Chapter 6 – Erin #2
Haley has already been accepted to half a dozen universities—Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Standford, Case Western, and University of Chicago.
She’s also been offered scholarships, which isn’t surprising as she has a higher than perfect grade point average and excellent letters of recommendation from her teachers and guidance counselor.
Haley does most of the talking, while Philip hangs on her every word. He’s so obviously smitten. He stares at her like she’s the greatest thing since sliced bread.
After the meal, Haley orders bread pudding with caramel bourbon sauce for dessert. It was obvious she wanted dessert, but she didn’t want to be the only one having any, so when she asked him to share it with her, he said yes, even though he only took two bites, leaving the rest for her.
I hold Mack’s hand under the table as we have coffee. His thumb brushes over my engagement ring as he draws lazy circles on the palm of my hand with his index finger. Tingles shoot up my arm, making me shiver, and I start to feel warm all over—in the best way possible.
As Haley and Philip remain in a world of their own, Mack watches them covertly with a hint of a smile on his face. I think he’s finally coming to realize Philip is a natural born protector , just like he is. And what could be better for Haley than to be with a man who’s capable of keeping her safe?
When the server comes with our checks, she hands one to Mack and one to Philip. Before Mack can claim both checks, Philip hands our server a credit card to cover his meal and Haley’s. Mack shrugs as he pulls out his own wallet.
After lunch, we walk back to our building and head upstairs to the apartment. Haley and Philip sit on the sofa in the living room, leaning into each other and chatting quietly while Lizzie walks all over Philip.
Mack and I are in the kitchen occupying ourselves with emptying the dishwasher to give them a few more minutes alone before Haley has to leave.
Pretty soon, Haley joins us in the kitchen. “I just wanted to say thanks for letting Philip tag along.”
“You’re very welcome, sweetie,” I say.
“Mom just texted,” she adds. “She and Dave are waiting downstairs in the car.”
Philip appears in the kitchen doorway. “Thanks for letting me join you today. Congratulations to you both on your engagement.” To Mack, he says, “If it’s okay with you, sir, I’d like to walk Haley down to her mother’s car.”
Sir.
They’re colleagues, equals. Philip doesn’t have to call Mack sir .
Mack nods. “Sure. Go right ahead.”
Just as Haley and Philip are about to leave, Mack says, “Wait, you two.” He approaches them, but it’s Philip he’s looking at.
“I can’t imagine a better man for my daughter than you, Philip.
You’re an honorable young man, and—” he pauses.
“Well, if you two want to date, and it’s okay with Haley’s mom and step-father, then it’s okay with me.
You don’t have to wait until graduation. ”
Haley throws herself at Mack and wraps her arms around him. “Thank you, Daddy!”
Mack hugs his daughter and kisses the top of her head.
Philip extends his hand to Mack, and the two of them shake. “Thank you, sir. You won’t regret this, I promise.”
“I’d better not,” Mack says. “I’m trusting you to take care of my daughter. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Haley blushes. “Dad!”
Philip looks utterly serious as he nods. “I do, sir. And I will.”
After Haley and Philip depart, Mack crashes on the living room sofa. He doesn’t look happy. If anything, he looks devastated.
“What’s wrong?” I ask as I sit beside him, turning to face him.
“I realized something today.” His voice is flat. “Something I’m not proud of.”
“What?” My confusion deepens to concern when I see tears pooling in his eyes. “Mack, what’s wrong?”
“I wouldn’t let Haley date Philip because of the age difference.”
“Yes. And?”
“It was my preoccupation with the difference in our ages that prevented me from going with you to that New Year’s Eve party. If I hadn’t been so damn obstinate—”
“Mack, no! You cannot blame yourself for what happened to me.” I know he does. He always has. But it wasn’t his fault. I don’t know how to make him understand.
“If I hadn’t been so obstinate, I would have been there with you, at your side, and no one would have dared hurt you. Seeing Philip with Haley today made me realize that. I have no doubt that if Haley asked him to go to a party with her, nothing would keep him away. Not even me .”
“Mack.” I make him turn to face me. “It wasn’t your fault.”
He nods, his expression bleak. “It was, Erin. If only I’d been there—”
“Dwelling on the past doesn’t do anyone any good.” I know I’m reaching for straws. I don't know what to say to convince him. “ I don’t think it was your fault,” I finally say. “You were honestly doing what you thought was right at the time.”
“But that’s just it, Erin. I was wrong, and you suffered for it .”
The look on his face guts me. “Mack, no.” I climb on his lap, straddling him. I cup his face and peer into his pained eyes. “Not another word.” And then I lean in and give him a gentle kiss. “You saved me, remember?”
His hands come around my hips, and he holds me close. We sit there quietly for a long while, just breathing the same air and healing together.
* * *
We end up doing chores for the rest of the afternoon. For dinner, we make sandwiches because neither one of us is very hungry after such big lunches.
Toward evening, we crash on the sofa and read. I lay my head on his thigh, and he lazily runs his fingers through my hair.
His hypnotic touch is making me sleepy. Yawning, I lay my book down and close my eyes.
“We should turn in early,” he suggests as he lays his book on the coffee table. “Tomorrow’s a work day, and neither one of us got much sleep last night.”
Mack carries me down the hall to the bathroom, where we stop to get ready for bed.
When we head for our bedroom, I’m wearing one of his T-shirts, which hits me mid-thigh—and nothing else. He’s wearing his black Under Armor underwear.
I climb onto the bed and lie on my back, smiling sleepily up at him. Even though I’m tired, my body is heating up as my belly quivers in anticipation. I recognize the hunger and heat in his dark eyes.
He kneels on the mattress, hovering over me, bracing his weight on his arms. “I really want to kiss you right now.”
My smile morphs into a grin as I reach up to grab his shoulders and pull him down on me. He’s always so careful about initiating sex, needing to be sure I’m okay with it.
“I don’t see anyone stopping you,” I say.
When he lowers his mouth to mine, I open up to him.
He eases himself between my thighs and presses the ridge of his erection to the heated, throbbing place between my legs.
The feel of him, so hot and firm even through his briefs, is incredible, and I find myself pressing against him, seeking pleasure.
Seeking a sweet release that I know is close.
I rock myself against him until I see stars behind my eyelids. When I cry out, my voice shaky, he drinks in every sound.
When my tremors finally subside, I help him peel off his underwear.
And then he’s there, right where I need him, sinking slowly into my soft, slick opening.
I’m so ready for him. He presses into me gently, giving my body time to adjust to him.
I sigh as my muscles turn to jelly and my belly flutters with pleasure.
As he rocks slowly in and out, he holds my gaze the entire time as if to ensure I’m still with him.
It’s so perfect— he’s so perfect—I could cry.
There will be no monster in my dreams tonight.