Page 54 of Mack

Mack took her hand as she stepped into the tub and watched her sink down into the bubbles with a sigh. He stepped in after her and settled at the opposite end, the warm water rising between them.

He looked at her. “You’re a beautiful woman, Mallory Nichols.”

She blushed, which made him smile wider.

“And you are a very handsome man, Maxwell Reinhardt.” She laughed. “Although I’m going to have to stop calling you that because now I think of your father and that’s not helpful.”

Mack laughed. “Mack. Please.”

“Mack,” she agreed.

He leaned his head back, then lifted it again. “What did my mother say to you? When you suggested the trees.”

Mallory’s eyes lit up. “She said I could probably talk you into it.”

Mack stared at her for a moment, then laughed. “No doubt.”

“So?”

“Absolutely not.”

She raised an eyebrow, reached forward with her foot, and nudged him under the water.

Mack jerked. “Stop that.”

“Spoilsport.”

She picked up the soap, lathered it between her hands, and ran her palms slowly over his chest. Then she let it slip from her fingers into the water and looked at him with wide innocent eyes.

“I’ll get that.”

He watched her, perfectly still, until her hand wrapped around him under the water.

He nearly came out of the tub. “Whoa, sweetheart. That is not the soap.”

She looked up at him from under her lashes. “Are you sure?” She squeezed gently and he groaned.

“Well.” His voice had dropped considerably. “Maybe you should keep looking.”

Mallory burst out laughing.

Mack chuckled, reached for her, and pulled her onto his lap, kissing her until she stopped laughing. “We should get out.”

“Yes,” she agreed, slightly breathless.

He stood, helped her to her feet, and when he ran his eyes over her, the water sliding down her skin in the warm light, he decided he wasn’t tired anymore after all.

The following morning Mack stood at the kitchen counter with his coffee, listening to the house wake up around him.

He heard T.J. before he saw him, feet thundering down the hall, and grinned before the boy even appeared in the doorway. T.J. skidded to a stop when he saw Mack and his face broke into a wide smile.

“Hi, Mack.”

“Hey, buddy.”

T.J. climbed up onto his chair with great concentration. “Did you stay with Mama last night?”

“Uh—”