Chapter 18 – Mackenzie
CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN
MACKENZIE
We arrive at the entrance, tip the driver, and walk into the lobby.
I pause to soak it in while he chats with a few teammates before they head out for the night.
Modern fixtures, clean lines, and light wood permeate the space.
Windows line two of the walls, one opening onto a breathtaking pool and garden.
Jordan takes my hand again and leads me to the elevator.
We step inside and he presses the button for the seventh floor.
As the doors close, he releases my hand—only to slide both arms around my waist. They are so big they almost span my entire waist. He pulls me to him and lowers his head.
I rise onto my tiptoes to meet him halfway in a blistering kiss—easily the best of my life.
As the elevator door opens, we walk a few doors down until we are in front of number 718. I take a deep breath as he pulls the key card from his wallet and scans it, the light turning green before the door opens into a darkened room.
We lock eyes, both knowing this choice will change everything—forever. A slow smile spreads across my face and I walk in with Jordan hot on my heels. The door shuts, and with it, the past. What lies in this room is the future.
I wait for Jordan to turn the light on and my jaw hits the floor. “This room is beautiful—and those beds are huge! I sleep in a twin bed in my flat and that looks so comfy.”
“Perks of the NBA.” He stops at the closet, pulling a fluffy white robe off a hanger and hands it to me. I look at him with stars in my eyes, pull it on over my clothes, and jump onto one of the beds, starfish-style, right in the middle.
“Make yourself comfortable,” he smirks and takes a spot on the other bed.
“I plan on it.” I fluff the pillows behind my head and this bed feels like I’m lying on a cloud. My eyelids drift shut, but I force them open, sitting up. “Now—what about this 24/7 room service?” I give him my cheesiest grin, and Jordan laughs as he grabs the room phone and starts to dial.
A tiny ray of light slips through the curtains and lands against the far wall. I blink awake, realizing I’m not in my flat. Looking to my left, then right, the bed is empty. I’m wrapped in the fluffy white robe, a thick blanket pulled up like someone tucked me in.
Jordan.
Oh my gosh, Jordan.
I sit up in a panic and see the other bed is empty too, blankets undone.
My eyes burn as the realization hits—he’s gone.
He told me all those sweet and pretty words last night.
But morning reality must’ve hit, and he left.
Just as I swing my feet on the carpet to stand, the door clicks, signaling it’s unlocking and I freeze on the bed.
I turn as the door opens and Jordan strides in, his toned body slick with sweat from practice.
He’s incredible. His tall frame is all lean muscle. He and Reagan may be twins, but Jordan has sharper features, chiseled from stone. That dark hair and piercing brown eyes ruin me.
I don’t know why, but my whole body eases in his presence.
He looks at me with a smile, but then concern crosses his face. “Mack, what’s wrong? Are you okay—Is the baby okay?”
This brings a smile to my face, probably confusing him even more. “I’m okay. I just woke up and I thought you were gone—for good. That you changed your mind. I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”
He’s over to me instantly, sitting beside me, grabbing my hands with his.
“I’m not going to change my mind. As long as you want me, I’m yours.”
“Are you sure? This is a lot and it’s not going to be just me. I’m going to have a baby.”
“I know. I’ve had all night to think about it and I’m in. All in. We have a lot to figure out—but it’s you and me. I’m going to prove it to you.”
A sob breaks free, and he pulls me up, holding me while I cry.
“I’m sorry, J. These hormones are making me emotional.”
“You do know who my sister is, right? I’m used to emotion.”
“You’re right. Let’s go out today and I’ll show you around London.”
“Sounds perfect.” He kisses me on the top of the head and I feel my insides melt into goo.
“How about you shower first?” He looks at me, hand on his chest, like he’s offended.
“Are you telling me I stink?”
“One hundred percent, yes.” He pulls me into another sweaty hug as I squeal and try to get out of his arms.
Loosening his grip, he leans down and whispers, “I’m never letting you go.” I can’t help but smile as he saunters over to the bathroom and shuts the door.
Twenty minutes later, Jordan is opening the door to a blacked-out SUV he’s rented for the day.
I was fully prepared to walk or take the Tube, but he insisted that I needed to save my energy and I couldn’t argue with that.
He also had leggings and a Charlotte Sting sweatshirt delivered to the hotel room while he was in the shower, so I had fresh clothes to wear.
Our first stop is Bloomsbury, where we are able to shop several bookstores and grab a quick breakfast at Waterstones.
The store itself is massive and houses an incredible selection for every type of reader.
In Hatchards, London’s oldest bookshop, we find a few special editions of Reagan’s favorite romance novels for Jordan to give her for Christmas.
Strolling down Charing Cross Road, we wander in and out of several shops hand in hand and it feels like a picture-perfect Hallmark movie coming to life.
“I can’t believe they have this many bookstores in one place.” Jordan has been a good sport about book browsing, even though I know it isn’t his favorite thing to do.
