Page 51 of Mac
Elyse glanced at Mac, not sure why he'd pulled her down like that, but it didn't matter, and she turned back to Dave.
"Why didn't you let me know you were coming?"
"It was last minute, but I did send a message when the plane landed."
"When was that?Two a.m.?"
Dave flushed."I've come in late before, it never bothered you."
"It doesn't.When I know you're coming.When I'm expecting someone to come into my house in the middle of the night."
"Did you even consider what might go through your sister's head when someone comes into her house and she's not expecting anyone?What that would feel like to any woman?"
Mac's voice was rough, making Elyse turn to look at him.She didn't entirely understand his reaction to Dave coming in, but when he'd woken her, told her someone was in the house and to hide, she'd barely been able to think at first.The longer she'd sat in the bottom of her closet, the more horrible things popped into her head.Why would someone be here?What would they do to her if Mac hadn't been here to stop them?Once the terrifying thoughts had started, they'd spiraled out of control until she'd heard the low rumble of Mac's voice.She hadn't been able to make out the words at first, then he'd yelled for her and she'd heard that with no problem.She wasn't sure why, but his voice, or maybe the words he used when he'd called out to her, had splashed relief through her like a wave crashing onto the beach.It hit, then faded, but the panic didn't come back.She'd pulled on her robe, wishing for a moment that Mac wore button up shirts, or something more than a white t-shirt so she could steal it.Wearing his clothes would make her feel better.
"I didn't even hear you come in."She turned back to her brother."Knowing that someone came into the house and I didn't hear them scares the shit out of me.It makes me want to never sleep again."She shuddered and resisted the urge to hug herself.She shouldn't have worried.Mac leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her chest, holding her close and giving her the sense of security, she craved.
"Don't worry.I've got a friend who specializes in security systems.I'll call him in the morning to get one installed in here.In the meantime, you can stay with me."His voice was low, but not low enough for Dave not to hear him.Her brother frowned and opened his mouth to complain, but Elyse kicked him in the shin before he could say anything to piss her off.
"This is your fault.I was perfectly happy here by myself until you did this."She scowled herself, tired and getting grumpier by the minute."On top of the scaring the shit out of me, you've cut my night sleep short and after missing for my migraine already this week, I can't call in again tomorrow."She stood, hating losing the comforting weight of Mac at her back, but wanting to get at least a little more sleep."I'm going back to bed; I can't function on this little sleep.Keep it down.You know where everything is and if you're asleep when I get up,I'll see you after I get home tomorrow."A glance at the man who'd done everything he could to protect her."You coming?"
"Be right there,a thasgaidh."
Elyse shot her brother one last scorching look before leaving the room.She suspected Mac was going to read Dave the riot act about coming in in the middle of the night and scaring the shit out of them, and normally she might stay and play mediator, or maybe just stand outside the room and listen in, but just now, with not enough sleep and on the downside of the adrenaline rush, she was ready to let Mac eat him alive.
She used the bathroom then crawled back into bed, where she lay wide awake until Mac came in.She heard his jeans hit the floor, then he slid into bed, pulling her up against him.Her last thought as she drifted off to sleep was how much safer she felt in his arms.
The incessant beep of the alarm dragged Elyse from a deep sleep.She slapped at the noise only to have a deep voice tell her to stop.That woke her more than the beeping of the alarm.
"I'll get up if you stop slapping me.I'll even shut that off and let you sleep if you want."Mac's words brought back the night before, both when he'd proven her wrong and their post-midnight visit.
"No.No.I need to get up.I need to get ready for work."She shoved the blanket off and got up."You can sleep more if you want, though."
"If you're getting up, so am I.Want me to make coffee?"
"Oh, would you?"She wanted to sag with relief."I'll hop in the shower.It won't take me long."
"All right.It should be done by the time you get out there."
Elyse grabbed her clothes and shuffled into the bathroom reminding herself why she couldn't call in.She hated calling in and had already missed two days this week.Unless she was in bed nearly dead with pain, she wouldn't miss another.
Fifteen minutes later she felt closer to human as she padded barefoot into the kitchen, her socks and shoes in one hand.She'd put them on in a minute, but the scent of coffee lured her, and she decided she'd finish getting dressed after a cup, or at least a few sips.She resisted the urge to kick the couch where Dave slept, oblivious, on her way by.It was petty and she was above that.Besides, she'd probably only hurt herself if she did it barefoot.With one last glare in his direction, she left him to sleep and continued into the kitchen.
She dropped her shoes next to her chair and set her socks on the table before going to the coffee pot.She was moving but her brain wasn't yet functioning, and it wasn't until she'd poured her drink and taken the first couple of sips, still standing at the counter in front of the pot that she realized Mac was busy.He stood in front of the stove, cooking as if he did it every day.For all she knew, he might have...but not here.
"I've got breakfast about ready, have a seat and drink that.It will be done in a few."He tilted the top of his head toward the table where her footwear still waited.
Elyse took a couple more drinks, topped off her mug and went back to the table where she finished dressing then bent over her coffee, letting the smell wake her as much as the caffeine as the latter seemed to be taking it's time to seep into her blood and do its job.She wished she could have gotten another hour, maybe two, of sleep, but there was no way she could sleep and go to work too, and work was more important today.
She'd almost finished her coffee when Mac slid a plate in front of her, then sat down with his own across the small table from her.
"I wasn't sure what you'd like so I did my best with what was in the fridge."He nodded to her plate.
Elyse glanced down and noticed he'd fixed scrambled eggs with diced bits of ham and corn tortilla.She frowned; it never would have occurred to her to put the tortilla in the eggs, but it smelled amazing so she took a bite, eating more because she knew she should than desire, at least that first bite.Flavor burst in her mouth and she wondered where he'd learned to cook like this.He might not know how to make French toast like hers, she smiled at the memory of his asking for the recipe, but damn, he could cook.She ate the rest of the meal with more enthusiasm than she'd had before tasting the meal, then stood and carried her plate to the sink before refilling her coffee again.
"Thank you.That was really good."Elyse left her mug on the counter and stepped closer to Mac, he looked up as she approached.She wrapped her arms loosely around his neck and bent to kiss him, momentarily losing herself in his kiss, his touch.All too soon though, she pulled away, took her cup and headed back to the bedroom.She might be dressed but she still had to finish getting ready for work.As she passed through the living room, she once more forced herself not to kick the sofa.It was safer now that she had her shoes on, but still just as petty and she refused to stoop that low.At least today.
While she was working on her hair, Mac came in and retrieved the rest of his clothes, kissed her again and let her know he was heading home.Told her to call if she needed anything and left.When Elyse finished her hair and makeup, she went into the kitchen to clean up but found the work already done and the dishwasher running.
