Spin the Bottle (13 page)

“I will. And thanks.” Lillian gave Cassie an extra squeeze. “For everything.”

“My pleasure. It’s been a big learning curve, but I think all the glitches were minor and didn’t affect the overall party. I’ll email you my staff report on Monday.”

“I told you I don’t need to see that,” Lil said.

“I know, but I’m actually hoping you’ll take pity on me again and give your opinion of tonight and what everyone recounts.”

“Sure.” Lillian offered her friend a smile before turning back to Mac. She really was done with her old life and now she couldn’t get away fast enough. “Let’s go.”

Every time they made a step towards the door someone snagged Lilli for a chat. While the whole exercise of leaving frustrated the hell out of Mac, it gave him a chance to observe the side of Lilli he admired. She was courteous, giving each person her undivided attention, making it appear as though they were the centre of her world. Not once did she let on that the effort wore on her. But Mac noted the fatigue in her eyes, the slight dip in her shoulders, the slouch in her posture. That’s when he stepped in and ushered her from the house, allowing them to make their escape.

He led Lilli across the yard to the black four-wheel drive parked in the street and wondered what had convinced her to leave. The sudden change of mind didn’t fit, but then neither did the emotional outbursts they’d both experienced this evening. Lilli slowed, one finely shaped eyebrow arched, but she didn’t verbalise the obvious question. Instead, when he opened the door, she climbed up into the passenger seat. Shrouded in silence, Mac navigated the dark streets. Numerous times he thought about breaking the quiet, but each glance in her direction convinced him to give her—and himself—more time before starting the conversation they needed to have.

He couldn’t bring himself to initiate the discussion when inch by inch Lilli had shrunk into the passenger seat beside him. Like a helium balloon losing its lift in the days following a party, Lilli deflated by slow degrees. Her enthusiasm, her energy—her happiness—all seemed to seep out of her, leaving her slumped against the soft leather cushion. They were about halfway to their destination and Mac decided to keep quiet until they arrived. The early hours of the morning meant traffic was light and a journey that would normally take an hour took less than forty minutes. Before he knew it, he’d pulled into the driveway of his parents’ weekender.

The house was small and old, but it sat perched on a sheltered beach among homes of similar standing. An older neighbourhood not yet bought out and rebuilt by the young and rich, the place offered a sanctuary within spitting distance of the hustle and bustle of busy city life. He’d been more than surprised when his father had showed the house to him and Alec. Mac’s parents had spent very little of their lottery winnings over the years, and other than his mother’s new car and their sons’ education, this property had been their only large purchase. Regardless of their newfound wealth, his parents had continued to live their humble lives in the working-class suburb they’d moved to as newlyweds.

Right now, sitting in the car, staring at the dark, quiet house, Mac thanked his lucky stars they’d seen fit to buy this little getaway. He switched off the engine and turned to face Lilli. Her eyes were closed and her chest rose and fell with even breathes. She’d fallen asleep. Smiling, Mac eased his door open and closed it softly behind him. Skirting the front of the car, he made his way around to Lilli. With care, he popped the door and tried not to startle her. The seat belt clicked free with ease and he slid his arms around her, one behind her back, the other under her knees. He lifted her out of the car and used his hip to bump the door shut before walking down the path to the front door.

As he struggled to get the key from its hiding spot, Lilli stirred. Forced to lean on the wall or fall on his arse, he pressed against the rough timber siding with his shoulder and managed to keep his feet under them, but he lost his grip on her legs and her feet dropped to the floor. Her arms slipped around his neck as she turned in his embrace. Eyes on his, she watched him. The darkness made it difficult to discern her emotions, and for several heartbeats they stood frozen, caught in a silent moment neither appeared willing to break. The kick of a breeze rushing through the trees snapped the spell. Lilli unhooked her arms and, placing her hands on his chest, pushed away.

“You can let go. I can stand on my own.” Her voice, husky with sleep, whispered over his skin like a soft caress, and he shivered.

