21. Gracelyn
CHAPTER 21
GRACELYN
S hit.
It’s too late. Jamie spots me before I can abort the hydration mission.
“Gracelyn! Fancy meeting you here.” She drawls the phrase in her best Southern accent. “Didn’t know you were hitting the high school dating pool now.”
“Gross, Jamie. I’m not.” I square my shoulders, standing as straight and tall as physically possible in these heels. I still qualify for shorty status next to Jamie and her mile-long model legs, though.
Of course, she’s beyond stunning in a slinky emerald green dress cut high above the knee and baring her toned arms. The color’s great on her, too, a nice contrast to her deep red hair.
Bitch.
“You came to the Hoco dance alone then? Are you on staff now? The hairstylist thing not working out?” She waves her French-manicured nails around my face, motioning at my hair.
“No. And not that I owe you any explanation, but I’m here with Mack. My boyfriend. Remember?”
“Oh, right. How could I forget? I thought y’all were such an odd couple, I assumed you’d broken up by now.”
Rude.
“We didn’t.”
“It’s just—he’s so good-looking…” Her voice trails off, and she leaves the rest of the statement unsaid, hanging in the air between us.
Sizzling anger bubbles in my gut, my chest tight. I should turn around and walk away, leave her standing there open-mouthed like a dying guppy.
But it’s me, so of course I can’t do that.
“And?” I fold my arms over my chest, baiting her. Daring her to finish that statement.
“Come on, Gracelyn. You know and I know Mack’s way out of your league. He’s like a ten and you’re…I don’t know. Maybe a six, on a good day?”
Ouch.
Jamie’s always been a bitch, but this is low, even for her.
Tears stinging my eyes, I jut out my chin. “I’m a seven and a half with personality.”
“Fine. I’ll give you a bump for being a good sidekick. But really, what does a guy like Mack see in little ole’ you?”
“Oh-kay. We’re done here. Great to see you, Jamie. Not.” I spit out the words and pivot, running straight into Mack’s steely chest.
“Hey, I was looking for you. You’re hidden by the line dancers.” Mack rubs my bare arm and I blink fast and hard, trying to fight back tears. “You okay?”
“Not really,” I whisper, cocking my head in Jamie’s direction.
“That bitch is still bothering you?” His voice is hard as he stares over my shoulder at Jamie.
I nod, not trusting my shaky voice. I feel so dumb, letting her get to me like this. Like she did back in high school. I thought I’d evolved, but apparently not. And neither has she, that’s for damn sure.
“Want me to get her tossed?” Mack flexes his fingers, knuckles cracking, and I shake my head.
“No. That will just cause a scene,” I whisper, feeling better already now that Mack’s by my side.
“Hey, Mack,” Jamie purrs, wiggling her fingers at him as she sidles up to us. “You look nice. Tres handsome.”
Guess she picked up some French when she modeled in Europe.
Mack winds his strong arm around my waist, pulling me close to him. Supporting me. Squaring up to her, we’re a united front.
“I’m only half as attractive as Gracelyn, but I tried.”
Typical Jamie, she tosses her head back, laughing hysterically. Like that’s the funniest thing she’s ever heard in her whole miserable life.
“You’re so cute,” she trills, batting her fake lashes at him. Bile rises in my throat and my hands shake. I clasp them together in front of me and pray she doesn’t notice the tremor.
“Great game last night, by the way. Y’all make it so easy to get out there on the field and shake our tails for you.” She wiggles her hips side to side, as if she actually has a tail.
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
“I had a lot of motivation. I knew Gracelyn was watching.” He winks at me and my entire body flushes, heart soaring. “Coach Carter actually needs us.” His fingers grip my hip, pulling me away from the table. “Bye, Jamie.” Then he ushers me away from my archenemy.
“Thanks,” I murmur, relaxing the further away I get from Jamie.
“You bet. She really is terrible.”
In spite of my massively hurt feelings, my lips tip into a smile.
“Right? It’s not just me.”
“Nope. She’s giving serious mean girl vibes. And I’m a clueless dude.”
“Eh, I wouldn’t say you’re clueless. What’s Coach Carter need?”
“Nothing. I made that up to get away from her.”
