Mack gave her a soft chuckle. “Are you ever serious about anything?”
“No, not really.”
“Would you ever be serious about me?”
“Doubtful you’ll stay around that long.” Her heart was beating so fast. She knew this couldn’t last. Eventually he’d see her deformity and he’d be repulsed by her, or best-case scenario, pity her. Worst case, the media would catch wind of them and somehow expose her, like they had four years ago when Tyler’s other girlfriend took all those pictures and told so many lies to the media about her and Tyler, hoping to damage his political aspirations and destroy her life. Luckily it didn’t get much attention outside of Colorado but what if Mack somehow saw those pics? They were still online.
Mack bent closer and softly brushed his lips across her cheek. Sariah’s entire body heated up and all worries pushed to the background. Staying right in her space, he said, “You have no clue of the tenacity of an offensive lineman, or a Quinn brother.”
Sariah’s stomach did a happy dance. Could the man she daydreamed about truly be the man that wouldn’t give up on her?
He straightened, opened her door, and waited for her to slip inside. “Six o’clock tomorrow, here?” he said, as if he hadn’t just upended her world by the simple touch of his lips, and made it impossible for her to sleep tonight.
She nodded.
“Can’t wait.” He shut the door, gave her one more grin, and sauntered to the Cherokee.
Sariah wilted against the seat, her eyes feasting on all those muscles working in synchrony. Being this close to him was better than watching him play football, and that was really saying something.
Chapter Eleven
Mack got a suite at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Denver. He slept late the next morning then worked out for a couple of hours in the gym and ate breakfast before showering, getting his rental from the valet, and driving around Denver aimlessly. He found himself driving west and then up the mountain back to Sariah’s hometown of Georgetown. He wanted to go see her little brother, Josh, again but thought that might be too much. He contented himself with grabbing a couple of sandwiches at the Mountain Buzz Café then driving up the mountain pass. He stopped at a turnout that turned out to be a trailhead and went on a hike through the trees and along a creek. It was chilly outside and he felt awake and energized by it.
When he made it back to the Cherokee it was late afternoon. Only a few more hours until he could pick up Sariah. He drove I-70 for a while, simply enjoying the views of the mountains and then he headed back. As he left the towering mountains and headed east to Denver, his phone rang.
He pushed the button on the steering wheel. “Hello?”
“My favorite brother.”
“Navy! How’d you know I’ve been wanting to talk to you?”
She laughed. “Because you always want to talk to me. How’s life?”
“Great, but I need some womanly advice.”
“Whoa. That sounds intense, lucky for you I’m the woman to give it. What’s up?”
Mack stayed with the flow of traffic as he chatted. “I met someone.”
“Excuse me?” Navy sounded confused but Mack knew it was all a ploy. “You can’t date, you’re only like twelve-years-old.”
“Ha, ha. Try twenty-five, sis.”
“You blink and they grow up.” She gave a dramatic sigh. “Is this a serious met someone or is it like a Colt, I meet someone perfect every week, kind of deal?”
“It’s pretty serious.”
“Are you going to be following Ryder and Kaleb’s example into marital bliss?”
“Okay, not that serious.” Not that he was opposed to marriage or marrying Sariah, but he wasn’t one to rush into things. “What about you?”
She tsked her tongue. “Not talking about me and you know Colt’s too much of a player to get married and Griff’s too grumpy. So, I guess it is time for you. Mama needs grandbabies and all that business.”
“Does Mama give you a hard time about not giving her grandbabies?” The hurt in Navy’s voice came clearly through the line.
“Always, but once again, this isn’t about me. What’s her name and how’d you meet her?”
Mack changed lanes to let the Nissan riding inches off his bumper get around. “She came to my games all season, I got brave enough to talk to her after a couple of them. Then at the party celebrating the Super Bowl win we connected again. I couldn’t stop thinking about her so I had Griff track her down. By the way, did you know Griff dated Scarlett Lily in college?”
