He watched Mack openly as she started to cook breakfast, which reminded him, he really did need to shop for food.
Thomas walked in through the door with a bunch of tulips in his hands just then and went straight over to Mack, not noticing Dean yet. “Well, Mack, you look pretty good this morning. Mavis told me there’s a handsome young man moved in next door. Why don’t you go and introduce yourself.” He winked at her.
Thomas jumped around when he heard a throat being cleared, to come face to face with a grinning Dean.
“Hi. I’m Dean from next door.”
He looked between Mack and Dean. “I’m Thomas, and do I need to leave?”
Mack laughed. “Don’t be silly. Breakfast won’t be long. Lucas is waiting in the sitting room for you.” She watched him walk away, and then turned towards Dean. “Would you like to stay for breakfast?”
“Mmm, I’m hungry. What’s on offer?” he asked, then laughed out loud when Mack’s eyes opened wide.
“Well, it certainly isn’t me! How about pancakes and syrup instead?”
“That will do… for now!”
She finished mixing the batter for the pancakes while only half-concentrating, as she was finding Dean’s presence overwhelming in the small kitchen. He just seemed to permeate every single space.
“You can go relax in the sitting room and watch them both on the Wii, if you like,” she said to try and get him out of the kitchen before she did something stupid.
“No, I’m fine right here… watching you.”
Not knowing what to say, she turned her back and started cooking the pancakes.
Once made, she bent over to place the cooked pancakes in the oven to keep them warm. She turned back around, and with a quick glance at Dean, placed warmed syrup and butter on the table.
“Dean, are you okay?”
He met her eyes. “Those shorts should be illegal,” he growled.
“What?”
“Those shorts. On you. Should be illegal. I’m not going to be able to move any time soon.” He grinned. She blushed.
She still felt a bit tongue-tied and decided it might be best to ignore him and called Lucas and Thomas in for breakfast.
After Mack had placed the food and drinks on the table, the only seat left was the one next to Dean. With a quick glance at him, their eyes met as he smiled over a forkful of pancakes, but it assured her that his mouth was at least busy, for now.
Eating in silence, Mack felt all hot and bothered, and she kept telling herself it really had nothing whatsoever to do with the really hot guy sitting next to her. Unfortunately, his voice matched the body, and he was no doubt, used to using his voice to get women to drop their panties. Squirming in her seat as Dean kept throwing hot glances her way, she decided a distraction was needed, before she said to hell with it and jumped the guy.
“Auntie Mack?” Lucas said, distracting her.
“Yes, Lucas?”
“Will you make me a cake today, please? If I promise to be good.”
“I baked a pound cake yesterday. You can have a slice of that after dinner,” Mack offered, feeling herself blush, and certainly not admitting she’d made it for Dean. “Now eat up, so you can go off with Thomas.”
She turned to Thomas, and asked, “What are you up to today?”
He winked at Lucas. “Well, me and my buddy here thought we might dig for worms.”
Mack had just taken a sip of coffee, which ended up going down the wrong way and she started to choke. Putting the cup down rather heavily, it sloshed everywhere. She jumped up to grab some paper towels, only to find Dean already on the case.
Actually, he was more interested in drying her legs than anything else.
“Dean, you about finished down there?” She stood with her hands on her hips, trying not to laugh. It had been a long time since a man had been on his knees before her like that.
“Babe, I’ve not even started!” he whispered.
She opened and closed her mouth, lost for words, with Dean on his knees flirting with her.
He took pity on her when he saw her blush, and quickly stood back up, taking his seat again.
She glanced across the table only to see both Thomas and Lucas watching the show. Thomas looked as though he was about to burst with laughter.
“Now where were we?” Mack asked, once seated again.
“Worms. They’re to use as bait, because Thomas dropped the maggots,” Lucas announced with glee.
With a glare at both Thomas and Lucas, Mack couldn’t decide if they were serious or not and from the look on Dean’s face, neither could he.
