Chapter 13

ELODIE

A week later, I couldn't help but notice that Mac seemed distracted. I'd stayed over, but when I'd woken up in the middle of the night to pee, Mac had been awake downstairs.

"Can't sleep?" I wrapped my arms around him from behind.

He jumped a little. "Shit, Elodie. What are you doing awake?"

"I could ask you the same thing. It's the middle of the night."

He hadn't turned on the TV, and he'd left his phone in the bedroom. Had he just been down here alone in silence?

"Go back to bed," he said, turning to kiss me.

"Only if you come with me."

"I will. Just give me a few minutes."

I wanted to protest, but a yawn stopped me. I was too sleepy, and it was cold downstairs. I tried to wait for Mac to come back to bed, but sleep claimed me soon after.

When I awoke in the morning, Mac was in bed, his back turned to me. I cuddled against him, enjoying how warm he was.

He swore under his breath when my cold feet touched his calves. "Jesus! Baby, your feet are frozen. How are they so cold?"

I grinned. "Sorry. I must've stuck them out from under the covers without realizing it. You'll just have to warm them up for me." I tucked my feet between his thighs, which just made him swear again.

He turned over to face me. "Sleep okay?" He kissed my forehead.

"Yeah. You? When did you come back to bed?"

He shrugged one shoulder. "Not sure. Three o'clock?"

"Why were you downstairs?"

He seemed to want to talk about anything else, but he also didn't know how stubborn I could be.

"I have an away game tomorrow," he finally admitted.

I raised an eyebrow. "Okay. Are you going to North Korea, or . . .?"

He chuckled. "Not that intense. I'm going back to Coeur d'Alene. It's in Idaho. It's not my hometown, exactly, but close enough. I haven't been back there in a long time." He rubbed his chin.

I froze for a moment and realized I had to act like I'd had no idea where he was from, that I hadn't intensely researched him and his family just a few weeks prior.

"And you don't want to go?" I asked, curious now.

He rolled onto his back. "I don't know. It's complicated."

There were so many things I'd yet to learn about this man. I propped myself up on one elbow and raised an expectant eyebrow.

He laughed at my expression. "You know, you should've been a cop. Or a lawyer. You're good at getting people to talk."

You have no idea. "Go on."

"It's just weird going back. Lots of memories, you know? I always leave tickets for my parents. But they never come to my games."

I winced. "I'm sorry. That sucks."

"I don't even really want to see them. They're judgmental. We always get into arguments. They've never approved of me." He gave me a confused look. "Is this the definition of insanity? Continuing to do the same thing and hoping for a different outcome?"

"If it's insane, then it's totally understandable. I think everybody wants their parents' approval in the end."

I couldn't help but think of my extended family, how they'd kicked out my mom but now suddenly wanted to communicate with me.They surely wouldn't approve of my current plans, that was for sure.

"What about you? What are your parents like?" Mac asked me.

I felt an emptiness in the pit of my stomach. "I don't have any parents. My mom died when I was eighteen, and I haven't seen my dad since I was little."

Now Mac looked sad. "Shit, Elodie, I'm sorry. I shouldn't complain."

"Eh, it's not a competition. My mom and I were on our own, and since she had to work so much, I knew how to take care of myself. I miss her every day, of course. But I'm grateful she taught me as much as she did before she passed."

Mac took my hand and squeezed it. "How did she die?"

"Cancer. Lung cancer, even though she never smoked. Crazy, right? She died a year after she was diagnosed."

The memories of Mom's diagnosis, the chemo, radiation, her shedding hair, losing so much weight, her disappearing before my very eyes . . . But what was saddest was that, by the end, I was relieved when she'd passed. Because it meant she was no longer in pain. Her death definitely taught me that life was unfair.

"Do you want to go to Idaho with me?" Mac asked.

I stared at him, surprised. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. And don't worry about meeting my parents. They never attend." His smile was grim now.

"Tell me about them."

Mac blinked. "My parents? Why?"

"I'm just curious. You don't have to talk about them if you don't want to, though."

