A Place to Call Home (18 page)

Chapter Twenty-One

With a breathy voice reserved for flirting, Hannah spoke slowly. “Thanks but I really don’t need to be tucked in.”

Mac’s arm circled her waist, his chest against her back, while his hand slid over hers and his fingers took her keys. Staying in position, he leaned her forward with him, inserted the key and opened the door, then motioned for her to enter. He followed, shutting the door behind him. Dropping her wet clothes on the floor at her feet, she faced him, the desire in his eyes burning even brighter in the soft light of her hallway.

“Tomorrow, Hannah, you’re going to call the bar owner, who happens to be a friend of mine—”

“Of course he is. Everyone’s your friend,” she accused, her words holding no heat. Those wicked blue eyes of his captivated her.

With one step forward he ate up the space between them. He looked down at her and spoke quietly, “And you’re going to apologize. See if you owe him any compensation for damages. If you don’t call, I’ll make tonight look like a picnic, sweetheart. I promise you.”

Hannah’s mouth opened in shock. “You know there are laws against hitting women.”

Mac rolled his eyes. “Oh, for Christ’s sakes! I spanked you and not even hard. It was more to get your damn attention through your stubbornness. Don’t act like I beat you.” He lifted her chin, keeping his other hand on her waist. “And I wasn’t talking about spanking you again. Maybe I’ll arouse you to the point of insanity and not allow you release until you agree to take care of things at the bar.”

“Maybe I’d enjoy that.” Her pussy agreed, aching with a need she’d never experienced.

“You’re adorable when you pout.”

“I’m not pouting.”

“Aren’t you? But I’d say it’s more from embarrassment than pain. Believe me. I went easy on you.”

“Could’ve fooled me.” Her hands rested on his hips. Didn’t he look so sexy, standing in her ramshackle house, trying to be menacing when his words didn’t reach his eyes?

His laugh sounded genuine enhanced by a smile spreading across his face. “Maybe if you didn’t try to push my buttons every chance you got you wouldn’t cause me to regress to a Neanderthal state.”

She gasped. “Typical male. Blame the victim.”

His laugh echoed the empty house. “Oh, now you’re a victim?”

She shrugged.

“What I think you are is one heck of a feisty hell cat who takes the world on with her temper and finds herself lashing out at those around her. And since you arrived in town I’ve been the lucky recipient of most of your temper. So, given that, do you think it not fair I finally paddled that pretty little ass of yours?”

She grit her teeth, not wanting to admit he was right.

Still laughing, he gathered her into a hug, those burly arms circling her, holding her against his chest, his heart thumping under her ear. “I’m glad you called me to pick you up.”

She looked up at him in shock. “Why? I seem to be a lot of trouble for you.”

He stared down at her. “That you are, brat. Trouble with a capital H. But I don’t think I’d change a thing.”

“Really? Even my bad temper?”

 “Maybe I’d tone it down a bit.” His knuckle skimmed her cheek, sending tiny firecrackers along her skin. “Do me a favor?”

“What?” She wrapped her arms around his neck and fluttered her lashes, relishing the desire in his eyes.

“Kiss me.” His hands glided over her bottom, gently caressing it through the T-shirt.

She smiled, his hands doing wonders at massaging her sore bottom, and doing more to heat her pussy. Staring into his eyes, she stood close enough to see the gray specks hidden in the bright blue. “Austin. You’re so damn sexy.”

“Sexy, huh?”

Her fingers danced in small circles on his chest. “Uh huh. And very handsome.”

“Handsome too?”

She bit her bottom lip. “Uh huh. But most of all you have a great heart.”

“Now that I can honestly say I’ve never been accused of before.”

“Stop it. You love your kids and your family. Everyone in town is your friend. I’ve never heard a bad word about you.”

His body swayed ever so slightly with hers. “Except from you.”

“Yeah. Except from me but that’s only when you get me into a temper.”

“When I get you into a temper? You are such a little brat. I’m glad I spanked you,” he teased and grinned.

