8. Mackenna

8

MACKENNA

A side from baking cookies, I really don't know what I'm doing in the kitchen. I don't know any impressive recipes, I only use a few of the spices on the rotating rack that's sitting on my counter, and my knife skills are mediocre at best.

And yet here I am, driving home with groceries for an overambitious dinner that I've insisted on cooking for Reid tonight.

I'm not sure what's gotten into me. All I know is that I feel an overwhelming desire to cook for him. To share a good meal with him. To have him here in my home…and in my life.

I know I need to be sensible about this. I should take things slow; there's no reason to rush. But it's so hard to convince myself of that when being around Reid makes me feel as good as it does.

I pull into the sanctuary's parking area, hop out, and grab two of the grocery bags from the back seat. As I'm carrying the first round of groceries to my tiny house, I hear a soft mechanical sound that I don't think much of in the moment. I'm too focused on thinking about my cooking plans.

But as I'm carrying the other two bags, I hear the noise again, and I look up to see one of the surveillance cameras focused directly on me.

My stomach churns when I notice it. There's no reason for the camera to be angled the way it is right now. No reason…except for one.

I quickly get the rest of the groceries put away in my house, then make a beeline for the office with my stomach in knots. When I barge in, Justin is standing at the food prep counter, fiddling with a bag of animal feed and acting as if he wasn't just controlling the cameras.

"What is it going to take for you to stop?" I demand.

"Stop what?" he asks, paying more attention to the clipboard near him than me.

"Justin, you know what I'm talking about. We've had this conversation over and over again. I'm so tired of it. I need you to stop."

He finally looks at me, his eyes full of frustration. "You never even gave me a chance. If you would just be open to it…"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I'm not interested."

"But what if we gave it a shot and?—"

I cut him off, speaking more forcefully than ever. "The answer is no . I don't want to go out with you. Not now, or ever. That's not going to change."

He looks hurt. Really hurt. In fact, his eyes are welling up with tears. Oh, God. Now I feel horrible. I was too harsh, wasn't I? Feeling guilty, I step toward him and put a hand on his arm. "I'm sorry."

He quickly swipes at his eyes. "No, I'm sorry. I know I keep pestering you. I just think you're really great."

"I think you're great, too. Really. I wouldn't be able to run this place without you."

He nods and wipes at his eyes again.

"Are you okay?" I ask gently.

"Yeah. I just…Mackenna, I just…" Justin looks at me for a moment, then leans forward to try to kiss me. I jump back, inhaling a surprised breath. My stomach flips as I register what he just tried to do.

"It's over," I choke out. "You're fired."

He stares at me. "What?"

I point at the door. I'm freaking out inside, terrified of what else he might try to do, but somehow I'm able to keep my panic from showing. "You're done here. I'm not going to say it again."

"He did what ?" Reid says, his words thundering around us. "Jesus. Are you okay?"

I'm not, but I nod, because I don't want my drama with Justin to ruin my evening with Reid. "I'm fine."

"I can't believe he tried to kiss you. That's not fucking okay."

"At least it's over now," I say.

"He better not show his face around here again," Reid says, setting his jaw. "If he shows up, I want you to call me, all right?"

I manage a small smile and a nod.

"Hey," he says, stepping closer to me in my living room. With a gentle but firm hand, he lifts my chin and pulls my gaze to his. "Are you sure you're fine?"

I shrug. "I just feel dumb for giving him so many passes. I should have fired him sooner."

"This is in no way your fault, Mackenna. It's completely on him."

"I know, but I could have done something about it sooner…"

"It's not your fault ."

I press my lips together. I'm grateful that Reid is being so supportive and protective, but I'm still struggling with the guilt I feel about the whole situation.

"Deep down, I've known I needed to do something about it. I just have a really hard time with cutting people out of my life."

"I understand," says Reid. "It's not an easy thing to do."

"No, but it's especially hard for me because…" I swallow, wishing I didn't have to tell him what I'm about to say. But it's important that he knows. "Reid, I was abandoned as a baby. I have no idea who my parents are. I was dropped off at a fire station, and grew up in the foster care system. It's why I don't have family around here, and why I don't have many people in my life. So having to push away someone who actually wants to be around me is…tough. Even if it's an unhealthy situation."

Reid is quiet for a few moments. Then, without saying a word, he wraps his arms around me and holds me tight. I close my eyes and sink against him.

It's the best hug anyone has ever given me.

"You deserved so much more than that," Reid says, still holding me. "I'm so sorry, Mackenna."

