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“You’re awfully quiet. What are you thinking about?” he asked.

  “Wondering about how you managed to get involved with what’s-her-name.

  “Patricia?”

  “Step away from the girl,” Mac said.

  “Look, man, you’re new around here. So, I’ll forgive the interruption…this time. Trust me, you don’t want anything to do with this one. She’s not worth the trouble.”

  The boy had a fragile-looking girl pinned against the wall of the dark hallway. School had ended hours ago. Mac had just finished swim practice and was returning to get something from his locker.

  “Patricia, you know the rules. If you don’t have the cash…” He reached down and began to pull up the hem of her skirt.

  “Please, I’ll get you the money.” She looked over the boy’s shoulder, her eyes connecting with Mac’s.

  Mac had no idea what possessed him. He had seen her in the halls a few times. They even shared a class or two. But they had never spoken. Not with words. Not even then. As he looked into her eyes he saw her fear. He knew what she wanted, what she needed from him. Quick as a flash he had the older boy on the ground. Mac had his hand placed firmly around the boy’s throat.

  “I don’t think the lady’s interested, mate.”

  “Sweet Maclain.” Patricia swayed, then dropped to her knees beside him. “You’re my savior.” She giggled, glassy-eyed.

  “What did you give her?” Mac asked, applying pressure to the boy’s throat.

  “Weed, but who knows what else she’s taken. Get off of me! You want to be her knight in shining armor? Pay her bill! She owes me a hundred.”

  “We should go,” Patricia bent over and whispered.

  Mac released the boy and climbed to his feet. “I’ll have the money for you tomorrow. Stay away from her.”

  He left the building and walked, swiftly around to the back alley. His hand was shaking as he pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his coat pocket and lit up. Mac tilted his head back against the brick wall and exhaled a thin stream of smoke.

  “There you are.” She was standing at the entrance of the narrow passage, backlit by the low afternoon sun.

  “You should go home.”

  She moved with the grace and deliberation of a panther, deeper into the alley, her eyes trained on his. “I don’t want to go home.” Mac watched, unmoving, as she approached, her predatory gaze unwavering. “I want you. You were wonderful back there. You deserve a reward.”

  “I don’t need a reward.”

  “I know just what you need.” She reached down and began to expertly unbuckle his belt.

  “What are you—” Her small hand surrounded his quickly growing erection.

  “Shh.” Patricia reached up and licked the outline of his lower lip. “Shy boy, let me be your first.”

  Patricia slowly slid down the length of his body, dropped to her knees in front of him and slipped the head of his penis between her ruby red lips.

  Jennifer turned around and poked Mac playfully in the chest. “Only you can make getting a blowjob in an alley sound like a religious experience.”

  “I was sixteen, painfully shy, and had never been with a woman. Trust me when I say it was a religious experience. I thought Patricia was my salvation and I faithfully worshipped at her altar for more than a decade.”

  “Worshipped at her altar? Real guys do not talk like that.”

  “I was in love with her. It was mind-blowing. I’d never been so connected to another human being. She…consumed me. Leaving her was the hardest thing I ever did.”

  Jennifer started to turn away from him, unable to bear hearing the regret in his voice. But, he would have none of it. He tilted her chin up and searched her eyes. “But it was also the smartest thing I ever did. You see, it started me on this new path.”

  “What path is that?”

  Mac leaned down and kissed her tenderly on the mouth.

  “The one that’s led me to you.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  “More wine?” Mac asked as he poured himself a refill.

  Jennifer held out her glass. “Why not?” She sighed, contentedly. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a gorgeous sunset.”

  “It’s probably just the spectacular company.” Mac gave her a peck on the cheek. “Getting hungry? Dinner will be ready soon.”

  “I’m not in a hurry. I’m really enjoying this.” She pulled the blanket they were wrapped in more tightly around her shoulders. “I wish there were more stars.”

  “They’re there. The city lights make them hard to see. Hey, how about I take you and Sara out camping in the desert sometime. We could bring a telescope. Out there we’d be able to see all sorts of stars.”

