Chapter 14

14

MCKENNA

M cKenna lay on the worn leather couch in the station, her mind replaying the river rescue in excruciating detail. She’d managed to keep her composure and keep things strictly professional, but now, in the stillness, she couldn’t avoid the feelings that had surfaced during those intense moments. Despite every effort to distance herself from Mazey, she hadn’t been able to ignore the familiar surge of protectiveness that had gripped her as she watched Mazey slip into the rushing water.

At first, she’d considered declining the set supervision request. She had told herself that stepping in for Mazey’s sake would complicate things, that she had no business getting involved again. But the thought of someone else making a mistake that could put Mazey in danger gnawed at her in a way she couldn’t shake. Against her better judgment, she’d accepted. And then, as if fate had conspired against her, Mazey had fallen again, right before her eyes.

The memory of the rescue unfolded in her mind like a scene she couldn’t escape. She hadn’t hesitated for a second. The moment she’d seen Mazey go under, instinct had taken over. She could still feel the cold rush of the water and surge of adrenaline that drowned out everything but the determination to reach her. Her arms had locked around Mazey’s waist, steady and firm, and for those few brief moments, holding her had felt like the most natural thing in the world. Too natural. Too close.

She closed her eyes, fighting the images crowding her thoughts. She didn’t want to dwell on the way Mazey’s body had felt against hers or the softness of her voice when she’d whispered that faint, shaken "thank you." McKenna had tried to shut it all down and respond with curt professionalism, but it hadn’t been enough to push away the familiar feelings that clung to her even now. Being that close to her had stirred up everything she’d been trying so hard to suppress.

As she lay on the couch, McKenna’s mind flickered back to the last time they’d been together when things had been easier, lighthearted even. She could almost hear the echo of their laughter, the way Mazey had once looked at her with such trust and warmth. And today, despite everything that had happened between them, she’d been right back at Mazey’s side. Even with the distance Mazey had put between them, even though they weren’t together, there was still something that bound her to that woman with a force she couldn’t seem to break.

And as much as she wanted to dismiss it as mere duty or professionalism, she knew, deep down, that it was more than that. Today, that had become painfully clear.

In the cold stillness of the station, she let out a long breath, trying to steady herself. She didn’t want to admit it. She didn’t want to acknowledge that no matter how hard she tried to move on, part of her would always be drawn back to Mazey. She knew she was walking a fine line, one that blurred the boundaries between her role as a firefighter and her own lingering feelings.

All these thoughts whirled around in her mind, one after the other in a spiral she couldn’t escape. She gripped the edge of the couch, grounding herself, focusing on the cool leather under her fingers. Her whole life, she’d trained herself to be steady, to maintain control, and yet one near-drowning scene had turned all of that on its head.

She forced herself to breathe, trying to calm the turbulence inside. She couldn’t keep doing this. She couldn’t keep hovering around Mazey, drawn in by an invisible pull, only to retreat and act like it hadn’t happened. The ache in her chest was a reminder that she’d never fully let go, not really. And yet, she also knew the dangers of going back and rekindling feelings that had already burned her once.

She was still lying there, wrestling with herself, when she heard a faint voice calling her name. Her heart stilled, and she opened her eyes, not sure if she’d imagined it. But there it was again, soft yet unmistakable: Mazey’s voice drifting through the haze of her thoughts.

“McKenna.”

For a moment, she didn’t move. She wasn’t sure if she was dreaming, if her thoughts had somehow conjured the sound of Mazey’s voice. She sat up, her pulse quickening as she turned toward the door, half expecting Mazey to be standing there.

Her mind raced, wondering what Mazey might say, if she’d acknowledge what had happened today. Or maybe Mazey would brush it off, acting like she always did—confident, playful, unbothered. But either way, it seemed impossible that Mazey’s presence here could mean nothing.

McKenna took a steadying breath, bracing herself for whatever might come next.

Mazey’s usual confidence was stripped away, leaving a rawness that McKenna hadn’t seen before. Her eyes held an intensity that made it impossible for McKenna to look away, as if Mazey was baring her soul.

Mazey took a shaky breath, her voice low and wavering. “I was wrong to push you away, McKenna,” she said, her gaze flickering down before meeting McKenna’s eyes again. “I don’t know what I was thinking. And doing it over a text message? It was cowardly. I was scared. Scared of actually facing you because if I had seen you, if I had heard your voice, I know I wouldn’t have gone through with it.”

