by T. K. Leigh
“You two will track down everything you can about Charles Montgomery. While you’re at it, dig up everything you can about Galloway, as well. I want to know every mission he was on when he was a Ranger, every case he worked in Counterintelligence. No detail is too small. I want to know what he ate. What he drank. How many hours he slept a night. There may be something in his background that could lead us to who’s behind all of this.”
“And what if he is the one behind it all?” Maxwell asked. “What if you’re wrong?”
“I don’t think I am, but if I am, I’m sure you’ll find proof to back it up. We’ll meet again in a week.” I stood up and grabbed my things.
“Sir,” they all said in relative unison. As I left my private office in the back of the club, I hoped this was the best course of action to uncover the truth of what really happened all those years ago.
Mackenzie
I SAT FIDGETING IN the seat of Tyler’s Jaguar Saturday evening as he drove through the streets of South Padre. “So, what exactly do you have planned for tonight?” I asked, breaking the silence.
“You’ll see,” he replied, winking slyly. He grabbed my hand in his and shifted through the gears, a buzz in the air between us as I drank him in. His tan suit fit him perfectly. I was convinced it should be a crime for anyone to look that good in a suit. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him during the drive to wherever we were going.
When he finally pulled into a sandy beach lot, my mouth dropped open as my eyes fell on the same restaurant where we shared that first lunch when I barely knew anything about him.
“What are we doing here?” I asked.
He killed the engine and turned to face me. “We’re making new memories.”
“What do you–”
“I don’t want you to be reminded of my lies whenever you look at certain places.”
“I’m not…”
He narrowed his gaze at me. “I know how it is, Mackenzie. I do it, too. I want you to have better memories of us. I need those, too. Every time I drive by this restaurant, I don’t want to be reminded of the reason I took you here in the first place. I want to be reminded of new memories that we’ll make tonight. Okay?”
Nodding, I smiled. “I’d like that.”
Opening the door, he ran around to the passenger side of his car and helped me out. Before I could react, he pulled my body to his, taking me by surprise. “You look amazing, Serafina,” he growled, his tongue exploring my neck.
My eyes fluttered closed as I lost myself in the moment, not caring that we were out in public. I wanted nothing more than to go back to my place and finally experience Tyler once more. It had been so long since I had felt his body move in perfect harmony with mine, and I was desperate to be consumed by that mind-blowing high only Tyler could give me.
“I love it when you call me that,” I murmured, whimpering as his hands began roaming my body, the silken material of my black dress against my skin only heightening my awareness of him.
“And I like calling you that,” he replied.
“Why don’t you call me that all the time?”
He exhaled, running his fingers through my hair, forcing me to look into his eyes. “I can’t. Not yet. Not until I know that no danger will come to you because of who you truly are. Until then, I only feel safe using your real name in private. Even then, I don’t want to use it too much. I don’t want to run the risk of getting used to it and slipping up. Okay?”
I remained entranced by his sincere green eyes, the sound of the crashing waves echoing in the distance.
“Okay,” I agreed.
“Good. Hungry?”
I laughed. “Always.”
He wrapped his arm around me, keeping me close and steady on my impractical leopard-print stilettos, as we walked up the wooden steps to the restaurant.
We entered the building and I almost didn’t recognize the place. Where I expected to be faced with the sound of dishes and lively conversation, I was met with beautiful music being played by a live band… The same band I had hired to play opening night at my restaurant.
Noticing my bewilderment, he placed his hand on my lower back and led me through the empty dining room. “This way, mi cariño.”
We stepped onto the back deck and I saw that it had been cleared of all the tables except one…a cozy table set for two. I couldn’t help but grin at the amount of thought Tyler put into this evening. I didn’t want to even think what it cost him to convince the restaurant to close for the night just to accommodate us, but I was grateful he did. I needed this. I needed to be rid of the memory of our first lunch here. Instead, I wanted to look back at this place and this evening as the night we got our second chance.
After helping me into my chair, Tyler sat down opposite me, his eyes glued to mine. His gaze was the perfect combination of endearing and carnal, showing me that he revered me but also wanted me in such a way that he had never craved another human being.
“I hope you don’t mind,” he began, breaking the silence between us. “Not to sound selfish, but I kind of wanted it to be just us tonight. Is that okay?”
“It’s too bad. I was really looking forward to having to talk loud just so you could hear me,” I joked.
“I missed that smart mouth of yours,” Tyler retorted, winking.
“Is that all you missed?”
He slowly shook his head. “No. Certainly not.”
“Well, tell me. What else did you miss? Oh, I’m sorry,” I added quickly. “I’m breaking the rules.” Grinning, I bit my lower lip. “Truth or dare.”
Tyler’s expression grew wide before his face settled into a brilliant smile. He grabbed a bottle of sparkling water off the table and poured some for me and himself, then placed the bottle back on the table. “Are you sure you want to play this game, Mackenzie?”