Mac took a step back, retrieved the key without a word and opened the door. Reaching inside, he flicked on the light and gestured for her to precede him. The living room spread out in front of them, the wall of windows directly opposite offering a view of the moonlit bay beyond. In daylight the sun spilled into the room and the waters of North Harbour could be seen rolling in against the shore that butted up to the yard. Night or day, it was a beautiful sight.

“The bedroom is down the hall, the bathroom off it.” Mac closed the door behind him. “I’ll see what’s in the kitchen, but Mum usually has the basics on hand so I can make us something to eat, and there’s always the thermos of coffee if you want some.”

“No, thanks. I’m exhausted.”

Fatigue laced her words. Her eyelids drooped and her movements were slow as she ventured farther into the house. Mac’s protective instincts fired to life and, determined to take care of her and give her all she needed, he walked over to the bedroom door and pushed it open.

“Why don’t you take a shower and climb into bed. There are spare toiletries and clean towels in the bathroom and the bed is already made up.” He stepped back and let her pass. “I’ll just duck out to get my bag.”

“Bag?”

“I brought a change of clothes. I grabbed sweat pants and a T-shirt for you too.”

“Oh, okay.” Lilli entered the room only to immediately turn back around. “I almost forgot.” She shoved her hand down the front of her top and pulled his phone out of her bra strap. “Here. You left this in my room earlier.”

The unintentional reminder of their encounter had colourful images flashing across Mac’s mind. Every second of their time together was engraved in his memory banks. The scent and feel of her skin. The flex and give of her body beneath his. Each moan. Every sigh. A shuddered racked him. Warmth surged through his blood, pumping need into his balls, filling his cock and driving his arousal higher. Not wanting her to see his body’s reaction, Mac quickly took his phone and turned away.

He went back into the cold morning air and drew in a deep breath. As much as he’d like a repeat tangle with Lilli, they needed to sort things out first. Mac wanted to be sure they were on the same page. This wasn’t a casual affair for him. He’d spent years pushing his feelings and desire for Lilli into the dark corners of his mind and heart, but now that he’d let them out there was no hiding from them. Before they left his parents’ house she’d be in no doubt that he wanted more than her body.

The problem was he didn’t have the first clue where to start in pleading his case. He’d never had to fight for something as important as his relationship with Lilli. Mac brought the phone in his hand up and scrolled through his address book. He couldn’t ring Lachlan. There was no way he wanted to discuss the best way to convince Lilli to take a chance on him with her brother. Instead, he pulled up Alec’s details and hit call with no regard for the time of day.

Lillian woke to sunshine and snoring. The sunshine was expected, but the snoring… It took a moment for her sleep-fogged mind to remember where she was, but once the gears engaged there was no stopping the memories of last night taking over. Or the awareness of Mac sleeping beside her. Trying not to disturb him, she turned and took advantage of this rare moment to study him more closely. Asleep, he appeared different. The stress lines around his eyes and mouth were less pronounced, and the worry crinkles he often sported in his forehead were gone too. He looked relaxed—unguarded—in a way she’d never seen him.

The tough, take-no-prisoners lawyer he showed to the world had been put away. Instead, she gazed at an everyday average guy. He could be any man she might have hooked up with over the years. But this was Mackenzie Harris. Her brother’s best friend. McDermott Media Corp’s top legal eagle. The man she’d spent ten years wanting. And now she had him.

So why didn’t she feel like jumping for joy? Why was her heart sitting like an anvil in her chest? Lillian McDermott finally had her heart’s desires. A successful business she’d built on her own from the ground up. A modelling career firmly in the past and the only man to stir desire so great it proved hard to think was in her bed.

Or he had been.

Now they were in a strange house—strange bed—and neither of them were naked. The last thing she remembered was dressing in the sweat pants and shirt Mac had given her and crawling into bed. Alone. At some point he’d joined her, but he hadn’t slipped beneath the covers or removed his clothes. He lay on top of the quilt in the jeans and top he’d worn last night. His shoes were off and he’d undone the button and zip on his pants, but that was as far as he’d gone.