“You lie. Right now, because you have a heart, you’re feeling pretty bad about spanking me. Right?”

His shoulders rose and fell in a half shrug. “Maybe. But I know you deserved it. It was inevitable. It was going to be tonight or some other night in the very near future.”

She laughed. “You wouldn’t be rubbing my bottom right now to make it feel better if you didn’t have a heart, Austin.”

He studied her for a moment, a wicked look coming into the depths of his eyes. “Maybe I just like the feel of your very fine ass. Ever think of that?”

“Nope. That’s not it and you know it. That’s why you’re still here. To make sure I’m okay. Face it. You hated spanking me.”

“Hell, no. I enjoyed every second your pretty little ass warmed under my hand. I’m glad you tempted me to paddle you tonight. The way you wiggled in my lap drove my cock crazy.”

“Must mean I really do have a fantastic effect on you.” Her laugh shook her body. Or was that a shudder from the effect of his hands on her ass?

“Go ahead and laugh. You’re the one with the sore bottom.”

“Not anymore. You made it feel all better, Austin.”

“Hannah.”

“Yes.” She leaned up and took his mouth, giving in to the wildness of the evening, and to her trembling body. Needing to share the warmth emanating from him, she snuggled closer to his chest until they were one.

His hands lingered on her bottom, his fingers gently kneading her tender flesh. Giving her entry, his mouth moved across hers, their tongues wrestled, explored, tasted.

Eagerly her mouth crossed over his, needing to feast, needing to devour. He tasted of man, hot and spicy. Succumbing to her desires, she pulled away, eager to enjoy all of him.

“I’ve been a naughty girl tonight, Austin. Wouldn’t you agree? Tell me why that spanking excited me more than anything.”

His only sound released in a guttural growl, his eyes bright and concentrating on her lips.

“I think I should show you just how naughty I can be, Austin.”

Her hand grabbed the back of his head and dragged his mouth back down to hers. When he inched her T-shirt up to slide over her bare bottom and gently stroked her from her lower back to her thighs, she squelched the urge to cry out at the pleasure his touch sent pulsating through her body. She caressed his shoulders, her fingernails dug into the hard muscle. Tasting him again, her tongue moving at record speed with his, she found heaven. Her mind threatened to void of all thoughts, a stunning effect he had on her. When his fingers cupped her bottom and picked her up, she wrapped her legs around his waist. Then the one little brain cell still receiving oxygen kicked into overdrive. She broke the kiss in a panic.

Wearing only a T-shirt and clinging to his fully clothed, aroused body, Hannah glued her hands behind his neck while he held her to him. “The boys. They’re probably home alone by now, Austin. You’ve got to get back home.”

“Aidan’s there. He knows how to reach me. Right now I want to make love to you and plan on carrying you up those stairs unless you tell me no.”

“It’s probably not a good idea, tonight. It’s already late.” What was she afraid of? She needed to get laid and Mac would be damn good in bed. His scorching kisses said so.

“If you tell me to leave, Hannah, I will.” His voice sounded emotionless, unlike his breathing that remained heavy.

She thought about it. “You should leave, Austin.”

His expression remained blank when he slowly placed her on her feet. Walking to the door, he stopped and looked back at her, said, “Goodnight, Hannah,” He walked out into the night, shutting the door behind him.

Her feet danced in place while she bit her bottom lip.
Don’t be afraid to take what you want.
She had needs and Mac had been one of the biggest ones. Without another second of hesitation, she scurried out the door. “Austin!”

Mac stopped just before he got to his truck door and stared back. Running across the driveway, she stopped at the front of his truck, did her nervous foot dance for three seconds then bolted and jumped into his arms, kissing him feverishly.

“I’m sorry,” she said breathless against his lips. “I got scared. I want you too much for my liking.” She slid out of his embrace and hooked a finger into his belt loop, tugging until he followed her inside.

