Page 38 of Sworn to Protect

And despite our short time together, this kiss feels like years in the making. As if we’ve been waiting for each other.

Her lips on mine.

Our tongues tango to a beat well overdue.

It feels like the most natural thing in the world.

Like we belong together.

My hands grip around her small frame, fighting every urge to cup her breasts and demand more. But sweet Jesus, I want more.

I want her legs wrapped around my waist as I drive into her and bring her over the edge.

Small groans vibrate through my body, and I can’t tell if they’re coming from her or me. My erection strains against my shorts, where it’ll have to remain. Stealing her kiss is enough greed for tonight.

I pull back and take in her rapid pants and sexy, swollen lips. If that wasn’t enough to bring me to my knees, the yearning in her eyes that screams don’t stop sure does.

“Fuck, Mackenzie. I knew you’d be incredible to taste, but that didn’t even begin to satisfy my hunger for you.”

Want and desire dance in those beautiful eyes as conflict frames her stare. I stand abruptly, needing to put distance between us before I ruin everything.

“Thanks for tonight.” I lean down and give a chaste kiss on her forehead before walking away. Each step feels like a mistake, but I keep moving. Because if I stay, I know I’ll do something we can’t take back.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

MACKENZIE

“There you are,dear. Miles said he ran into you at Brewed.”

Crap, I almost made it. Cringing from the nasally voice ringing behind me, I place the groceries in my back seat and muster the fakest smile before turning to face the last person I want to see. Considering I was never good enough for her son back then, I’m sure her opinion of me hasn’t changed in these past eleven years. “Mrs. Morgan, it’s so good to see you. How have you been?”

She gives me a once-over, her gaze sharp and disapproving. I stand taller, refusing to let her intimidate me, even though part of me still craves her approval. A remnant of guilt for how things ended with Mark. When she and Miles came to Ethan’s funeral, they didn’t say much outside polite condolences. It didn’t matter at the time. I was too dazed to notice. Ethan and I may have been having marital problems, but his death still came as a shock. It hurts knowing my kids will never have that father figure in their life. Ethan may not have been around much, but he was still their dad. Now, they have no one.

“As you can imagine, we had to deal with the shock of losing Ethan. But life’s been treating us well. Mark and the other boys have etched a good life for themselves.” She pats my hand as if I’m a child. “Sorry we didn’t get to talk much during the funeral. We hadto get back. You know Miles never likes to be away from those vines.”

“I remember. Thanks for showing up.”

Talking to her makes me edgy, my skin prickling with unease. I glance around the parking lot, searching for an escape but finding none. Her gaze drops to my empty ring finger, and her lips press into a thin line of disapproval.

“Yes, well, I feel so sorry for your boys. They really need their father.”

Her words hit like a slap, even though they echoed my thoughts at the time. My first instinct is to tell her my sons will be fine. Plenty of single mothers raise great kids. But arguing against this woman is futile. I hold my tongue.

“Mark’s a good father. He’s always doing everything with his son,” she says, adding salt to the wound.

“I’m not surprised. He has a good role model.”Too bad he’ll never know what a good mother is like.

“Yes, he does. Mark tells me your oldest is in the same soccer league as our little Toby.”

“It appears so.”

“And the new guy”—she taps her chin as if in thought—“Nate, I believe, brings him. Do you think that’s wise, dear? It’s so?—”

“He’s been a tremendous help. Especially since Mom’s taking care of Stan.” I feel the blood drain from my face. I should’ve known she’d go there. There’s no way I’m answering her question. It’s nothing but a trap. One I don’t want to get tangled in.

“Yes.” She drags out the word, making me cringe. Why do I always feel she’s talking down to me? “Such an unfortunate accident. Give them my best, would you?”

Taking this as my out, I flash another fake smile. “I certainly will, Mrs. Morgan. I’m heading there right now. You have a good day.”

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