McKenna felt her chest tighten at Mazey’s words. The weight of them hung in the air, heavy with regret. She tried to keep her face unreadable, but she couldn’t ignore the way Mazey’s words struck her. Mazey looked like she was barely holding herself together, her hand twisting the hem of her sleeve as if clinging to it for support.

“What do you mean by that, Mazey?” McKenna’s voice was steady, but inside, she felt a storm building. She needed to know if Mazey could understand the hurt she’d caused by walking away so abruptly.

Mazey looked down for a moment, then took a slow, deep breath, as if gathering her courage. When she finally spoke, her voice was steady but soft, almost as if she were speaking to herself as much as to McKenna.

“I don’t care about everything I’d lose, McKenna. I thought I did. I convinced myself that I cared about my career, about what the media would say, but I don’t. Not really. It’s all noise. And it’s not worth losing you over.” She hesitated, her eyes searching McKenna’s face, and then continued, “I was terrified that if I stayed I’d drag you into something that could hurt you. But losing you hurt more than I ever expected. I’m sorry. I’m so desperately sorry.”

Mazey looked down at the ground.

McKenna swallowed, struggling to hold her ground against Mazey’s words. She tried to keep a level head, but every word chipped away at the walls she’d carefully built since Mazey had walked away. “Mazey, you can’t just say that now, like it’s so simple,” she said, her voice firmer than she felt. “You already tossed me aside over one hint of a media scandal- they don’t even have any evidence. How do I know you won’t do it again?”

Mazey’s face fell slightly, but she held McKenna’s gaze, her voice steady with conviction. “I know I don’t deserve a second chance, but I’m asking anyway. I don’t care what people think of me or how the media spins it. All that matters is you. I didn’t see it before. I thought my career and image were things I couldn’t risk, but I don’t want any of it if it means I lose you.”

McKenna’s mind swirled with conflicting emotions. She wanted to believe Mazey, but the pain still lingered. The memory of that cold, impersonal text Mazey had sent made her wary. Yet here was Mazey, standing before her, saying everything McKenna had wished to hear in the quiet moments when she allowed herself to miss her.

Mazey seemed to sense her hesitation. She stepped closer, her eyes pleading as she searched McKenna’s face. “I can handle the media, the attention, the criticism…as long as you’re by my side. I know I was wrong to push you away before, but if you give me another chance, I won’t make that mistake again.”

McKenna wanted to believe her, but the hurt made her cautious. “Mazey, it’s not easy,” she murmured, looking down as she tried to keep her composure.

“Being with me means you’ll be in the limelight for something different than you’re used to. You’ll be in the limelight for being with a woman. Are you sure you’re ready for that? For the whispers and judgment?”

Mazey nodded without a moment’s hesitation. “Yes. If you’re with me, then I can handle it. You make me braver, McKenna. You make me want to be the kind of person who can face anything. I love you.” Mazey’s clear blue eyes met her own and her words seemed filled with truth.

McKenna felt her defenses start to weaken. She’d spent so much time imagining what it would be like to hear Mazey say these words, yet now that it was happening, a part of her felt unsteady. She didn’t want to be hurt again, but she couldn’t deny the pull in her chest, the part of her that had never stopped longing for this exact moment.

Mazey’s hand hovered in the space between them, her fingers brushing McKenna’s, sending a small jolt through her. She looked down at their hands then back up at Mazey, who was watching her with a look that held a thousand unspoken words.

“Are you sure you can handle this?” Mazey’s voice was barely a whisper, as if she feared her own hope might shatter the fragile moment between them. “I know it’s a lot to ask. I know I hurt you, but I don’t want to run from this anymore. I don’t want to run from us.”

McKenna felt a flicker of warmth spread through her melting the cold, hard edges she’d built around her heart. She wanted to hold onto her resolve and protect herself from the pain of losing Mazey again, but she couldn’t ignore the sincerity in her eyes or the softness in her voice.

For a long moment, she stood there, gazing at Mazey, letting herself feel everything she’d tried to push away. Finally, with a sigh, she allowed her shoulders to relax, the tension easing from her body as she gave a small, tentative nod.

And in that moment, something shifted between them, a quiet understanding, a silent promise to try again and see where this could lead.

