.

  Mackenzie had lost time again. Only this time, it happened during the day.

  “Dad, open the door.”

  He ran his fingers through his hair, glaring at the door in confusion. Royce rarely, if ever, called him dad. When his son did refer to him as such, his tone usually had a smug undercurrent. “Give me a second, son. I was—” What the fuck was he doing? Sleeping? Napping? Wait he knew, losing his goddamn mind. That’s what he was doing— “sleeping.”

  Mackenzie glanced down, and grimaced. Shouldn’t have surprised him he was naked, again. Royce didn’t need to see him in all his glory. He’d realize very early on with Hayden then Riley and Liam, having a robe available nearby was a good thing. His was currently draped over a chair. He slipped out of bed and grabbed the garment before putting it on. He wrapped the lapels around himself tying it shut then he made his way to his bedroom door. He flicked the lock turning the knob and pulled the door open.

  Royce stood there, concern mixed with some other emotion Mackenzie couldn’t place etched on his features. “Heard you had a rough day.”

  He rubbed at his beard. “Could say that.”

  “Got to brush it off, dad.” There was that term again. This time, Mackenzie schooled his features, so his first born didn’t see his confusion. “It’s her lawyer’s job to discredit you.”

  “Kal said the same. Still doesn’t make me feel much better when they’re making me out to be the asshole,” he admitted.

  “It’s fucked up,” Royce remarked. “I’m sure they’ll say worse about me at some point. I think we’re all going to be thrown under the bus where that bitch is concerned. She’s got ten years’ worth of bullshit she can bring up. But the evidence against Holly is staggering.”

  Mackenzie nodded.

  “Charisma wanted me to wake you up since it was getting late. We picked up Riley and Liam from school since Aurora called us to say she couldn’t get ahold of you, and she had the night off. We’ve made sure Riley and Liam’s homework was completed and Charisma made a snack for everyone. You remember the play, right?”

  Now he felt like shit. Not only had he lost time, he’d left all his responsibilities to his son and his mate who had three of their own children to take care of. “Sorry. I fucking forgot for a minute what day it was.”

  “Don’t worry about it, dad.” Jesus, what had he done to be called dad so much? Maybe Mackenzie had woken up in an alternate universe he wasn’t aware of. It would explain everything. “It’s what family does.”

  “I appreciate the help both you and Charisma have given me over the last couple months,” he said.

  “Don’t worry about it, you can make it up to us by watching the kids when we plan a long adult weekend in the spring.” Royce winked at him.

  Mackenzie smiled. He’d love nothing better than getting his three grandkids to himself for a couple of days. “I’d love to.”

  “Charisma said you’d agree to it.”

  “She’s a smart cookie.” The heady scent of honeysuckle, jasmine, and what he swore was the musk of sex wafted up from his robe and swirled around him. “Give me five, son, I need to grab a quick shower before making myself presentable.”

  “Not a problem. I’ll let Charisma know.” Royce turned and made his way down back down the steps.

  Mackenzie shut and locked his door before making his way to his bathroom. He turned on the water and disrobed. He glanced down at himself as he waited for the water to warm and cursed. “What the fuck?” His dick was covered in dried blood. He glanced out at his bed and found it clean. “How the fuck?”

  Had he somehow hurt himself while he blacked out? Without giving it a second thought, he brought his thumb to his mouth, wet it, and rubbed at his dick. The blood came off easily enough, and from what he could see i
t wasn’t from an injury.

  Thank the gods, because after the uncomfortable conversation he had with Danielle about his sex life, he didn’t really want to go the clinic and tell her, he’d hurt his dick. He then noticed a couple spots of dried blood on the tip. This time, when he tasted it, the familiar tang of cum, from both a male and female, mixed with the jasmine and honeysuckle he’d been smelling.

  So now, apparently, he was blacking the fuck out and having sex? Fuck. After not being sexually active in close to thirty years, his dick finally worked, and he didn’t remember a single aspect of it.