“Tyler,” I began, grasping his hand, “I don’t want to forget all the memories I have of you. Do I want to start over? Of course, but I know I saw part of the real Tyler during those two weeks, particularly when you took me here for lunch and we started playing Truth or Dare. You’ve got a playful streak and that lunch was the first time I saw it. So I don’t ever want to stop playing Truth or Dare with you.”
He brushed his fingers across my knuckle just as a gentle breeze blew. There was a light humidity in the air, but it was unseasonably cool for the end of July, making it a pleasant evening to be sitting outside and enjoying a romantic candlelit dinner as we rediscovered us.
“So is that what you like about me? My playful side?”
Freeing my hands from his, I took a sip of water. “I like all the sides of you. I love those moments when I don’t see the brooding, mystery man who picked me up at a bar back in March. Don’t get me wrong. I love your dominance, even though I shouldn’t.”
“Why not?” he asked, rubbing his hands under his chin.
“I don’t know. I swore I would always be the one in charge, that I would keep control over everything in my life…”
“And you do, Mackenzie. Even when I act dominant, as you call it, you still have all the control. You always have. Now, I think you were about to ask me a question.” He winked as I considered his words.
He was right. It was the mystery and intrigue as to who Tyler was that first attracted me to him. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Then, it was his power and dominance which flamed my longing for him even more. But I held all the control from the beginning, even during our one night together. I had the power to walk away, but I couldn’t, no more than I could now.
“Truth or dare?” I raised my eyebrows at him. Placing an olive on my tongue in a seductive manner, I saw his breathing grow shallow, his eyes glancing to the somewhat voluptuous cleavage of my halter dress.
“Truth,” he replied, his gaze intense.
“What else did you miss about me while you were away?”
His expression turned light, clearing the intensity between us for a moment. “Your eyes. I missed peering into them, tr
ying to unwrap all of your layers. There’s a depth to you I saw that first night at the bar. I saw all the pain you were trying to bury under the façade you’ve put on the past few years. The hurt you still feel from having to hide who you truly are is painted in your eyes. I missed staring into them, trying to reassure you with my own eyes that everything would be okay, even if just for a minute.”
“What else?” I asked, almost breathless from the unequivocal sincerity etched on his face.
“Your body.”
I narrowed my gaze at him. “Oh really?”
He grinned. “Yes, really, but not like you’re thinking. I missed the feeling of falling asleep next to you at night, knowing I was there to keep you safe from harm. I was halfway around the world and felt utterly helpless, regardless of all the assurances I had received that you were okay. I hated I wasn’t there myself to make sure no one harmed you. It drove me crazy to have to step aside and let someone else take my place. I vowed once I was able to come home, I would do everything I could to return to where I belonged…by your side.”
“What else?” I whispered, my throat heavy with the emotion I felt from his words.
“Your love, Mackenzie. I no longer felt it and I hated myself for squandering the most precious gift anyone could give another person… Their love. I didn’t deserve your love then, and I’m not sure I deserve it now, but I promise you…” He grabbed my hand in his, his tone sincere, his eyes fierce. “I will do everything in my power to make you believe in me, in my love for you. This is so real for me, and I will spend every day from now until I’m old and gray proving it to you.”
“Tyler…,” I quivered, struggling to fight back my tears from his impassioned plea. “You broke my heart.”
“I know and–”
“But,” I interrupted, holding my hand up, “over the past few days, you’ve slowly put all the pieces back together. Even after all the heartache and tears, I will still choose you each and every time. It’s not even a choice for me. Our course was charted, even though the path was one of deception and lies. But through those lies, I found my truth. You’re my truth. That’s all I need.” It made no sense that I should be sitting here with him after everything he put me through, especially so soon, but what we had was so much bigger, so much stronger. I felt it from the very beginning. And I still felt it now.
“I was hoping you’d say that,” he said, breaking the tension between us. “Eli was getting tired of having to spoon with me.”
I laughed just as a server approached our table with two plates, placing them down in front of us. There were three small portions of some sort of meat topped with a gourmet vegetable salsa, a hint of dark gravy drawn in a whimsical pattern on the outskirts of the plate. I had no idea what it was, but it looked delicious. “Roasted duck with leek and fennel salsa, sir.” She retreated, leaving us to enjoy our appetizer.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had duck before,” I commented, picking up my fork and cutting into it.
“Well, I know you like seafood, but I did my research and found out you’re limited to how much and what kind of fish you can have when you’re pregnant.”
I glanced at him, surprised. “You did research?”
“Of course. I have to admit, I have no idea how you appear so calm about this. If I were a few months away from squeezing a bowling ball through a tiny straw, I’d be shitting bricks.”
“That’s not even the worst part.”
“Then, by all means, tell me what could possibly be worse than that!”
“Are you sure you want to know?” I raised my eyebrows.
“Of course. I’m in this with you, Mackenzie. I want to know everything. I missed the first four months and I plan on making up for that, even if it means running to the store in the middle of the night to get you watermelon and pickles.”
“Watermelon and pickles?”
“Don’t you have weird cravings?”
“Sometimes,” I admitted, taking another bite of the duck. It was absolutely decadent, the texture almost melting in my mouth.
