9. Mckenna
NINE
MCKENNA
The wind whips through my hair as the open Jeep speeds down a meandering road.
I close my eyes, breathe a salty lungful of air, and relax.
My shoulders drop, the tension in my neck eases, and a hint of a smile plays along the corners of my mouth.
Mav’s hand, steady, gently squeezes the back of my neck, and I tilt my head and turn my body toward him.
He’s unintentionally become my personal lighthouse.
The bright spot that guides me out of the darkness and back to stable ground.
He’s become more than I ever imagined, more than I’m sure he bargained for, yet he doesn’t seem to mind.
“You okay?” His voice is husky and sends a shiver through me as his breath wraps around the shell of my ear.
I open my eyes. “Better today.”
He grins.
Big and broad, and so Mav, I can’t help but smile back.
“Good, Mckenna. Today is gonna be good.”
We arrive at our destination a moment later, and Mav thanks the driver.
Sliding from the back seat, I give him a curious look.
The lush greenery, open blue sky, and natural beauty of the Azores pulse around us.
“What are we doing?”
Mav points to the start of a trail.
“Going on a hike.”
“A hike?” Does he think I look like a nature kind of girl?
He points to my sneakers.
“That’s why I told you to change.”
I tug on the strap of my neon green bikini top under the black tank top Mav recommended I wear.
“And the bathing suits? There is a waterfall, right?”
“You’ll see.”
“You’re so cryptic.”
“You like surprises.”
“I hate surprises.”
“Not with me,” he quips, so damn confident.
I open my mouth, but the words don’t come because.
..he’s right. With Mav, I don’t hate anything I usually do.
Instead, I look forward to his playful plans and boyish charms.
He makes me relax and enjoy the moment.
It’s a feeling of peace and contentment.
Of being at home .
I shiver again, the thought almost as terrifying as the mental loop I’ve been stuck in since I learned I married the rockstar I love to hate.
Except I don’t hate him.
Or surprises. Or this fun day, hike included, that he planned for us.
Mav extends his hand toward the trail with a grand flourish.
“After you.”
I roll my eyes, but I’m grinning.
How can I not when I’m with him?
I take off in front of him and glance over my shoulder.
“You just wanna check out my ass, don’t you?”
“Obviously,” he replies quickly, not bothering to avert his gaze from where it’s trained on my behind.
I snort, relieved he still finds me attractive after.
..well, everything he now knows.
We begin our hike with a quiet appreciation for the gorgeous scenery.
Sloping hills, shimmering sea, and bright sunshine.
Mav carries the backpack with our water bottles and snacks, and I stop every now and then to snap a photo.
“Come here,” Mav says as I pull my phone from my pocket.
He wraps an arm around my waist and tugs me back against his sweaty chest. He lost his shirt a while ago, and I am definitely not complaining.
Instead, I’m checking him out as often as I’m giving him shit for looking at my ass.
I’m just more subtle about it.
His heartbeat thuds into my back and steadies me, reminding me we’re together.
I’m not going through this alone.
Mav’s hand rests on my hip, anchoring me against him.
A little thrill rushes down my spine as I lean into him.
A reminder that it’s been a minute since we’ve been together .
The warmth that rushes through my limbs reminds me that I’m still a woman.
That I still have needs and wants and desires.
That I’m not broken.
It’s a relief to feel those stirrings after existing in a state of uncertainty and dread and a cloud of confusion.
Mav holds my phone above us, angling it to capture our faces in the selfie.
Before he takes the photo, he presses a wet, sloppy kiss to my cheek, and I burst out laughing.
Mav takes the picture.
When he shows it to me, I look like my old self.
The me from university.
The girl before I crossed paths with Branson.
I look happy and healthy and utterly present in the moment.
I look like a woman in love.
The thought doesn’t terrify me the way it once would have.
After the past few days, it energizes me.
It makes me feel normal and whole.
A survivor instead of a victim.
Turning toward him, I catch him off guard as I grasp his hips, lean up onto my tippy toes, and kiss him hard on the mouth.
Mav doesn’t waste any time.
His hand cradles the back of my head as his other arm bands around my waist, pulling me closer.
I part my lips, his tongue slips inside my mouth, and I melt into the kiss.
My thoughts stop spiraling and instead, I let myself feel everything about this moment.
