“Mackie, there’s something I don’t understand.” She turned her face up to him, eyebrows raised in question.“You’re an incredibly sensual woman. I don’t see why… how you’ve waited this long.” Mackenzie looked at him in silence for a while, then sighed.“I’ve always had these romantic notions. I wanted it to be perfect. I wanted to wait for love. Especially after Helen’s ordeal… She’s my best friend and the one who drove me home earlier. Anyway, she got pregnant at sixteen, got married, and…the rest is history…” She shook her head.“Helen was a child raising a child. She’s never had a chance to really find out who she really is... The whole thing cemented my belief that I wanted to wait for my One… for true love.”“But after all this time, why now?” Her dainty shoulders shifted.“At twenty-five, I felt like some kind of freak. I never realized true love would be so hard to find.”“Hasn’t there been anyone else?”“Oh, there have been a number of m
Mackenzie glanced at the clock on her nightstand. It showed 4:00 a.m. and she was wide awake. Wyatt was near her, sound asleep, breathing deeply, his arm draped possessively across her waist. She never wanted this night to end. Her idea of Wyatt as her dream lover had been nothing compared to the real Wyatt who took her virginity. He’d made love to her with a depth of caring and intensity that sent her mind reeling. Her gaze traced the angles of his face and warmth filled her heart. She bit her lip.“Oh, God… Is this really happening? Is this true?” she murmured, covering her mouth. Wyatt had made her have feelings for him. How could she have gone from despising him to… to having these feelings in such a short time? No wonder Helen had been so apprehensive… Panic settled over Mackenzie.“What is going on with me? What the hell am I doing?” Was she falling for Wyatt, a self-proclaimed cynic and known womanizer, a man who’d tak
The line moved. She took her bag from him to hand it to the attendant, then stepped to the counter, setting her carry-on on the floor. Wyatt ground his teeth. Guilt tore at him. He had to talk her out of this ridiculous plan. A few moments later, Mackenzie turned to him, boarding pass in hand. He picked up her carry-on and followed her as she got in line to go through the security check. She faced him, and something like regret flashed in her eyes.“Look, Wyatt… I appreciate your concern, but I’m a big girl. I know how to take care of myself. I’ll be just fine.” Wyatt’s gaze fastened on her mouth. The memory of loving her washed over him, the warmth of her pressed against him, the stroke of her tongue fresh in his mind. He’d taken her virginity, and now she meant to bestow all her blessings on some stranger. Because Wyatt had liberated her. His guilt and some other unfamiliar emotion he didn’t want to explore right that instant, swelled in him.
Corey stood. The man ran a curious gaze over Mackenzie, then turned to pump her companion’s hand.“You going down for the St. Mark’s briefing?”“You think I’d miss the beach?” The man chuckled.“Great. We’ll hit a few. You bring your racket?”“And a fresh can of balls.”“Good. We’ll do it, then.” Again, the man’s gaze swept her.“So… Arlene and the kids are doing okay?”“Fine… Just fine. Kids are growing like weeds.”“Great… Great… They’ll keep you hopping. See you down there.” With that, the man moved up the aisle. Mackenzie st
Wyatt blinked at the sunlight reflecting off the blue-green water and white sand. Even through his dark glasses, the beach dazzled. He drew in a breath of salt air and searched the area for Mackenzie. The little minx had nearly lost him in the airport. He’d hung back, though, following her to the resort. The sun glinted off his watch as Wyatt checked the time. She’d been in her room for fifteen minutes. If his hunch proved right, she’d head straight for the beach. He passed a group of college kids playing volleyball and moved toward a vacant chair beside a far umbrella. He’d have a good view of the beach from here, but wouldn’t be too noticeable. Mackenzie emerged as Wyatt settled into the canvas seat. He sat forward, his throat tightening as she sashayed to a spot near the volleyball players. A bright blue bikini top cupped her lovely breasts, while a flowered sarong hugged her hips. Ignoring the umbrellas, she spread a multi-colored towel on t
Wyatt clung to the balcony railing and glanced down at his feet dangling four stories above the ground.“Christ, how did I get myself into this?” The whole situation was funny, really. Maybe later he’d be able to laugh about sprinting after Mackenzie and her young fling, then nearly breaking his leg trying to save her from making the biggest mistake of her life. But, for now, though, Wyatt wasn’t laughing. At least he’d escaped in time to overhear the kid’s floor number as he raced for the elevator. After jogging up the stairs, he’d burst onto the floor as the chummy pair disappeared into a room at the far end of the hall. Luck had it that a maid’s cart stood outside the room next door. In all haste, he’d snuck through the open door, past the maid bent over the tub, then out onto the balcony. In one swift and senseless move, Wyatt found himself clinging to the neighboring balcony. With an effort, he swung one leg up and over the railing, then hau
Mackenzie ran her finger along the salt-coated rim of her glass.“I think adventure might be exactly what I want.” Matthew let loose a small sound of excitement.“I have been searching for such an adventurous woman since I arrived here. I have been searching for someone who dares to leave the beaten path, who makes her own rules, regardless of what society dictates. I have been searching for a free, untamed spirit…” She laughed.“Believe me, I have definitely not traveled the beaten path.” He and Deborah shared a knowing look. Mackenzie straightened, feeling a little self-conscious. Had they guessed she referred to her long stint as a virgin? A waitress, a young woman with a deep tan and sun-bleached hair, approached their table. While she took Deborah’s drink order, Matthew leaned in closer to Mackenzie. He held her hand and rubbed his thumb along her palm.“And this urge to take the unbeaten path, does it apply to all areas
He’d come for her… Mackenzie couldn’t believe her eyes. She smiled and shifted closer to Wyatt as the crowded elevator carried them up and away from the poolside bar. She inhaled his arousing scent, trying to remember how to breathe. The elevator stopped, emptying most of its occupants onto one of the floors. A wonderful exhilaration filled her. Why hadn’t she seen it? Wyatt cared for her. He had to. Why else would he have followed her on this trip, arriving like a knight in shining armor to save her from that mortifying situation she’d just gotten into? This chivalry of his explained everything. Fool that she was, she’d let him think she wasn’t interested. Mackenzie hadn’t dreamed the wonder in his eyes as they’d made love. He’d felt it too. She wanted Wyatt. She wanted to explore every gorgeous, magnificent, divine inch of him, to touch, taste and feast on him. She wanted to know again the feel of him filling h