Mac shut the door behind him then gathered Hannah into his arms, his lips landing on hers, moving to her jaw, her neck. His hand snaked up the front of her T-shirt to find her breast, her nipple already perked for him to pinch and rub. He looked into her eyes for a long moment, squeezing her breast, an exquisite tingle of pleasure pulsed through to her belly.

“You’re not scared of me, are you, Hannah?”

“No.” Her voice sounded needy, and she cringed inwardly. “I’m scared of me. I’ve never wanted a man like I want you. There’s never been a man I’ve met that could compete with a vibrator.”

Mac laughed. “You’re so friggin’ amazing, Hannah.”

Without warning, he scooped her up into his strong arms and made it upstairs in seconds, evidently as needy as she was. He lowered her to the bed and lay on top of her, capturing her mouth in another delicious kiss.

His cell phone rang.

“Shit,” he complained, jumping up, and fishing the phone out of his jean pocket. “I have to answer it. The kids,” he said. “Hello?” he said breathless. Glancing at Hannah, he mouthed, “It’s Aidan.” He rolled his eyes. “Let him sleep in your bed until I get home. Give me ten minutes and I’ll be there.”

Disconnecting, he ran a hand through his short, black hair, clearly as flustered as she. “Luke woke up with a nightmare and won’t go to bed without Daddy. Hannah, I’m so sorry. I have to go home. I want to stay.”

Hannah crawled to the end of the bed and leaned up on her knees, softly kissing his lips quickly. “Go, Austin. You have to. Luke needs you.”

“And I need you, Hannah.” For emphasis he squeezed her breast through the thin cotton of the T-shirt.

“We’ll have another time.” Was she purring now? Jesus, he was ungluing her.

“Promise?” Desperation coated his voice.

“I think that goes without saying…Austin. Go home to Luke. He needs his daddy.”

“Okay.” With one final kiss, he pulled back. “No hard feelings about tonight?”

“Austin, you’re the first man that has ever paid attention to me. Truly paid attention. I brought on tonight all by myself. And it’s probably not the last time, I warn you.”

“God help me.”

His smile was so sweet she melted.

“But I respect you,” she said. “No hard feelings.”

“I like you being a brat, you know. Makes life interesting.”

“Go home and take care of your boys, Austin.” She leaned up and stole one more deep kiss. “I’ll take care of their daddy another night.”

“Now that is the best offer I’ve had in a very long time.” His knuckles skimmed her jaw, his fingers touched her lips where she’d planted a kiss before he turned and left.

With Mac’s T-shirt fitting her like a nightgown, Hannah wrapped the sheets around herself. Scooting into her bed, she fell asleep dreaming of Mac’s kisses and caresses.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Hannah discovered that six thirty in the morning came early after her restless night of trying to sleep. But all she found herself in had been a miserable horny state and dreaming of being in Mac’s arms. They had almost made love last night. God, she had never wanted something so much in her life. And now the very man who had stolen her breath away with every kiss had just let himself into her house, preparing to start the project that, when finished, would take her away from Charleston for good. Well, except for the quarterly visits she performed for each site.

Still wearing Mac’s old T-shirt, Hannah hugged her pillow and listened to the male voices emanating from downstairs. Mac wouldn’t be alone. Of course not. She sighed and stretched long and hard. He did tell her his crew would arrive by seven so it must be Aidan down there with him. If Mac had arrived by himself, he wouldn’t waste any time jumping in her bed and making love. She knew when a man wanted her and Mac definitely wanted her.

She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. It probably didn’t prove a good sign how they always got interrupted from making love. Maybe the gods thought they shouldn’t. Maybe it wouldn’t be in the cards for them to be intimate.

Hannah jumped up. To hell with the damn cards. She wanted Mac and she would have him. Soon.

If she couldn’t wear off her edginess with good hot sex then she’d do the next best thing. Go for a long hard run.

After brushing her teeth and washing her face, she regrettably removed the T-shirt, remembering how Mac’s hands had massaged over her bare bottom, remembering the jolt of heat that had shot through her blood when his hand closed over her breast. Thinking of last night would definitely not help her horniness, so she needed to focus on something other than Mac and sex.

