“No. But I could be.”
I give her a dark smile, leaning forward. “I don’t think you have it in you.”
“You’d be surprised by what I’m capable of.”
“I already know you’re capable of breaking the law and trespassing, as well as being incredibly sassy.”
She rolls her eyes and it infuriates me even more. “Grow up,” she mutters.
I step even closer, so our noses are mere centimeters apart. Her breath hitches, and I know she feels it too, this simmering attraction between us.
“I’m warning you, Mac. If I catch you on our land again…” I growl.
“Or what, Hank? You’ll shoot me? Try to scare me by being bigger than me?” she asks in a singsong voice, her eyes daring me to react.
“No. I’ll do much worse.” My gaze moves to her lips, and I can't stop myself from leaning in just a little bit closer. Her heartbeat picks up, a surge of satisfaction rushes through me.
Her breath catches in her throat as my lips hover close to hers. Her body betrays her, leaning in just a fraction of an inch.
“You don’t scare me,” she whispers.
Her response is all the invitation I need. I cup her face in my hands, and my lips crash onto hers, claiming her mouth with a fierce hunger that takes us both by surprise.
As my tongue sweeps into her mouth, her lips part with a loud moan, I taste the sweetness of her. She melts into my arms, her hands sliding up my chest to lock around my neck. My fingers roam down her curves, tugging at the hem of her tank top to reveal toned, tanned skin. Desire drips through me like a hungry, untamed beast.
My hand tangles in her hair, anchoring her to me as I deepen the kiss. Mac moans into my mouth, her body pressed against mine, and for a brief moment, I forget why we're even fighting. All I know is that I need more of her.
But then it happens, a spark of defiance flickers behind her eyes, and she pushes me away with all her might. I break the kiss, but I don’t budge, keeping her pinned against me, my heart pounding and my cock rock hard.
“You better not cause any trouble, you understand?” I whisper, her chin gripped in my palm.
Instead of backing down, she narrows her eyes at me. “Another ominous threat. Tell me what you plan to do? Kiss me again?” Mac challenges, her chest heaving.
“I don’t know, Mac. Maybe you’d like that.”
“Fuck you,” she sneers, straightening her clothes, attempting to regain her composure.
“That can be arranged.” I smirk, giving her a wink before releasing my grip on her.
Her cheeks flush a vibrant red.
“You think this is a game?” she snaps, her voice low and sharp. “This isn’t about you and your damn ego, Hank. This is about something bigger than both of us.”
I take a step back, giving her the space she needs, but my gaze never wavers. “I know that, Mac. But you need to understand something. You’re in our territory now, and you don’t get to call the shots.”
She squares her shoulders, meeting me head-on. “I’m not here to play games, Hank. I’m here to make a difference, and if that means standing up to you and your brothers, so be it.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, but instead of backing down, I feel a surge of respect for her. She’s not afraid to stand her ground, and that’s something I can’t help but admire.
“Alright,” I say, my tone softening slightly. “But you better be damn sure you know what you’re getting into.”
“I do,” she replies, her voice steady. “Do you?” Mac’s breathing is heavy, her eyes wide as she stares at me, as if she’s just as shocked by what she did as I am.
I open my mouth to say something—anything—but the words don’t come. I don’t know what to say. I don’t even know what I’m feeling. All I know is that the kiss has left me completely off-kilter.
“I—” I start, but she cuts me off, shaking her head as if trying to clear her own thoughts.
“Just go, Hank,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m not going to cause any problems unless I find out that you’ve been the ones creating them.”