  Jesus Christ, he hoped it was consensual, especially because he’d fucked her—or was it him—hard enough to make them bleed. Guess it was a good thing he was a shifter and wasn’t susceptible to human disease, particularly sexually-transmitted ones, since he obviously hadn’t donned a condom, either. As he stepped under the spray, the idea of not being able to recall what happened worried him to the point that he’d be talking to Kalkin after the play. Of course, there was always the off chance he had participated in sex with a she-wolf. He doubted it, though, because he didn’t scent the wildness that went with have intercourse in wolf form. He dunked his head under the water and closed his eyes. This shit was getting out of hand. He couldn’t keep forgetting everything. He’d go insane—if he already wasn’t. As he allowed the water to pelt his neck and shoulders, running down his chest and over his groin, the remaining traces of blood and cum that covered his body went down the drain.

  Ten minutes later, he stepped out of the shower and walked back into his room with a towel wrapped around his hips. Before he dressed, he stripped his bed once again and piled the sheets in the corner. Just moving them around, caused the trapped smells from his dalliance to fill his senses. His dick thickened to the point of pain, and he growled. This shit isn’t cool. What the fuck is wrong with me? He dressed quickly and exited his room in a rush, needing to be away from the heady scent permeating his room.

  “Mac!” Abby called out seconds before launching herself into his arms. He caught her in the middle of her jump and twirled her high above his head. Her sweet giggles were a balm to his tattered thoughts and emotions.

  “Well, there is my cute, little magpie.” He held her high above his head until she begged to be put down. The second her feet touched the ground, she scampered up the stairs, he was sure to find Riley.

  Aurora stood off to the side, by the front door, fidgeting and looking nervous as hell. If he didn’t know any better, he’d swear she remained by the door to make a hasty retreat. It bothered him to the point his wolf bristled in aggravation, and brushed across his skin. The beast growled and fussed to the point that Mackenzie was worried he might do something stupid... Again.

  He shook his head, trying desperately to clear his vision and focus on Charisma and Mikey who was currently settled on his mother’s hip with a huge grin. The boy had been growing like a weed, but he found comfort in his mother’s arms, and he couldn’t blame the little boy.

  He couldn’t lose his shit, either. He had to protect his family. The wolf, seemingly understanding where he was coming from, settled. He let out a breath of relief. “Hey, boy.” He scrubbed Mikey’s head. “Did you have a good day at school?”

  Mikey nodded. “Yep, yep! We had so much fun!”

  “Good to hear.” He kissed the boy’s temple then kissed the top of Charisma’s head. “You okay? Sorry about bugging out on you earlier.”

  Charisma brushed off his concern. “It’s no problem. I figured you’d have a bad day.”

  “Can say that again.” He chuckled and went to the fridge to grab a drink. Aurora frowned, and Mackenzie had the urge to step into her space and rub the worry from her brow. “Aurora.” He nodded in her direction. “Want something to drink?”

  “I—”

  “We’re leaving.” Charisma put Mikey down. “Royce has already loaded the twins in the van. All that’s left, is to load this little monkey.” She tweaked Mikey’s nose before her gaze flickered to the young boy. “He was insisting on saying goodbye to his Poppa.”

  “Was he now?” He faked a grin at the boy in his mother’s arms.

  “Yup!” Mikey yipped while bouncing.

  “All right. Well, come give me a hug, and I’ll see you later tonight,” Mackenzie said, kneeling.

  Mikey wrapped his arms around Mackenzie’s neck and planted a wet, sloppy kiss on his cheek. “Love ya, Poppa.”

  Mackenzie’s heart melted at the pure love the young boy exuded. He returned his grandson’s affection with a slight squeeze and a kiss on his rumpled hair. “Love you, too, Mikey. I can take him to the car, if you need me to.”

  Charisma smiled. “I’m good. It’s all about dividing and conquering. Whoever has the twins, the other parent has Mikey. Besides, you have company.” She pointed to Aurora.

  Mackenzie chuckled, glancing over at Aurora. “And let me guess, you make sure Royce always has the twins.”

  Charisma’s sweet giggle was the only answer he needed. “Bye, Mac,” Charisma went to her tip-toes to give him a peck on his cheek.

  He ruffled Mikey’s hair again, smiling when the little boy set off into a fit of giggles.

  “Bye.” He waved as Charisma passed by Aurora and out the front door leaving him alone downstairs with the woman who kept him in knots.