She donned a baby blue sports bra, short black bike shorts that clung to her curves, and her favorite white running sneakers. She hooked her iPod into its armband on her upper arm and adjusted her headphones. She walked down the stairs slowly, her belly fluttering like a thousand butterflies jostling to get out. Halfway down she noticed Mac putting his crew of six men and Aidan to work. Dust flew everywhere while the men spread throughout the room, some holding large power tools, others simple hand tools, but all attacking the walls. It was noisy and busy.

As though he sensed her presence, Mac turned to look at Hannah when she stopped at the bottom of the stairs. He walked to her, his smile lighting up his face, and her heart did somersaults.

“Hey there,” he said, his Southern drawl very sexy. “Sorry, if we woke you. I probably should’ve warned you that you wouldn’t be sleeping in from now on.”

“That’d be good to know.” The smile that creased her lips came easily. “Guess I better not get in the habit of staying up late.”

His eyes sparked, but he kept cool, perusing her up and down. “Hannah, with your hot body you can’t be walking around my worksite with hardly any clothes on. The guys won’t concentrate.”

She giggled, glancing at his men and back to him. “The guys? What about you, Mac? Will you be able to concentrate?”

“Put it this way. If you walk around here half dressed I’ll just send the crew home for the day and have to take you upstairs and show you my tools. Don’t complain if the project never gets completed.”

Hannah stepped closer, stood on her toes, and whispered in his ear. “Guess I’ll have to re-think my wardrobe. I think I’m wearing too much.”

A low moan escaped his throat while his hand grasped her waist, his fingers digging in. “Hannah.”

“Austin.”

“Don’t do that,” he commanded, his eyes serious.

“Why whatever are you talking about, Austin?” She feigned innocence, overly blinking her eyes.

“You are such a little brat.”

She laughed. “So you’ve told me a dozen times. I’ve got to go.”

“Go?” he asked and followed her to the door.

“Running. I’m going for a morning run. Thought the outfit gave it away.”

“You’re going running like that?” His voice filled with shock and nervousness. So cute.

She studied herself after his exasperated tone, glancing down over her outfit. She stared back at him. “What’s wrong with how I’m dressed?”

“Oh, nothing except the fact you’re hardly wearing anything at all. Put something else on, Hannah.” His body towered over her as usual but he couldn’t intimidate her. She had grown used to his bossy ways by now, just like he’d better be used to her defiant ways.

“Like what?” The question seemed more to tease than to look for alternative attire.

“A snowsuit.” Those huge arms crossed in front of him, the muscles clearly visible and clearly solid.

Tilting her head back, she laughed. “Knock it off.”

“Hi, Hannah,” Aidan said, walking up to them.

“Hi, there, Aidan. You excited about helping your dad out on this project?”

Aidan stared at Hannah’s body for a long time before Mac elbowed him. “Yeah. This is the best job I’ve ever had.”

Mac snorted. “It’s the only job you’ve ever had. Did you want something?”

“Um, ah, yeah,” he said, dragging his attention from Hannah. “I’m done with putting up the plastic barrier between the hall and kitchen. Now what?”

“You’re done? Okay. Go back in there. I’ll be right there.”

Aidan did followed instructions but not before sneaking another peek at Hannah.

“Jesus, Hannah. See what I mean. You just made my son forget his name. You can’t go out like that. You’ll cause a car accident or something.”

Smiling, she pulled his head down to her lips and kissed him gently and quickly. “Austin, darling, I have to do something to wear off all this energy I have built up inside me. You only have yourself to blame for that. You shouldn’t have started something last night you didn’t finish.”

When she turned to leave, he followed her out the door. “Shit, Hannah. That ain’t fair. You know why I had to leave.”

Stopping, she faced him, admiring the steely look of passion in his deep blue eyes. “I know. But you still started something you didn’t finish. Now I have to go work off some frustration like I trust you’ll be doing when you run your crew ragged today.”

