Page 24 of Mac

Mac

Itexted Kate that I’d be waiting outside her new place. There’d been a couple of other times I’d almost texted her but then thought better of it. I was supposed to be getting her used to the club, not developing anything else with her. But damn if she didn’t consume my thoughts.

When Viking had made it known to the whole club that Kate would be living in the house on the other side of the property, no one had said anything but looks had been exchanged. She hadn’t been formally introduced to the club yet, and that needed to be remedied quick. But to me, it was a no-brainer. Having her close by would make the job I’d been tasked with a lot easier. Plus, Meredith was working on introducing Kate soon.

I glanced over when I heard her car pull up. As she got out, I looked her over from head to toe, making no effort in disguising my perusal. She was looking good. That long, blonde hair was begging for someone to wrap their hands in it and pull. She had a nice rack and ass, another thing some of my brothers had noticed, much to my irritation. The only thing stopping me from dragging her into the house and having my way with her was the fact that she was Viking’s kid.

“So, do you wear that outfit everywhere you go?” I laughed as I checked her out again. The blue, pinstripe dress was short, showing off her long, tan legs. She had to be cold, but I sure appreciated the view.

“I’m heading to work as soon as I’m done here,” she said, putting a hand on her hip.

“I’m not criticizing, Kate,” I said, smiling slowly, “I’m just imagining what’s underneath.”

I wasn’t usually that blunt when I flirted with her, but I couldn’t help myself.

Her face got beet red, but she straightened her spine and walked up to me, hand out. “Keys, please.”

Impressed, I dug them out of my right pocket and dropped them in her open palm.

“Thank you,” she said, giving me an appraising glance.

When I followed after her, she let out a little huff. She turned around and put a hand on my chest; the pressure was light but firm. “I don’t need you here, Mac.” She looked up at me. “I’m a big girl, I can handle myself.”

I stepped into her so that her palm was flat against my chest. Her fingers curled inward, almost automatically. “I know you can,” I told her. “I just like being near you.”

She dropped her hand, looking away. The blush never went away when I was around.

To put her at ease, I showed her around, going through the living room then heading to the kitchen. “This whole house needs a shit-ton of work, but whatever you need done, the club will help you out. Whatever needs fixing, just say the word.” She just nodded. “You’re not much of a talker, are you?”

“Don’t have much to say,” she mumbled, still not opening up.

“Why is that?”

She shrugged, but I waited, not letting her off the hook. She rolled her eyes, acting put out, but she finally answered. “Just the way I grew up, I guess... It was always best to not say much. It made my life easier.”

“I get it, I do…” I gestured for her to follow me as I led her to the back of the house. “I can tell you don’t want to talk about it, and that’s fine, but you’re strong, a survivor.”

“Oh?” she asked, sounding surprised by my comment. “You really think so?”

I stopped in the hallway and looked back at her. “Yeah, I do. It took guts to come here, find Viking, and tell him the truth.”

Her eyes got wide, and she blinked rapidly a few times. “So...how did you come to be a Desert Sinner?” she asked, not responding to my comment but I could tell my words had affected her.

I waited to answer until we’d reached the bedroom and I leaned against the doorframe. “My parents abandoned me when I was young. They’re still alive but I don’t speak to them, and it’s for the best,” I said bluntly. Even though I’d accepted my past, I could admit it still stung, but for the most part, I’d worked through my shit. I’d learned through the club that regrets were a waste of time. Live in the moment, enjoy what you have now, and accept and learn from the past. “If not for the club, and Falcon, his family taking me in as one of their own...I’d probably be dead.”

She sighed. “Guess we’re both lucky to have found the Desert Sinners, huh?”

“Yeah, we are.” Why I was sharing personal shit like this with Kate was beyond me since I’d never really discussed it with anyone. Wolf knew, but that was because we grew up together. I was finding that despite coming from two different worlds, Kate and I had a lot in common. A little uneasy about that realization, I shoved off the doorframe and jammed my hands in the front pockets of my jeans.

“I guess...all the bad stuff happened for a reason,” she said, looking at me.

“Makes you appreciate what you have when you finally get it,” I said, agreeing with her. “And you’ll find that you have it now. I promise, Kate, you won’t regret it either. Youarehome. You deserve to have a safe place, and people that’ll care and look after you. Even if you’re not sure right now, don’t forget what I’m saying, okay?”

At that, she gave me a beautiful smile. “You can be nice sometimes, Mac. I didn’t know that about you.”

I scoffed lightly. “Don’t get used to it,sweetheart.”

At that, instead of a frown, she laughed softly, shaking her head. “I need to get going,” she said, moving down the hall. “Thanks for the tour.”

When she looked over her shoulder at me, I almost thought she was making sure I was following. I knew, right then, that no matter what, I’d always have her back.