"Thank you." I peer up at him, and my heart flutters as I take in the sight of his strong jaw and ruggedly handsome face. "Who knew you were this sweet, Reid?"

He laughs under his breath. "I don't know about sweet. I'm just calling it how I see it."

"Well, either way, it's appreciated." I ease out of his hug and gather myself. "Okay. Enough serious stuff. I have a dinner to cook for you."

"You sure you're still up for it? I'll understand if it's too much right now."

"I'm definitely still up for it. Besides, there's no way I'm letting those groceries go to waste."

"Can I help, at least?" he asks.

"Nope. You're my guest." I gesture toward my refrigerator. "Help yourself to whatever you'd like to drink."

While Reid helps himself to a soda, I start prepping the ingredients that are sitting out on my counter, checking and double-checking the recipe on my phone to make sure I'm not messing anything up.

"What about giving you a hand around the sanctuary?" Reid asks.

I glance over and see him leaning comfortably against the counter. "What?"

"With Justin gone, I'm guessing you're going to need some help. As you know, I'm not much of an animal guy, but I could help out until you find someone new."

"You'd really do that?" I ask, breaking out into a smile. "Wait. No. Reid, you have your hands full with your house renovation. I can't ask that of you."

"I can spare an hour or two every day."

The idea of Reid being here every day makes my chest flood with warmth. But it still feels like too much to ask of him. "Let me think about it, okay?"

"All right. Think about it." He takes a relaxed swig of his soda. "Well? Did you give it some thought?"

I laugh and swat him with a kitchen towel. Or at least I try to swat him. He catches the towel before it can hit him and uses it to pull me to him.

"Watch it, troublemaker," he says, his eyes glowing.

"Or what?" I say defiantly, smiling.

"Or I'll make you pay."

"Oh? How so?"

He wets his lips. "Let's get into it later. I don't want to distract you."

"You've already distracted me." I run my hand up his broad chest. "Well? What's my punishment?"

"Oh, fuck that." He dips his head down to brush his lips over mine. "I just want to make you feel good."

Reid sets his drink aside, then takes me by the hips and hoists me up, wrapping my legs around his waist. I wrap my arms around his shoulders, my heart racing as he carries me out of the kitchen and into my bedroom, a small room that's mostly taken up by my bed.

And then I'm on my back, eclipsed by him, our kisses heated but unhurried. I can hardly stand it when he grinds his hard-on against me. I need him. Oh, God, I need him . It's all-consuming, this desire.

"Reid," I beg against his lips.

He rolls his hips against me again and curses under his breath. I thrust my hands between us, desperate to free his cock. When I succeed, I gasp at how big and hard he actually is.

"Mackenna," he groans.

"I'm all yours," I whisper.

Both breathing heavily, we tear off the rest of our clothes. Heat washes over me as our bare skin presses together, his firm muscles kissing my curves. I ache against him in anguish, like an animal in heat.

Reid fists his cock and drags the thick tip over my pussy, making me even more wild with desire than I already am. I'm about to go crazy when he positions himself just right and starts to push into me. Holy Mother of God. A mixture of pressure and pleasure and pain surges between my legs as he penetrates me.

The first few strokes are tinged with more pain. But then the pain fades away, giving way to a feeling that's indescribably wonderful. He's inside me. He's a part of me. He's filling me up, deeper and deeper with each stroke, and it's better than I ever hoped it could be.

I strain for a kiss and he gives me several, each more heated than the last. Stroke by stroke, he starts to fuck me faster and deeper, until he's driving balls-deep into me each time.

"Fuck," Reid grits out, pulling his mouth from mine. "You feel like heaven."

I'm dizzy with pleasure. But a little common sense whispers from the back of my mind. "I'm not on anything, Reid," I groan.

His jaw flexes. He drives hard into me again, cursing under his breath. "I know, sweetheart. I won't come inside you."

And yet now all I can do is imagine the opposite. I gasp, my fingers tightening around his flexed biceps. "I'm close. Don't stop. Don't stop ."

My breathing goes ragged as the pleasure builds. Reid's body moves over me, powerful and dominant.

"Mackenna," he rasps.

"Oh, God." I tilt my head back and let out an unfettered cry. My fingers dig into his arms as an orgasm sweeps over me, my pussy pulsing around his rigid cock.

Reid growls out a curse and abruptly pulls out of me. I look down, breathless as I watch him wrap a hand around his huge cock and jerk it with rough, hard strokes. Cum explodes out in a thick stream, splashing all over my belly, warm and wonderful.