I’ve tried to pinpoint who it can be, but after McKenzie left this last time and no one stopped her, everyone was fired. And Rex hired all new men. Rex still feels responsible for her leaving, even though he wasn’t on the premises when it happened. Getting to Kenz’s door, I push those thoughts aside. Looking around one more time before opening her door, I extend my hand to her and she takes it as she climbs out of the SUV.
My eyes roam over her full red lips and the red dress I told her she had to wear. Her nipples pebble against the cold and goosebumps break out along her arms, but she doesn’t say anything. Every nerve in my body wants to rub my thumb, then my tongue over her nipples, but I force myself to take a step back.
She looks up at me under her eyelashes. Her brown eyes tell me she knows what I’m thinking. She raises one eyebrow at me and smirks. As much as I have enjoyed the past few months with her, I missed this McKenzie. When I got her back, it was like she had reverted back to her shy high school persona. I know it’s because she couldn’t remember the relationship we had, but I missed the flirting. The texts that said she needed my dick now because of some smutty book she was reading.
I was hoping after the auction maybe that part of her would be awakened. I didn’t realize the auction would help her remember and push her further away. I close the door and wrap my arm around her shoulders. As we enter the bar, I give the bouncer a slight nod. The show hasn’t started yet, but there is music playing as people order their food and drinks.
I lean down, my lips brushing her earlobe. “There will be people here who know you. If someone speaks to you, just be friendly. You don’t have to have long conversations. If you get uncomfortable, tap your wrist. You remember that?” She swallows and inhales sharply. She taps her wrist, showing meshe remembers. I kiss her just below her ear. “Such a good girl,” I murmur.
This time when her nipples pebble and goosebumps breakout along her skin, I know it’s a reaction to me and not the cold. My cock twitches at the sight. I wonder briefly how much time she’ll need before she’ll let me touch her again.
I lead us to a booth that is secluded yet has a good view of the stage. McKenzie slides in first and I slide in next to her. The booth is round and has walls high enough that the people at the next booth can’t see us. I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve made her come in this booth and she doesn’t remember any of them.
“What’s wrong?” McKenzie asks as I settle next to her.
“I was thinking about how you can’t remember the times we’ve been here together.” I could easily tell her exactly what I was thinking, but I don’t think constantly making sexual innuendos to her will get her to trust me any faster.
She sighs and rubs her hand up my arm. “I didn’t think about how my amnesia affected you,” she admits.
“How it affects me isn’t the priority. You knew me as the guy you went to Brighton with and nothing more. My first priority was making sure you felt safe with me.” I run a hand through my hair, looking away from her and toward the stage. “I don’t think I did the best job with that.”
“That’s not true.” She begins to trace the tattoos on my forearms. “You let me be myself. Allowed me to bake and read. I felt more like myself than I ever did with my father or even at Brighton.” Her eyes flick to mine for a brief moment before she returns to tracing my tattoo. “I think part of feeling safe is being able to express yourself without fear of being judged. You never judged me even when we were at Brighton. You never made fun of me that I’d read during lacrosse games, or I spent more time in the library than I did going to parties. You accepted me forwho I was and never tried to change me. To me, that’s feeling safe.”
I open my mouth to respond, but I’m at a loss for words. Our server arrives, dropping off two glasses of water. “I assumed you two would want your usuals, so I went ahead and brought you drinks.” He set a glass in front of McKenzie. “Rum and Diet Coke.” Then a glass in front of me. “Bourbon.”
I nod at him in thanks. “Very good, Clay.” He sets two menus in front of us.
“I’ll come back in a moment to get your orders.”
McKenzie lifts the cup to her nose and sniffs. “Rum and Diet Coke?” she asks, taking a tentative sip and hums. “I didn’t realize I liked this.”
I chuckle and wrap my arm around her, pulling her in close to my side. “You discovered that at an auction. It soon became your favorite drink.”
She takes another sip and chuckles. I raise an eyebrow at her in question. “I was just wondering if rum does to me what tequila did to the woman in that country song.”
I try to think about what she’s referring to. “Which song?” I ask as I take a sip from my glass.
“The one that says tequila makes her clothes fall off.” I cough as I swallow the bourbon the wrong way. She laughs and I tickle her side, making her squirm.
I lift the cup back to her lips. “Drink up and let’s find out.”
Chapter 10
Phoenix
Iopen the door to the SUV and walk around to McKenzie’s side. When I open her door, she jumps into my arms, wrapping her arms around my neck. I put my arms under her legs and cradle her against my chest. She lays her head against my shoulder and runs her finger along my jaw.
“I had so much fun tonight,” she whispers.
I smile down at her as she gazes at me. She seemed more at ease tonight. Like me opening up to her about the night I bought her chiseled a little at the wall she has up. In the past, I didn’t play fair when she’d put that wall up. I knew one look, touch, or word from me and it would dissolve. This time I want to do it the right way. I want her to trust me and, oddly enough, I want to earn her trust. I lean forward and kiss her on the forehead.
“I had fun too, love.”
When we walk into the house Anna is laying on the couch snuggled under the blanket. She sits up when she sees us. McKenzie turns toward her and gives her a small wave. “Anna! I came to see you earlier, but you were taking a nap.” I slowly lower McKenzie to the ground and she walks over to Anna as Rex steps in behind me.
“Yeah, sorry. That’s why I was out here on the couch. I didn’t want to miss you again,” Anna replies. McKenzie sits next to her and they hug. “Don’t do that again, Kenz,” Anna whispers into her hair.
Kenz runs her hands down Anna’s hair. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I swear.” Kenz leans back and smiles at Anna. “How about you and I hang out in the library tomorrow?”
