Chapter Thirteen
Macallan
I’m leaning against my car just outside the stadium when Maisie exits the field, freshly showered and wearing a pair of dark jeans and a fitted top that shows off her incredible body in a way that has me biting the inside of my cheek to contain my groan of appreciation at the sight of her.
A very similar reaction to the one I had watching her on the field in those short shorts, her lean, muscular legs on full display. But it wasn’t just her looks that had me rock-hard nearly the entire game. It was her talent.
Of course, I already knew how good she was. I wasn’t lying when I said this wasn’t the first game I attended. In fact, I came to quite a few after our falling-out. Of course, I lied to myself as to why I was there but then couldn’t seem to take my eyes off Maisie the entire game, much like tonight.
I shift once again, finding my erection pressing uncomfortably into the seam of my pants as I watch her talking with one of her teammates, a smile lighting up her entire face.
She’s so fucking beautiful it hurts.
Makes me wonder how I was ever able to let her go.
I think in a lot of ways that’s why I chose to end things the way I did.
I needed her to hate me. A choice I’m rather regretting now.
But not one I think is insurmountable. I’m already wearing her down.
Even if she tries to pretend that I’m not, I can see it in her eyes, in what she says without ever uttering a single word.
She’d like me to believe that she doesn’t want me as badly as I want her, but she’s not nearly as good of an actress as she thinks she is.
But one thing is abundantly clear. No matter how attracted she is to me, she doesn’t trust me. And honestly, who could blame her? I wouldn’t trust me, either. Which means I will have to work twice as hard to prove to her that she can.
It’s funny how quickly things can change.
A month ago, I only ever thought of Maisie when I saw her. Now I can’t seem to think of anything but her. She’s consumed my every waking thought for days, to the point that not even Lana’s crazy ass can keep me away.
Despite hoping she wouldn’t be a problem for much longer, Joey’s inability to verify that it was Lana who drugged him basically guarantees that they can’t prove it was her, and therefore, getting rid of her won’t be as cut and dry as I had thought maybe it could be.
All thoughts of Lana empty from my head the instant Maisie looks up, noticing me for the first time. I don’t miss the surprise that lifts her brows or the hint of a smile she tries to hide. Nor can I deny the way my pulse spikes as she turns, making her way toward me.
“What are you doing here, Macallan?” She feigns irritation.
“Taking you to dinner, as we agreed.”
“I never agreed.”
“Maybe not with words.” I grin, stepping back to open the passenger door of my car, gesturing for her to get in.
“You’re quite presumptuous, you know that?”
“I think the word you’re looking for is determined.” My smile widens. “Come on, Mais. One dinner won’t kill you.”
“It might,” she murmurs under her breath loud enough for me to hear, yet it doesn’t stop her from dipping under my arm and climbing into the passenger seat.
Waiting until she’s tucked inside, I close the door, crossing in front of the car before slipping into the driver’s seat.
“So where are you taking me to dinner?” she asks, shoving her bag with her sports gear onto the floorboard at her feet.
“You’ll see.” I flash her a smile before starting the car.
“Seriously?” She huffs. “You all but kidnap me and you won’t even tell me where we’re going.”
I bark out a laugh at the pathetic pout she gives me.
“If you think you can give me puppy dog eyes and I’ll cave, you are sorely mistaken.” I chuckle, pulling out of my parking spot. “And if I recall, you got into this car willingly; therefore, kidnapping is a bit extreme, don’t you think?”
“Perhaps.” The word vibrates with laughter. “You really won’t tell me?” She shifts in her seat, her gaze hot on the side of my face. It takes everything in me to keep my eyes on the road and not look at her.
“It’s a surprise.”
“A surprise... What kind of surprise?”
“The kind you have to wait for.” I chuckle when she lets out an exasperated sigh. “You were incredible tonight, by the way.”
“You actually came to the game?” She seems surprised by this.
“Of course I did. I said I was going to.”
“I just assumed you were bullshitting me.”
“And why would I do that?”
“I don’t know. Because that’s what you do.”
“Is it?” This time I can’t resist the urge to look at her, flashing my eyes to her for the briefest moment to find her eyebrows drawn and forehead furrowed like she’s trying really hard to figure out my play here.
“Do I need to remind you of what happened the last time I let you woo me?”
“Woo you?” I laugh. “Is that what I was doing?”