  “You’re early,” he stated.

  Aurora shrugged her shoulder. “Not by that much. I, ahh…” Her gaze darted around the room while she wrapped her arms around herself, almost as if she was trying to protect herself. “I wanted to talk to you, I’ll only be a minute.”

  “Have a seat.” He gestured to the couch.

  Her pace was slower than normal as she crossed to the large couch that dominated the front room. The wince of discomfort etched on her features when she sat down, concerned him. Add in the fact Aurora wasn’t looking him in the eye when she spoke to him was disconcerting, to say the least. What the hell was he missing? Even with the awkwardness between them whenever they were together, she could look him in the eye and hold his gaze. He hoped to hell, he hadn’t done something to hurt her while he was blacking out.

  Unable to take the silence any longer, he asked, “Everything okay?”

  Urgh. No, it’s not.

  Aurora was all discombobulated, and her stomach was tied in knots. Muscles she was never aware of existing were sore, and sitting down had been a slow and uneasy process. Mackenzie hadn’t been gentle with her either time they’d made love. They’d no sooner finished the first time, when he rolled her to her belly, pulled her hips up, and pounded into her from behind.

  The experience had been so intense, Aurora had passed out right after she came. She woke up cold and alone. Mackenzie was nowhere to be found in her tiny apartment. She’d figured it had to do with the fact Abby was due home from school. But now, seeing him, he acted like they hadn’t spent several pleasure-filled hours together.

  Aurora couldn’t get a read on the shifter. His lack of emotion was worrying her. Maybe he realized she’d been a virgin and was pissed she’d lied to him about Abby being her daughter. It hadn’t ever been her intention to lie about Abby. First off, it was really no one’s business, and secondly, as far as Aurora was concerned, Abby might not have come from her body, but she was the little girl’s mom in every sense of the word.

  She hoped, because Mackenzie had adopted Riley and Liam, he’d understand. She folded her hands in her lap and gathered her thoughts. She decided, after Kalkin gave her the night off, maybe she and Mackenzie could talk everything through. Now, once she saw him, he might not listen to her.

  “You’re awful anxious,” Mackenzie murmured. “Everything okay?”

  No, nothing was okay. Or, well, maybe, but not in the most conventional way. “Kalkin gave me the night off. He said, it would give us time.”

  Mackenzie growled. “My damn brother needs to keep his matchmaking ways to himself.” He placed his hand on hers. “I’m sorry.”

 
She shook her head and rushed to say, “Don’t be. We should talk about earlier. I mean, I-I think we should. You see I was trying to tell you and-and things got out of control pretty quick.”

  Mackenzie narrowed his eyes. “What are you trying to say?”

  “Well, us. Earlier. My apartment?” He acted like he couldn’t remember what they’d done together.

  He sucked in a breath and sat back. “I was with you. We had sex.”

  “Yes. Of course, we did. It’s-it’s what we should talk about.” God, she hated feeling inadequate.

  He scrubbed his face. “I hurt you.”

  Well...sort of. But she chalked it up to it being her first time and all the different muscles being used and sensations battering her body. However, she’d also been left with a pleasant throb, like she’d been thoroughly relaxed, if a bit confused. “No. Well, I guess you could say you did, but it was bound to happen.” She sighed. “This is difficult to say.”

  “I think it might be best if we stay apart from each other. I can’t be trusted right now. I’ve been losing time, and if I forced you, I’ll turn myself in and take whatever punishment is given to me. I probably deserve it.” The sadness and regret in his eyes, turned Aurora’s stomach and caused the knot of anxiety to clinch down more.

  “No!” she snapped, surprising him. “You didn’t rape me if that’s what you’ve feared. We did everything consensually. What I can’t, better yet, couldn’t understand until now, is why you didn’t—don’t remember.”

  It made sense, though. The way he didn’t remember visiting her as a wolf. The mark he left behind. Aurora figured he’d be the one to understand the situation more than she would have. Nonetheless, it appeared Mackenzie couldn’t see the forest for all the trees. A sense of relief filled her, which didn’t make sense because it was accompanied by worry. She figured it’d been due to what she had to tell him next. “Mac, you should know something. It isn’t something I am proud of by any means. But I’m—”