“I’m sorry, J. I get caught up in the smell of the pages and the atmosphere in these historic places. We can go somewhere else a little more tourist friendly, if you’d like.” He pulls our joined hands up to his mouth, kissing my knuckles softly.
“Mack, we could be doing anything, and I’d never get bored. I just want to be with you and if this is what makes you happy, I’ll spend all day in every bookstore in London.” My cheeks pinken and I’m awarded with the signature Jordan grin that sends sparks flying and my heart fluttering.
Lunch is a spread from Seven Dials Market. It’s an enormous food court full of diverse food selections from a cheese bar to sushi, to several delicious dessert options. There’s a little bit of everything. We grab food from a few spots and find a quiet place to sit and eat.
“I don’t even know where to start.” Jordan’s eyes are wide and with his athlete appetite, there won’t be any leftovers.
I grab one of the doughnuts and take a huge bite with a grin as Jordan stares back at me slack jawed. “What?” My mouth is full and I can’t begin to describe the sweet bursts of flavor that hit as I chew and finally swallow.
“That’s your lunch? A doughnut?” Jordan has a teasing tone to his questions, but I refuse to be embarrassed.
“Yes. I learned this year that life is too short and dessert first is the best way to eat a meal. Also, I’m pregnant, so I can use that excuse for all my eating habits for the next several months.” I stick my tongue out at him and we both end up laughing.
After lunch, we go to my flat to relax for a little bit before he has to leave. This is Jordan’s last night, the team flying back to the States in the morning. We haven’t kissed since yesterday—in the hotel elevator—but he’s held my hand or had his arm around me all day.
Taking our shoes off at the door, I show Jordan around my place which takes about ten seconds because it’s so small and then I plop on the couch, my feet tired from the day.
I’m shocked when he pulls my feet into his lap and starts rubbing them.
It feels heavenly and I could really get used to this.
“That feels amazing, but you really don’t need to do that.”
“I want to. Mack, you’ve been over here alone for months. Let me take care of you a little bit, since I have to leave tomorrow.”
That sours the mood.
“What are you thinking about, baby?”
“That this is too good to be true. That you deserve better than a broken girl.”
He stills, hands resting on my feet, surprised by my confession.
“You’re not broken. Not even close. Mackenzie, you’re perfect. Perfect for me. Don’t tell yourself anything else.”
“J, you’re in the NBA, gorgeous, and always have women throwing themselves at you. I will understand if you change your mind.”
“Mack. It’s only ever been you. I don’t want anyone else. I get that Trey embraced the stereotypical lifestyle of an athlete, but that’s not me. You can put your trust in me.”
I nod, words failing me. He continues rubbing my feet and I relax into his touch.
“I’ve been wondering, does my sister know you’re pregnant?”
“No. I knew she wouldn’t be able to keep it from Riggs or you, but I’m going to tell her. Now that you know, I won’t expect you to keep it from her.”
We sit, the silence easy and comfortable between us. Jordan stays until I’m yawning and ready for bed. I stand to walk him to the door when the car he hired sends a message it’s outside.
I don’t know what to say or do. It’s never been anything but a casual goodbye between us. Before I say anything, he pulls me to him in an embrace that I melt into. His strong arms make me feel safe, they make me feel like coming home.
When he finally releases me, our eyes meet, and I don’t know who initiates it, but we lean in and kiss. It burns down any and all reservations I’ve been holding on to. Jordan slides a hand into my hair and his touch sends thrills through me.
Our foreheads meet as our kiss ends, and I’m breathing heavily. I pull back, slowly, raising my eyes to connect with those beautiful brown ones.
“I don’t want to say goodbye.”
“I know, baby. Me either.”
“I’m going to miss you.” My voice cracks and tears fill my eyes. It’s a mix of pregnancy hormones and the ache in my heart at the thought of being across the ocean from Jordan. It’s been a whirlwind, but this is real and right.
“Don’t cry, Mack.” Jordan wipes my tears away and cups my cheek in his hand. I lean into his warm palm.
I see his eyes water as he tries to blink and keep the tears at bay. “I’ll see you soon, Mack. Just a few weeks and then we can move forward together.”
I turn my mouth and kiss the inside of his hand before he runs it through his soft hair like he’s about to do something he is dreading. Then he’s pulling my hand to his mouth, returning the intimate gesture as he kisses the center of my palm.
We hold onto each other as long as we can, before he gets another reminder his ride is waiting outside. Finally, he leaves one lingering kiss on my forehead before he walks out the door, shutting it softly behind him.
I lock it, turn, and head straight to the bedroom to lie down. Tears fall freely down my face and I let the sadness take over for a few minutes. Slowly, the sobs stop and my tears dry. Even though Jordan had to leave, my heart soars at the knowledge that we will be together in a few short weeks.
My body is exhausted, but my mind feels lighter and freer than it has in months, years even. I fall asleep to the memory of that kiss and the words Jordan left me with.