He nodded. He stared into his coffee and I got the feeling he wanted to say more was holding back.
“What?” I said softly.
“I wish you didn’t have to leave so soon.” His voice was a whisper like he was fighting not to say the words.
He stood up abruptly. “I should go.”
I stood up too, surprised. So many thoughts and feelings flooded my mind. I didn’t want him to leave. And what reason did I have for him not to stay? I was an adult I didn’t live in anyone’s shadow and I had feelings for Mac that I hadn’t felt in a very long time. I suddenly had a flashback to a similar evening in the guest house with Ethan. He had stood up and left that night. But Mac wasn’t married, and Ethan had been a long time ago.
“You don’t have to go.” My voice was a whisper now, too. What was I saying? Was I inviting him to spend the night? It was like I was having some sort of out of body experience. I heard the words coming out of my mouth, but I had no control over them.
He looked at me for a long time. I could see he was thinking my invitation. He stepped in close. “I don’t want to leave.”
“Then don’t.”
He leaned down and ever so gently brushed his lips against mine. Again, my mind was flooded with images of Ethan. I pushed them aside.
My head felt like a flash bag had gone off inside it. I saw only white lights. I couldn’t see or hear anything else. I wasn’t sure if I should kiss him. Images of Ethan flashed before my eyes. Mac must have felt my hesitation because he pulled away ever so slightly. He searched my face. I was breathless and couldn’t speak. I wanted to kiss him.
Again he gently brushed his lips against mine. This time the kiss became more passionate.
We stayed locked in an embrace for several minutes before he scooped me up carried me back to the sofa. He deftly reached over and turned off the lamp on the table and the room was light by the lights of the city at night.
“Kay you are so beautiful.” He whispered.
I wanted to answer him, but he was nuzzling my neck and I wasn’t able to form any coherent words. I moaned and kissed his ear.
I felt his hands slide down my arm, he stopped at my elbow and moved to my breast. It had been so long since anyone had touched me like this, I was trembling with the excitement of the moment.
“You okay?” Mac whispered.
“Yes.” I managed to squeak out.
“Good.” He growled and began unbuttoning my shirt. “Is this okay?”
“Yes.” I breathed. I wanted him to stop wasting time with the buttons and rip my shirt the rest of the way open, but I controlled myself. I didn’t want to rush it. I wanted this to last forever. I let my hands start to explore more of him. When I had worked my way to his jeans, he slowly stood up. I was afraid maybe I had gone too far and for a moment I panicked. Then felt his arms around me and lift me from the sofa. I concentrated on his neck and bare shoulder until he sat me down on the bed.
The room was dark, and I let my eyes adjust. The sound of clothes being removed let me know he was ready for me. I stood and slid my jeans off. I felt Mac’s hands on my waist. My skin quivered at his touch.
“Kay.” He sounded out of breath.
“Mac.”
“I want you.” He breathed against my skin.
I answered him by running my hand down his flat stomach until I reached what I wanted. Mac moaned.
“I want you.” I answered him. He didn’t waste any more time. He gave us what we both wanted. An hour later I lay clinging to him.
“You are an extraordinary woman.” He whispered.
I turned my mouth to his and kissed him deeply. I felt his lips smile against mine.
“You’re not sleepy?” he asked.
“No.” I said as I rolled him on his back. “It’s my turn.”
The next morning the phone on the nightstand rang. I fumbled to answer it. “Kay Dandridge.”
“This is your 6:30 wake up call, Ms. Dandridge.”
“Thank you.”
I rolled over to see Mac still sleeping. For a brief moment I had second thoughts about what we had done last night. Then I quickly erased it from my mind. I regretted nothing. I leaned over and kissed him gently on the shoulder.
“Mmmm, what time is it?”
“Six-thirty.”
His forehead creased and he frowned. “I have to go to work.” He mumbled.
“I have to go home.” I let the disappointment show through my words.
He finally opened his eyes. “I wish you didn’t have to go.”
“Yeah, me too.” I agreed.
“When can I see you again?”
“Well, I’m free this weekend.” I thought about my schedule. Sherry was pretty good about not scheduling things on the weekends and if it meant I could see Mac again I’d have Sherry rearrange something if necessary.
“Really?” Mac looked hopeful.
“Yeah, are you?”
“Yeah,” He smiled “I think I am.”
I smiled down at him. “You’re place or mine?” I asked.
He laughed. “Yours?”
“Sounds good to me.” I smiled feeling excited at the prospect.
“I could drive down Friday night after work.”
“Oh, that would take you hours! Friday night traffic is awful.”
“I could leave early Saturday morning, and make better time.”
“I have a better idea.”
He sat up and studied my face. “Yeah?”
“Why don’t I send my plane for you. You can meet Dennis at Reagan National.”
“Your plane?”
I laughed at the look on his face. “Yeah, I have a company plane, I really don’t use that much, and Dennis will be happy to have the flying time.”
He thought about it for a moment.
“Is there some sort of problem?” I thought maybe some sort of conflict
