Chapter Twenty-Four
He’d called my cell an hour earlier and asked me to come. And like a desperate woman, I ran right out of my apartment. He’d hurt me, yet it felt as if my next breath depended on seeing Mack. I’d been moping, crying, and using eye concealer for the last week.
Faster than I cared to admit, I’d hopped in the elevator and out the door as fresh snow started to flutter in the sky, and jumped into a taxi. It wasn’t until we were a few blocks away that I realized I was still wearing ratty gray sweatpants, a purple glitter sweater, and sparkly kitten heels.
It was the festive look I was wearing to dance all the way into next year—on my lonesome. To say I was feeling blue was an understatement.
Of course Mack was waiting for me as I exited the elevator. Standing in the hallway, barefoot and impatient as usual, spiking my heartbeat and warming my cold feet despite his domineering attitude.
“I have to show you something,” was all he said as I took two steps toward him, a small smile lifting the corners of his mouth, his gaze taking in my look.
“It’s New Year’s Eve. You know that, right? Maybe I was going to a party,” I snipped, but it was only for effect. My feet took me as far as the threshold and planted themselves firmly in his foyer as I waited for an answer.
He nodded. “I’m glad you weren’t.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Maybe I was…”
“Of course I know it’s New Year’s Eve.” He ignored my taunt. “Your glitter is cute, but I know you better than that. Those pants clued me in… Maybe you were getting ready to head out?”
This go-round, I opted for a glare. “No, I wasn’t going anywhere. A girl can wear whatever she wants to ring in the new year, by herself.”
Noting that Mack was speechless, I took in the corner view. Our tree, the one we picked together, was still standing tall in front of the window, its white and pink lights twinkling.
I had no idea what this was about or why he’d summoned me to his place…or why the heck I listened and showed up right away.
“I thought maybe you’d be at a party or in the Hamptons.” The accusation rolled off my tongue; it couldn’t be helped. Of course I’d been sitting at home, working up a sweat, waiting to open a pint of peppermint bark ice cream. I’d fully restocked on the twenty-sixth, buying every container I could fit in my freezer.
He shook his head.
“You called me over here and then you are mute? What is going on?”
I took in his black joggers, ivory thermal Henley, and bare feet. He looked sexy and scrumptious.
Yet I was utterly confused as Mack took my hand without any more words and walked me toward his bedroom. “Auld Lang Syne” played softly from the speaker in the living area.
We traversed the hallway and a shiver ran down my spine. I hadn’t been back since Christmas Eve before the fight that ensued with Susie. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel in the actual space, but I couldn’t stop my feet from moving.
Continuing in silence, Mack turned the lights on dim and led me to the bed, helping me to sit on the edge.
I was still clueless as to why Mack asked me over, but I didn’t think it was for a booty call. As two grown-ass adults, our bedroom experience was hot and fueled by feelings and passion, not for scratching an itch.
“Frances Lily Burns.” He said my full name, each syllable full of gravel and emotion. “Thank you for giving me a chance. For coming over when I asked. I knew it was a risk you wouldn’t come.”
I opened my mouth to ask a question and his finger came to my lips, motioning to stay quiet.
“Shh,” he said. “I want you to hear me when I tell you I love you. I love you, Frances, and I didn’t want to start the next year without you with me. Or any year moving forward. Ever. I wanted to say it here in a quiet place, my focus wholly on you, where there is no doubt to how I feel.”
My palms felt clammy entangled with his and he squeezed my hands, making us one.
“For the record, I didn’t want to love you. Or anyone, for that matter. And I tried my hardest not to fall for you, but it happened. Actually, I’m pretty sure I dove right off the cliff the very moment you stalked me at the mall, all vim and vigor. You could have brought me to my knees without any kickboxing. You, blond and bold, all of five foot two, bargaining for what you wanted. A hard bargain, I’ll say. You could give me a run for my money in the boardroom. And that’s one of the many reasons I love you. Your determination, dedication, boundless love, and huge heart.”
I took one of my hands out of his and ran my fingers through his thick hair, noting the smallest amount of gray along his temple. “You did say I was dogged.”