McKenna looked at Mazey, a faint smile softening her usually steady gaze. “I can handle anything, Mazey, as long as you’re by my side.”

Mazey’s face lit up, her eyes bright with a relief that made McKenna’s heart clench. “Well,” she said with a teasing grin, “it’s good to know my hero is willing to stick around. You’ve already saved my life three times, you know. Twice from real danger and once from heartbreak.”

McKenna chuckled, shaking her head. “Guess that makes me a full-time lifesaver then,” she replied, her tone light. “Though I don’t remember heartbreak being part of my rescue training.”

Mazey laughed, the sound warm and genuine, and it felt like the last barrier between them finally crumbled. “You’d think I’d know how to handle it by now.”

“Well, maybe it’s time you learn to avoid cliffs, raging rivers, and reckless texts,” McKenna quipped, her own grin widening as she felt the tension melt into something warm and familiar.

Mazey’s smile softened, her gaze meeting McKenna’s with a gentle intensity. “Guess I’ll have to keep you close. You know, just in case I need rescuing again.”

McKenna felt a tug at her heart, pulling her closer until the space between them was only a breath. “Yeah, I think that’s probably a good idea,” she murmured, her voice softening as her eyes traced Mazey’s features.

Their shared laughter faded, replaced by a quiet understanding as they leaned in, neither of them hesitating. When their lips met, it felt like coming home, a warmth that settled into McKenna’s bones, steady and real, washing away the doubts and heartache that had lingered for so long.

As they sat close, the weight of their unspoken feelings and past misunderstandings finally lifted, leaving only a quiet excitement between them. McKenna took a steadying breath, looking into Mazey’s eyes with a small smile. “So, are we really going to do this?”

Mazey didn’t hesitate. “Yes, we are, I’m going to come out,” she said firmly, her voice filled with conviction. “And to make it official”—her face softened, and she reached out, slipping her fingers through McKenna’s—“McKenna, will you go out with me?”

McKenna laughed softly, the joy in her chest almost overwhelming. “I’d be honored,” she replied, giving Mazey’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Now, where are you taking me on our first official date?”

Mazey grinned. “Leave it to me. I think I know just the place.”

They ended up at an intimate bistro with low lighting and soft jazz playing in the background. As they settled in, McKenna couldn’t help but notice how relaxed Mazey seemed, her usual hesitance about public appearances nowhere in sight. Mazey caught McKenna’s gaze and smiled. “Surprised?”

“A little,” McKenna admitted, leaning forward, unable to hide her admiration. “You’re handling this so well.”

Mazey shrugged, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. “It’s different now. You make me feel…brave, I guess.” She chuckled, looking down at her glass. “All those worries about what people think just fade when I’m with you. I realize now I don’t want to hide. Not anymore.”

McKenna felt a warmth spread through her, reaching across the table to touch Mazey’s hand. “Then I’ll stand by you. Whatever comes our way, we’ll handle it together.”

The conversation flowed easily as they settled into their meal, sharing laughs, reminiscing, and talking about the future in a way that felt genuine and exciting. Mazey opened up about her aspirations, how she wanted to explore roles that felt meaningful and projects that resonated with who she was rather than just what Hollywood expected from her. She confessed how exhausting it had been to feel like she was always putting on a mask.

McKenna listened intently, her heart swelling with admiration for Mazey’s dreams and determination. “I love that you’re finally seeing your own worth,” she said, squeezing Mazey’s hand gently. “I’m here to remind you of that whenever you need it.”

Mazey smiled, touched by McKenna’s words. “And you? What do you want out of life, McKenna?”

McKenna paused, feeling a bit vulnerable, but Mazey’s gaze was so warm, so encouraging, that she couldn’t hold back. “I want to keep helping people, like I do with firefighting. But…” She hesitated, searching for the right words. “I want a life that feels grounded and meaningful. I want to come home to someone I love, to a life we can build together.”

Mazey’s smile grew, and her fingers tightened around McKenna’s. “Then let’s make that happen. I’ll support you every step of the way, just like you’re doing for me.”

They stayed for hours, caught up in each other’s dreams and promises. The quiet, intimate atmosphere of the restaurant was almost magical, and they soaked in every moment, finding a beautiful harmony in the simplest of things: a shared laugh, a lingering gaze, a brush of hands across the table.

