One More Day (29 page)

His thumbs brushed her nipples, back and forth, making her gasp.  Mack threw her head back and let her hips rock forward, his hard shaft pressing against her.  Tilting slightly, slick folds parted, and his hot skin slid across her hard nub.  Ryan groaned, hips twitching beneath her, and his mouth closed on her breast, his tongue flicking against the erect skin.

"Higher," he breathed before he moved to the other side.

She obeyed, her slit sliding up his shaft, feeling him suck in a breath around her nipple before teasing it even harder.  The fingers of one hand pressed her toward his mouth, the other sliding lower to cup her ass, and Mack leaned forward, shifting her knee, then slid against him, again.  Hot, slick, and wet, his hard head moved lower before sliding back up, every movement punctuated by the rasp of his breath, her own panting even faster.  She rocked again, and he pressed his face against her chest, clinging to her.

"That feels so good," he groaned, lifting his hips slightly as his eyes closed, pressing harder as his dick slid against her clit one more time.

Mack moaned, her hands pressing against his chest.  She couldn't wait anymore.  The scent of sex filled the air, the pressure of his fingers begging, needing more, and the ache inside her needed to be filled.  Hard flesh slipped against her, moving back, and she paused as it teased her opening, then sank lower.  Ryan's eyes flew open, his lips parted, and his hands found her waist. 

"God, you're so hot."

Thick and hard, his head slid higher, stretching her, filling her, quenching a primal need no words could define.  He held her, his hands holding her up, accepting her direction, demanding nothing.  Slowly, she pushed him deeper.  He watched her, those blue eyes drinking it all in, making her feel beautiful, desired.  Perfect.  Then he moved.

The first shift of his hips sent sparks up her spine and tingles down her legs.  Ryan glanced down, looking at their fused bodies, and a hint of a smile teased his mouth before he moved again.  She felt every inch of him slide against her, caressing her from the inside, slowly withdrawing just to do it again.  Then she joined him.  Wet skin whispered, crisp sheets sighed, and Mackenzie groaned at the exquisite pressure, pressing into him.  It was all the permission he needed.

His fingers pulled, guiding her hips and he surged, his dick throbbing.  When she closed her eyes, he moaned, leading her gently through the steps, his heavy breathing proving his own enjoyment.  She lost herself in the moment, no longer caring about how she looked or what she did.  She wanted this.  She wanted him, and she knew that's what he was giving.  It wasn't just sex, it was love, pure, physical, and complete.  Ryan Sterling loved her with every inch, driving her higher than she knew was possible.

"Mack," he gasped. "God, you feel so fucking good."  He pushed.  "Hot.  Tight."  He moaned.  "And you're gonna make me cum so fucking hard."

He pushed again, and she felt him swelling inside her, harder than she knew was possible.  She couldn't speak, she couldn't find the words, but his crashed over her, proving that she was worth it.  As his hands held her, his body caressed, and his mouth praised her, she gave in to the feelings, no longer fighting it.  Sparks flared in her loins as her hips ground against his, and Mack whimpered in pleasure, pushing harder, driving him deeper, until she exploded.

The passion ripped from her throat, a strangled cry as her body clenched against him.  Something ached, but the pleasure covered it, and her hips bucked as she lost control.  Ryan pushed one more time, sucking in a breath, his fingers refusing to let her move as he throbbed, clutching her hips while he spilled into her. 

Then he breathed, letting it all out in a rush as he pulled her against his chest.  "Never," he gasped, "worry about being good in bed."  He chuckled and guided her off him and onto the sheets at his side.  "Hey?"

"Mm?"  She lifted heavy lids and looked at him, a smile on her mouth that wouldn't leave.

Ryan trailed his fingers over her ear.  "Still alive?"

"Yeah."  She giggled.  "I approve of your therapy."

"You hurt?"  He leaned closer and kissed below her eye.  "Honest, baby.  Ache, pinch, anything?"

"Just the incision," she promised.  "Barely an ache.  My abs aren't exactly in the best shape."

"K."  He kissed her lips, shifting to look down at her.  "Then next time, we'll try another way.  And yeah, there will be a next time, so don't even ask."

That's exactly what she wanted to hear.  Mack snuggled closer to him and pressed her face into his neck.  "Ryan?"

"Yeah, babe?"

