Chapter 24
TWENTY-FOUR
I’ve given myself one week to decide if I’m going to leave Starfire or not.
I throw myself into work, trying to remember why I fell in love with this garage and not just its owner.
I want to give it my all, so when I make my decision, I know I’ve made the right choice and will have no regrets.
I’m taking control of my life and carving out my future and what it looks like without Noah.
Sky keeps watching me, but he never brings it up, which I’m grateful for, even if I know he’s concerned.
He pops more food onto my plate as we crowd around one of the small tables. Bones is at his side, on a break from classes, and Alek and Evan are here too, stuffing their faces.
“I heard you and Conan are getting close,” Alek teases, wiggling his eyebrows, and I glare at Evan, who simply smiles and ducks his head.
“Sorry, I’ve just never seen Conan look so happy. He was actually whistling this morning. It’s cute.” My heart melts, and I can’t contain my smile as I look down at my food.
“He’s a good guy,” I admit. “I like him.”
It’s quiet, and I lift my head to see all of them watching me. “Like, like him?”
“Like, want to date him?”
“Like, you want to love him?”
Their voices come at once, and I lean back in my chair, shocked. “Jesus, what is this, Jerry Springer?”
“We’re just excited. You’re the only one who’s single except for Noah—” Evan cuts off, shooting a glare at Alek. “Um, so are you dating him?”
“You want to know?” I clear my throat, and they gather closer. “Nosy fuckers,” I yell, and they recoil as I laugh.
“Rude,” Alek mutters as he rubs Evan’s ears like I caused damage. “We just want you to be as happy as we are.”
“Then we can double—uh, triple date!” Sky joins in as Bones glares down at something on his plate, making Sky swear. “Shit, baby, sorry.” He grabs the veggie and puts it on his plate. “I thought I got it all. Please don’t be mad.”
“Be faster next time,” Bones snaps, but he’s smiling, and Sky kisses him.
“You got it, baby. You can punish me later.”
“Please stop,” Alek and I say at the same time.
Bones grins, just as crazy as his boyfriend. “Where is Noah?” he asks, and I swallow as I look down. I feel their tension, and I know it’s because of me. “What? Is he eating alone again? He ate with us before.”
He did. Did he stop because of me? Lifting my head, I find him eating in his office, and my heart aches for him. He gave up his garage, his staff, and his friends to make me comfortable while he suffers alone.
This is just another reason I should leave, so he doesn’t have to tiptoe around me in his own garage.
“What, did I say something wrong?” Bones whispers.
“I’ll tell you later,” Sky murmurs.
“You don’t have to gossip. I’m right here,” I mutter as I look at Bones. “You didn’t say anything wrong. He won’t eat with us because I’m here, and he doesn’t want me to be uncomfortable, or he’s worried I’ll pounce on him or something.”
“You two seriously need to bang it out already,” Evan says, and we all look at him. “What? It’s true. It’s what helped Alek and me, though he did punch me the first time.”
“You hit him?” I gape, and Alek actually blushes.
“I apologized. He’s right. Just fuck it out already.”
“What about Conan?” Bones inquires.
“Fuck them both,” Skylar comments with a shrug. “Mackie is a young man with a growing appetite. It’s simple.”
We hear a door open, and we all fall silent, lifting our heads as Noah walks into the lounge and grabs a drink. When he turns, he freezes, his eyes widening when he finds us all staring. I drop my gaze and focus on eating as my phone buzzes.
Tugging it from my pocket, I check my texts, a smile curving my lips when I see Conan’s name.
Evan is right, we are getting close, and I like him.
Hell, I would have slept with him. Things have developed rapidly since I listened to his accidental voice message, and the flirting has gotten a lot more intense.
I’m not angry about that. He makes me feel good, and it’s what I need.
Conan: Baby boy, it’s been three hours. I should be working, but I keep checking my phone.
Conan: That sounds extremely needy.
Biting back my smile, I type out a response.
Mackie: It did. I like it though. How about you pick me up from work and finally cook for me at your place?
Conan: I’ll be there at six on the dot. Maybe even earlier.
Mackie: See you then. You better work so you don’t lose track of time and leave late.
Conan: With you waiting? Not possible. See you then.
Conan: Oh, and Mackie? I miss you.
My heart does a funny flip. I put my phone down screen first, only to find every single eye on me. My cheeks heat, and I shove my sandwich in my mouth as I stand. “I’m going back to work,” I grumble and hurry away.
As I pass the office, I realize Noah is watching me too.
Conan wasn’t joking. He has been outside since five. He kept his car idling, but he didn’t rush me. He told me to take my time, but I’m anxious to spend time with him. Noah seems to have other ideas, however, because he keeps forcing me to fill out paperwork.
I finally slam my pen down and shove my chair back.
“It’s six thirty, and everyone else has left. I’m leaving too. I have plans. I will finish this tomorrow,” I tell him as I sling my bag over my shoulder, since he caught me as I was heading out.