Mac sighed but proceeded to talk a bit about his parents. He told me about how his dad was a preacher and his mom a homemaker. How they'd had such high expectations for their oldest son, and he'd dashed them to pieces by the time he'd entered high school. Oh, they were proud he was a professional hockey player, but he wasn't a "man of God," as Mac termed it.

"I didn't get married at twenty and start having a thousand children," Mac rolled his eyes. "I also stopped going to church once I went off to college."

I grimaced. "I'm sure your parents loved that."

"They almost called the cops when I said I was an atheist." Mac snorted. "Man, that was a huge fight. My dad nearly punched me in the face when I said God didn't exist. The weird thing is that I didn't even know what I believed at that point. I just wanted to piss him off. It's what I seem to do best." Mac sighed. "Anyway, enough of that." He rolled on top of me, his smile seductive now. "Let's take our minds off this very boring topic, hmm?"

The night of the game in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, I was cursing myself for not wearing warmer clothes when I stopped in my tracks. Inside the private box were two people, a man and a woman. Mac had told me I'd be by myself. I realized the two people already inside were none other than Mac's mom and dad. Holy shit .

They both turned at my approach. I felt my knees get watery when Bob Mackenzie's intense gaze landed on me. He looked just like Mac, despite the silver hair and wrinkled visage.And Mac's mom was gorgeous, her gray hair immaculate. A large diamond ring flashed on her hand, and I could tell her clothes were designer, custom fit for her perfectly.

Bob and Judy stared at me blankly. "Can we help you . . .?" Judy asked me kindly.

I scrambled for a reason I'd be there. I'm your son's lover. We signed a contract even. Did you know he's into BDSM? I nearly burst into hysterical laughter. Shaking off the insane thoughts, I squeaked out, "I'm a friend of Mac's. I'm Elodie." I held out my hand. "You must be Mac's parents? I can see the resemblance."

Bob and Judy exchanged glances. Bob eventually took my hand in a firm grip. Judy got up and gestured for me to have a seat.

"It's lovely to meet you. Melody, you said?" Judy asked. Her voice was kind, and her expression full of curiosity.

"It's just Elodie. No ‘M.'" I sat down with a wry smile. "My parents liked to make things complicated with choosing my name."

"That's pretty. Elodie." Judy turned to her husband. "Don't you think, honey?"

Bob grunted. "You said you're a friend of Mac's?"

I forced myself not to squirm under his intense scrutiny. "That's right. I'm from LA, and Mac invited me up here. I've never been to Idaho before. I had no idea how pretty it was." Now I felt like I was babbling.

"We live in White Rock," Judy said. "Although we come to Coeur d'Alene often. Did you grow up in Los Angeles?"

"For the most part, yeah," I replied.

"If you have time while you're here, you should go to Silver Beach. It's the best spot near the lake," Bob said. To my surprise, he even smiled.

I didn't know how to reconcile the estranged, judgmental parents Mac had described with these people in front of me. They seemed like your average, supportive parents who wanted to get to know their son's friend.

"We're hoping to take Mac out for his birthday dinner after the game," Judy said. "Would you like to join us?"

"It's his birthday?" I blurted.

Bob chuckled. "Indeed. But it's no surprise he didn't tell you. He's never been a big fan of parties or the attention that comes along with birthdays."

"Just like his father," Judy said. She shook her head. "The men in this family act like birthday parties are torture."

"Getting people to sing to you is torture," Bob groused.

I felt a little hurt that Mac hadn't told me it was his birthday. I also felt strangely guilty, like I should've known when his birthday was already. I was sure I'd come across it when googling him way back when, hadn't I? But if what Bob said was right and the apple hadn't fallen far from the tree, perhaps Mac was intentionally trying to forget about this day.

Fortunately for all three of us, but mostly for me, the hockey game kept us from having to keep making small talk. When Bob went to get Judy a soda, he asked me if I wanted anything. Although I declined, he still brought back some popcorn that all three of us could share, making sure we had our own bag to eat out of. At one point, Mac spotted us. He flashed me an apologetic look. It felt like an out-of-body experience—me sitting here eating popcorn with Mac's parents. I could've never predicted that this would be how I'd spend the day.

