Page 53 of Mack

“You said yours wasn’t the best either. What happened?”

“She cheated on me. I didn’t find out until after I quit my job.”

“Back up. You lost me.”

He shifted onto his back and stared at the ceiling. “Ariana and I were engaged for almost three years. She wanted me to quit the Marshals. Said she couldn’t handle how dangerous it was. So, I did. I thought it would make her happy. Two weeks after I turned in my credentials she told me she was leaving.”

“After you quit your job for her.”

“Yes.”

“What did she say?”

“That she didn’t think I’d actually do it.” He shook his head slowly. “Then she tells me she’s been seeing someone else for two years and she’s going to marry him.”

Mallory stared at him. “Two years?”

“Yep. His name’s Terrance. Her boss.” He glanced at her. “Shorter than her, partially bald, lucky if he weighs a buck forty soaking wet.”

She blinked. “What did you do when she told you?”

“I laughed until I cried. Had to sit down.” The corner of his mouth lifted at the memory. “When I saw she was serious I stopped laughing, told her to grab her things and get out.” He sobered. “After that I didn’t have a job, and I was drinking too much. Sam called before it got worse. I knew I had to pull myself together.” He was quiet for a moment. “I told my parents I was coming back but wasn’t sure if I was staying. I knew they wanted me to.”

He turned his head and looked at her.

“I want you to want me to stay too, Mallory.”

Mallory touched his face. “I do, Mack. More than I probably should.”

“I hope not,” he said quietly.

She looked at him for a moment, then sat up. “Stay tonight.”

“What about T.J.?”

“If you’re up before he is he’ll just think you came over early. Unless you’d rather not.”

“I’d love to.”

“Good.” She slid out of bed, walked to the bathroom without looking back, and she knew without turning around that his eyes followed her the entire way.

He appeared in the doorway a moment later, completely naked, arms folded, leaning against the frame.

“You did that on purpose.”

She widened her eyes. “Moi?”

Mack pushed off the doorframe, crossed to her in three strides, and wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her neck. She laughed, her hands coming up to hold him.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you,” he said against her skin.

She cupped his cheek, turning his face toward hers.

“Same,” she said.

It was the first time she’d let him see it. One word, quietly offered, and she meant every bit of it.

****