She rolled her eyes which caused Smith to chuckle. A rarity for the man.
"You look tired."
"It's been a shitty day," he admitted.
Nodding, as if she sensed that, she relented. "Okay."
"I'll pick you up," he said. "Three?"
"No, midnight. I get off early." She gave him the most awesome wicked smile.
He leaned over into her personal space. "You don't have to work here, you know."
Furrowing her brows. "What do you mean?"
"Just saying." He shrugged.
Shit, what the hell was that? Sometimes that brain filter thing shut off on him. Now wasn't the time to spew stupid crap like she could live with him and he'd take care of her.
Beside him, Smith quietly chuckled, again. He'd kick the bastard if he didn't think Smith would retaliate with a bullet to his knee cap.
Derk picked up his beer and downed it, tossed some cash on the bar, then stood to leave. Leaning over, he grabbed Mac at the nape of her neck and pulled her in for a blazing goodbye kiss.
When he had enough of her taste to tie him over until later, he stalked out of the place before he opened his mouth and said more crazy, stupid shit.
14
All night Mackenzie worried about Derk. His aura screamed he was stressed. It had been written all over his worn features. Unshaven and deep-set lines around his eyes aged him. How was it a guy could look tired and it made him look more handsome? On a woman, she would look haggard, as if she aged ten years.
As she moved about the bar cleaning at the end of her shift, it occurred to her she really had no idea what Derk did for a living, even though she’d quizzed him. Whatever it was, he seemed to have free range of his time, and she assumed was the cause of his strain. Though she was positive he was the type to never admit his work issues.
After counting her drawer, Mackenzie shoved her two hundred dollars into her purse and stepped out the bar doors. Leaning against his truck, his long, dark denim-clad muscular legs crossed at the ankles, looking both dangerous and relaxed, Derk zeroed in on her immediately. His eyes never wavered from her as she crossed the parking lot and approached.
“Good night?” he asked.
Her heart fluttered. Her jackass husband never asked how her workday was. “Yes.”
Grinning, he pushed off the truck, wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and led her to the passenger side. Opening the door, he lifted her inside. Unable to help herself, a schoolgirl giggle escaped her lips. Apparently, Derk liked carrying her. His deep rumbled chuckle caused her to laugh aloud. When she situated herself in the seat, he closed the door, then sauntered around the oversized vehicle and slid inside. He leaned over and planted a firm, wet kiss on her lips.
“Thanks for seeing me,” he said when he pulled away.
“Derk.”
He turned to her as he started the engine. “What, babe?”
She smiled at the endearment. “You can see me any time.”
His eyes twinkled deviously. “Oh, now you’ve gone and done it, sweetpea. Giving me permission to let loose.” He leaned closer to her and whispered, “I’m taking you up on that offer.”
His hot breath caressed the side of he neck, causing her hair to stand up and send a shutter down her spine. Instantaneous wetness seeped from between her legs, and she felt her nipples grow hard. How long had it been since she’d had sex? Over a year?
Closing her eyes, she relished the warm sensation. She jumped when his tongue swept the length of her neck and he sucked the skin behind her ear. Eyelids fluttering, her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she squirmed in her seat. The click of her seatbelt being unbuckled loudly resounded throughout the cabin.
She opened her eyes in time to watch Derk reach for her thighs and yank until she fell flat on her back. Tossing his big body between her legs, he ground his solid erection against her, creating a friction that had her on the verge of a long overdue release.
"Fuck, M. I want you so bad," he growled.
Eyes locked into each other, she couldn't break away if she tried, entirely absorbed by him. Her body moved with his, her desire ramped. She didn't care if they were in a damn truck. Her physical needs trumped any rational decisions. Derk wasn’t the type of man she could count on for long term, she understood that. But he could do well to satisfy her short term needs. As long as she kept that in the forefront of her mind, she wouldn’t get hurt.
Derk's hands were rough, all over her as he crashed his mouth into hers. Sliding her tee shirt up to expose her bra, he disconnected their kiss and attacked the nipple he popped free of its confines. Sucking her beaded nipple between his teeth, he laved and worshiped her breast. Her hands went to his unruly hair and tugged.