She sighed and threw down the sponge. "Derk."
"Don't fucking tell me to get lost, Mackenzie, 'cause it ain't happenin’. I won't allow you to walk to and from work," he warned.
For the very first time in her life, the knowledge that someone truly was concerned for her well being overwhelmed her. Growing up an orphan, in and out of the foster care system, she never had the benefits of overprotective parents or family. Then later in life, when she married, her husband didn't fit the bill that a compassionate, engaged spouse should take. He never called to check in on her when she worked late, or stayed up when she walked in the door after three in the morning. He'd never asked about her day. Hell, the one time her car broke down and she called him for help, he refused to leave the couch to watch the football game. Instead, he sent his creepy, overly touchy friend to get the car started.
She had to look away from Derk when tears threatened. Yes, he made it clear he wanted her only for sex, but he didn’t have to show an interest in her welfare, yet he did. A stranger, who didn’t know her, gave her more compassion than anyone else ever had. At least from her perspective. More than likely she was placing him on a pedestal he shouldn’t be on. Typical.
"I work tonight," she said, picking up the sponge and cleaning coffee cups.
"Time?"
"Six."
"I'll pick you up at five-thirty and again after your shift," he insisted, crossing his muscular arms over his broad chest.
She looked over to find him grinning down at her like he just won the biggest argument of his life.
"Fine," she relented.
"Good, got coffee?"
"You're staying?" she asked, her voice an octave higher.
"Nope, just waiting for a friend," he said.
Why did that disappoint her?
He leaned over and stage whispered into her ear, "Do you want me to stay?"
Brushing her long hair off her shoulder, he placed a delicious kiss behind her ear. His lips worked down her sensitive flesh. Her body took over, and her head tilted to the side, giving him better access. That scruff did her in.
"Even first thing after you wake you smell terrific." His voice vibrated down her neck. "Strawberries and vanilla, mmmm."
His tongue ran from her ear down to her slightly exposed collar bone.
"Do you want me as much as I want you, Mac?" he whispered into her ear. "Your nipples tell me, yes."
God, she wished she'd put on a bra when she climbed out of bed.
"I can't," she whispered, even though she exposed more of her neck. Those lips felt like silk against her hot skin. Combined with the five o'clock shadow, the sensation sent lush chills down her spine. What would it feel like to have those lips all over her naked body?
He chuckled. "You can."
She tried to argue. Truly she did. But that magical mouth of his expertly knew how to work her over. A slight nip of his teeth, then a hard suck of her skin had her eyes rolling into the back of her head. There was no possible way she could have stopped the groan that escaped.
He pulled away, his hooded eyes gazing down at her. He reached up and stroked her cheek. "So beautiful."
"Stop," she said harshly and shoved away from him. That wasn't funny. Men didn't see her as beautiful. Cute, yes. Not gorgeous, stunning, attractive.
His face hardened. "What the fuck?"
"Don't tease me," she yelled.
"What the‒" His cell phone interrupted. Digging into his jeans pocket, he whipped it out. "What?" he answered short. He listened to whoever was on the other line while he shot daggers her direction. He ground out, "I'll be there in ten." He disconnected the call and cursed. "I have to go. We're not through with this conversation right here, baby. You just pissed me off." He leaned in. "Wrong fucking thing to do. I don't know what your problem is with me calling you beautiful, but if it's what I think it is, we're going to set that straight right away."
With that, he stormed out of the apartment and slammed the door shut behind him, every loose object rattled in its wake. Mackenzie stood there flabbergasted. How was she supposed to respond to that verbal throw down?
8
Apparently, Mackenzie didn’t think she was beautiful. Talk about making a man’s blood boil. Derk knew immediately what her issue was when she pushed away from him. It was written all over that pretty little face. Did she realize she wore her thoughts all over her delicate features? Every reaction splashed quickly with a furrow of her brow, tightening of her lips, flash of her eyes, flush of her cheeks. He’d known her for all of two minutes and picked up on her easy tell. She’d never be good at a game of poker. Maybe he should sucker her into a game of strip poker.