Eraser Platinum (12 page)

“I don’t need your permission, Mackenzie.  I’ll take what I want, when I want it,” he said, before slipping his hand inside her underwear.

“But your parents …” she moaned when his finger entered her.

“Are probably snoring by now.”

As if on cue, they heard a noise from somewhere in the house and Nate quickly moved his hand away.

Mackenzie giggled and buried her head in his neck.

“Alright,” he nudged her.  “Get your ass up to bed then.”

“Wait.  Before we go to bed, I’ve got something I want to say.”

“What is it?”  He resumed his pattern on her leg; the light infinity symbols soothing Mackenzie’s racing heart.

“About The Blue Room.  I’m not comfortable with you buying it for me, not completely.  I mean, if you’re the one putting up all the money you should at least be a part owner.”

“Mackenzie, that’s not necessary.  I want it for you.”

“I know that, but it would make me feel better if you had a stake in it.  If you are investing your funds in the business then you should also reap the rewards. 
We
could be partners.”

“My reward will be seeing you happy.  But if it means that much to you, I’ll have my share drawn up in the contracts.”  Nate nodded thoughtfully.  “And Alex?  Will you keep him on as manager or do you want him to have a higher stake?”

“Equal partners.”  Nate watched her chewing her lip.  “Though it’s really up to Alex, don’t you think?”

“Alex would be mad not to say yes.  I’ll be offering him a large share in a solid business, my gift.  Why would he possibly say no?”

“True.”  She hugged him and kissed his cheek.  “You’re really going to just give it to him?  You barely know Alex.”

“But you do and I know you.  I trust your judgement on him, Mackenzie.”

“Nate, you’re amazing, you know that right?  I love you.”  She stood from his lap and held out her hand.  “Come to bed, so I can show you just how much.”

Nate took her hand and let her lead him up the stairs to the guest room.  Once there, they stripped off their clothes and climbed under the covers.  Mackenzie looked around the room before turning off the bedside lamp.

“I’m going to miss this place.”

“We can come back whenever you want.  Turn the light back on.”  Mackenzie did it without hesitation but he could see the question in her eyes.  “I want to make this memorable.  I want to give you a reason to want to come back to this room.”  He kissed her neck before tenderly, lovingly, working his way over her body with his mouth.  He looked up and gave her a knowing smirk before getting to work between her legs.  He licked her into a fever, until she grabbed him by the hair and forced him to look at her.

“I want you to fuck me hard now.”  She needed it.  Everything had been so sweet lately, that she needed some nasty.  She’d always craved it, but no man had ever given it remotely like he did.  “Make it really count, please
Sir
.”

He caught her eye.  He knew exactly what she was asking when she said ‘sir’ like that.  A second later he had his cock inside her.  She jolted as he pounded into her.  His eyes focused on her large breasts that bounced with every jerky movement.  He squeezed her wrists so hard he was sure he would leave a mark on her body.  He felt no guilt when she winced.  He knew Mackenzie drew pleasure at the thought of bruised skin made by his hands.  She didn’t want gentle and slow with him right now, she wanted pain.  She craved it, her eyes pleaded for it.  He knew her so well.

He leaned down and bit the top of her breast, right above her heart.  It hurt, yet it felt so good.  Nate wasn’t gentle and she half expected to see blood, there would most definitely be a bruise.  She grinned through the pain and cried out in pleasure as he continued to slide in and out of her body.  She tried to grind her hips but he weighed her down deliciously.  She couldn’t move, he had total control of her.  It only increased the yearning she felt for him.  Her body was shuddering at the feel of him and when he lifted his head and caught her eye, it took her breath away.  Dark hair fell onto his eyebrow and she desperately wanted to brush it away with her fingers but he held them tightly, trapped above her.  It frustrated her and exhilarated her at the same time.  She loved that he dominated her body.  Her mind too.

He read her thoughts well and gave her what she wanted time and time again.  When she licked her lips he knew she needed to taste and so he crashed his mouth against hers.  Teeth, lips and tongues clashed roughly as they devoured one another.  Their movements were desperate and wild, so passionate that it made his eyes water.  He would never get enough of her. 
Never.
  He needed her more than air and he knew she felt the same.  He let her hands go so he could hold her.  They clung to each other desperately.  Like they couldn’t get close enough.

Mackenzie cried out in ecstasy when she finally climaxed, but it didn’t end there.  One orgasm crashed into another, wave after wave consumed her body, until she felt like she was drowning in ecstasy.  Nate’s movements continued, milking her, as his mouth stole her sounds.

He loved taking that from her, drawing her pleasure into his body.  Her internal muscles squeezed him tightly.  When he finally came he pulled his lips from hers and cried out.  Pumping his seed into her, the feel of owning her never more present than the moments when he filled her like that.

She took a shaky breath and then she felt it, that burning in her stomach, that overwhelming pounding in her heart, love.  Her connection to him deepened in that moment.  She couldn’t see a future without this man in it.  He was right.  As usual, he was right.  She had to be with him
always
.