“No, and that is fabulous info to have, thank you.” Mack could just hear his sister’s brain clicking the info in to torment Griff later. He probably shouldn’t have shared it. “So, you found this mystery woman?”
“Yes. She lives near Denver. I took her to dinner last night. She’s amazing, sis.”
“But …” She drawled it out.
“There’s no but.”
“There is definitely a but. I know you, I know your buts in all forms. I changed your diapers for crying out loud. Tell me about the but.”
Mack laughed softly but this was why he wanted to talk to Navy. “She hides the right side of her face and neck with her hair. It’s really odd. I almost pushed the hair back yesterday and she freaked.”
He took the exit for Sariah’s school. It was close to six now.
“That is a little disturbing. So, what’s your question?”
“I just don’t know how to proceed. I don’t mind being chill and waiting for her to share her secrets with me, but what if there’s something really off with her mentally and I should ease back before I’m too invested?” The problem was he was already too invested and even though Sariah’s reaction had been intense he didn’t feel like she was crazy or anything.
“Why don’t you have Griff research her?”
“He told me ‘no more’,” he imitated Griff’s gruff voice, “after he helped me track her down, and I just don’t feel right about it. It’s her secret to tell, right?”
“Hmm. I guess you could look at it like that, or you could Google her and see what you find.”
Mack had thought about it, but he wanted to earn her trust and have her tell him … whatever secrets she had. “Yeah, I don’t think so. Hopefully, she’ll tell me about it soon.”
“So you’re camping out in Denver until she succumbs to your oversized charm?”
“The idea has crossed my mind.” He had to be back in Atlanta Monday morning, but he would fly here every weekend, if Sariah wanted him to.
“You are almost as sappy as Kaleb, you know that, right? At least he has Jasmine now to keep him in line. Will this girl sass you as good as Mama or I?”
“I think she could.”
“Oh, good. She might stand a chance with our family.”
“Do you think I’m crazy to pursue her this hard?”
“I think she’s crazy if she resists you. You’re the best guy I know, Mack. And I know a lot of guys.”
“Thanks, sis.” His sister and mama were tough, but they loved him and thought the world of him. He needed that right now as he was uncertain how to proceed with Sariah, but knew he couldn’t pass up spending more time with her.
“Tell me more about the Scarlett Lily thing.”
Mack smiled but regretted saying anything. Mack might be big, muscular, and intimidating to ninety-nine percent of the population, but Griff could still thump him. Griff was the toughest man he knew, and his brother had helped him find Sariah so he owed him.
He recounted the story quick, though, because he never told Navy no, but his mind was already wandering ahead. Less than ten minutes and he’d see Sariah again.
* * *
Sariah got done a few minutes early and hurried to the parking lot, hoping to see Mack’s rented Cherokee waiting there. She grinned when she spotted it and hurried over. Mack had his phone to his ear, causing her to stop abruptly rather than rip his door open and hug him because she was so happy to see him.
<
br /> He noticed her, gave her a big grin, and swung his door open. “Love you. See you soon.” He climbed out of the Jeep, pushed end on the phone, then dropped it in his pocket. “Hey. How was school?”
Sariah envisioned him meeting her every day after school. She thought that would be just about perfect, but she needed to know something and quick. A shot of terror raced through her. “Love you?” She planted her hands on her hips and stared pointedly up at him. “Please tell me that was your mama or your sister.”
His grin grew. “Do I detect some jealousy, Miss Udy?”
“No, sir. But I am only party to monogamous relationships.” He had no clue how serious she was about this, but if he was already two-timing her he wouldn’t have let her hear the “love you”, right? Tyler had been amazing at keeping his girlfriends separate and oblivious to each other’s existence, until Denise somehow found out about Sariah and then tracked her down.
