by Marie Harte
“Wait a minute.”
He shook his head.
“I work here,” she whispered harshly, worried someone might know what a locked door meant. But messing around in the office? So naughty.
“I work here too.” He glanced at his desk and calmly cleared it. He crooked his finger.
“No.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“Oh?” Mac’s grin widened. “Look, Miss. If you don’t want to lose your job, you’ll come here.” He lowered his shorts and showcased a mouthwatering erection.
“You’ll fire me?”she asked in a husky voice, totally turned on despite her astonishment at his threat.
“And I know how much you need this job, what with you looking after sixteen brothers and sisters. You’re so desperate, I can do whatever I want with you.”
She understood and had to smile. She liked his creativity. “But this is sexual harassment, Mr. Jameson,” she said, keeping her voice low.
“You’re damn right it is. Get over here.”
God, he looked so thick and hard. She scurried to his side, hoping no one would knock on the door. “But I’m so gross, and I—”
He turned her onto her belly over the desk and yanked down her shorts and underwear. Without giving her a chance to refuse, he angled between her legs and rested just inside her pussy.
“Wet for me. I like that. But not too wet. Hmm, this may hurt.” The bastard continued to push, grunting as he worked his way inside her.
Bent over with her legs pressed together, she felt too tight, too helpless to resist as his fat cock stretched her. At the thought of such vulnerability, she grew wetter.
“There we go. My naughty employee wants to keep her job, doesn’t she?” he growled.
“Yes, Sir.”
“That’s right,” he bit out as he sawed in and out of her, excitement taking its toll on his restraint. “Would you do anything to keep your job?”
“Yes, anything,” she breathed.
“Like what? Tell me.”
As she came up with all kinds of scenarios, he thrust faster. She liked his desperation, because too often he took his time while she writhed, caught up in his talented, beautiful body.
“Fuck, you’re so hot,” he said in a low voice. “God, Maggie. I can’t stop. Gotta fill you all up. Yes,” he hissed as he pumped again and stilled, coming while she groaned her frustration. “Hold on, damn it.”
He reached around her and played with her clit, and before she knew it, she’d spasmed around him, her orgasm powerful, the more so because she fought to keep silent.
When she’d climbed down from such pleasure, she felt him withdraw and return to her with something between her legs.
“Sorry, but consider your workout towel needing a good wash.”
“Whatever.” She moaned at the tingling in her limbs. Mac’s sexual prowess left her limp and sated, every time. She knew how rare that was, and how that track record would probably fade with time. Yet being near him, feeling so close, went beyond sex.
“Only thing better than this would be you wearing those earrings and that corset while I did you on the desk.” He chuckled. “Now that would be something to see.”
She turned in his arms and waited while he set her clothing to rights.
“You’re all sweaty,” she complained. “You should take off more clothes next time.”
“Hussy.” He grinned down at her, and she wanted to tell him how she felt, scared yet excited to confess her feelings. Except she’d want to spend more time with him after she confessed her love, and she had a plane to catch. Tomorrow.
She swallowed hard, aware she should have told him before now. “Mac?”
“What’s up?” He sat back in his chair and laced his hands behind his head, keeping her caged between his knees.
If there was any good time to tell him, it was now, when he had that happy glow in his eyes. “I have something to tell you.”
“Yeah?”
“In my defense, no one knows this yet. Not even Shelby.”
He sat straighter in his chair. “Spit it out.”
“A few days ago I got a call from Kim. That guy from Philly, Evan Stringer? The artsy guy who was interested in my stuff? Well, he flew out here early since he has family in the area, and he stopped by The Beholder.”
“And?”
“He wants my art. All of it! I gave him the rest of my pieces, and I’m flying out to Philadelphia tomorrow to spend a few days going over details about a showing and what he thinks he can do for my career. Corporate sales, fancy corporations that have money, I mean. This could be my big break. My dream.”
Mac didn’t say anything for a moment. “So you’re going out to Philly with this guy?”
