Chapter 17
LAYNE
Mack doesn't play games, or mess around with people.
When he told me he loved me, he was dead serious.
I glance over to drink in the casual way he sits as he drives. I love that he doesn't seem to realize how ridiculously handsome he is.
I also adored the way his eyes lit up with that special glow when he told me he loved me. What kind of a man says such a thing after just a few days?
It's crazy. It's illogical. But it's Mack, so I know he must be serious about it. This is a guy who plans ahead. Looks at every project from all angles. Speaks the truth, and doesn't take anything lightly…even though we've laughed like crazy together all weekend long.
It makes me realize something very important that I have known in my heart from the very beginning, but was too scared to admit.
When he parks in the driveway, I'm not even looking at the house, just his eyes as he turns to smile at me. "You're staring."
"Yeah. Something just occurred to me."
We get out of the car and I run around to burrow into his arms. "What is it, baby?"
Stretching up, I kiss him lightly. The warmth between us threatens to turn to heat immediately.
Mack groans. “I love your kisses, but I really need to hear what you want to tell me.”
Gazing into his deep brown eyes, the warmth I see there nearly takes my breath away. “I love you, too.”
His eyes widen, then he crushes his mouth to mine while murmuring, “I love you, baby. We’re going to be so happy.”
His palm caresses my hip and my ass, then he reluctantly stops. “We should get inside before the neighbors see us being hot as hell.”
Mack clasps my hand and I turn toward the house, seeing it properly for the first time. My mouth falls open as I gawk in disbelief. “Holy crap. What the…”
“Oh. Yeah. Old family money. That’s how I was able to move back here, buy a house, and swoop in and scoop up the agency.” He says that as if it’s the most casual thing in the world, like he felt like picking up a chocolate chip cupcake today.
“The house is gorgeous. For the record, you do remember that I said that I loved you before I saw it, right?”
He chuckles, going back to the car for our lunch before showing me inside. It’s stunning. Somehow it’s classy and comfortable at the same time. Stylish without trying too hard, with polished old wood floors and breathtaking artwork throughout.
We settle in at the lavish mahogany dining room table, and Mack grabs sticky notes, pens, and a notebook from a drawer in the marble-topped island in the kitchen. “Since you love me,” he says with a grin, “our lunch project is picking out seven rings you like.”
“Seven?”
“My lucky number.”
I wouldn’t have thought a man like Mack would have something like a lucky number. “Seven is your lucky number?” I laugh. “I was born on July seventh.”
“My wife is my lucky charm.” He realizes what he just said, then grabs one of the communication books and points to a line in the blurb on the back. “Speak your wants and needs clearly. The important people around you are always listening.”
Mack is already learning and growing. Mindful of my needs, and ready to care for me. Introducing me as his girlfriend and calling me his wife.
There’s a warm, floaty feeling through the center of my chest. A light, swirling pressure. No, a release. As if all my reservations and tension have dissolved at once.
Happiness. Joy. It’s all right here for the taking. All I had to do was let go.
“You okay, baby? You zoned out for a second.”
“Yeah.” My hands cup his face, bringing us close. “I’ll check my lease, and move in as soon as I can.” His lips part and I put a finger to them. “But no proposing before our sixth-month anniversary.”
He nods firmly, then moves my finger out of the way, kissing me in a way that makes fire start at my inner thighs, then quickly blaze all the way up my throat.
“I’d better show you the bedroom before you move in, my love. What if you didn’t like it?”
“That’s an amazing plan.”