  “Camping. You mean, like in a tent?”

  “That would be the general idea.”

  “Outside?”

  “Obviously not a good idea. Hey! We could take the boat out to Catalina sometime. I bet we’d get a better look at the stars from there. This summer, maybe. There’s bound to be a flotilla we could hook up with,” he suggested. “Sara will be out of school.”

  “Oh my God! I never even thought about her not having school this summer. What am I going to do?”

  “I heard one of the club members here say the marina gives sailing lessons. If Sara’s interested, we could sign her up and she could learn how to sail.”

  “I don’t even know if she swims.”

  “They have swimming lessons too. We’ll figure it out.” Mac stood and gathered up his glass, the blanket and the wine bottle. “You stay put, I’m going to turn on the running lights now that it’s dark. I’ll come back for you.”

  “You don’t have to help me. I can make it back.”

  “The decks get slippery at night and you’re not used to it. Indulge me. Besides, I’m the captain of this ship, you surly wench. You’ll bend to my will.” Mac bent over her and lowered his voice. “Do as I say.”

  “Aye, aye.”

  He was gone for a few minutes before the outside lights turned on. It was a few more minutes before he returned. She saw him reach out for her in the dim light. Jennifer slipped her hand wordlessly into his and allowed him to lead her from the bow, where they had been sitting, back down the side of the boat to the stern. Then she followed him down the ladder. The only illumination inside came from the red glow of the power indicator on the Crock-Pot and the flickering flames from the vanilla-scented candles he had lit in the forward cabin.

  “The candles are lovely.”

  He paused to kiss her. It was soft, almost chaste. “Not nearly as lovely as you.”

  Mac turned the radio off. The soft sounds of the water as it rhythmically lapped against the hull of the boat drifted through the air. He led her back to the cabin.

  “Now what, Captain?”

  Mac gathered up the hem of her sweater and pulled it up over her head. “Don’t know.” He traced the top of her bra with his fingertips, drinking in the fullness of her breasts before slowly lowering the straps. “I’m improvising.”

  “Improvising?”

  He reached down, unsnapped, then unzipped her jeans. “Sit,” he commanded as he pulled them past her hips. “Lean back.”

  Jennifer climbed on top of the denim comforter and scooted back on her elbows. “Like this?”

  “Exactly.” Mac knelt on the floor and removed her shoes, socks and pants. When he was finished, he slid his hands up the length of her legs, massaging her calves, drawing circular patterns with the pads of his thumbs. “Have I told you how amazing you are?”

  “Not in the last few minutes.”

  “You are so beautiful.”

  Jennifer’s eyes spontaneously filled with tears. “I can’t believe you still think so, after all I’ve told you. I can’t believe you still want me.”

  “Believe it.” He hooked his thumbs in the sides of her panties. “Lift up.” He tugged her matching red panties down over her bottom. “Did you buy these when I asked you to?” Mac twirled them around on on
e finger.

  “Yes.” She was already breathless.

  “How come I haven’t seen them until now?”

  “Because I didn’t want you to know.”

  “That you bought them?” he asked, letting them fall to the floor.

  “For you,” she added. “I bought them for you.”

  “I want to make love to you,” Mac whispered. “No, that’s not right. I want to make love with you. Can you do that? Can you make love with me?”

  “Kind of thought we—”

  “Now, you know that’s not true. Just last night you called what we’ve done fucking.”

  Jennifer winced and began to sit up.

  “You were right.” He placed one knee on the edge of the bed and leaned over, coaxing her back into a relaxed position. “Having sex and making love aren’t the same thing. I want to make love with you. I want…”

  “What?”

  “I want you to feel it. I want to feel it with you.” Mac reached down and unclasped the front of her bra, baring her breasts. Then he leaned forward and flicked one hardened nipple with his tongue while palming the other, running his thumb over its peak. Jennifer arched up, into his touch, and he latched on.

