Page 154 of The Chance

After a quick check in via the walkie strapped to my ear, I toss a hand to the back of Mac’s head rest and start backing up.

Mac’s hiss from the passenger seat has me easing on the brake pedal.

“What?” His eyes are comically wide and staring right at the arm I have stretched between us. “I swear if you say some shit about my ink, I’m blaming you.”

Mac blinks like he’s coming back to the car and swallows. “What?No. Why would I say that about something I helped pick out?”

I chew on the inside of my cheek, an attempt at dampening the heat taking over the cabin of the car.

“Then why—” My voice cracks and I clear my throat. “Why are youstillstaring at it?”

Mac’s plush lips purse, drawing my attention, and he sighs. “Because,” he almost whines. “It’s fuckinghot.”

“Me driving is hot?”

“No, no, no.” He shakes his head and licks his lips as I maneuver us out onto the street. “You. Driving this beast of a classic. Withthatink.” His eyes roll back, and he grunts. “Looking like my fuckingwet dreams, Tyro baby.”

The flush creeping up my face has nothing to do with embarrassment and everything to do with the flames flinging between us.

“Go ahead. Pump up my head a little more, why don’t you.”

He slides across the bucket seat and dips a hand between my legs, cupping my cock. “Okay.”

“Ah, shit,” I groan and widen my knees only for him to retreat, tucking his hands in his lap.

“You ever gonna tell me what the soundwave in there is?”

Clearing my throat, I bite my lip.

“You ever going to tell me why you call metyro?”

He snickers. “Hell no. You made me look upVida. Google that shit.”

I did.

Seven years ago.

It means beginner.

And while I wasn’t fond of the reminder when I first joined Sentry, and Mac, now I’m pretty stuck on the endearment’s accuracy.

Mac was the start of so many things for me. The entry to this life, his love, where I end up with him by my side. The introduction to my sexuality, my career, my business.

The life I always wanted but was too afraid to reach for.

It’s almost as if he knew back then.

He might be my life, but I’m his beginning.

Pulling up to the back alley of Aria’s boutique, I drive a little further down the lane until we’re just behind the third storefront and park.

“Thisis what you wanted to show me?”

My nod is slight, my smile knowing.

“Exactly. C’mon.”

Scanning the alleyway, I round the car and pull open his door, grabbing his hand again as it slams closed.

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