Page 15 of Hooked on Mack
“Sounds good.”
After placing our orders for food, I decided it was time.
“Mack, can I talk to you about something?”
“Of course, what's on your mind?” he responded, his brows furrowing.
“Earlier today, I overheard a couple of your team members talking about your ex-girlfriend. They seemed worried about her showing up here and causing problems for you—and potentially for this case.”
Mack's face flushed with anger and embarrassment, his fists clenching at his sides. “Was it Rachel? Or maybe Jake?” He paused, his voice softer as he added, “I thought they knew better than to gossip.”
“Does it matter who said it?” I snapped, my own frustration bubbling to the surface. “The point is, they clearly think she could be a problem for us. And if that's the case, I deserve to know about it.”
“Fine,” he conceded, his jaw clenched. “Yes, my ex has a habit of showing up unannounced and causing scenes. But she's out of my life now, and I won't let her interfere with our work. Happy?”
“Ecstatic,” I retorted, rolling my eyes. “I just wish you could have been upfront about this.”
“Right, because you're always so open about your personal life.”
“Maybe if you didn't have such a reputation for playing by the rules, I wouldn't have to worry about what your team says behind closed doors!” I exclaimed, my voice rising in anger.
“Is that what this is really about?” Mack asked, his gaze narrowing. “Are you worried about your own reputation being tainted by association?”
“What if I am? We both know how cutthroat this industry can be,” I argued, my heart pounding as I bared my concerns to him. “I've worked too hard to get where I am just to have it all come crashing down because of some ex-girlfriend drama.”
Mack sighed, his shoulders slumping. “Look, I promise you. She won't be a problem. And if she does show up, we'll handle it. Okay?”
“Okay,” I agreed, my anger dissipating as I met his sincere gaze. “Thank you, Mack.”
“Anytime.”
The tension in the air shifted as Mack and I continued to exchange words. Instead of heated arguments, our jabs became playful, almost flirtatious.
“Really, Larissa? You're worried about my reputation?” Mack grinned. “I didn't know you cared so much.”
“Please,” I scoffed, feeling a smirk tug at the corner of my mouth. “I'm just looking out for my own interests here.”
“Ah, there's the Larissa I know and love—always putting herself first,” he teased, but there was warmth in his voice that hadn't been there before.
“Someone has to,” I retorted, unable to suppress a chuckle.
“Is that why you're always so quick to challenge me in the courtroom?” Mack asked, leaning closer. His proximity sent a shiver down my spine, and I found myself momentarily lost in the intensity of his gaze. “Afraid you might actually care about someone other than yourself?”
“Careful, Mr. Harrington,” I warned playfully, though my heart raced at the implications of his words. “You might not like where this conversation is headed.”
“Maybe I will,” he whispered, and before I could process what was happening, his lips were on mine.
The kiss was passionate and intense—more than I ever expected from someone like Mack. My hands gripped his shoulders, my fingers digging into the fabric of his suit jacket, desperate for something to hold on to as waves of emotion crashed over me. In that moment, all my doubts and fears faded away.
Mack's hands moved from my waist to cradle my face, deepening the kiss further. The world around us seemed to blurand fade until all that was left was the two of us, locked in an embrace that threatened to consume us both.
As we finally broke apart, breathless and flushed, I stared into Mack's eyes, my mind reeling from what just transpired between us. My earlier anger and frustration were now distant memories.
“Wow,” I breathed, still feeling the lingering warmth of his touch on my skin.
“Wow indeed,” Mack agreed, a hint of awe in his voice as he traced his thumb gently along my lower lip. “I guess we should probably get back to work, huh?”
“Probably,” I murmured, but neither of us made any move to break the momentary spell that settled over us.