She couldn’t gauge his tone, but he sounded less than happy for her. “Mac?”
“Sorry, I just… It’s a surprise. I’m happy for you, Maggie.” He stood up and took her in his arms.
She hugged him back. “I’ve been dreaming about being a real artist forever. I mean, I know I’m real, but to make a living doing it would be fantastic. Kim says that Evan’s legitimate. But that I should have a lawyer look over contractual stipulations, which I will. She gave me a contact to talk to. But Mac, he wants to buy my work. To sell to other people!”
He stepped back and crossed his arms over his chest. “When did you get the news?”
Uh oh. “A few days ago.”
He frowned. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I don’t know. It didn’t feel real. I mean, the guy could renege. He could be some lecher who just wants to get in my pants.” When he opened his mouth to retort, she stopped him. “But he’s not. I didn’t just go off Kim’s word. I inquired online and spoke to a few friends in the art world, some prominent instructors who’ve heard of him. I mean, it’s commercial, but it’s my art. More than selling to galleries but to big firms who pay big money. I’m so excited.”
“Excited, yet you didn’t want to tell me because…? Tell the truth, Maggie.”
She sighed. “Because I didn’t want to be a failure if it turned out he was pulling my leg. Aren’t you happy for me?”
“Yeah, I guess. Hell, I’m sorry. I just… I’ll miss you when you go. That’s all.”
A huge admission, and his honesty eased the pain that he might not support her. “I’ll miss you too. I don’t think I’ll be back for New Years.” She took a leap. “But do you think you could fly out there to be with me? It would mean a lot. I know it’s last minute and won’t be cheap, but I’d like you to be there if you can come.”
Mac looked away, and his jaw clenched. “It’s a busy time now. I’d like to go, but right after New Years is when we get our crush. All the idiots making resolutions show up like gangbusters. I’ll need to be here.”
She felt the tension between them but couldn’t help it. “Look, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before. I’m still scared this isn’t real, if you want the truth. I’ve worked so hard to get to this point.” She touched his shoulder, but he remained on edge.
He smiled at her, but he didn’t look that happy. “So are you thinking of moving out East?”
“Honestly, I’m not thinking beyond signing a contract. That’s if his original offer is still good.” But Trevor is here, my life is here. You’re here, she wanted to add, but Mac’s attitude made her think twice. If she started spouting the idea of a more permanent relationship with Mac, she might scare him off. He was already annoyed she hadn’t told him her good news when she’d learned of it. She’d do better to wait until he was happy to sprout how much she loved him. And, a part of her added, you want to see how he reacts when you’re gone. Will he miss you? Does he care as much as you think he does? “Who knows what the future will bring?”
“Yeah, who knows,” he muttered. He shrugged and grabbed his workout bag. “Well, I concede you beat me.” His grin made her feel worse, not better. “I’m beat, and I have some early work tomorrow. I’ll see you later then, okay?” He kissed her bri
efly before urging her toward the door.
Something had changed between them, and she didn’t like it but couldn’t help it. If Mac didn’t want her to pursue her dream, he couldn’t be the man she thought he was. But he’d always seemed to support her before. She didn’t know what to think, Maybe he was still pissed she hadn’t confided in him before, and he might have a right to being annoyed. After their recent closeness, if something monumental had happened to him and he hadn’t told her about it, she’d be upset with him.
As they left the gym and walked to their cars together, she continued to study him. His face gave nothing away, but he seemed more distanced from her than they’d been in some time. They’d argued plenty of times before today, but this was the first time she’d felt true unrest between them.
She stopped him at her car before he could walk away to his. “Wait. Mac.”
He turned to face her.
“I’m truly sorry I didn’t tell you. I wanted to, but I didn’t want you to be disappointed in me if it all turned to crap.”
He frowned. “Why would I be disappointed in you?”
“Because you’re so successful. Shelby is a wonder in business, Shane’s some bigwig architect. Mimi and Ron are the cream of the crop in the design world, and Trevor has one success after another. I’m the only loser in the crowd, it seems.”