Mackenzie quickly settled into life at the mansion after they left England.  Her apartment had been let go and her belongings moved in.  She didn’t have much in the way of furniture worth keeping, not compared to Nate’s beautiful furnishings, so she sold or donated most of it.

She was working day and night at The Blue Room.  The business was getting transferred to hers and Alex’s names in a matter of days.  They’d already hired Andrea to take promotional photos for their new website and brochures.  It was all very exciting that she was about to become a business owner.  Not just any business either, but the prestigious bar she’d come to love, with her buddy Alex, no less.  They’d been having so much fun together, her and Alex, strategizing and planning their new venture, that even though she no longer worked as a late night waitress, she still managed to come home late most nights.

“I’m off!”  Mackenzie said, collecting her bag.  “Don’t forget we have that meeting with the printer tomorrow at one.”

“Got it!  Will you go home already?” Alex said with a chuckle.  “You’ve been saying you were going to leave for the past hour!”

“I know.  There’s just so much to think about.”

“And it will still be here tomorrow.”  He gave her a shove toward the door.  “Go home to Mr. Hot Shot.”

“You’ve really got to stop calling him that.”  Mackenzie laughed.

“Oh come on, it suits him!”  Mackenzie quirked her eyebrow at him.  “Alright.”  Alex conceded, throwing his hands up in defeat.  “Seriously though Mack, I still can’t believe this place is going to be ours.  I can never thank Nathaniel enough for this opportunity.”

Alex’s eyes glistened as he spoke sincerely and Mackenzie had to pull him in for a hug, it was either that or get emotional at the look on his face.  He squeezed her back before pushing her away and pointing to the door.

“Now leave!” he said with a smile.

“’Night Alex.”

It was almost ten o’clock by the time Simon dropped her at the door.  She walked into the house expecting to see Nate in the front room, scotch in hand, waiting for her like he had been doing since they came back from the UK, but the room was dark and empty.  She crossed the large foyer to see if he was in his home office instead, but that light was off too.  Thinking he must have gone to bed she went to the kitchen to grab a drink before heading there herself.  It was the second night in a row he hadn’t waited up for her and she couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

She’d just reached into the fridge to grab a bottle of water when the back door swung open and the kitchen light came on giving Mackenzie a fright.  She turned around to find Hilda standing there.

“Oh! You scared me.”  She held her hand to her chest and smiled at the woman.  “What were you doing outside so late?”

“Oh, um, just getting some fresh air,” Hilda replied.  It sounded more like a question and she looked rather uneasy.

“Is everything alright?” Mackenzie asked with concern.  She’d really come to love Hilda in the time she’d gotten to know her.  “You’re not feeling sick are you?”

“Oh no, dear, I’m fine.  Might head to bed though,” she said, but didn’t attempt to move.

“I’m heading there myself,” Mackenzie said absentmindedly.

“No!”  Hilda practically shouted.  Her face instantly flushed with embarrassment before she ducked her head. “Shit,” she said under her breath.

“What’s going on?”

Hilda took a long moment before replying, “Look, you weren’t meant to be in here just yet.  I was going to put it on the fridge on the way to my room.”  She sighed.  “It seems Simon drove a little faster than Nathaniel anticipated.”

“Hilda, what are you talking about?  Put what in the fridge?”

“Not
in
, on the fridge.  Here.”  She held out her hand to Mackenzie, giving her a piece of paper.  “Just pretend you found it.”  Hilda gave Mackenzie’s hand a firm squeeze before she let the paper go.  “I’m sorry.”

Hilda walked past Mackenzie into the corridor leading to her room without saying another word.
 
Mackenzie’s heart started hammering in her chest. 
She’s sorry?  What on earth does she have to be sorry about?
  She stared at the folded piece of paper with apprehension. 
Why would Nate be passing notes?  And why wouldn’t Hilda want me to go to bed?
 

She was too nervous to open it. She’d been working so many hours lately, she’d felt as though they hadn’t spent enough time together.  Maybe they were drifting apart. 
Nope, not possible.
  She knew
her
feelings hadn’t altered at all, if anything they were stronger.

She took a large gulp of water and placed the bottle on the counter.
What was so hard to say that he couldn’t say it to my face? 
She took a deep breath.  Her fingers trembled as she unfolded the paper. 

Relief flooded her.  She read it twice more just to be sure that she’d read it right.  She smiled. 
He wants kinky outdoor sex?  That I can do.

The wait was killing him. 
What if she went straight to bed?  Maybe she didn’t see my note on the fridge.
  He checked his watch again.  By his calculations she should be here by now.  He was not a patient man and he’d waited long enough.  He’d waited for the right moment; when she was ready.  He hoped like hell he’d read the signs right this time. 

Nate had spent the better part of the afternoon and evening setting it up.  With a little help from Simon and Hilda, he had woven hundreds of fairy lights throughout the willow tree and garden.  They’d set out speakers for music and decorated the lawn with her favorite flowers.  Tom had stopped by only to tell him he was mad; he couldn’t understand why Nate didn’t just hire somebody to do the work for him.  It was easy to throw cash about to get things done, but that wasn’t Mackenzie.  He wanted to do this for her.  He wanted it to be perfect.