  She gasped. “We don’t have to use condoms anymore. The pill should be working.” She laced her fingers through his hair. “I want…I want to feel you, too. I want to feel you come inside of me.”

  “And you will.” Mac slid to the floor in front of her and began to coax her knees apart. “I’m going to make this so good for you. I want to taste you, Jennifer. Will you let me? I promise I won’t hurt you.”

  “I…I don’t know, Mac.”

  He moved back onto the bed and stretched out alongside her. “I’ll never force you to do something you don’t want to do.”

  “Do you want to?”

  “Yes, very much,” Mac said unabashedly, gazing intently into her eyes. He moved his hand down to touch her, separating her folds, stroking her, coating his fingers in her wet juices. “So wet for me.” He bent forward, stealing a kiss, the slide of his tongue matching the stroke of his hand. He dipped two fingers inside her sopping channel.

  “I love your lips,” she whispered as he pulled back from the kiss.

  Mac removed his fingers and, smiling down at her, slowly brought them up to his mouth. He drew first one glistening finger in, and then the other, snaking his tongue around them, savoring the taste of them, of her. “You’re so good, baby.” He lowered his hand between their bodies, once again searching out her heat. As he slipped his fingers back inside of her, he leaned in, covering her mouth, giving her a languid kiss.

  “See how good you taste? Can you taste yourself on my tongue?”

  “Yes.” Her voice was tremulous with need.

  Mac added a third finger. “Tell me what you want.” His thumb circled her clit, his lips brushed up against the shell of her ear. “I want to bring you pleasure.”

  “You do, I mean, you are.”

  Mac began to move down her body, leaving a trail of hot openmouthed kisses. “Honey, I’ve barely started.” He lapped up the length of her slit with a wide, firm tongue.

  Jennifer gasped, her hips jerking upward slightly.

  Mac placed his hands confidently on the insides of her thighs. “Open up for me; that’s a girl.” He blew a cool stream of air onto her engorged clit, taking it into his hot mouth, sucking on it, pulling, tugging and rolling it between his lips. Then he slipped two of his fingers back in, expertly searching for that one spot.

  Jennifer moaned as she fisted the comforter beneath her in her hands. She pushed up, pressing her mound into his mouth; her back bowed, her neck arched up.

  “Oh! Oh, God! I…I’m—”

  As her juices flooded out, onto his tongue, he eagerly drank them up. He felt it, as her body convulsed in orgasm around him. He removed his mouth, slowed down his thrusts and concentrated on watching her. Her hair was splayed out across the bed; her neck and cheeks were flush with passion, her rosy nipples hardened from arousal, her sex still wet and dripping. She was exquisite and she was his, each and every inch of her. He listened to her breathing and grinned.

  “That was…”

  “Not over.” Mac quickly shed his clothes.

  Jennifer, still spent, struggled to lift up onto her elbows. “I don’t think I can move.”

  “I’ll help you.” Mac curled an arm under her waist and pulled her closer still to the edge of the bed. “Hold on.” He wrapped her legs around his waist. As the head of his penis slipped inside of her they both gasped.

  “Christ, you feel like heaven.”

  “Mac—” Jennifer reached up and caressed his face.

  “Don’t move. Give me a minute?” Mac closed his eyes.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No.” He reached for her hand and placed a gentle kiss on the inside of her wrist. “Everything is right. I just needed a second. The feel of you surrounding me, it’s so intense, so amazing.” He began to move with slow, shallow thrusts.

  “You’re teasing me.”

  Mac smirked. “Is my girl ready to start telling me what she wants and how she wants it?”

  “Want more of you.”

  “What part of me?”

  “Please, Mac.”

  “More of this?” He thrust into her again, but this time up to the hilt.

  “Yes!” she yelled, pulling him in with her legs and holding him close to her.

  Mac reached between them for her clit, rubbing it as he thrust in and out, each time pushing himself into her a little harder, a little faster. Just as she was about to reach orgasm he broke pace, slowed down and pulled out.

  Jennifer was writhing on the bed. “Don’t stop!” she cried out. Her legs, which were wrapped securely around his waist, were trembling. He reached around, encouraging her to unwrap them.