The breeze whipping around us.
The heat of Mav’s body and the growing desire between us.
The feel of his hands on my skin.
I pull away, almost shyly, and roll my lips together.
Mav smirks. “What was that for?”
“Just because I felt like it.”
Mav laughs.
“Well, please kiss me any and all times you feel like it.”
I grin.
“Noted. I will.”
I tuck my phone back into my pocket and turn to resume our hike.
Mav smacks my ass. “Pick up the pace, Byrne.”
I continue up the trail and hear him follow me.
I roll my lips together to keep from laughing.
How does he make mundane things fun?
How does his presence heal my past hurts?
“These views are gorgeous,” Mav says, his tone cheeky.
I glance at him over my shoulder and find his gaze zeroed in on my ass again.
I give my hips a little shake.
“Take it all in, Tate.”
“Trust me, I am.”
I laugh as I follow the sounds of rushing water.
A few minutes later, the most beautiful scene, like turning a page in a travel photography book, opens before us.
The waterfall runs over the moss-covered rocks.
They are jagged and majestic, cutting against the blue sky.
The pool below calms as it spreads out before us.
A little cave behind the waterfall beckons like a secret.
The place is secluded.
Peaceful. Ours.
“How is no one else here?” I whisper, not wanting to disturb the perfect place we stumbled upon.
Mav shrugs, but a knowing glint sparks in his eye.
“Did you arrange this?” I press, in awe of his thoughtfulness.
Of the lengths he goes to make me feel better.
Mav takes my hand. “I just want to spend time with you, Mckenna. I want to see you smile. I want us to have fun today.”
Nodding, I turn into his frame and press a simple kiss to his cheek.
“Thank you, Mav. This means a lot to me.”
He palms my ass.
“Good. Because we’re just getting started, babe.”
I quirk an eyebrow.
“Really?”
“Yep. If you’re this impressed over a waterfall, wait ‘til you see the picnic lunch I packed.”
“You packed?” I question, skeptical. He must have had that arranged, too, right?
“Uh-huh.” He nods enthusiastically, slipping the backpack from his shoulder. His T-shirt is tucked into the waistband of his bathing suit, and while it should look ridiculous, Mav looks sexy. Strong. Like a warrior.
I watch as he reaches into the backpack and pulls out a Ziploc bag with wrapped sandwiches. “Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.” He lifts another bag. “Fruit.” He reaches in and shows me a canister of Pringles. “Chips.” He grins. “What more could you want?”
I gaze at him and momentarily get lost in his eyes. Sky blue and endless. “Nothing.”
Mav’s expression softens. “Me neither.
” He replaces the plastic bags and drops the backpack at our feet.
Then, he pulls out his T-shirt and kicks off his sneakers.
Extending his hand to me, he tilts his head.
“Want to go swimming?”
I pull off my tank top, shorts, and sneakers in response.
Then, I place my hand in his.
He squeezes my fingers gently.
“Yes,” I say aloud.
Mav and I walk into the crystal pool.
The water is warmer than I thought, and I sigh, sinking into it.
Mav wraps his arms around me, holding me against his chest as we float deeper.
With the lush greenery, natural flowers, and beautiful waterfall surrounding us, I exhale and take it all in.
My shoulders relax. The tension that’s been a constant source of pain in my neck eases.
I wiggle out of Mav’s embrace to tug out my hair tie.
Then, I tip my head back and let the water run through my hair.
Floating on my back, I look up at the clear blue sky, note the tall, green trees, and feel my heartbeat slow.
I’m going to be okay.
I’m processing and healing and moving forward.
Right now, this feels hard but I’m going to get through it.
I have an amazing support system—Allegra, Nova, and Ivy.
The guys in The Burnt Clovers.
But most of all, Mav.
I turn my head slightly to see him floating next to me, his long body stretched out like a starfish.
Mav and I are together, and that certainty has bolstered my confidence.
The moment’s weight settles on me, and I float closer to Mav.
When our arms brush, he shifts to pull me close again.
I embrace him back, enjoying the feel of his arms around me.
I can’t verbalize the feelings coursing through me—gratitude, relief, trust—but Mav seems to understand anyway.
He holds me close, kisses my lips, and whispers, “You’re everything, Mckenna Byrne. And I won’t let you forget it.”