After the game, Mac's parents and I were brought to a spot near the locker room to wait for Mac to appear. I was nervous with anticipation. How would Mac react to seeing his parents? Would he want me to join them all for dinner?Did I even mention his birthday if it would only upset him?

As far as I knew, Mac hadn't had any intention of telling his parents of my existence. And how did we explain our relationship? I'd simply described us as being friends, but if Mac said he was my boyfriend . . . I shook myself. We weren't dating. Not really, anyway. I highly doubted Bob and Judy would understand our arrangement.

When Mac saw the three of us standing together, his eyes widened. I could see the shock on his handsome face. But that mask he was able to take on and off for the press quickly slipped into place. He approached us warily but not unkindly. He shook his dad's hand, then hugged his mom before his gaze landed on me. His expression was hard to read, almost apologetic.

"We got to know your friend here," Judy said before I could speak. "We wanted to take you both out for dinner to celebrate your birthday."

"Oh, Mom, you don't have to do that," Mac said.

Bob frowned. "Don't act like that."

Mac tensed. "I don't want to put you out."

"Sweetheart." His mom rested a hand on his chest. "We haven't seen you in so long. Let us take you out."

Mac and Bob seemed to have a staring contest, which I could only describe as similar to two dogs circling each other, waiting for the other to show weakness. I grew tense just watching them. I became more and more interested in the true dynamics of this family when no one else was around.

But then Mac nodded tightly, even as I could tell that he didn't seem remotely excited about having dinner with his parents.

This will be one hell of an interesting evening , that's for sure.

Bob and Judy drove us to a local steakhouse. Mac and I sat in the back, so we didn't get a chance to talk privately, except for a few exchanged glances. Inside, the restaurant was crowded, and for some reason, I got the feeling it was a place Mac might've frequented back when he lived here.

He leaned down to whisper in my ear as we exited the car, "Sorry about this."

"Don't worry about it. It'll be fine." I made sure his parents were far enough ahead as we walked to the restaurant from the parking lot before adding, "I also said you were just a friend. I didn't know what else to say."

"It's fine. They probably don't believe you, though." Mac's eyes sparkled. "But maybe don't tell them about how I spanked your ass last night either."

I smacked his arm, rolling my eyes, and Mac smiled for the first time since walking out of the locker room. But when we were seated in a booth near the back of the restaurant, the mask from earlier was firmly in place.

Bob started grilling Mac with questions even before the server took our orders. Did he overpay for his place out in LA? Was he still driving that fancy car? Had he been to church lately? Judy interjected on occasion, but for all intents and purposes, it was almost like we women weren't even present.

When Mac ordered a salad and a chicken breast, his father remarked, "How do you keep your strength up eating bird food like that?"

"Since when do birds eat chicken?" Mac countered.

"Honey, you know Mac has to be careful about what he eats. He's an athlete, after all." Judy smiled and put a hand on her husband's arm. I got the feeling she was trying to get him to ease up.

Bob shook his head. "You know Eric? Steve White's son? He ate a steak every day and played football. Was the strongest player on the team, too. Probably never ate a salad in his damn life."

"His poor gut," I said jokingly. Mac's parents turned and stared at me. So I added, "I mean, you gotta eat fiber at least sometimes. Right?"

"Dad, I'm pretty sure last I heard, Eric just had his second heart attack." Mac's tone was dry. "That's where all that steak got him."

There was a strange tension between Mac and Bob that I didn't fully understand. Judy didn't seem to be a part of it. She seemed more like the peacekeeper. And here I was, a total third wheel, almost wishing I'd stayed in LA. And miss this possible scoop of Mac's family?

I began cutting my own steak, suddenly wishing I'd been smart like Mac and had gotten something lighter to eat. The red meat and baked potato sat heavily in my stomach after just a few bites.

"It was a great game tonight," Judy said. "I really enjoyed watching you play."

