Rough and Rugged: A Meet Me In Milwaukee Charity Anthology

Chapter Four

Marissa

Marissa stared at the backside of her departing ex in disbelief. Not so much because of the brief conversation they’d just had, but at the sight of him. Who was the hot mountain man with whom she’d just had an encounter? Her Mac had been a gentle giant. This Mac looked dark. Dangerous. He’d always been a large guy, but now he was huge. Muscles upon muscles. A beard that would make any woman’s panties melt, even though it was in need of a trim. And a sleeve of tats that rivaled any biker she’d ever seen. She’d also noticed stainless steel tunnel rings, indicating he’d gauged his ears, as well as a tiny ring in one nostril. His jeans were filled out in all the right places, and he covered his long hair with a baseball cap worn backward. Her fingers itched at the thought of ripping off that cap and running her fingers through his hair. Mac was the antithesis of Andrew. One-hundred-and-ten percent male. And she was turned on beyond belief.

Now what the hell was she supposed to do? He’d left her hanging outside with her mouth gaping open, likely drooling all over herself. She’d come too far to turn back now, so she gathered as much bravado as she could and marched up to the front door of the cabin, banging so hard on the solid wooden door, her knuckles hurt.

“Mac, let me in! We’re not done!”

She waited. Silence. Just when she figured she might as well get in her car and leave, she heard the heavy thunk of his boots on the cabin floor, and then he swung open the door and casually leaned into the frame.

“Darlin’, we’ve been done for a long time.”

She took a deep breath, choosing her next words carefully. She needed his cooperation, so she didn’t want to piss him off. “I’ve got some legal issues to take care of and I really need that document.” It wasn’t any of his business what those legal issues were, and for reasons she didn’t want to think about right now, she couldn’t bring herself to tell him she needed it so she could marry another man. When he remained silent, she filled the void. “Mac, please. You owe me that much.”

The moment those words left her mouth, she knew she’d screwed up. Instead of blowing up at her as she expected, he appeared calm, but she noticed the slight twitch of his right eye, as he quietly responded. “I don’t owe you shit.”

And that cut her like a knife, worse than anything he could have yelled at her.

“I know,” she whispered. And before she could stop it, a lone tear formed and slid down her cheek. As she stared at the ground, trying to figure out what to do next, she heard his loud exhale.

“Since you’re here and you already interrupted my day, you might as well come in.”

Before he could change his mind, Marissa stepped into the cabin she hadn’t been in since they were teenagers sneaking up here to make out. She looked around, taking in the contents of the interior. The old brown plaid sofa with the busted springs that had been there since the 1970’s was gone. The room had been updated with new comfortable furniture and modern appliances. The floor had been replaced with a durable and practical wood-like vinyl. She stated the obvious. “So, you live here now.”

“Yeah. Me and Mr. Rogers.”

“Mr. Rogers?”

“Yeah, that fat guy over in the corner.”

She looked toward where he was pointing, and noticed a pet bed on a perch near the window, occupied by the biggest cat she’d ever seen. She walked over to get a closer look, reaching out a hand to pet him. He immediately started purring like a well-oiled engine, even though he reminded her of the famous grumpy cat. Mac was a cat daddy? She burst out laughing, and was a bit surprised when Mac began laughing with her. It certainly lightened the atmosphere in the room, and took the pressure off momentarily.

“Wow. That’s some cat.”

Mac shrugged his massive shoulders. “He’d been abandoned in the parking lot of Rogers’ hardware store as a kitten. I couldn’t just leave him there. So he came home with me.”

Awkward silence ensued. What else was there to talk about?

“Would you, uh, like something to drink?”

“Umm, sure.”

“Sorry I don’t have any diet coke.”

And why would he? He never drank it before. Diet coke had always been her beverage of choice. “Water’s fine.”

“Comin’ right up. Why don’t you have a seat?” He gestured toward the high top table and chairs in the kitchen area as he turned toward the refrigerator, grabbing two chilled bottles. He offered her one.

“Thanks.”

As they sat at the table, silently drinking from the bottles, she heard the rumbling of thunder in the distance. Since she couldn’t think of anything else to say, they could always talk about the weather. Mac beat her to it.

“Sounds like a storm is rollin’ in. I didn’t know the forecast was calling for rain today.”

“Crap. I didn’t think to bring a rain jacket or umbrella with me.”

“Hopefully, it will pass over quickly. But I need to go out and check on some things outside that I don’t want to get wet.”

“Can I help?”

“No. You stay here,” he ordered.