12. Chapter Eleven
Mac walked around the car. Janie didnt know what to think right now. She was turned on that he was taking charge. But at the same time, she knew that if he continued to do this, she was going to fall hard.
Ready? he asked. He held out his hand and she grabbed it. Mac helped her out of the car and placed his hand on the small of her back.
Definitely getting you a booster seat, he mumbled. or maybe Ill get you a baby seat for adults so youre secure and nothing can happen.
I dont need it, she said.
I think you do, he said.
Janie glared at him and stomped her foot. No. I dont!
Mac raised his eyebrow. Are you going to throw a temper tantrum? he asked.
She continued to glare at him. Who was he to ask that question?
No, Im not throwing a temper tantrum, she said as she crossed her arms. How could he think she was throwing a temper tantrum?
Well, it looks like one, he said. Do you need a spanking or are you going to behave?
She took a deep breath and blew it out.
I dont need a spanking, she replied.
You sure? he asked. Sometimes people need spankings to let all their emotions out. Especially Littles.
Her eyes narrowed at him. She did not need a spanking.
Yes, Im sure. Im one hundred percent sure, she replied. No spankies for me.
He gave her a smile. Okay. Are you ready to go in and eat? She nodded her head. Mac placed his hand on the small of her back again. When they got closer to the door, he opened the door and gave her a little push inside.
Were going to sit in the back corner, Mac said as he led them towards the back.
Why? she asked.
Because then I can look at everyone. See if anything is going to happen, he said. Want to make sure that youre safe.
She stared at him as he continued to lead her towards the back. Her ex-husband had never done that whenever they went out. It was always about him and nothing else.
Are you okay? he asked.
She nodded her head. Well, that was a lie. She was shocked and didnt understand him.
Are you sure? he asked.
Yes, she whispered as they got up to the empty table.
In you go, he said. Youre always going to be on the inside when Im with you.
She gave him a puzzled look.
But I like being on the outside, she said, not moving towards the booth.
When youre with me, youll be on the inside, he said. I want to be able to protect you. I cant when Im on the inside and youre on the outside.
Janie continued to look at him. She was not used to someone thinking about her safety so much. Sure, her husband made sure that the house had good security and their cars were good. But Janie deep down knew it was for him and not her or Eleanor.
Not that he cared about Eleanor any.
Why are you shocked? Mac asked. Your face says it all, so dont even try to say that you arent shocked. What did I say?
Before she could stop herself, she started to speak. My ex-husband just never did that.
Well, he was a fool for not doing it. Youre precious and need to be safe and taken care of at all times. You and Eleanor.
She opened her mouth, but quickly shut it. She didnt know what to say to him. Sure, she knew that there were people out there like that. Michael and Finn were super protective of Monroe and Charlotte. But her husband wasnt one of those people. Her parents were protective, but not as much as Mac.
When youre with me, when both of you are with me, your safety is my number one priority, Mac said. Thats why I open your door to the car. I dont want someone to pull in right next to us and hit you. Or someone come and grab you.
Her eyes went wide as she stared at him. She had never thought about that.
Im not saying this to scare you. Im just explaining that your safety is important to me. Eleanors safety is important.
She nodded her head, but hadnt quite wrapped her head around everything he had just said. Sure, it made sense but it was weird.
Come on, in you go, he gently said.
She sighed and slid in the booth, Mac following behind her. She could feel the heat coming off of him. Janie could smell his scent and she took a deep breath in.
One of her favorite smells.
Did you just smell me? Mac asked.
Her eyes went wide and she shook her head. No, I was taking in a deep breath after I sighed, she replied.
Amusement filled his eyes. I think you were smelling me. Like the scent?
She shook her head. I wasnt smelling you.
He leaned forward so their faces were on the same level.
Its okay if you were. You can smell me any time. I dont mind, he said.
Hello! My name is Maria and Ill be serving you today, a younger girl said as she walked up to their table.
Janies face went red and she wished she had a menu so she could hide behind it. Had the waitress heard anything?
Here are two menus. Can I get drinks for you guys? she asked.
Soda, please, Janie replied before looking at the menu.
She had never been to this place before and wanted to look to see what they had. She loved burgers.
Water for both of us, Mac said.
Janies head snapped over in their direction.
I would like a soda. Dont pay attention to him, she replied.
Mac sent her a look before turning his attention towards Maria.
Well both be having water. She isnt allowed to have soda right now, Mac said. Well be ready to order in a couple of minutes.
Janie opened her mouth, ready to tell Mac off and the waitress that she wanted a soda. There was no reason why she couldnt have a soda right now.
But before she could say anything, the waitress walked off. Janie glared at Mac.
You had no right to do that, she said. I wanted soda as my drink.
