She beamed in delight, then preceded him across the wooden walkway to the beach. Wyatt averted his eyes from the sight of her hips’ supple sway and started thinking about future businesses he needed to attend to once he'd got back home until the tightness in his groin eased. The sun beat down on them. Sand crunched underfoot. He whipped off the jacket, tugged his shirt over his head, then slid off his shoes, dropping the items in a pile on the beach. He glanced longingly at the water. “This day is so lovely…” Mackenzie kicked off her sandals, untied her sarong, then spread it on the sand. After digging in her bag, she extracted a small wallet. “Can you carry this for me? I don’t have any pockets.” Wyatt swept his gaze over her scant attire… A few scraps of fabric held together with string. No, she didn’t have any pockets. But she had a lot of things he wanted… His pulse raced but he held out his hand. “Sure.” She placed the wa

Wyatt winced as he pricked himself again with the razor. He blew out a breath, concentrating as he guided the blade around his jaw.“You’re just going to keep her company, dude, cheer her up, that’s all… This is not a date. And you’re definitely not having a fling.” He frowned at his reflection. The truth was, he didn’t trust himself alone with Mackenzie, not with the memory of her sweet body haunting him. Wyatt gritted his teeth and forced away the vision. Mackenzie wasn’t sure if she wanted him, and whether or not she’d admit it, she didn’t really want a fling. Mackenzie wanted what he couldn’t give her… a happy ending. Wyatt rinsed the razor, then set it aside, mopping his face with a towel. She’d been so down today. Somehow, meeting Bloom and her baby brother had extinguished the light in her eyes. He’d felt odd himself, standing beside Mackenzie and peering at that baby. He hadn’t really noticed babies before. The little rascal ha

Mackenzie rolled to her back and stared up at the ceiling. Damn that man! How could he have walked out on her like that? Her heart contracted. ‘I care about you, Mackie…’ Yeah, right… How could he care about her and leave? She didn’t need him to protect her... She needed him naked beside her… deep inside her. Mackenzie clutched her pillow and moaned. To think she’d let him touch her, kiss her… everywhere. Sure, he’d given her orgasm after orgasm. Having sex with Wyatt had surpassed her wildest fantasies. Yet, he’d left her wanting more… Sighing, Mackenzie smacked the pillow into the mattress. “I want a man to care about me, to put my needs above his, to want to make me happy,” she said slowly looking at the ceiling. Wasn’t that exactly what Wyatt had done? From the start, everything he’d done had contradicted the picture she’d held of him before they met. Wyatt, the ladies’ man, couldn’t have had a chivalrous bone

Mackenzie played with her wineglass and glanced around ‘The Stumble Inn’s. The bar was quiet this evening, with only a few scattered patrons lounging about its tables and high-backed booths. A clock glowed in the dim light. Where the hell was Helen? Mackenzie was near bursting with the need to talk to her. Who better than Helen to understand her remorse over giving in to her physical cravings for Wyatt, a man who was completely wrong for her? Helen would know what to say to ease the sick feeling that had settled in the pit of Mackenzie’s stomach. Talking to her would be such a relief. Maybe all Mackenzie needed was to spill the entire story about her horrid weekend… The debacle with Wyatt, and the subsequent visit she received from Estelle’s uncle, Kenneth Stevens. She took another sip of wine, then let out a heavy sigh. Kenneth had taken her to the most charming Italian restaurant that afternoon. Though her appetite had been lacking,

A trickle of unease passed through Wyatt. He shrugged as if to dislodge the feeling.“Good for him! Estelle must be so happy.”“Oh, she’s thrilled.” Benjamin paused, raising his eyebrows suggestively.“Seems it’s a great house… Mackenzie saw it. It has a huge yard, and a picket fence, and off the master bedroom is a nursery. He told Estelle he’s a man with a plan.” Wyatt jerked his head toward Benjamin.“Oh, I forgot to warn you.” Benjamin’s eyebrows arched in apology.“I’ve invited Kimberly… you know, before you said you weren’t interested.” Perplexed, Wyatt followed his gaze to where the blonde, drink in hand, threaded her way toward them. She still had all the right curves in all the right places, but somehow his hormones failed to appreciate that fact.“Hello, handsome.” She slipped her arm through his.“Kimberly.”“Baby, come on…” Estelle rushed over to grab Benjamin.“Crystal wants us to open the presents.”“Oka