As they left the restaurant, Mazey glanced at McKenna, her eyes full of longing. “What would you say if I asked to come back to your place?” McKenna’s pulse quickened, and she smiled, leaning in close. “I’d say let’s get out of here.”

When they arrived at McKenna’s house, they were both a bit breathless, caught in the electric anticipation of finally being alone together, free of the world’s prying eyes. The moment the door closed behind them, Mazey turned to McKenna, her gaze intense.

They moved slowly at first, savoring each touch and kiss, the world outside fading away as they surrendered to the closeness they’d been craving for so long. In that quiet space, words became unnecessary. Every movement, every whispered breath, seemed to say more than language ever could.

Their passion built steadily, layer upon layer of longing they’d both held back for too long, until it grew into a tender, all-consuming connection. McKenna’s hands traced Mazey’s skin with reverence, memorizing every curve, every shiver of Mazey’s body beneath her touch. Mazey’s fingers slid through McKenna’s hair, pulling her close, as if she wanted to bridge the gap between them entirely, to be as close as humanly possible.

McKenna stripped them both of their clothes and guided Mazey down onto her bed.

“Get on top of me and spin around,” she commanded and Mazey looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

“You mean like a 69?”

“Absolutely a 69. You think you might like that?”

Mazey smiled and her blue eyes sparkled with mischief. “I think I might like that a lot,” she said. “I’ve been thinking a lot about tasting you.” Mazey blushed and it was the most endearing thing McKenna thought she had ever seen.

“Probably not as much as I have been thinking about tasting you,” McKenna replied as she helped Mazey into position on top of her.

Mazey lowered onto her face and McKenna lost herself in the scent of her. She pushed her tongue out and into Mazey, tasting on her tongue the sweetest taste she could imagine. She took long slow licks of Mazey as she felt Mazey’s own tongue exploring between her legs.

Oh my fucking god.

69 with Mazey Snow was everything McKenna had hoped for and more. As Mazey’s confidence grew, she began to grind down onto McKenna’s mouth and there were moments where McKenna couldn’t breathe, but she realized she would have happily died here.

She grabbed her breaths where she could. Deep breaths of Mazey’s musky wet sex.

She licked and licked, long strokes from Mazey’s clit up to her asshole. She noticed Mazey copying her movements and she liked it.

She reached her right hand to her mouth licking her index finger and coating it in saliva, before reaching it around Mazey’s ass. She pulled Mazey’s ass cheeks apart with her other hand, before teasing at Mazey’s rim with her slick wet finger.

She heard Mazey moan and felt the vibrations around her own pussy. It felt delicious.

She pressed her finger into Mazey’s ass, opening her up slowly but surely, pushing her finger deeper as her tongue lapped away at Mazey’s ever wetter pussy. Mazey’s moans deepened against her clitoris and she felt Mazey begin to grind down on her face with abandon as her finger moved deep inside Mazey’s ass.

She felt Mazey’s own right hand reaching under her own ass cheek, coating her fingers in wetness from her pussy and then she felt Mazey’s finger beginning to push at her asshole.

Just as Mazey’s finger pushed deep in her anus, her orgasm tore through her waves and waves of pleasure. Deep deep pleasure. She felt Mazey’s orgasm too as it ripped through her, she gushed into McKenna’s mouth.

Oh fuck, yes.

McKenna felt herself coughing with surprise at the hot liquid sex in her mouth and then laughing. Sex with Mazey was fucking incredible and she never wanted it to stop.

As the night wore on, they lost themselves in each other, sharing quiet moments of laughter, soft words, and deep, unguarded kisses. They made love slowly, with a sense of reverence, as though every touch was a silent promise, a vow to cherish one another despite the obstacles and fears that had held them back.

By the time the dawn began to paint the sky with soft hues of pink and gold, they were wrapped around each other, content and finally at peace. McKenna brushed a hand through Mazey’s hair, watching as her eyes fluttered open, a sleepy smile spreading across her face.

Mazey sighed, her voice hushed. “You know, I never thought I’d feel this way.”

McKenna smiled, her heart full. “Me neither. But I’m so glad I do. I love you, too.”

They lay together in the gentle morning light, both of them quietly grateful for the chance to begin again, their lives intertwined in a way that felt as natural as breathing.