“Sounds good. Now, for the last time, invite the woman to the Sunday gauntlet or you’re in real trouble.”
“I’m supposed to do a dinner—”
“If you two aren’t there, you’ll partner with Tex all week long. And it’s nothing but Jason Aldean and Keith Urban all day every day.”
Mack frowned. “You’re pretty familiar with country artists for a guy who hates country.”
Reggie darted away awfully fast after one last threat.
Mack followed him back and put his happy mood to extra good use. He had some animals to help and a woman to wait for.
One he’d been waiting for his whole life and had finally found.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Cass didn’t know why she felt so nervous the next afternoon. She loved Mack. He loved her—and didn’t it still give her a thrill knowing that. It wasn’t just her. The dork loved her back.
Jed had teased her all night long because she’d been giddy and not shy about sharing why.
Even the graffiti artist and illegal pugilists they’d picked up commented on it when she’d arrested them with politeness and a smile.
“Cop is smokin’.” The twenty-something graffiti artist had said. “Yo, hon, you are lookin’ fine. Like, glowing. I’m gonna do you up downtown. Check it out next week.”
Jed had sighed. “Jay, just don’t. Try to keep yourself on the straight and narrow, okay?”
“Yeah, but dude, she’s hot. Like, scary when she stares at you and sexy when she smiles.”
Cass would normally have set him straight. All she said last night was, “Aw, thanks, Jay. But you’re still going to jail for vandalism on private property. Get permission from the business owner next time.”
Now she knocked on Mack’s door, wondering where they would go, from like to love to…togetherness?
He opened the door, and she handed him a bouquet of flowers. “My apology,” she said and flushed. “I hope that’s not weird. I like flowers. I thought you might too.”
“I do.” He smiled, and she had to kiss him.
And then they were both naked in his bedroom, and he was making slow, sweet love to her and driving her mindless with need. His mouth trailed a blaze from her lips down her neck to her breasts. He lay over her, rubbing that huge cock between her legs, not penetrating but caressing her clit with every delicate thrust.
He sucked one nipple, then the other, playing with her with those huge, callused hands. “I love you, Cass.” He continued to kiss her, one hand cupping her cheek while he used the other to push himself down, positioned at the entrance to her sex.
He watched her as he pushed inside, and she started coming, sighing at the pleasure that radiated throughout her body and soul. “I love you, Mack,” she cried when he shoved hard and deep.
He continued to take her, loving her with his body, his words. Until they were coming together and she knew a perfect moment, a feeling of pure togetherness.
***
They spent the early afternoon making love and sharing hopes and dreams, both content to enjoy each other’s company, keeping the world at bay.
Mack told her about his parents, who had yet to contact him.
“I’m so sorry.” Cass kissed him, naked and just fine with her state of undress.
He stroked her body, enamored with her breasts, she noted with amusement. “I’m sorry too. I wish they could understand that I’m not upset about one night but about a decade of disappointment.”
She nodded and rubbed his solid chest, fascinated with his strength. “What we need is to sit them down in a room with Dr. Aaron Carmichael. He’d have them straightened out in no time.”
“Maybe before the wedding.”
She froze, and he laughed. So she tugged at his nipple.
