Page 262 of Mountain Men Heroes
As I was taking it all in, the French doors off the kitchen opened and Mac stepped inside from the deck. He carried a big platter of grilled steaks and veggies. When he caught sight of me, he paused and his gaze ran slowly from the top of my head to the tip of my bare toes. A slow, hungry smile spread across his face and he started moving again—heading straight for me.
He leaned down, holding the platter of food to the side, and kissed me, slow and easy. The touch of his mouth on mine sent tingles of awareness through my body. My eyes drifted closed and my toes curled into the carpet beneath my feet as my hands came up to rest on his chest.
He pulled back and I stood swaying, my eyes still closed for several seconds, savoring his warmth and taste even after he stepped away.
His low chuckle brought me out of my kiss-induced stupor. I opened my eyes with a soft, happy sigh.
He placed the platter in the middle of the coffee table. Staring at the perfectly grilled steaks, potatoes, and veggies, my stomach growled.
Mac’s chuckle turned into an outright laugh. The sound moved right through me, warming me from the inside out.
I placed a hand over my stomach. “Easy, Slugger. You’re about to get fed.”
“Slugger?”
I dropped to one of the spots Mac set up on the floor and didn’t hesitate in filling my plate. “This kid’s beating the tar out of me and he hasn’t even started kicking yet. I figure in another month he’ll be practicing his curveball with my kidneys as the catcher.”
Mac smiled, shaking his head. He dropped down into the spot next to mine and forked a steak onto his plate. “Not to put down your first choice because Slugger is a perfectly fine name. But have you considered any other names for the baby?”
I paused in the middle of cutting into my steak and tipped my head to the side. “I haven’t come up with anything I love. Amber is my best friend’s name. So if Slugger turns out to be a girl, maybe a twist on Amber? I don’t know. Do you have any names you like?”
“My grandfather’s name was John. He was a good man who died way too young. I always thought I’d like to name my son after him.”
I’d been meeting his family here and there during my stay. Mac made sure they didn’t come to visit in full force. Something I was eternally grateful for, especially after hearing Trinity’s story of the sneak attack meet-the-family-get-together she experienced.
I always felt a little out of place when Mac’s family was around like I was on the fringe of things. They’d all been very nice and done their best to welcome me. But I never felt more like the random chick Mac accidentally knocked up than when his family was around.
One thing I couldn’t fail to notice, though, was how much they all loved Mac. His parents and his brothers and sister were obviously thrilled to have him home. And as I thought of it, I realized I loved the idea that my child would be born into a big family with that much love to give.
“That’s lovely,” I said softly. “I like the name John. And I love the idea of giving our baby a name that’s meaningful for your family.”
Mac offered me a gentle smile and I couldn’t look away from him. I could feel my heart pick up speed and for the first time, I gave into the instincts that seemed to be constantly drumming inside me lately.
I leaned forward, closing the distance between us, and I kissed him. Took his lips with mine and let all the bottled up emotions, the fear, the excitement, all of it, and let it bleed through our connection until I didn't feel like I would drown at any second.
It started slow and sweet like the kiss he’d given me. But it didn’t take long for him to take it over, deepening it and running the tip of his tongue across the seam of my lips.
I opened to him, dropping my fork on my plate and turning toward him more fully. He took advantage of my new position, reaching forward and tugging me across his lap without breaking the kiss.
I slid my arms around his neck, pulling myself against him. He cradled me in his arms, holding me close to his body. All the emotions and need that built over the last few weeks surged to the surface with an urgency that left me panting as I tried to get closer and closer to him.
Mac slanted his mouth over mine, his tongue plunging into my mouth, searching and tasting. I grasped handfuls of his T-shirt, trying to pull myself closer to him.
He ripped his mouth from mine and kissed his way down my jawline. I tilted my head back to rest on his shoulder, giving him easier access. A soft moan escaped my lips as he kissed and nipped the sensitive skin of my neck.
His teeth scraped against the spot where my shoulder and my neck met, and I arched up against his mouth.
“Damn, Mac.” I shuddered in his arms.
“Let me keep making you feel good, beautiful.” His mouth moved away from my neck and his tongue flicked over my earlobe. “I want to bury myself inside you, Gabriella. Tonight. Not ten months from now. I need you now.”
He pulled back so he could look down into my face. I stared up at him, my mind offering me so many reasons I should say no.
But when I opened my mouth, there was only one word I could push past my lips.
“Take me.”
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