“Wooed me into your bed,” she grumbles.
“If I remember right, we were quite incredible together in that bed and other places, so I doubt I gave you any reason for complaint in that department.”
“Nope. Just humiliated me after the fact.” She shifts again, and when I glance her way a second time, she has her attention turned out the window.
“I am sorry about my behavior, Mais. I hope you know that.”
“I don’t presume to know anything at this point.”
“Well, maybe tonight will be a step in the right direction.”
“If you think I’m going to sleep with you again, you’re going to be sorely disappointed.”
“Ever or just tonight?” I hitch a brow, a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth.
“Ever.”
“So you say.”
“So I mean.”
“We’ll see.”
“I’m serious, Mac. I’m not sleeping with you.”
“Did it ever occur to you that having sex with you isn’t the goal?” I ask, though I wouldn’t be mad if the opportunity presented itself, but that’s not the point.
“Yeah, right.” She snorts in disbelief.
“For someone who doesn’t know me very well, you tend to presume a lot of things about me.”
“Actions and words. I judge a person based on their actions, not their words, and your actions say that you’re a selfish manwhore who will say and do anything to get a girl between the sheets.”
“Is that so?”
I can’t help but find humor in her resistance.
Because make no mistake, that’s all this is.
.. Her trying to resist. I don’t tell her so, but her attempts are futile.
Once I have my sights set on a goal, I put everything I have into achieving said goal.
And right now, the thing I want more than anything else is Maisie Rose.
I don’t know how to describe the hold this woman has on me.
It started two years ago, the night of that damned party when I saw her dancing, a dress so tiny it looked more like a napkin and fit her like a second skin, showing off her incredible body.
I didn’t have a plan when I slipped in between her and the guy she was dancing with.
Only that I was desperate to know her. To taste her.
To touch her. And once I did, I only wanted more.
But wanting more also scared the shit out of me, especially with Lana back in the picture.
But I’m not scared anymore... Okay, that’s not entirely true. But my fear is greatly outweighed by my desire to... well, I don’t actually know what I want. To sleep with her? Date her? Both?
I haven’t been in a real relationship since high school, and even then, it didn’t last long. I don’t even know what a real relationship would look like, only that the thought of Maisie walking out of my life a second time is the last thing I want.
“I hate to tell you, but you’re not going to win me over with some fancy dinner,” she says after a long moment, pulling me from my thoughts.
“If you think that, then you underestimate me.” I turn left and then take an immediate right into the parking lot of an abandoned building.
Maisie leans forward, looking up at the chipped brick and broken windows.
“So your plan is to murder me then?”
“No, Mais.” I laugh. “I have no intention of murdering you.”
“Then why are we here?”
I pull the car up next to the building and shift it into park.
“You’ll see.”
“Not good enough.”
“You’re just going to have to trust me.”
“Trust you?” She lets out a humorless laugh. “Well, isn’t that rich. The guy who fucked me over and humiliated me, asking me to trust him.”
“You challenged me to prove to you I’m not the same guy I was two years ago. This is me doing that.”
“By taking me to a murder house?”
“For fuck’s sake, Mais, it’s not a murder house. It’s an old milling company, and if you’ll give me a moment, I’ll show you why we’re here.”
She looks at the building again and then back at me.
“I’m stronger than I look. If you so much as try anything, I will hurt you.”
“Of that I have no doubt.” I grin, killing the engine before quickly exiting the car. Crossing around the front, I pull open her door before she has a chance, helping her to her feet. “Come.” I close her door, locking the car before taking her hand, pulling her alongside me toward the building.
“I don’t like this,” she whisper-hisses, but to my surprise doesn’t pull away when I slip my fingers through hers.
“Relax. I know it looks sketchy from the outside, but there’s a really cool place here that makes it worthwhile.
” I slip my phone out of my pocket with my free hand, clicking on the flashlight to light our way.
While the sun hasn’t fully set, casting an orange glow across the sky, it’s not enough light to do shit once we get inside.
“If you say so.” She’s hesitant but still allows me to guide her into the building, which is unlocked, as per usual. No one really cares about security when there’s nothing of value.
I lead her through the main floor, which is littered with trash, the walls covered in graffiti, before turning down a long hallway.
“I don’t like this.” Her grip on my hand tightens, her free hand coming up to grip my forearm.
“I promise nothing bad is going to happen to you. Just trust me.”