“Where did you drop them?” Mack asked very slowly.
Both Lucas and Thomas looked rather shifty. “I think it’s time to go. Come on, Lucas.”
“Okay, bye, Auntie Mack. Bye, Dean,” Lucas shouted as he skipped off in front of Thomas.
She leaned forward and put her head in her hands then groaned. “I could kill those two.”
Dean laughed. “Are they always like that?”
“Pretty much.”
Mack started moving the dishes from the table, while Dean filled the sink with water and started to wash them. She picked up a hand towel and started to dry them, still a bit stunned there was a sexy guy in her kitchen who didn’t disappear the minute he’d finished eating. A keeper, as her mother would say.
It had been a really long time since anyone had flirted with her, and it felt really nice. The fact that Dean at least seemed a decent guy added to the pleasure.
“Do you want to go for a ride on my bike?” Dean asked before he could stop himself.
She seemed like a really nice, good-looking woman who he actually wanted to spend time with, but he needed to find out if there was a diary. Why the hell did he use his mother’s maiden name when he introduced himself? She would have probably been okay with his real name. Mack certainly didn’t seem like an opportunist.
“You mean the Harley?” Mack asked with a huge grin on her face.
He winked. “Is there any other?”
“Give me five, to put some jeans on.”
Dean groaned, wishing she didn’t have to cover her amazing legs, with jeans.
As she ran upstairs, she was really excited. Mack had always wanted to go on a Harley, but all the guys she usually attracted had compact cars you couldn’t even breathe in!
Chapter 15
Dean, in the meantime, was really hoping she didn’t look so hot in jeans, otherwise he’d have a heck of a job keeping his hands to himself. He looked up when she was on her way back into the kitchen, and froze, his mouth going dry. She was wearing the tightest jeans he’d ever seen, that rested very low on her hips. Her top began to ride up as she moved, and he caught glimpses of her stomach.
“Okay, you ready?” she asked, already on her way out through the door.
“Oh, yes,” he whispered.
“What?”
With a slight cough, he tried to clear the restriction in his throat. “Yes, let’s go.” He followed her outside, watching the sway of her delectable butt.
<><><>
She was standing to the side of the bike while Dean fastened her helmet, unable to resist standing in close to him. He was wearing some sort of cologne and smelled delicious.
She climbed on to the bike and didn’t know where to put her hands.
“Hold the brackets here and here,” Dean told her.
“Okay, thanks.”
“Or me!” He grinned just before he put his helmet on.
He sat on the front of the bike and took in some deep breaths to try and calm his raging hormones, which shot straight back up again as soon as he felt her hands sliding around his waist, under his t-shirt, bringing her hands into contact with his skin.
Mack grinned to herself, as she felt his stomach muscles quiver. Two could play at that game.
She felt all hot and bothered, and didn’t know why she had to suffer on her own. She moved forward, her legs closing in along his thighs. He cle
nched his jaw together to stop the groan from escaping.
As he started the bike up, Dean just prayed he would get them to the lighthouse in one piece.
<><><>
“Thomas, what do you think Auntie Mack and Dean are doing?”
He looked at Lucas, who was sitting in the lounge with cookies and milk, reading yet another Our Gang comic. “Erm, talking. They are neighbors, you know,” he replied.
“He seems okay. I think he likes Auntie Mack. Do you think he’ll marry her and go live with her?”
He didn’t really know where Lucas was going with that question. “Would that bother you if he did, Lucas?” he replied, taking a seat beside him.
“I wanted her to marry you!”
He laughed. “Lucas, I’m an eighty-year-old man. Your aunt is young and needs a younger man, like Dean, or someone like him.”
“Have you ever been married, Thomas?” he asked with a frown.
“Yes. I was married for thirty years before she passed away.”
“That’s sad. What was her name?”
He was deep in thought. “Janet, the love of my life.”
