Page 31 of Tempting

Something about that voice gives me a boost of confidence I didn’t know I had.

“Did you want me to get naked on the couch with Callen, Nix?” I bite back with a little extra sass in my voice as I lock the front door behind Callen.

“Sounds like we need to set some ground rules here, Kenzie.”

I don’t like when this man calls me Kenzie.

Everyone in my life calls me Kenzie.

Everyone except Nixon. To him I’ve always been Mac. Maybe Mackenzie. But when he calls me Kenzie, I know he’s not happy with me.

I turn off the lights in my living room and walk into my bedroom. “What kind of rules, Nixon? Because I’m pretty sure not getting naked with Callen is just a given. Not sure it needs to be a rule.”

“Has Callen seen you naked? Because if you tell me he was the douchebag you slept with in college, I might just kill him, and that could make Thanksgiving a little awkward.” His lips tip up at the corners, but somewhere, hidden deep down, I think he might actually think that.

“No, Nix. Callen has never seen me naked,” I reassure him as I get comfy on my favorite old Queen Anne chair and kick my feet up on the matching ottoman. It’s one of the few things I have that was my mom’s. Pale blue upholstery with beautiful white cherry blossoms and butterflies embroidered into the fabric. It’s always been my favorite spot to do my homework, study for tests, and go over my charts for the next day. Sitting here is like getting a hug, and since it is my homework chair, I decide I’m feeling cheeky and going to use it for whatever tonight’s homework is going to be.

“Rule number one—” Nixon’s beautiful blue eyes deepen. “No one else sees you naked while we’re doing this.”

My back immediately goes up. “Amendment request.”

“I thought you were a doctor, not a lawyer, Mac.”

Okay. Well at least we’re back to Mac.

“I was raised by a lawyer,” I warn him. “If no one is seeing me naked, no one is seeing you naked either.” I may not know much about what we’re going to be doing, but I know my hard lines. And that’s a biggie for me.

“The only people seeing me naked are the guys on the team. I can’t do much about that.”

“So can the guys on the team see me naked too?” I tease, not at all worried about anyone at all seeing me naked, except hopefully Nixon.

But that’s yet to be seen.

“Fuck no, they can’t, Mackenzie.” There goes that possessive tone again, but this time I think I’m starting to understand it. And I’m definitely starting to like it.

“Okay, so no one sees either of us naked in a non-locker room situation. Got it.” I snuggle deeper into my chair and wonder if I should have gone somewhere... sexier. The tub maybe? Should I light a candle? “Okay. I need some direction here, professor,” I tease. More accurately, I guess I’m attempting to flirt. “Generally, when I get homework, I know what it is so I can study. I’m a notes kind of girl. Care to tell me what you want me to do?”

Why in the world am I this nervous?

Oh right. Because the hottest man I’ve ever known is on the other end of this FaceTime.

“I want you to talk to me, Mac.” There is something about the way he says it. I can’t place my finger on it, but it’s sexy.

“What do you want to hear?” A hesitant waver is easy to hear in my voice, and the playful look on his face turns predatory.

“Tell me—did you like it when I touched your pussy?”

Damn. He went there.

I lick my lips and nod, but Nix isn’t happy with that.

“Words, Mac. Tell me. How did it make you feel?”

I’m suddenly grateful for the dark room that gives me some semblance of cover.

“I felt... sexy.” I remember the way my cool skin heated, just like it’s doing now. “Hot. But with chills.”

“Did you want more, beautiful?”

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