“That’s good,” Brock said.
April nodded, worried about Mac. What they had may not last, but it could end up being really good. The more time she spent with this man, the more she liked him.
Steph came out from the back room and placed a bag on the counter. She pointed at Mac. “I’m sending you home with some soup and other treats.”
“You don’t have to,” Mac said.
“Yes, I do. I insist. Besides, your mother would want me to help out. They’re worried about you.”
April spied the tightness in Mac’s features. Being attacked had changed him. Of course, it had, but she hated seeing how the attack and everything he’d learned had affected him. She knew from experience that having someone stalk her had made her life more difficult. Mac finding out that his aunt wanted him dead because of what his bio-dad had done must have been a mind trip.
“You about ready?” Mac asked April.
“Sure. Let me clock out.” She took care of a few last-minute things before heading to the front. Brock was still there, along with Drew. She didn’t know Drew well, but he had been nice to her the few times she’d seen him. He’d come around when Brock had installed the cameras.
“April, it’s good to see you.” Drew tipped his head forward.
“Good to see you, too.”
Mac held out his hand for Brock to fist-bump him. “I’m heading out with April. Thank you for everything today.”
“Sure. And if you two need anything, don’t hesitate to stop by,” Brock said.
“You’re too kind,” April said before they turned to leave.
She had thought Fallport would be a great place to disappear for the summer, but she’d found a community that accepted her. She liked living in this small town with these great people.
“So, this evening…” Mac said when they got into the car.
“What about it?”
“I’m feeling better. What about you?”
She turned and met his heated gaze. Her throat went dry as anticipation wove through her. “I think I could get into that.”
“Good, because I want to show you how much I desire you.”
The night had just taken a turn for the better. She enjoyed spending time with Mac, but now that she knew he was feeling good enough to want some intimate time, excitement filled her. The evening was about to get so much better.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
While April had been out, Mac made sure the house was clean, then found some candles. It was all set up for them to have a romantic dinner, well, as romantic as heated pizza could be. Neither one of them was consuming alcohol since they’d both had head injuries. He just hoped she liked what he’d done.
April stepped into the house first, then paused when she saw the dining table. She spun, her smile a bit wobbly. He could tell she wanted to throw herself into his arms but hesitated since he still held the bag of food Steph had sent him home with.
“Mac, you didn’t have to. This is great.”
“I just wanted to show you how much I appreciate you. You stayed with me though you know how screwed up my background is.”
She rolled her eyes. “Just because your bio-dad did something awful doesn’t mean you’re awful or that you’ll do anything awful.”
He nodded, trying to get the words his father—the man who raised him—said out of his mind. Before finding out about the tragedy his bio-family went through, he’d thought he was basically good. But then everything came out, and he wondered if he was a little evil. Maybe he would break down and do something awful. He hated the idea that he was flawed because of some biological connection he knew nothing about.
“Hey.” April cupped his cheeks and held his gaze. “You aren’t that man.”
“My dad pushed me to go into the military so I’d have discipline. Did he see something in me that was evil?”
April shook her head furiously, and her eyes were bright, shining with intention. “No. He was wrong. He feared something that wouldn’t have ever happened. You are a good person. Plenty of people go into the military and do bad things. You aren’t one of them because you aren’t a person who will do bad things. We all make mistakes, but you aren’t evil.”
Tears burned the back of his eyes. “You’re so sure.”
“Look at me,” April commanded.
He met her gaze, shocked by the fierceness. His heart seemed to stop but was revived by the tenderness of her touch.
“You, Mackenzie Dunham, are a good person. I believe in you.”
Mac couldn’t hold back and pressed his lips against hers. She opened for him, pulling him closer so their bodies pressed against each other. He needed to feel more. He pulled at the hem of his shirt, breaking their kiss just long enough to get the material over his head. Then they were back, kissing like their lives depended on it.
April had her pants down around her ankles but had to pull away to get her shoes off to kick her pants to the side. He took the opportunity to pull off his pants and get rid of his shoes.
They were both naked, staring at each other like only they held the key to survival. Mac desperately needed April in his life, and he could tell by the look in her eyes that she needed him.
He reached out and pulled her close, kissing her slowly, like she was precious. The slow, sensual kiss was soon overtaken by heat and need.
Their hands explored as their lips made love to each other’s mouths. He couldn’t get enough of her and picked her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist and held on.
His cock brushed against her center, and heat washed over him. He gasped as she wiggled a little lower. Now the tip of his cock was trapped at her opening, heat radiating from her. He needed to feel his body enveloped by her fire, and he slowly pushed her lower as he angled his hips.
The wet heat of her pussy drove him wild, and he almost toppled over. He made it to the couch and lowered her carefully, then repositioned so he could thrust into her.
April made small gasps and moans as he filled her, pumping so slowly it was nearly painful. His legs shook, and his balls pulled up tight. The pressure needed to go somewhere. The pace he’d set was a slow torture, but with each thrust in, he brushed against her clit, and she gasped. It wouldn’t be long before she came. He just had to hold out for a few more seconds.
He dropped his head so he could suck her nipple into his mouth. April cried out and clung to him, and then he felt her muscles clench. He wanted to see her orgasm on her face so he put her nipple between his teeth and applied pressure. That was all she needed.
He lifted up, watching her eyes slam closed as her mouth hung open. She looked like a goddess at that moment, with pleasure rippling through her.
His orgasm wouldn’t be stopped, and he came hard as he thrust deep into her pussy. She clung to him, her arms like a vice grip.
They were both breathing hard as he settled on top of her, not ready to leave the heat of her body yet. After a moment, he lifted a bit, but she pulled him back down.
“I’m not smushing you, am I?”
“Your weight on top of me feels good. I like it.”
Laughter felt good with April. She accepted him. There wasn’t any hesitation on her part to meet him with open arms. That woman showing up had rocked him, not in a good way. He hated that he’d lost faith in himself, but had he really ever believed in himself? Deep down, he’d carried his father’s view of his character. He may have patched that view with band-aids. He’d been proud of what he’d accomplished in the Army, but he’d always wondered when his fatal flaw would show. Now he knew what that flaw could have been. April had faith he didn’t have that flaw. He desperately wanted to believe her.