“Hmm, well, would you be my granddad then? Scott has two granddads and he says it’s really cool.”
“We’ll have to see, Lucas. Let’s get back to reading. Do you want me to read you this one?” he asked, rather amused.
“Yes, please.”
Be his granddad. If Lucas only knew how much he would really enjoy that. Hopefully, Mack would stay in touch with him when it was time for her to head back to Boston. He would miss them both terribly.
<><><>
Dean was at the Portland Head Light watching Mack while she walked along the edge of the cliffs. With the light breeze from the ocean, blowing her hair back from her face, she was stunning.
He’d really enjoyed spending the day with her. They had driven into Portland and browsed around the Old Port shops. Then on their way to the lighthouse, they had stopped for lunch, eating a delicious lobster meal.
Dean, for the first time in a long time felt as though he could breathe. Mack was like a breath of fresh air, so easy to talk to. To laugh with. She listened to what he had to say without interrupting, offering her opinion once he’d finished. She even listened while he went on and on about his work as a graphic novelist. He worked with a couple of authors, who had great ideas, but couldn’t put their vision on paper, which is where he came in. He loved his work and the flexibility it gave him.
They had walked around the lighthouse already. He’d taken hold of her hand as they approached the cliffs. She’d kept her hand there, lacing their fingers together.
As Dean walked over to her, she turned and saw him approach, offering him a dazzling smile. Dean missed a step. She was so beautiful, she took his breath away, with all that flowing brunette hair.
He stood in front of her without saying anything and moved his hands to her face in a light caress, lowered his head then placed a light kiss to her lips. “You are so beautiful.” He lowered his head again and used more pressure against her mouth. She moved in close and put her arms around his waist as the kiss deepened. Mack opened to him and sucked his tongue into her mouth.
He shivered and groaned. “I think we better stop,” he whispered, placing small kisses around her lips.
“Then why aren’t we?”
He couldn’t stop touching her, and smoothed his hands down her arms. He then moved his hands to caress her waist under her t-shirt. “Because I don’t have any will power with you. This top has been driving me crazy all day. Every time you move, I catch a glimpse of your stomach.”
“I was so tempted to put my hands elsewhere when I sat behind you on your bike earlier,” she said, laughing, then squeezed Dean’s butt before she took a step back.
“God, I don’t know how I managed to get us anywhere without crashing, with your hands on me. Nothing ever felt so good.”
She winked at him. “I know!” Then she sauntered towards his Harley. She knew damn well his eyes were on her butt all the way, which made her feel desirable, for the first time in a long time.
<><><>
As he walked Lucas back to Rose Cottage, Thomas couldn’t help but think about his sister again. In a way, Mack was a bit like Rose, with her spirit and soft heart. Maybe one day soon, he might be ready to talk to Mack about the night Rose died and the regret he’d lived with all these years. If only he’d talked back then, things might have worked out differently.
First though, he had to find the courage to finally read the comic Rose had bought him. Her last gift to him.
“Thomas! Look! Auntie Mack’s been on Dean’s bike. Come on,” Lucas shouted as he ran towards them to watch his aunt climb off the bike.
She removed her helmet, then held her arms out to him. Lucas ran straight into them.
“Auntie Mack, have you really been on Dean’s bike?”
“Yes, I have.”
“That’s not fair. I want to!” Lucas started to get tearful, although Mack knew for a fact Lucas was rather capable of putting on the water works at will.
“Hey, Lucas. You want to sit on the bike and I’ll take you around the yard?” Dean asked him before the water works really started.
Lucas dived out of Mack’s arms and ran straight over to Dean, who lifted him aboard.
Dean winked at Mack. “You need your helmet on, young man,” Dean said to him, while he placed one on to his head.
She felt a bit unsure with Lucas being on the Harley, and walked closer to Dean, who caught the frown on her face. He took hold of her hand and placed a kiss to her cheek.