“Like what?”
“Hmmm…” I placed my fork on the table, trying to recall some of my weird cravings over the past few weeks. “Okay, here’s one I hate to admit.” He stared at me. “Spray cheese.”
“Really?” He chuckled.
“Yeah. I always thought the stuff was absolutely revolting, but I was going through Brayden’s cabinets one day and found some. I have no idea why he even had any, considering I’m pretty sure possessing that violates some gay code of ethics. But, dammit, that stuff was heaven in an aerosol can.”
“And here I am trying to impress you with duck.”
“Yeah,” I said, shrugging my shoulders. “I’m a cheap date.”
“Mackenzie, mi cariño, there is absolutely nothing cheap about you. And that’s why I love being around you, even if you eat spray cheese.”
We shared a look, the longing in his eyes causing my stomach to do somersaults. No man had ever gazed at me with the admiration and yearning Tyler did, and I doubted whether any other man ever would.
“So,” he began, breaking his eyes from me and finishing off his appetizer. “Tell me what the worst part of being pregnant really is, like you were about to before we started talking about watermelon, pickles, and spray cheese.”
“Six weeks,” I said, observing his response.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, after I push this kid out of me, no sex for six weeks at all…like, nothing going on down there.”
His jaw dropped and he was speechless for a moment before he recovered and swallowed hard. “I have a feeling that may just be the longest six weeks of my life.”
“Mine, too.”
~~~~~~~~~~
“DID YOU ENJOY YOUR dinner?” Tyler asked as I devoured the final spoonful of the strawberry cheesecake he had arranged for dessert.
I nodded, rubbing my stomach. “Yup. Baby boy is happy in there.”
“How about Mama? Is she happy?”
“I am. Of all the first dates I’ve been on…”
Tyler scowled playfully in response.
“This is certainly one of the best.”
“One of?”
“Well, I don’t want to say it’s the best just yet. It’s still not over, is it?”
“It certainly isn’t, mi cariño. This is just the beginning.” As if on cue, the band faded out of the song they were playing and, after a brief pause, launched into a tune that would always make me think of my mystery man.
Raising himself from his chair, Tyler held his hand out to me. “Do me the honor of dancing with me?”
“Of course,” I murmured, allowing him to lead me away from our table.
He placed his hand on my lower back, keeping his other one wrapped around mine. His warmth and comfort surrounded me as we sauntered to the melody of “Every Time We Say Goodbye”.
“New memories?” I whispered.
“Better memories.”
“Definitely better.”
I stared into his eyes as he led me across the wooden deck. Just a week ago, this song made me want to scream with rage. Now it sparked a renewed sense of devotion, which was what I saw when I looked into Tyler’s eyes. Reverence. Passion. Love. It was all there, just as it had been all those months ago. Despite the initial reason for him approaching me, it changed for him. At some point, he fell in love. He muttered those three words to me not to get me to share my deepest and darkest secrets with him, but because he couldn’t go another second without sharing his feelings with me. I saw it all there in those brilliant green eyes. I sensed it in the way he held me in his arms as if he would never let go. Most importantly, I felt it in my heart.
The song came to an end, silence engulfing us, but that didn’t matter. We continued to sway to the music in our heads, just as we did that night all those months ago. Our bodies were perfectly in tune to each other, as if our souls were singing a song only we could hear.
“Ma
ckenzie,” Tyler said as the band began to play a classic Frank Sinatra tune.
“Yes?” I pulled away from him and noticed an uneasy expression on his face.
“You said you wanted me to be completely open and honest with you, right?”
I nodded, swallowing hard, nervous.
“I wanted to wait to talk to you about all this, but it’s important that you know. I need to ask a favor of you. I just need you to know that, regardless, nothing will change between us.”
“Is everything okay?” I asked, my voice cautious.
“Yes, I suppose.” He looked out to the darkened ocean illuminated by the moon.
“Then tell me. As long as you’re honest with me, I promise I won’t get upset. That’s all I need from you.”
He returned his eyes to me, smiling a small smile. “Do you think you’re up for a walk on the beach?”
“With you?” I scowled playfully. “Always.”
I slid my shoes off and took Tyler’s hand, allowing him to lead me down the wooden steps of the back deck and onto the white sand of the beach. Apart from a few other couples going for a moonlight stroll, the shoreline was nearly empty.
“So what do you want to talk to me about?” I asked after several long moments had passed as we walked along the beach. I tilted my head toward Tyler as the ocean wind picked up. I attempted to tame my hair, but it was useless.
“I like this look on you,” he commented, fondly looking at me.
“What look?”
“I don’t know. I can’t quite put my finger on it. When we first met, you had this wall around you, and I was always curious as to who you really were. Over time, I started to see more and more, but even after you let go with me, you still didn’t let me all the way in. But now I see such a carefree version of you, and I’ll do anything to keep this look on your face.”
I nudged him. “You’re procrastinating.”
“You caught me.” He nervously met my gaze. “Maybe I’m just worried I’ll lose you again, and I’m not willing to do that.”