  “Scoot back.” He pulled back the covers of the bed so she could crawl between the sheets.

  As soon as he joined her in the bed Jennifer wrapped her hand around his erection and guided him back to her entrance. “I believe this is where you belong, Captain.”

  Mac hovered above her, resting on his forearms. He bent down, kissed her neck and pushed, once again, inside of her. In and out, he slid.

  “Christ, you’re so beautiful. So wet…wet for me. And tight. God, how I want you.”

  “You have me. You have me, baby. I’m right here.” Jennifer came again, another orgasm washing over her.

  “Look at me, sweetheart,” Mac demanded.

  Her eyes immediately found his.

  “I love you.” He placed his fingers over her mouth. “No, don’t say it back. I know it’s not fair to say it like this. But I can’t help it and I…I can’t hold on any longer.” He thrust into her again.

  Jennifer removed his fingers from her lips. “Come for me, Mac. I want to feel you come. I want—”

  Mac let go. With a roar he drove inside of her one last time, shooting his come deep within her welcoming body.

  Her arms wrapped around his back. He was slick with sweat. Her fingers stroked him, soothing him gently. He had collapsed on top of her, his arms failing to hold him up any longer. Mac nuzzled her neck as he tried to get his breathing under control.

  “Lack of breathing becoming an issue,” Jennifer groaned.

  “Sorry!” He rolled off, pulling her with him and draping her across his chest. “Lord, woman, you’re brilliant. An inspiration is what you are.”

  “I’m also messy. I’ll be right back.” She started to sit up.

  Mac pulled her back into his embrace. “Don’t go.”

  “If I don’t get up, there’s going to be a wet spot.”

  “Sod it! I’ll sleep in the wet spot. I want to hold you.”

  “You’ll sleep in the wet spot?”

  “Sure. We’ll sleep for a bit, then we can get up and eat, replenish our strength for later.”

  “You’re insatiable!”

  Mac spooned up against her
, curving himself around her body. He draped his arm over her waist and cupped her breast in the palm of his hand, its full weight resting comfortably there. He gave it a slight, possessive squeeze. “Stop whining, you thankless wench!” he growled.

  Jennifer giggled.

  “You’re lucky to have found me and you know it,” he whispered in her ear.

  “Yes, I do,” Jennifer admitted. “I love you, Mac. I’m certain of it.”

  “Love you too, baby,” he murmured before surrendering to sleep, the warm air from his breath heating the back of her neck. “Love you too.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  January 26, 2004

  “Thanks for including me, Rachel.” Mac lit the grill.

  “Jennifer sort of insisted. Not that I didn’t think it was a good idea, you coming with Jennifer. I mean, you and Jennifer coming together. I mean, having the two of you over for dinner. You know what I mean.”

  Mac smiled. “I know what you mean.”

  She nodded. “I want you to know I think it’s good, great even, if it makes Jennifer happy.”

  “Me coming with Jennifer? Are we still talking about the dinner invitation?”

  “Of course!” Rachel began to toss hamburgers onto the grill. “What would we be talking about?”

  “Sex? Relationships?” Mac tilted his head to the side and studied the nervous redhead. “I think you brought me out here to have the talk.”

  “What talk?” Rachel closed the lid to the grill and turned to face him.

  “The one where you tell me if I hurt your friend you’re going to bust my balls?”

  “I was thinking more along the lines of skinning you alive, or beating you over the head with a shovel.” Rachel smiled sweetly as she patted Mac on the shoulder.

  “Right.”

  “I don’t want to see my friend hurt,” she said, somberly.

  Mac chuckled. “Are you asking me what my intentions are?”

  Rachel looked at him steadily, her stern gaze cutting off his laughter.

  He shook his head and looked down at his feet.

  “Jennifer and I, we look out for one another,” she said. “She’s more than my friend. She’s like a sister to me. You might mean well, you might even have good intentions, but in the end, it’s not intentions that count, Mac.”