Mack chuckled and took a step closer, reaching out his large hand. Sariah couldn’t stop herself from putting her hand in his. It was a brisk spring evening and her hands were chilly. Mack’s hand around hers immediately warmed her hand and the smile on his face thawed her from the inside out. “So, you’re saying we have a relationship?” he asked in his melodious voice.
“Whoa, back it right up, boy. I said nothing about ‘having’ a relationship. But I might be open to the possibility of a relationship, in the future, not immediate future, but maybe not too far in the future future, if, and only if, you tell me who you just said love you to.”
“Wow. That was a whole lot of confusing lingo and I’m just a simple offensive lineman.” He arched one eyebrow, looking so handsome and doing that beautiful, I will gaze at you until you beg me to kiss you, thing with his eyes. “Do we have a relationship then?”
She laughed, though she was still churning inside with worry over that love you, and pushed at his shoulder with her free hand. Of course, he didn’t budge, but it was fun to touch his muscular shoulder. “You’re about as simple as Killer Sudoku.”
“Killer Sudoku?” He grinned.
“Tougher than regular Sudoku. I fail at it regularly and my teachers claimed I was good at math. What I’m saying is there’s nothing simple about you. The answer to your question is, if you’re a patient man, maybe. What’s the answer to mine?”
“I am pretty patient.” He squeezed her hand and admitted, “My sister.”
“Finally, he answers my question. And they say women talk in circles.” She prayed it truly was his sister. Part of her wanted to keep grilling him, simply because she hadn’t trusted an un-related man in the past four years, she’d acted crazy enough yesterday and she hated to scare him completely away.
Mack arched an eyebrow. “You’re claiming that whole spiel about relationships wasn’t talking in circles?”
Sariah giggled. She had never had so much fun bantering with someone. “Where are we eating?”
He shook his head, led her around the vehicle, and opened her door. “You’re the local, and I actually didn’t get food poisoning last night. Where do you suggest?”
“Ha, ha.”
He grinned, shut her door, and hurried around the front of the vehicle. She loved watching him move. Depending on how late he took her home tonight, she was going to watch highlights of him on YouTube. He climbed in and the vehicle rocked slightly. It was amazing he could be so massive yet so fit and appealing.
“Where to?” he asked.
“Hmm. Do you like Indian food?”
He shrugged. “Honestly, Sariah, do you think I got to this size not liking every kind of food?”
She giggled at that. “Valid reasoning.” She pointed. “Great Indian restaurant just a few blocks that a way.”
He put the vehicle into gear.
“It looks really good on you.”
He glanced over at her. “What does?”
“Your size.”
“Thank you.” He smiled as he navigated to the restaurant.
They walked inside and the hostess seated them at a small corner table with a clean but scratched wooden top. Mack glanced around. “It looks a little less sketchy than last night. And it smells good.”
“Well, thank you for the approval. I aim to tantalize.”
Mack’s eyes widened and then a slow smile grew on his handsome face. “Yes, you do.”
“I meant … your taste buds.” Wow, she wasn’t making this any better.
His voice got low and husky. “I look forward to it.”
“Stop.” She pushed at his arm, her face filling with heat.
“I don’t think I’m the one who started this.”
The waitress interrupted, bringing them waters and asking if they wanted anything different than water to drink. They both declined. “Are you ready to order?”
Mack nodded to Sariah. “Will you order for us again?”
She smiled. “I don’t want you going away hungry. Should I order more than last night?”
“Please.”
She could definitely get used to this. She’d felt guilty last night when she’d gotten home late but Teresa had demanded all the details of her date and made her promise she’d go again tonight. Lily and Hyde were with Teresa tonight and would be through Sunday night. Hyde hadn’t said much about her going out with Mack, but he seemed very concerned for her. Lily had obviously told him too much about the Tyler fiasco. She focused back on the menu.
“Let’s do the alu gobi, tandori chicken, beef vindaloo, butter chicken, chana masala, chickpea curry, and we’d better have some spring rolls.” She glanced at Mack. “Is that enough food?”