“You can finish it now,” he begins, but I roll my eyes and wave as I walk to the door.
I practically run when I get outside, but Conan beats me, opening my door for me.
Taking my bag, he throws it in the back and fastens my seat belt.
His spicy cologne wraps around me, and I draw a deep breath as I sweep my gaze along his exposed collarbone as his shirt gapes.
“Ready?” he murmurs as he shifts back.
“Ready and starving,” I reply before my eyes widen. “For food.”
His chuckle raises the hair on my arms as he leans in until he almost touches me. “I’m starving too, and not just for food.” He ducks out, shutting my door and grinning as he walks around and climbs into his car.
I watch Conan cook. He appears domestic in his apron as he moves around his kitchen.
His place is really nice, and I want to snoop, but I’m unable to look away from him, especially when he rolls his sleeves back, exposing tan forearms and bulging veins as he chops and stirs.
It’s like my very own show, and I enjoy it as I sip my drink and lean against his counter.
He turns to me, holding a spoon in one hand and cupping his palm under it. “Taste it for me.”
Setting my drink down, I lick it with a hum. “Delicious,” I say. He’s obviously a good cook, even if he doesn’t do it often for himself. Conan always says he doesn’t have time, but his kitchen is full of groceries, and he made the time for me. That’s important.
His eyes seem to darken as he watches me before he puts the spoon in the pot then faces me once more. “Conan,” I begin, but he’s already moving.
He grips my hips and lifts me onto the counter, then he steps between my legs. Grabbing the spoon, he slides the sauce across my lips then licks it off, tasting it and me. “You’re right, delicious,” he murmurs before he turns back to the stove, leaving me frozen.
“Not fair,” I finally grit out.
“Who said I played fair?” He winks.
For the next hour, he proves that he doesn’t. He flirts relentlessly while cooking, touching me softly and making me taste things. I’m on edge, waiting to see what he will do next. By the time we actually sit down to eat, I’m antsy, and if his smirk is anything to go by, he knows it.
When we’re done, I help him clean up, enjoying the domestic atmosphere.
Relationships are great, with the rush and excitement, but these were always my favorite moments, the quiet times working side by side just doing mundane tasks.
No one writes songs or books about it, but sharing those everyday moments that make up our lives? I love it.
Staring out at the incredible view from Conan’s windows, I lapse into comfortable silence as he finishes cleaning up behind me. I should help, but I keep looking at the view. I want to ask about his husband and his life, but I don’t want to pop this bubble we are in.
His arms slide around me from behind, wrapping around my chest as his chin rests on my shoulder. He presses his lips against my neck in a soft, chaste kiss. “I should take you home,” he murmurs, yet neither of us move. “Fuck, baby boy, tell me to take you home. Tell me to stop.”
I lift my hand and cover his on my chest as I lean back into him. “Why? I want you just as badly.”
I want Conan. I want to hear those noises in real time, taste his lips again, and feel taken care of.
His breath is shaky as it hits my neck, and I shudder before I turn in his arms and look up at him. “You said you wanted to take this slowly,” I say.
“I did,” he murmurs. “Yet I look at you and I can’t remember why the hell I wanted to.”
“Me either,” I admit as I lean into him, stroking his chest. Nothing else matters—not his past or my broken heart—just that we both want each other right now.
His hand cups my chin as he pulls me closer. “Why don’t I forget why for five more minutes?”
“Just five?” I meant it to be teasing, but it sounds serious.
“If not, I’ll forget for the entire night,” he murmurs, his eyes locked on my lips. “And you aren’t ready for that, but I’m going to be selfish and take five minutes. Can I have five minutes?”
“Yes,” I whisper, and then his lips are on mine as he pushes me back.
I hit the window hard. His kiss isn’t soft this time.
It’s brutal and hard, filled with desire.
My cock throbs in my jeans, and I shift uncomfortably as his hands slide up my arms and across my shoulders.
His touch is possessive and confident as his hips press to mine, letting me feel how hard he is.
I kiss him back, sucking on his tongue as I give as good as I get, wondering if he would fuck me like this.
His hands slide across my body, and the kiss deepens, my back pressed against the glass windows as I gasp into his mouth.
One of his hands slides lower until he covers my cock, and my eyes almost roll into the back of my head as he presses his hand into me.
Conan glides his lips across my cheek, and then farther down, licking my neck.
I cry out and grab his sturdy shoulders as I grind into his touch.
“Conan.”
“There it is,” he murmurs, his nose buried in my shoulder. “The perfect way you say my name . . . I’ve been imagining it every night. Will you say it like that when I’m inside you?”
Fuck.
Holding him tighter, I roll my hips, needing relief, but he stops and steps back, sitting on the edge of the couch. His chest heaves, and his lips are tight. “If I don’t stop right now, I’ll bend you over the couch so I can find out.”
I nod, even though I want to dare him to. He wants to take this slowly, and I respect that. Conan wants feelings before sex, but as we stare at each other, I know when we finally fuck, it’s going to be amazing, and I can’t wait.