“He’ll be fine, don’t worry.” He leaned in to give her another quick kiss, on her lips this time, before he climbed on the back of his bike. Dean surrounded Lucas with his body as he explained to him what the different instruments were for on the panel in front of them.
Mack walked over to the steps leading into the cottage and sat down beside Thomas. She couldn’t help but blush slightly when she met his eyes, and the knowing look in them.
“I see you made friends with the neighbor then?” He chuckled.
She grinned. “Oh yeah!”
Dean switched the bike on and very slowly put it into gear and started moving around the yard with an excited Lucas sitting in front of him. With a glance at Mack every time he passed, Dean winked at her, which really amused Thomas.
“Thomas, do you like Dean?” Mack asked just as Dean switched the bike off.
“I don’t swing that way!” He tried not to laugh at the stunned look on Mack’s face.
With a laugh, she nudged him with her elbow. “You know exactly what I mean.”
“I only met him briefly this morning, but from what I can see, and how he spoke to me, I would say he’s one of the good guys.”
“Thanks.”
“Auntie Mack, Thomas, did you see me?” Lucas just about managed to get out before diving on Mack.
“We certainly did. You were pretty good there.”
“Thanks, Auntie Mack.”
“He’s great.” Dean ruffled Lucas’ hair. “Listen, I’m going to leave you guys for now. I have some things to take care of. I’ll come round tomorrow, if that’s okay?”
Mack smiled up at Dean, slightly disappointed that he wasn’t staying for dinner. “We’ll see you at breakfast, right?”
Grinning, Dean asked, “Was that an invitation?”
“Sure was.”
“I’ll be there,” Dean replied, hesitating. He really didn’t want to end his time with Mack.
Mack turned to Thomas. “You going to eat dinner with us?”
“No, thank you. I’m meeting a couple of guys at the Irish Pub tonight, so I’ll see you all at breakfast,” Thomas told her.
Dean took hold of her hand and pulled her up. “Walk with me a minute?”
Thomas grinned at the two of them and stood up then took hold of Lucas’ hand. “Come on, Lucas, show me that game you keep talking about before I leave.” They e
ntered the cottage, giving Dean and Mack some privacy.
They walked over to the front door of Dean’s cottage holding hands. He didn’t know what to say, because all he really wanted to do was drag her inside and never let her go. He wondered where the hell that thought came from. It wasn’t one he’d had before.
He turned to Mack, took her face in his hands and brought her in close. She put her hands on his hips and moved in even closer, coming into contact with Dean’s erection.
His mouth descended to ravish her with a hot, open-mouthed kiss. Surprising even herself, she wrapped her arms around his neck, raising one leg around his hips.
He pulled away from her mouth to take in some much-needed air, then shuddered as she rubbed herself against him. “Mack, we have to… stop.”
She dragged his head back down to meet her lips again, while he put his hands on her hips and brought her into closer contact with him.
He forced himself to move his mouth away from Mack’s, when he heard a throat being cleared. “You’re both giving me high blood pressure!” Thomas shouted from the kitchen window.
They both started laughing. He put her slowly back down then stepped away from her. “I think you better go, before I drag you inside.”
She took a few steps away from him, then on unsteady legs started to walk away to her own cottage. She couldn’t help but look back to a very aroused Dean. “Promises, promises.” She entered her own cottage laughing.
<><><>
Dean let out a sigh of relief as he entered his cottage. Heck, he had it really bad for Mack. He’d just come so close to taking her up against the door.
Her hair was so soft and smelled of raspberries, her skin lovely and smooth and those freckles, he thought they were sexy as hell. She’d kept teasing him all day with glimpses of her stomach, every time she moved, he just wanted to reach out and caress her skin. She was basically driving him crazy.
Hopefully, sometime soon, she’d mention the diary, or he could get her to tell him, then perhaps the perfect opportunity would arise for him to tell Mack his real name and about his grandfather.
Rose Page 9