He sighed and cupped her cheek, and she wanted to sag in his arms and have him tell her it would all be okay. “Honey, you’re not a loser. You’re one of the hardest working people I know. You selflessly took a job with me to get dirt on Shane.”
“Which didn’t pan out.”
“Not exactly.” He smiled, a real grin that put her at ease. “In a convoluted way, you helped get them together. You help everyone else. It’s time you helped yourself, isn’t it?”
“So you’re not mad at me?”
“Mad? No.” He took his hand from her face. “I only want the best for you, Maggie. Sincerely. And you let me know if this art prick gets grabby. I’ll break his hands for you.” He kissed her, in full view of anyone watching. Then he caressed her cheek once more before turning away. “Break a leg and give ‘em hell.”
“Thanks.” She watched him leave, not sure why she felt as if he’d been saying goodbye instead of good luck.
Mac walked away and did his best not to break through his fucking window instead of opening his door and driving away. He’d finally found a woman he wanted to spend his tomorrows with, and she looked to be one foot out the door.
He drove home, feeling dejected and rejected. Not a great combination. After letting himself inside, he locked up behind him and grabbed a beer. He downed it and followed with several more, drowning his sorrows in alcohol. A cliché, but he felt entitled. It wasn’t everyday he met a girl he wanted to collar and call his own. The perfect submissive for Mac. She liked him calling the shots in bed, hadn’t cheated on him or tried to empty his wallet, and was a genuinely nice person. And Maggie looked like a walking ad for condoms. So hell yeah, he’d fallen for her. Only to once again have someone he loved walk out the fucking door.
The ball of self-pity and anger with himself for being such a putz grew. He knew better than to open himself up to someone else. Every fucking time he did he got his heart trampled. But had he learned? No.
He stared at the artwork he’d hung in a prominent spot on the living room wall, where he’d be able to see it from just about anywhere in living, dining or kitchen area of his open downstairs floor space. He wanted eat, breathe and sleep with Maggie Doran in mind. Except now he’d have to go back to daydreams and fantasies.
Reality sucked major ass.
Chapter Fifteen
A week had passed without Maggie, and Friday morning arrived. With it came the notion that Mac had lost the best thing that had ever happened to him. He couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, and had barely functioned through Shane and Shelby’s New Year’s Eve party, which he’d left early. His uncle kept trying to counsel him, as if Mac needed another pep talk. The one he’d gotten when Julie had left had done nothing but make his uncle break down in useless tears.
Stupid to be thinking about shit that had gone down nearly twenty years ago, but old wounds lingered. He realized with some surprise that he’d never had a steady girlfriend in all that time. Lots of friends, some with benefits, some not. Much of his time in the Corps had been on the go, and he’d been happy to bond with male Marines in dangerous places, facing life or death situations. Sex on the side came in handy to relieve stress, but otherwise Mac had little time for softness in life.
Then his forced retirement had led him back to Seattle, where he’d figured on putting down roots. With Shane and his family, then Ian, now Shelby and her family, he’d found a new group, new connections. And Maggie.
He rubbed his chest, wishing like hell he could stop thinking about her. She’d called and texted a lot the first day she’d been gone, letting him know she’d extended her stay in Philly. More business meetings and some lawyer she had to talk to. He’d been too hung-over to answer her call, but he’d read her messages. He’d sent her one, telling her good luck, and to remember to knee that dickhead in the balls if he messed with her. They’d chatted via text about New Years, about the East Coast, what Shane and Shelby were up to. But as much as Mac wanted to let her know how much he missed her, he couldn’t say it.
A few days passed, and then she’d stopped sending him anything.
He’d heard a few of her phone messages since then, but then it became too hard to hear her voice. He realized the mistake he’d made in thinking he might have a shot at normalcy. And he—
“Christ on a crutch, get your head out of your ass already.” Ian shoved past him and made a beeline for the coffee pot. “What’s this? Too depressed to even make coffee now? Fuck me.”
A husky feminine voice said, “I thought I did that last night.”