He tugged her close and kissed her hard, his lips warm, his hands sliding over her bottom offering the same caress he did last night. Slowly, he lifted his head. “How’s this feeling this morning?” His voice was so serious, concerned.

Her lips tingled from his touch. “It’d feel better with your attention.”

He growled. “Stop it, brat. You know I have to work.”

“Then get back to work and let me get running.”

“You know, when I make love to you it’s going to be more than once.” With hesitation, his hands slide from her waist.

“Promises, promises,” she whispered, leaning up to kiss his lips. With her headphones on her ears, she ran down her stairs, and up the street.

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Mac surveyed his plans and was pleased with the first day’s work. Hannah was right. He’d worked his crew hard but ending the day early rewarded them. They’d busted their butts and were ahead of schedule. No sense starting another phase with only an hour left to the workday.

They had knocked down the walls between the parlor and dining room to make a large open room that would be the main dining area. In the back of the house, the four bedrooms would be split to make one large function room and one smaller one. The kitchen would be gutted totally and refurbished for restaurant appliances. Hannah had already chosen the refrigerators, stove, dishwashers, cabinets, sink and faucets, and countertops. Now he had to fit it all in.

The front door opened, and Hannah entered. “Oh, good, Mac. You’re still here.”

“I’m happy to see you, too, darling,” he said, his gut tightening while she walked toward him, those long legs shapely as hell.

“Get your mind out of the gutter. I wanted to make you and the boys’ dinner tonight. I have some new recipes and could use some feedback from kids since it’s for a kids’ menu.”

“Ah. I have to warn you, Ryan and Aidan no longer consider themselves kids.”

“They don’t?” Her face didn’t hide her confusion.

“Nope. Not since they turned into teenagers. They think they’re men,” he advised, rolling the remodeling plans neatly and placing them near a toolbox.

“Oh,” she said, her voice soft, concerned.

“Yeah. Oh.” He eyed her, hating to deflate her hopes. “So if you come home with me and ask them to give feedback on a kid’s menu, well, I think you might just fall off that pedestal they have you on.”

Her lips curved into a feline smile. Damn she was sexy. “We can’t have that now, can we? Okay. I’ll figure out something to get their feedback. But would you mind if I did that?”

“What cook dinner?”

“Yes. Tonight.” Her hands rested on her hips, her complete attention focused on him. “Now.”

“Knock yourself out, sweetheart. Who am I to pass on that?”

Excitement glowed in those green eyes, like he’d given her a present. “Good. Because I just came back from the store and have the groceries in my car.”

“So you were confident I’d say yes?” Needing to touch her, he moved slowly to her side and wrapped her in his arms.

“Well, that and if you said no I was pretty confident I could persuade you.” Her fingers walked up the front of his shirt, her nails leaving jolts of electricity in their path.

He wrapped his arms around her waist, his hands hovering near her lower back. “Then you should persuade me.”

“Uh uh. You already said yes.” Pushing free from his embrace, she danced out of his reach. “I’ve got to go before the food spoils in this heat. Is anyone at your house right now that can let me in?”

“What’s the matter? Don’t feel like breaking in again.”

“Ha ha,” she said, sticking her tongue out at him. “You’re so not funny.”

He grinned. “I’ll be there. I called it a wrap for today. We made good progress,” he said, inspecting the room.

Hannah stepped past him and noticed the room for the first time. “Oh, wow. Mac, this is awesome. Taking down those walls really opens it up. And it’s so clean in here.”

Taking his attention from her hot ass, he cleared his throat. “Number two rule on a job. You clean up before leaving for the day.”

“What’s the number one rule, then?” She turned, her breasts heaving against the low cut yellow striped shirt that matched thigh-length yellow jean shorts.

“Stay safe.”

“Yes. That’s important.” Waltzing past him, her masses of red curls neatly subdued in a long ponytail swayed in time with her great ass.

Mac grabbed her hand before his mouth watered any more. “Come on. We’ll put your groceries in my truck and I’ll drive.”