Were getting ice cream after this, but you arent having both, he said.
She glared at him. Who was he to tell her that she couldnt have both?
I dont want you to have too much sugar and caffeine and then crash later, he gently said. So, you can either have a soda now and Ill take you home without ice cream. Or no soda now and well get ice cream after.
She stared at him for a couple of seconds.
Your pick. Just let me know what you want, Mac ran his fingers across her cheek.
What did she want? She wanted to have a soda, but knowing that he was going to get ice cream, she wanted that. Ice cream was delicious and she couldnt say no to that.
Ice cream, she muttered.
What was that? he asked.
Ill go for the ice cream.
He gave her a smile.
Good girl, he whispered. Now, have you had enough time to look over the menu for what you want?
She had briefly looked at it and saw a couple options.
Yeah, she replied. I know what I want.
And you know what side you want? he asked. Every meal gets a side with it.
She nodded her head. Janie always went for the fries. They were delicious.
Do you know what you want? she asked. Youve been here before, right?
Yep, he replied. I come here maybe once a week. Its a good place to eat, especially when I dont want to cook.
You like to cook?
Mac nodded his head. My mama taught me how to cook from a young age. Wanted me to know how, so when I got a wife, I could spoil her.
Janie stared at him as he talked. His mom was amazing.
Well, from the mac and cheese you made I have to say your mom did an amazing job, she gently said.
Thank you. Ill have to cook for you again. mac and cheese isnt the only thing I know how to cook.
She kept her mouth shut. She wanted him to cook but that would require for her to go over to his house or him to hers. Was she prepared for that again?
Ill have to cook for you and Eleanor, he said. Do you like cooking?
She scrunched her nose up and shook her head.
I burn water, she replied. Ive never been good at cooking. My mom tried to teach me, but I just never got any better. No matter how closely my mom looked at me, it never worked out.
Mac wrapped his arm around her and brought her close. He kissed the top of her head and she relaxed into his embrace.
Just a couple of seconds like this. Get a taste and then she wouldnt allow it to happen again.
Thats okay, he gently said. Not everyone likes or can cook. That just means I get to spoil you even more with my cooking.
Janie pulled away and opened her mouth, ready to tell him that it wasnt going to happen. But Maria came back with their drinks.
Here are your drinks, she said as she placed them down. Do you guys know what you want to eat or do you need a couple more minutes?
Janie quickly looked back at the menu before looking at Maria.
Ill take the classic cheeseburger with fries, she gently said. Thank you.
Ill take two classic cheeseburgers with one portion of fries, Mac said. And this is all on one check. Ill be paying tonight.
Alright! Ill put these in. Your food should be ready in a couple of minutes, Maria said before walking off.
Janie stared at him. That was a lot of food.
What? Mac asked. Do I have something on my face?
She shook her head.
Are you going to argue with me about who is paying? he asked a different question. I already told you that when youre with me, I pay for things. I open doors. I will make sure everything is safe for you and Eleanor.
She shook her head again. While she wanted to pay for her own food because she could, she also didnt want to argue. He had already said it several times tonight. Maybe the next time she would fight for it.
But deep down she knew she wouldnt win the battle. Mac was very stubborn.
You’re very stubborn, she said before she could stop herself.
Her eyes went wide and she slapped her hand across her mouth. Mac chuckled and shook his head.
Not the first time Ive heard that, he said. Im stubborn about things that matter to me. You and Eleanor matter to me.
Her hand fell down as she stared at him.
Now, why were you giving me a look before? he asked. I dont think it was because you thought I was stubborn.
That was a lot of food, she whispered before she could stop herself. Janie closed her eyes. She couldnt believe she just said that.
Floor, swallow me up, she whispered. Just swallow me up and never let anyone see me again.
Warm hands cupped her cheeks and she looked at him.
Im not mad that you asked that. Ask me anything. I love that you dont have any filter, he said. It lets me know what youre thinking.
I normally have a filter. I just dont know why Im saying it all out loud now, she replied.
Yes, I know. Sometimes I want you to speak your mind. Let me know what youre thinking. How youre feeling. What you want. But well work up to that.
She continued to stare at him, not knowing what to say. He wasnt mad at her and she was still embarrassed that she had said that to him.
And to answer your statement from before. Im a big man who needs to eat a lot to sustain my body, he said as he pulled his hands away. See? Ive got muscle that needs to be fed. He flexed his arm.
She giggled and gave him a smile. He could flex all day and she would never get tired of it. Mac relaxed in the booth. She grabbed her cup and took a couple sips before placing it down.
Ive wanted to ask you this before, since you brought him up, Mac said. How did you meet your ex-husband?
Janie stared at him with wide eyes and her whole body went stiff.