"I'm glad you finally decided to come," Mac replied, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

Judy looked embarrassed. "You know we've been busy, what with running the church and whatnot—"

"We never asked you to put tickets aside for us." Bob folded his arms across his chest.

Mac's jaw ticked. "No, but I wanted to all the same."

"That's just how you are, isn't it? You just do what you want, no matter what else anyone thinks." Bob downed some of his water.

Despite Judy's attempts to hush him, Bob wasn't deterred, and Mac looked pissed. His jaw was rigid, and his expression grim. I wondered if the two men would come to blows. My cheeks heated as I suddenly grew uncomfortable to be in the middle of what was clearly a long-standing, private family matter.

"I'm not going to apologize for how I choose to live my own life," Mac said through gritted teeth. "Because it is my life."

"Even when it's immoral? Even when it goes against what God wants for us?" Bob's voice gentled, which made things strangely tenser. "You know you'll always be welcome in the family, but not without letting go of these . . . delusions."

Now, I was confused. I caught Judy's glance, but she just shook her head slightly as if to say, Keep quiet.

"Delusions?" Mac shot back. "You're the one who's delusional—"

Judy interrupted, " Stop it, you two. We came out to celebrate Mac's birthday and to spend some time together as a family for once. Plus, we have a guest. So either you two shape up, or I'm going home and taking Elodie with me."

Bob and Mac scowled, which would've been funny if the situation weren't already so tense. We sat in silence for a long while, and I played Bob's words back in my head. Not without letting go of these delusions. What was he referring to? Did he somehow know about Mac's sexual interests? I suppose it didn't take much to disappoint a rigidly religious man, so perhaps, it was something else.

The dinner continued, and Bob and Mac barely spoke to each other. Judy and I tried our best to keep the conversation light, but by the time Bob got the check, we'd all fallen into awkward silence again.

"We're just going to grab an Uber," Mac said as we stood out front. He typed into his cell and let out a relieved breath. "It'll be here in two minutes."

"Uber." Bob shook his head. "Whatever."

The four of us stood out front waiting. Thankfully, it really was only two minutes before a black SUV pulled up. Mac glanced at the license plate.

"2ZGE857. This is us."

I said goodbye to Bob and Judy, and Mac opened the door for me to get in the car. He took a moment to say his own goodbyes before joining me in the back seat. The man could walk out of the locker room after playing an intense hockey game and not look tired, but right now he looked like he'd been run over by a semi.

"Christ, I'm sorry about that," he said, dragging his fingers through his hair. "I never thought they'd show up. This is the first time they have in five damn years."

"Lucky me, I guess..." I wrapped my arm around his bicep and nuzzled. A long moment later, he put an arm around my shoulders.

"Yeah. Not the greatest timing for them to finally decide to come."

"Why did you keep putting tickets aside if they haven't shown up in so many years?" I asked.

Mac let out a sad laugh. "I don't know. Stubbornness? Not wanting to be the first one to give in and say our relationship is officially over? Or maybe not wanting to admit that my parents hate me?"

"Your mom doesn't hate you." That I knew for certain. But his father?

"No, but she'll never really stand up to my dad either." Mac looked down at me. "But I'm tired of thinking about them."

"I mean, it is your birthday. How about we take this back to the hotel?" I smiled seductively. "You can do whatever you want to me. Maybe that'll make up for tonight."

Mac's eyes darkened, but this time, it wasn't from anger. It was from desire. "Anything? You're playing with fire, baby."

"I'm okay with getting burned then, birthday boy."

He groaned and hauled me from my seat onto his lap. I giggled, loving how much he wanted me. Me, Elodie Andrews. It still felt like a dream that a man as sexy as Cole Mackenzie desired me when he could have practically any woman he wanted.

"We'll go slow tonight," Mac said. But I got the feeling he was saying it more to himself than to me.

I nodded, a little relieved. Although I trusted him, I wasn't sure I was ready to get whipped and bound as he pounded my ass, even if I was certain that would be in my not-so-distant future.

Then again, if it's Mac, I know I'll have a great time .