“That too,” he said softly. “I love all of it.” He traced my mouth with his thumb. “I love this mouth, even when you’re kicking my ass with your wit and snark. I want to kiss that mouth forever, Frances. As you know, that isn’t a word I ever used. Forever was not for me. But there is no temporary when it comes to you. Not one night or month or even a few years. A lifetime wouldn’t be enough time with you.”
“Mackenzie.” I whispered his full name, the one reserved for the only other woman he’d ever loved—Milly.
“I want you and only you, Frances Lily. Making you happy is my newest mission. Our grandparents died without being their happiest, and I don’t want that for you—”
“Or you,” I interrupted.
“Us,” he responded. He ran his nose along mine. “I’m sorry we fought. I’m ashamed of my family—again. Susie had no right to accuse you of those things, and I know they’re not true. She wanted me to get involved with Tom’s business contact, and I don’t do her bidding. But it doesn’t matter who she wants me to be with because I choose you, and her opinion of anyone is inconsequential to me. That being said, she knows if she ever mutters a nasty syllable about you again, I will ruin her.” He leaned in and gave me a soft kiss. “Will you have me, Frances? Forever?”
It was just like Mack to lay down a gauntlet like that with Susie and move on with more important business…although I had no idea what he was saying. Was he proposing?
“I need to know you want me as much as I want you. To love and care for, to laugh and cry, to have fun and fight.”
I found the words to say, “I don’t know what you’re asking.”
“I’m asking if you’ll have me. I want to know if you’ll forgive me for my family’s mistakes and transgressions. I need to know if you’ll allow me to make you happy the best I can. Formal proposal to come later…” He smiled on the last part, his eyes crinkling.
“I never intended to fall for you…or have you fall for me…or take your money,” I started.
“Shhh.” He repeated his earlier sentiment. “I know. I knew before you ran out of here. And after, but I had to do what my grandmother couldn’t do—make it known who I love and choose. You are first in my life, and everyone needed to know that.”
“I love you, Mackenzie, and I want to make you happier than you’ve ever been.”
“You already do. Only you, that’s all I need.”
I ran my hand on his cheek and stared into his gaze.
He tilted closer and ghosted his palm over my stomach. “Well, that’s not true. I want to have a baby with you, Frances. I want that with you. If we can.”
“Maybe I can’t.” It was a whisper. I remembered our conversation a month ago when he’d asked if I felt I was missing out on not being a mom.
“We can try. I will be by your side the whole time.” He spoke softly. “Nothing you can do will disappoint me. I only want you to have everything in this world.”
He was on a jag, a solo mission to appease me and give hope. I already knew him well enough not to try and derail him. I wasn’t sure if I could have babies. The doctors hadn’t ruled it out, but my late miscarriage had scared me into thinking so. But there was no explaining that to this pigheaded man.
“I’ll think about it,” was all I said, not admitting that having a baby and failing at that exact pursuit dominated my thoughts ninety percent of the time. I could have included other ideas, like adoption, but it wasn’t the time. I knew Mack meant for us to create a life…
“That’s enough for me,” he whispered.
His mouth was on me before I could say anything more. He slid me up the bed and onto the pillows, kissing me with a fervor we hadn’t experienced thus far.
Nuzzling my neck, he brought his palm up my sweater, smoothing along my now warm skin. “I’m digging the look, but can we lose the sweats?”
For a flash, I thought about how quickly I’d forgiven Mack, but I didn’t rush over there to fight. I wanted Mackenzie Miller now and always, so I simply said, “Yes.”
He yanked my pants down with a whoosh, revealing the fact that I’d also run out of the house without panties.
“Happy New Year to me,” was his response.
He slithered down the bed, his tongue immediately finding my heat. He continued to whip me into a frenzy, pausing right before I toppled over well into the next year. In fact, I didn’t think he actually slid into me until two or three in the morning—because I graciously returned the oral favor, following in his deliciously teasing efforts.
The next morning, we woke in a tangle of sheets, my glitter sweater strewn about the bed, and Mack asking, “Can you put the heels on? Just the heels?”
This was going to be a fun year, or decade…