"I love you so much.  You're my knight in shining ink."

He froze, then pushed his lips against her shoulder.  For a moment he said nothing, then, with a subtle sniff, leaned back and wiped at his eyes.  Only then did she realize he was crying.  He laughed once, wryly, and glanced at her.  "I'm sorry, baby.  I just..."  He took a breath.  "I can't believe I just made love to you, is all.  You, my Venus de Milo, and you love me."

"Forever," she promised.  "My bright angel, Ryan, I do.  I'm the luckiest woman in the world."

He smiled and turned into her, wrapping her in his arms.  "Forever.  I like the sound of that.  I love you, too, baby."

Chapter 30

The next day she was a little sore.  The doctor had warned that might happen, but it had been worth it.  She woke in Ryan's arms, and he'd smothered her in kisses, but hadn't tried to push things any farther.  It was like he knew, and she never had to say a word, proving just how perfect he really was. 

When she pulled out a pair of baggy but comfortable jeans, he glanced over, but pretended not to notice.  To make up for it, Mack decided she needed a cute shirt.  She found a thick sweater that hugged her curves, and pulled it on, turning before the mirror to look for some visible difference.  She'd just made love to her boyfriend.  She was healthy enough to do that now, proof that she was almost done counting days.  When she looked up, Ryan was smiling.

"What?"

He cleared his throat and glanced down.  "So, I take it this means you're up for going to work?"

"Yeah."  It only took four steps to reach him, and she tossed her arms around his neck.  "You didn't hurt me, big boy.  I'm still all in one piece."

His tongue swept the corner of her top lip.  "And moving a bit stiff.  I saw that, Mack.  You sure you're ok?"

"It's a good ache," she promised.  "But, you might not get any tonight."

He nodded.  "I can wait.  Besides..."  He bit the tip of his tongue.  "There's other things."

She gasped in playful shock.  "Ryan Sterling, you are a bad boy!"

"Mhm, and completely addicted to seeing the look on your face when you cum.  Damn, gets me hard just thinking about it."  He leaned forward and kissed her, pulling out of her arms.  "Four feet, missy, or you might need to get dressed again."

Mack laughed, but let him step back.  "Ok.  Point taken.  You have clients in twenty minutes."

He pulled open the door, and together they walked out, neither one shocked to see Colby sitting at the bar.  He looked over pointedly, watching Mack make her way over, and grinned.  Pushing a pair of cups in their direction, he leaned back.

"Morning, love birds.  Good fuck?"

"Yeah," Mack said.  "And you're washing my sheets."

He made a noise and waved that away.  "I used a sock.  Seriously though, had coffee with that nurse, Maria.  By the time I got back, was pretty damned quiet."

"It's been a few months," Ryan said.  "Gotta build up some stamina."

"Yeah," Colby laughed, rolling his eyes.  "Go open the shop, boss, I need to borrow your girl."

Ryan slapped his shoulder but obeyed, jogging down the stairs with his cup.  Colby gestured to the seat beside him, but waited until he heard the door before flopping his elbows onto the bar.  He looked her over.

"You good?"

"Just so you know, he's as bad as you, ok?"  Mack rubbed his arm, though, to prove she didn't mind.  "Just don't ask me to be a gopher today?"

"Nah.  You sit your ass at that desk and draw.  Things work well enough between you two?  Girl to girl, hun.  I mean, if he needs some pointers, I can drop the hints, if you need it."

Mack grabbed her cup.  "It's fine for me.  Shit, fine is the wrong word.  He's amazing."  She bit her lip and looked up.  "Not like I have the experience to know, right?"

"Doesn't take much experience to know if it works.  From the way he's hovering, pretty sure he's not complaining."  Colby reached over and palmed the back of her head, mussing her inch long hair.  "Want me to make sure?"

"Yeah.  Subtle-like.  None of this, 'can she suck a mean cock' shit you usually do."

He sucked at his teeth, nodding slowly, then reached up and smoothed down his goatee.  "So, Mack, you suck a mean cock?"

"Yeah.  Surprised I still have the back of my head attached.  Aren't you glad you asked?"

Colby laughed, sliding off the chair, and grabbed his cup.  He shook his head once, tossed back the last sip, then gestured to the door.  "Ok, just so you know, if you're a dead fuck, but can suck dick, no man will ever complain.  Just sayin'.  C'mon, we've got clients."