Mac groaned and buried his head in his hands on the kitchen counter, where he’d been trying to get the gumption to go into work today. Instead he now possessed the knowledge that his uncle and Mimi had bumped uglies in his house last night, in the guest bed he’d now have to burn.
“Hey, honey. How about making us some coffee?” Ian smiled at Mimi, and after rolling her eyes at him, she searched for coffee beans and started making the brew. “Now, nephew, we need to talk.”
“Shoot me now.” He refused to look up until his uncle grabbed him by the hair and yanked. “Fuck. What the hell was that?”
“Watch your mouth. Lady present.” He nodded at Mimi, who wore Ian’s long flannel robe like a queen playing dress up.
“Sorry,” Mac muttered. “I’ll go back to bed. I think I’m coming down with something.”
“No, Mac. I’m sorry,” Mimi surprised him by apologizing. “What with Ron getting so cozy with Justin and me shacking up with your uncle, we’ve all completely left you and Maggie to yourselves. Such a shame.”
Ian nodded. “It’s our fault. No, make that my fault. If you weren’t such a dumbass, if I’d raised a smarter kid, you’d have spent New Year’s Eve breaking in the New Year with Maggie instead of pouting like a two-year-old because you can’t have your favorite treat.”
Mac stared at his uncle in astonishment. “Are you high? First of all, I don’t need your help. I never needed it.”
“Yes, you do,” Ian and Mimi said together.
He ignored them. “Second, Maggie and I had a little fun. We dated a few times, end of story. We’re good. I’m good.”
“Oh?” Mimi raised a brow. “Is that why Maggie’s been calling Shelby asking for advice about you? Is that why my precious blond angel is stressing about you and your feelings when she should be focusing on her career? How selfish.”
Ian nodded. “Selfish.”
“Fu—shove off.” Mac stood up, not needing to hear anymore. He felt bad enough as it was. Now he was to blame because Maggie couldn’t enjoy her success.
Ian yanked him back down, and only the fact that Mim
i stood so close curbed Mac’s impulse to smash his fist into his uncle’s face. They’d had a couple of knock-down drag-out fights when he was younger, but he felt more than ready to take the old man on again, and he wouldn’t feel bad about breaking bones this time either. Well, he would, but he’d block off that stupid pity that made him such a pussy. Shit. He used to be tougher than this.
“You’ll sit and listen.” Ian’s eyes shone, and Mac stared, shocked to see unshed tears there.
“I know I made some mistakes with you. Your father was a dumbass who took too many chances. Instead of taking care of his boy, he was out gambling and found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Mac, it could easily have been him mowing someone down in a DUI instead of going under.
“Then your mother, never a strong person to begin with, left. Good riddance, I still say.”
Mimi put her hand comfortingly on Ian’s shoulder.
“But when Julie left,” Ian continued in a shaky voice, “I should have kept it together more. I was stressed and tired and having a hard time when she took off. I didn’t handle things right, and you saw more than a young kid should have.”
“You did your best,” Mac offered, not wanting to talk about any of this. He just wanted to sleep.
“But my best wasn’t good enough. Look son, I’m trying to tell you, I know what this is. People who love you leave you, right? That’s what you’re thinking. Your father dies, your mother deserts you, then on the heels of that Julie, another mother-type, does the same fucking thing.”
Mac still heard the anger in his uncle’s voice.
“None of it was because of you, Mac. And Maggie hasn’t left you either.”
He shrugged. “I know that. There was nothing to leave, anyway. We’re just friends.”
“Bullshit,” Mimi swore. “You and that girl are the best things to happen to each other since… Well, since Shelby and Shane. Ron and I did the cards before we got preoccupied with love.” She kissed Ian smack on the lips, then rolled up her sleeves and started poking Mac in the chest with each word. “The Tarot doesn’t lie. That girl loves you. Maggie is stubborn. She’s been hurt plenty. You think it was easy for her to give you a chance? The great Romeo of Jameson’s Gym?”