“We’ll see.”
Sariah laughed and handed the menu back. “Thank you.”
“I’ll bring the spring rolls soon.” She took their menus and walked away.
Sariah took a drink of her water.
“You like tantalizing exotic foods the best?” Mack asked.
“Definitely.”
“Have you always?”
She picked at the edge of the paper tablecloth. “My family doesn’t have a lot of … money. So, our diet growing up was pretty simple.” She forced a smile and met his eyes. “Usually fish or deer for our meat that my dad had caught or hunted, potatoes and carrots for our veggies, and my mom made loaves and loaves of bread and raspberry jam to keep everybody filled up.”
Mack swallowed. “I’m sorry.”
“No.” She waved a hand. “I had a great childhood and I love my family. I was just explaining. Last year I started working for Hyde, taking care of Teresa. For the first time in my life I had extra money and I was here in Denver so I tried out different foods and I found I loved them.”
“I like that you’re adventurous.”
She couldn’t meet his gaze now. The only adventurous things she ever did were try out new foods and go on hikes in the mountains, or maybe swim in the lake in the summer. Her life was so boring. What made her think she could keep a man like Mack Quinn interested in her? She quickly changed the subject, “So tell me more about your family. Your sister, Navy, is the oldest? She’s so tough, like my sister, Lily. I love that.”
He smiled. “She is tough, and not just fitness wise. She can put any of us in our place, even Griff.”
“Griff’s the Navy SEAL, right?” Like she’d forget Griff. He was the reason Scarlett Lily had kissed Mack, but she didn’t want to look like a stalker.
He nodded. “You know a lot about my family.”
“I do have WiFi and Google. Does that bother you that so many people know about you?”
He shrugged. “Comes with the territory playing professional football and everybody in my family seems to have found their way to a visible career, except for Griff and Colt. Griff saves the world quietly. Colt’s visible because he’s always dating somebody famous.”
“I did notice that. You all look a lot alike too.”
He stared at her for a beat. “What would you do if I Googled you?”
Sariah’s
throat tightened and she tugged at the hair covering her neck. Mack’s gaze became more tender. He knew something was wrong with her. He was too kind to come out and ask her about it though. “You haven’t?”
His gaze was clear and steady. “No, I haven’t.”
“Please don’t,” she murmured.
He studied her before nodding. “I won’t.”
“Thank you.” The relief was strong but could she trust him? She didn’t know Mack that well and already she had to trust that the person he’d said “love you” to was his sister and that he wouldn’t Google her. She hadn’t Googled herself for a long time, but could only imagine the horrific pictures and accusations would still be there.
Luckily the waitress brought their spring rolls right then. The food was delicious, but they never regained the carefree conversation.
* * *
Mack walked Sariah to her car after dinner, not sure how to restore the easiness that had been between them, before he asked her if he could Google her. Dumb, dumb, dumb. He knew she was sensitive about something. So, whatever was going on with her, there was a record, probably pictures, of it online. That made him crazy with interest, but he’d told her he wouldn’t look, so he wouldn’t.
He swung open her door. She smiled up at him. “Thank you for dinner.”
“Sure.”
She bit at her lip and then asked, “Will I see you again?”
“Do you want to?” He shouldn’t have asked it like that, but he wasn’t sure how to proceed with her and not hit a sensitive button again.
She looked so beautiful as she blinked up at him. “Mack … I haven’t dated anyone in four years.”
The confusion must’ve been evident on his face, because she smiled and looked away. “I haven’t.”
“But why?” Obviously, it had something to do with whatever she was hiding, or what she’d been through, but he couldn’t imagine men didn’t hit on her nonstop. “You’re gorgeous and funny and smart and … do you just tell every man no?”
She focused back on him and nodded. “Yes, I do.”
Cami’s Georgia Patriots Romance Collection Page 23