The hotel was only ten minutes away. By the time we pulled up, I was antsy to get inside and get started. The door to our room was barely closed when Mac's tone changed. "Take off your clothes," he growled.

Every hair on my body lifted. God, he's so sexy when he takes control.

I nodded and stripped out of my clothes. Mac's gaze stayed on me even as he went to his suitcase. The way my body reacted to him so instantly, so naturally was seriously mind-blowing.

He pulled out two ties and pointed at the bed. "Get up on the bed."

I nodded again, my gaze on the floor. Apparently, we'd entered the Dom-sub era of this relationship. I'd never considered myself a meek person, but something about Mac's commanding presence made me want to give him full control.

I crawled onto the bed. Mac joined me, still fully clothed, and began binding my wrists behind my back and my ankles together.

He grinned, leaning back to examine his handiwork. "Aren't you a gorgeous sight?"

I squirmed. I couldn't really move, which meant that I was completely in Mac's control. The bindings were tight but not painful. Based on the intricate knots that Mac tied them with, they probably wouldn't be too easy to get out of. But that wasn't exactly a problem, considering there was nowhere else I would rather be right then.

Mac flipped me over so I was on my stomach. He placed a pillow under my chest and near my head. Then he started kissing and licking from my neck down my spine, my skin on fire with every touch of his lips.

His hands massaged the globes of my ass. It felt so good, so relaxing. At least until the first smack came. Then the second, and the third. The burn of his hand stung but was also exhilarating. I squealed. Each loud sound of his hand connecting with my ass made me grow more and more excited.

"Such a naughty girl," he crooned, the spanking intensifying. "Making me want you every second of every day. Who do you think you are, showing up here?"

"You asked me to come," I protested.

That earned me the hardest smack on the ass yet. "I didn't say you could speak, did I?"

I shook my head. Mac parted my ass cheeks and leaned down, licking through the crease. Oh God . I wished I could touch him, but I was entirely at his mercy.

"What I wouldn't give to fuck this ass." He groaned, slipping a finger between my cheeks and circling my hole with his finger. "I bet it'd be like a vise around my cock."

Chills ran through me. I'd never done anal. Todd had brought up the subject once, but it'd never interested me. At that moment, though, I would've said yes. I would've said yes to anything.

Mac parted my thighs as much as he could with the bindings on my ankles, feeling my wetness coat his hand. Quivering, I pushed against his fingers, desperately wanting him inside me.

"Patience," he said. I could hear the smile in his voice, but patience was the last thing I had.

I tried to buck against his hand, but that only earned me another smack on my ass.

"What did I just say?" he warned.

I moaned. "But Mac . . ." I barely recognized my own voice. It sounded so desperate.

Mac finally slid his hand between my legs and stroked my pussy. "So fucking wet for me already."

"Yes," I breathed.

He rubbed my clit, making small circles with just the right amount of pressure. I could feel my orgasm building. But he stopped as I got to the brink and abruptly flipped me over again. Grabbing the binding at my ankles, he dragged me to the edge of the bed. I was breathless as he took out his cock, making me watch as he stroked up and down painstakingly slowly. A bead of cum dripped down his shaft, and my mouth watered. His smile was wicked, his gaze heated.

"Do you want me to fuck you, Elodie?" His voice brushed like velvet across my skin.

I nodded. "Please, please, Mac." I kept trying to part my legs, even as I knew I couldn't with the bindings on my ankles.

"Not yet. First, you're going to suck my cock. You'll take it all until you can't breathe and choke for air. Understand?"

I nodded. My entire body tingled with anticipation as Mac climbed onto the bed, hovering over me. He fisted his cock and guided it into my mouth. I licked the head until I could taste more salty cum beading at the tip, then sucked him in with enthusiasm, especially as Mac groaned out my name. I wished I could use my hands, but something was so freaking erotic about only being able to use my lips and tongue on him. And about the way he was unabashedly using my mouth—I wanted to be used by this man.

Mac angled his hips, pressing his cock farther down my throat until it hit the back of it. My eyes watered.

