Page 15 of Calling the Shots

“You better get going then.” He runs a hand through his hair, his T-shirt lifting slightly, revealing a glimpse of his abs and the bulge still visible in his pants.

“Just like that?” I try to squash the disappointment already bubbling up inside me.

“I don’t want your mom to worry.”

How can he be so calm and cool about this? Thirty seconds ago we were on the verge of banging and now he’s acting like nothing’s happened between us at all.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake. I’m thirty years old and it’s broad daylight. I’m fine!” I throw my hands up in aggravation and hop down from the bench, disappointed and pissed off at both him and my mother.

Mack chuckles, a low, throaty sound that sends my belly fluttering despite my irritation.

“Never said you weren’t. But I don’t want to be on the bad side of Mama Reynolds. Get going.” He playfully swats my ass and I sigh.

“Fine. But we’re not done here. We need to hash out this open-ended thing. If you’re game.” I hold my breath, waiting for his reply.

He scrubs his hand over the back of his neck, tips his head to the side. “You should think about it, Gracelyn. I’m a decade older than you.”

“So?” I shrug. “Who cares?”

“People are gonna talk.”

“I don’t care.”

He reaches out, tucking a loose tendril behind my ear, and my heart stops.

“Think about it, that’s all I’m saying. This town can be real heavy on gossip.”

“Don’t I know it.” I flip my ponytail over my shoulder, trying to act more in control and self-assured than I feel right now. “But I really don’t give a flying fuck what people say about me.”

Mack tilts his head to the side, a brow raised high. “Really? So if your sworn enemy Jamie starts talking shit, calling me Grandpa or something stupid like that, you’re not gonna care?”

“Nope.” I fold my arms over my chest and stand up tall. “Not one little bit.”

“Why don’t I believe you?”

“Besides, Jamie’s under the impression we’re already dating. We have to pretend to be together for a few weeks, at least in front of her. Or I’ll look like a total loser.”

The corner of his lip quirks up. “Says the person who doesn’t care what other people think.”

Shit, the man has a point.

“Fine, maybe I care a teensy bit.” I hold my thumb and index finger up, demonstrating just how little I care.

My cell buzzes again and I huff out an exasperated sigh. “I have to go before my mom sends out a search party. We can finish this conversation later, yeah?”

Mack scrubs a hand over the back of his neck. “Yeah.”

Before I chicken out, I lean in and press my lips to his. He doesn’t disappoint, wrapping his hand around the back of my neck and easing his warm tongue into my mouth. Tingles shoot straight through me as he rolls over my teeth, exploring.

Finally, he pulls away. “See ya, Firecracker.”

With one last swat of my ass, he punches the button to the garage door and bright rays of sunlight pour into the space.

“Bye.” I wiggle my fingers at him and race out of the garage, pulling my shirt down as I head back to my mother’s house, acting like nothing happened.

* * *

I think about Mack the rest of the day. His muscular body, the clean scent of pine and sawdust wafting from his skin, the way his lips felt on mine.

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