Page 83 of Calling the Shots

Mack stands and I follow suit, happy for an escape.

“Actually, Ulysses. Now that Tinsley’s here, I’m rethinking the room situation. I believe Gracelyn will be more comfortable in the guest house. Have Bobby move her luggage, then Tinsley can take the white room.”

Mack stiffens beside me. “Gracelyn will be fine in the main house.”

His mom waves her hand through the air, dismissing Mack’s protest. “Nonsense. The guest house is spacious and offers the best views of the grounds. She should stay there.”

She shoots me a tight smile and I force a quick smile back, trying my hardest to be friendly and cooperative. Inside, I’m panicking.

Mack’s shoulders sag a fraction, a tiny sigh escaping his lips.

“Mother, as lovely as the views are from the guesthouse, I’m sure Gracelyn prefers to stay in the main house. With me.”

“Ulysses, the matter’s settled.” Mack’s mother clasps her hands together, her bony knuckles turning white. Mack sighs and gives up the fight, his lips pressed in a thin, tight line.

Together, we leave the afternoon tea party behind. His hand at my low back is the only thing keeping me moving forward right now. Chest tight, I feel like I might cry. Nothing’s going as planned and we’ve barely been here an hour.

I gnaw my bottom lip as we move wordlessly back through the long hallway, passing room after empty room. Finally, we’re back in the foyer. I desperately wish I could climb into Mack’s truck and head straight home, but that’s not really an option.

“Sir.” Bobby appears from I don’t know where, tipping his head at Mack.

“My mother requested Gracelyn’s luggage be moved to the guesthouse and Tinsley’s stuff moved to the white room.” Mack scrubs a hand over the back of his neck, avoiding my gaze. “Please transfer my suitcase along with Gracelyn’s. I’ll be staying in the guesthouse as well.”

“As you wish, sir.” Bobby hurries up the stairs to fetch my suitcase and a cool wave of relief rushes over me.

“You’re staying in the guesthouse with me? Without the consent of your mother?”

“I’m forty years old, Gracelyn. I don’t need my mother’s permission to do anything anymore. And I don’t want you to be out there all alone.”

Wow.I can’t believe Mack would stand up for me like this.

“Won’t she be angry?” I bite my lower lip, gnawing at the flesh.

Mack steps closer to me, taking both my hands in his giant ones.

“With all due respect, Gracelyn, I don’t really give a fuck. I’m here out of duty. And I brought you as my guest. I want to be with you. If she doesn’t like that, too damn bad.”

I’ve never seen Mack so serious, so resolute, before. But I like it.

Bobby’s back downstairs, both suitcases in hand. We follow him down the hallway, this time on the left side of the house. More impeccably decorated rooms, none of them currently in use. Finally, we come to a glass door at the end of the hallway. Bobby holds the door for us and we exit the main house, making a left down a pebble walkway. We walk down the path, through the gardens with a stone fountain spouting water in the center.

Sure enough, past the gardens is a beautiful pool and a guesthouse, a miniature version of the main house. Bobby unlocks the door, then hands the key to me.

“Here you go, miss. Should you require anything, please ring the main house and I’ll be happy to be of service.” He gives me a curt nod, then spins and heads back to the main house.

Mack shuts the door behind us, sighing. “Sorry about all this. I had no idea Tinsley would be here.”

He loops his arms around my waist, pulling me close to him. I inhale his familiar woodsy scent, reveling in the safety and comfort of his embrace. Still, that nagging feeling pulls at my gut.

Who is this Tinsley girl and why’s Mack apologizing?

Mack’s hand drifts down to my ass, squeezing, then he drops his mouth to mine. He tastes sweet from the tea as his tongue swirls in my mouth. The tension loosens, anxiety melting away as we kiss.

It doesn’t matter. We’re fine.

After a long while, I pull away, unable to resist the urge to dig. “By the way, who’s Tinsley to y’all? A family friend?”

Obviously she’s tight with the family, popping by and spending the Thanksgiving holiday with them.

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