"Breathe through your nose. Come on, baby. You can do it." He stilled for a long moment giving me a chance to get used to the feeling and allow my breaths to even out.

"There you go. Such a good girl," he crooned, stroking my hair gently. "You love sucking my dick, don't you?"

Panting, I nodded. I waited for more, for him to begin fucking my face, but when he pulled back, he pulled all the way out.

I opened my mouth to protest, but Mac shook his head.

"You'll take what I give you. Understood?"

I swallowed and nodded again. Mac flipped me onto my stomach again, moved me to the middle of the bed, and then thrust his cock into my dripping pussy from behind. Thank goodness. I'd had no guarantees he'd even planned to fuck me tonight despite how badly I might've begged. I'd feared maybe he'd deny me as some form of torture.

With my ankles still bound, he felt even larger inside me, filling me so completely. It didn't take long before my orgasm was barreling down again. I cried out, my entire body shaking.

"Your pussy is so fucking tight." Mac wrapped my hair around his fist, yanking until my head came off the bed as he pounded into me. "So fucking tight."

I was entirely at his mercy and loved every second of it. I could feel myself squeezing his cock with every stroke. At the same time, I tensed my muscles in an attempt to stop myself from coming, not quite ready for this to end.

When he yanked hard on my hair, though, I lost control as my climax tore through me. I screamed, not caring that everyone in the hotel could probably hear me. Mac grunted and thrust one last time before he pulled out and came on my back, hot cum painting my skin.

"Fuck, Elodie," he said through heaving breaths.

I collapsed onto the bed, completely spent. Mac gently untied my ankles and wrists, cradling me into his arms, so tight yet gentle.

He kissed my forehead, my cheeks, and then my lips. "Are you okay?"

I could barely form coherent sentences. All I could do was nod. "I'm okay."

"I wasn't too rough? I said I'd go easy on you, but . . ."

"It was amazing." I touched his cheek. "But I think I'm half dead. So maybe ask me again tomorrow."

That made him grin.

"I'm glad it was to your liking. There's a lot more where that came from. But I think you deserve your rest tonight."

He eventually got up, cleaned us both up, and then tucked us into bed. I'd be going to sleep having been fucked better than I'd ever had in my life. Before he even turned off the lamp, I was out like a light.

Despite my pleading, Mac couldn't stay the night with me in my hotel room. Although we'd both fallen asleep for a bit, I was woken up a few hours later to the sound of movement around the room.

"I have curfew," he said, rolling his eyes as he pulled his pants on.

I propped myself up on the bed to watch him. I loved watching him pad around the room as he gathered his clothes, his muscles bunching and contracting with every movement.It was truly a feast for the eyes.

Mac had a lean but muscular build with a smattering of chest hair, along with a few tattoos on his biceps. His hair had grown out in the past few weeks, which made him look even more delicious than usual.There wasn't a moment when I didn't want to run my fingers through it.

He caught me staring and shot me a grin. "Like what you see?"

"Sure do. How about you do a spin for me?"

He laughed but complied. "You good now?"

He was wickedly adorable. I made sure to slap his ass as he passed by. "Now I'm good."

That slap resulted in him pouncing on me and giving me a few firm smacks of my own. He growled in my ear that I'd better watch myself; otherwise, I'd face a much worse punishment one day.

I shivered in anticipation. "Even worse than a good firm spanking while tied up?" I asked.

"Oh, sweetheart, much, much worse." He kissed me hard. "I took it easy on you last night. The fun's just getting started, you know."

My brain struggled to compute how that was going easy. "I think you might end up killing me."

"Only in the best possible way." Mac gave me one last smacking kiss before sighing and putting on his shoes. "I have to get back."

Truly bummed that he had to leave, I sighed. "Fine, fine. Have your wicked way with me and then abandon me."

He got to the door and looked back with his hand on the handle.

"Thank you, Elodie."

"For . . ."

"Everything. Signing the contract, coming, dealing with my parents, being a good girl for me last night."

I smiled. "I had fun."

"Me too, sweetheart."

"Text me, okay?"

"Of course." He winked, and then he was gone.