His shirt stopped at the edge of his waistband, hiding his midsection from view. A small section of black fabric showed between the gaping sides of his zipper. No glimpse of skin though. Lil wasn’t sure if she was pleased or disappointed he’d put on underwear. Or that he’d gotten into bed with her and not taken advantage of the situation. Honesty forced her to admit there would be no advantage taking. She’d give herself willingly and knew it. The question was, did Mac? And if he did, would he want her?

Her gaze moved up his torso, over the lean form hidden beneath the thin layer of cloth, up to the tanned skin of his neck, onto the dark stubble shading his jaw line, and finally to the deep blue eyes watching her. Lil’s heart jolted and a lump formed in her throat. Mac’s eyes gave no clue as to his mood, but when the corners of his lips curled up in the beginning of a smile, she breathed a sigh of relief.

“Morning.” Mac’s voice rumbled, his usual deep tones made a little rougher by sleep.

“Morning.” Unsure of what else to say, Lil went with the easiest part of the last twenty-four hours. “Where are we?”

“Mum and Dad’s weekend place.”

Lil turned her head to take a better look at the room.

“I know it’s not much, but it’s perfect for them and more of an investment really.”

His words sounded like an apology, but she hadn’t a clue what he should be sorry for. She hadn’t managed a good look when they arrived, and now she took the time to examine her surroundings. The furniture was solid pine, the timber blinds the sun streamed through the same golden colour. Cool cotton brushed against her skin as she turned over. The sheets were white, the quilt a marbled pattern of blues, greens and white. Bedside lamps of dark blue powder-coated metal finished off the furnishings. Lil didn’t think a designer had ever seen the room but that didn’t matter, whoever had decorated this space knew what they were doing.

“It’s beautiful.” She brought her gaze back to meet Mac’s. “Did your mum do this?”

“Yeah.” He smiled. “She redid the whole house when they first bought it.”

“If this room is anything to go by, the place must be gorgeous. It’s…restful.” Lillian couldn’t think of a better way to describe the ambience of the room. Even with the bright sunshine flooding the space, it felt calm, soothing.

Mac’s smiled widened, his straight teeth flashing. “She did a great job. I don’t come here often, but I’m always happy to arrive and refreshed when I leave.”

He rolled over and pushed off the bed. Unselfconsciously doing up his jeans, he said, “Come on. I’ll show you the rest of the house and we’ll get something to eat.”

As much as Lillian wanted to find out where she stood now that they’d slept together, she was more than happy to ignore the elephant in the corner for a while longer. Her emotions, not to mention her libido, were supercharged. Until she managed to make heads or tails of those, she couldn’t deal with Mac’s. Not that he appeared ready to offer any of his thoughts. He might look as though he wasn’t worried, but Lil knew him well enough to know otherwise. His wooden movements and the small frown marring his kissable mouth were definite giveaways.

For now, she’d take his lead and see what happened. However, there was only so long she’d allow them to pretend nothing was going on. She might not have her bearings yet but she would soon, and once she did she’d face the shift in their relationship head-on. Like every other aspect of her life, this new development would be dealt with in the usual way, with determination and precision. Lillian was single-minded when it came to what she wanted. And she wanted Mackenzie Harris.

Chapter Eight

Mac slipped his phone back into his pocket.

“You’re not going to answer that?” Lilli took a sip of her coffee.

“No.”

He wasn’t about to reveal it was Lachlan. Again. Judging by all the missed calls, the man had been ringing Mac all night. He’d barely turned his phone back on when, along with the manic beeping of voicemail messages, his best friend was once again trying to reach him. One more thing he was reluctant to deal with. Mac had never encountered this side of himself. Putting things off had never been a trait until today. Today he didn’t want to deal with anyone or anything. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the luxury of putting either his changing relationship with Lilli or his best friend’s urgent need to contact him aside.