The shop wasn't busy, but they did have clients.  Ryan was already working on a bicep piece and Colby's chest showed up within minutes.  She watched, taking in the way her boyfriend moved, her pencil stalled out on the page.  At least Colby didn't tease her, well, not where the clients could hear.  She felt like a giddy teenager, completely lost in her daydreams.

Ryan finished his, and while she completed the invoice, Tony walked in, waving at her.  He was carrying a large box and didn't pause, just walked to the back, tapping Ryan's leg with his foot as he tilted his head to the door.  Ryan nodded, and leaned around the wall to see Mack. 

"Hey, Tony and I are in the back room.  No one wants to see his ass."

"K.  He's not scheduled."

Ryan blew that off.  "It's cool.  He called last night, I just forgot to mark it.  Don't book me for about four hours?"

"Ok."  She smiled, but he seemed off.

It was hard to describe the difference, but once he'd reached the shop, Ryan seemed stiff, almost like he was trying to ignore her.  She looked up at Colby and made a face, asking silently if he noticed it.  He shook his head and wrinkled his nose, making light of her worry, then turned back to his client.  Colby might not see it, but something was going on, and she could tell.  Had she really been that bad in bed?

But Ryan had seemed so happy.  Not even an hour ago he sounded like everything was perfect, and now?  He could barely meet her eyes.  Biting her lip, Mack opened the list, and looked through the schedule.  The only women on it were all from the cancer clinic.  She couldn't see Hailey's name listed anywhere.  Staring at the screen, she searched for some hint of what could have changed, losing herself in it so completely that she didn't realize Colby's client was done.

"Mack," he said.  "Go get a cup of coffee, babe, I'll finish this.  You're obviously on another planet."

She took a deep breath and nodded, prying herself from the chair.  At least she didn't shuffle anymore, she thought.  She might not win a marching contest, but she could walk.  Passing the open bathroom, she checked her reflection, hoping to see a beauty queen, but instead, she just saw the shadow of new hair on the top of her head.

In the light of day, it was all so apparent.  Her middle sagged where her abs were weak from being sawed in half.  Her skin was sallow and blanched, her hair was gone.  She looked like a cancer survivor.  At least she'd made it to survivor, but she, Mackenzie Lawrence, was no beauty queen.  She couldn't pull off a seductive look; she couldn't seduce a man, let alone one like Ryan.  She was just lucky he hadn't given up on her. 

No wonder he was acting strange.  He was embarrassed by having some sick girl fawning all over him in front of the clients.  The thought made her eyes sting, but she just took a deep breath.  He hadn't dumped her.  He'd said he loved her.  He'd made love to her.  Maybe she hadn't been good enough?  Then why had he been fine that morning?

No matter what it was, she'd make it through this.  She'd beat cancer.  Step by step, just working to make it through one more day, she'd won that fight, and she'd win this one.  After all they'd been through together, after giving her a taste of heaven, there was no way she'd let her own doubts drive her away from the man she loved.  She owed him that much.  If he was nervous, shy, or embarrassed, she'd understand, and they'd make it through this day, just like they had all the ones before.

Determined, Mack entered the break room and headed for the coffee pot.  No one had brewed any, yet, and the pot sat there, clean, cold, and empty.  On auto-pilot, she pulled open the cabinet and reached for the bag of grounds, only to find an empty space.  She paused, then glanced over at the trash and groaned.  She'd been so distracted yesterday that she hadn't even noticed they were low on coffee.  She tried to remember if they had any upstairs, but Colby had brewed it that morning.

Groaning to herself, she headed back to the front.  "Hey Colby?  How much coffee is upstairs?"

Looking up from the chair he was cleaning, he shrugged.  "I dunno, you got another bag?  I finished off that one."

Mack groaned again.  "No.  We're out in the break room, too."

He chuckled at her and reached for his back pocket.  Pulling out his wallet, he checked the cash.  "Yeah.  Lemme buy ya a first day as a real person cup, then.  I'll just tell Tony and Ryan that we're headed next door."

Flashing a smile at her, he headed to the back.  Mack could just hear him open the door and say something, but the words were too quiet to hear.  In a couple of seconds he was back, grinning like he'd just won the lottery.