I smile at him, my heart swelling. “Anyone ever tell you you’re the best?”
“Only my nana.”
“She’s not wrong.”
“You ready to get out of here? There’s only ten minutes left. I don’t think anyone will notice if we dip out early.”
“Absolutely.”
With his strong arm wrapped around me, we walk out of the cafeteria, leaving behind the flashing lights and the thumping music. Ears ringing, we spill into the dark parking lot and a shiver rolls through me when the cool night air touches my skin.
“You cold?” Mack shrugs out of his jacket and eases the silky fabric over my shoulders, not waiting for my response.
“Thanks.”
He helps me into the truck and we drive to my house, country music playing softly in the background, his hand on my knee.
Back home, I unlock the door and we step inside. Mack wastes no time, unzipping my dress, unwrapping me like a precious gift. The satin garment slips to the ground until I’m standing in only heels and lingerie.
“So damn sexy.” He falls to his knees, unbuckling my shoes, and I step out of them. His rough, calloused palms trace up my thighs, all the way to the hot, pulsating center. He kisses through the panties, pulling the tiny scrap of fabric down my legs. Then he resumes worshipping my body—licking through my wetness, his tongue stroking and laving, sucking on my clit. The soft prickle of his stubble tickles my skin and my eyes flutter closed, body swaying. Pushing me higher and higher, closer to the edge.
I thread my fingers through his hair, messing up the perfectly slicked style, freeing the waves.
This is the Mack I know.
More wild, unfettered.
A soft moan falls from my lips as he slides his fingers into me, finds my most sensitive spot. The one that makes me see stars, all buzzy inside.
Gripping his shoulders, I ride his face as he sucks me. Feasting like he’ll never get enough. His tongue flicks at my clit and he grips my hips, holding me tight and forcing me to feel everything. The heat, the pressure. There’s no escaping the waves of pleasure rolling down my spine and I spasm around his fingers.
Legs trembling, I come for him.
After a long moment, I catch my breath.
“I need you.” I moan the words on an exhale, pulling him up off the ground.
Wordlessly, we stumble into the dark bedroom, kissing, my arms wrapped around his strong neck. He reaches around and unclasps my bra, freeing my breasts.
“Fuck, Gracelyn.” His thumb traces the outline of my curves, teasing the nipples into sharp points.
“Get naked.” I work to unbutton his shirt, the pace frantic as I undress him as quickly as possible, the tiny round circles standing between me and more bliss. I want to see him, feel his muscles undulating as he rides me. He drops his pants and boxer briefs, pulls off his socks, while I peel the shirt from his body.
“Much better.” I run my hand up and down his chest, admiring the ridges of his abs, the defined pecs.
“I agree.” His eyes rake over my naked body as he walks me backward to the bed, laying me down gently before climbing on top. “I want to fuck you bare again. Nothing between us tonight.”
I don’t hesitate.
“Yes.”
Pushing a stray hair from my face, Mack locks eyes with me, and it’s as if our very souls connect in this moment. My heart pounds, each beat for him and only him.
He pushes into me, joining us together, skin to skin.
Nothing between us. No space, no air.
We are one, moving together in perfect rhythm.
Heat builds, the friction increasing. Muscles tighten, both of our bodies slick with sweat. Our breathing syncs, rough and ragged as we dance closer and closer to the edge.
“Come for me, baby,” Mack murmurs, his lips soft against my neck.
His words push me over, and I shatter around him.
“Mack—” I grip the cords of muscles in his shoulders, digging into his skin as he pistons harder and faster, going impossibly deeper, exploding inside me.
We move together as long as we can, a horizontal dance only the two of us know. Staying joined as long as possible, drawing out the bliss.
Finally, he lays down next to me, pulling me onto his chest.
Neither of us say anything, struggling to catch our breath. I feather my fingers over his chest as I wrestle with all the swelling emotions.
I love this man.
“Thank you,” I whisper into the dark, so quiet I’m not sure he’ll even hear.
His hand smooths over my back, tracing up and down my spine.
“Thank you, baby.”
Tears shimmer in my eyes and I blink back hot tears. This night feels like a dream—the best dream—and I never want to wake up.