When Simon received the call from Mackenzie, to come and collect her from the bar, he’d had to quicken his pace to set the scene he envisioned.  At the very last minute he’d sent Hilda inside with the note to stick to the fridge door, knowing Mackenzie’s routine was to grab a bottle of water when she got home. 
What is taking so long?

Her step faltered when she rounded the corner of the house.  Her hand flew to her mouth and she gulped as she took in the sight in front of her.  The twinkling lights were what Mackenzie noticed first.  There were so many.  The garden was littered with them and the tree … it was a work of art.  Her eyes darted from one part of the garden to the next.  It was so beautiful it brought tears to her eyes.  Even the lawn was carpeted in gloriosa flowers. Covered, except for a pathway that lead to the tree.  Their tree.  She took a couple of shaky steps and her heels sunk into the plush lawn so she removed them.

Even from where he stood, hidden under the branches of their tree, he could tell her eyes were glistening with fresh tears.  He watched her take off her shoes and then she was coming his way.  His heart beat wildly at the sight of her, his beauty, his Mackenzie.

Music began to play from somewhere as she gradually walked down the path, her toes feeling the cool dampness of the grass underfoot, while her eyes wandered the grounds.  She’d always loved this garden but she never imagined it could look quite this spectacular.  It was majestic, like a fairy tale, the warm and starry night adding to the stunning atmosphere.  It seemed to take forever to get to the beautiful tree.  She pushed the branches aside, and then she found him.  Nate stood in front of the trunk, wearing a steel gray suit.  His hair was slicked back and he looked so very handsome.  He smiled at her, that flashy one she adored, and she slowly took the remaining steps to meet him. Nate held out his hand and took hers.  She opened her mouth to speak but there were no words.  Only a million butterflies in her stomach.

“Papillon,” he said, as if he knew that’s exactly what she was thinking of.  He lifted her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist, his eyes never leaving hers.  Then she heard the lyrics of the music that surrounded them –
You have started the beginning of my life.
  As usual, Nate had timed the music perfectly, the words reflected her own thoughts – her life really hadn’t begun until
he
entered it.

His hand shook as he lowered the volume of the stereo.  He’d never been more nervous, yet it felt so right.  He couldn’t take his eyes off her jade ones, glistening in the speckled light, wet with tears. 
This is it.
  He took a shaky breath.

“You once told me of the willow tree where you grew up and your make believe stories of princesses and fairies.  They were bittersweet memories for you, so I want to give you new memories.  Perfect memories of a real fairy tale, because this is our tale, Mackenzie.  It may have started out unconventionally,” his smile broadened to a smirk, “but it’s still a fairy tale none the less.  Because you are my princess.  The one for me.  I love you with all of my heart, Mackenzie, it’s only ever been yours.  And I love how fiercely you love me back and that I am the only one you’ve ever allowed into your heart, because that makes it mine, just like the rest of your body.”  Mackenzie let out a nervous laugh.  “And I love your laugh.  It is my favorite sound.  I want to hear your laughter for the rest of my life.  I want to be with you always.”

She could see how choked up he was, his dark eyes glistening with tears making her own flow down her cheeks.  He got down on one knee and Mackenzie held her hand to her mouth to stop the sobs from escaping.

He took his grandmother’s platinum diamond ring from his jacket pocket and held it between his thumb and forefinger, presenting it to her. 

“Mackenzie.  Please, for the love of god,” he chuckled, “will you say yes this time?  Will you marry me?”

She nodded fervently, as more tears escaped.

“Pardon?” he asked, with his sexy smirk at full force and his eyebrow cocked.

“YES!”  She dropped to her knees in front of him and held out her shaky hand so he could slip the ring on her finger.  Then she cupped his face in her hands.  “I love you so much.”

“Was that really a yes?” he asked, wide-eyed.

“Yes, Nate, I want to be your wife,” she said, before pressing her mouth to his.

He kissed her back passionately.  His hands snaked around her as their tongues caressed.  He could feel her heart rapidly beating in time with his own as they pressed their chests together.  And that’s how they belonged – two hearts that beat as one.  He’d never had any doubt.

When their kisses eventually slowed, Mackenzie stared dreamily into the dark eyes of the man she’d met at the bar, the elusive and arrogant bastard that promised her one night, and she shook her head.

“What?”

“Just remembering.”  She smiled cheekily at him and he knew there was a smart ass comment lurking beneath the surface.

“About what a prick I was to you when we first met?” he asked with a smirk.

“How did you know?”  She gasped mockingly.

“Because I know you.”

“And you can offer me pleasure like I’ve never known before, right Sir?”  She laughed.

He pulled her hair so that her face was tilted up to him.  “I own you, Mackenzie, I will have you whenever I want.  It will
still
serve you well to remember that.”