"Yeah, Ryan said he'd watch the front.  Tony should be the only appointment for a few hours, so no biggie.  Ryan said you get a caramel macchiato."

She bit her lip and smiled.  He'd remembered.  Maybe all her fears were just paranoia and she was over reacting.  Either way, she was more than happy to share a cup with her best friend.  Winter break was almost over and they wouldn't get the chance again for a while.  Besides, she had a fondness for that coffee shop, it's where her life always seemed to change.

"That mind of yours is going," Colby said, pushing open the front door.

"Nah."  Mack stepped past him.  "Just haven't been there in a while.  Crazy, since it's right next door, you know?"

"Mhm.  And?"

"And that's where it all changed."  She casually tossed her arm around his waist.  "That's where I met Ryan, where I went when they told me I had cancer, and where he finally talked to me."  She paused.  "Colby, is he ok?"

"Yeah, fine, why?"

Mack paused, her hand on the door to the coffee shop.  "I dunno, maybe I'm freaking out for nothing, but ever since we made it down to the shop, it's like he's avoiding me."

Colby laughed and reached around her to pull open the door.  "And lemme guess.  You're convinced that somehow you've scared him off, and you're not worth it, and blah blah blah, yeah?  Close?"

"Well, I keep telling that part of my mind to shut up."

"Good."  He moved to her left side, plopping his arm over her shoulder as they moved into the line.  "You ever think that maybe he's nervous, too?  Maybe he has those little thoughts in his head just like you do?"

"Ryan?"  She rolled her eyes.  "Seriously, Colby, Super Hot Guy?  That's what I used to call him, you know?"

He laughed and pushed her forward another step.  "Then stop worrying.  Put it out of your pretty little fuzzy head.  If you're still worried in a few hours, then just ask him."

"Yeah."  Mack dropped her head against his chest.  "Thanks, Colby.  When you get a girl, I'll listen to all of your crazy delusions, too.  Deal?"

"Deal, and I may have one."  He didn't say more because the guy in front of them took his cup and left, leaving the attendant waiting for their order.  "Double espresso, black, and a caramel macchiato."

The guy smiled strangely, nodded, then turned to make the drinks.  Mack's head twitched, but she blew it off, assuming that Colby usually just ordered something else.  She waited patiently, shifting slightly from foot to foot, until their drinks were done.  Murmuring sweetly at her cup, she took a sip. 

"Oh," she moaned.  "Just like I remember."

"Wanna sit?" Colby asked.  "Figure standing and walking's a bit more work than you want to admit."

She laughed and bumped into his side, but made for her regular table.  She made it five steps, then paused.  Sitting there, in his regular spot, Ryan had his face buried in a book, but this time he wore just a simple t-shirt.  The corner of his lip lifted, and he closed the book, clutching it in his hand as he stood.

"Hi," he said, taking a step toward her.  "I've seen you in here all the time, and always wanted to meet you.  Ryan Sterling."  Mack laughed and took his hand, but instead of shaking it, he just knelt, taking another deep breath.  "One hundred and ninety-seven times I wanted to do that.  One hundred and ninety-seven times I was too scared to talk to the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.  Can you ever forgive me, Mack?"

"Yes."  She tugged, trying to pull him up, but he just shook his head.

"It took the worst day of your life for me to finally realize that it wasn't going to get easier.  I may be selfish, but that was the best day of mine.  I got to talk to you, got to know you, and together, we managed to beat the shit out of cancer.  Mackenzie Lawrence."  He closed his eyes and breathed.  "Baby, if we can do that..."  He opened the book, and pulled out the ribbon that marked his place, a small silver ring sparkling at the end, and held it up. 

She gasped, and her fingers trembled.  Without a word, Colby reached over and took her cup before it spilled, then pressed his free hand against her shoulder.  It wasn't much, but she wasn't sure she could stand on her own.  Mack pressed her quaking hands against her lips and just stared at the man on his knees before her.

"Please say you'll give me the chance to stand beside you in everything else?  I love you, Mack.  I'm so in love with you.  I think you hung the moon and dance with ribbons.  I swear to you, I'll always be your bright angel, to shield you from the pain of what could have been."  He smiled, but reached up to wipe at his eyes.  "I can't imagine not having you with me.  Sick or well, rich or poor, or any way I can get you.  I want you.  I want to spend the rest of my life with you.  Mackenzie, will you marry me?"