Page 10

Chapter Ten

MACKENZIE

I could hardly get any work done the past few days. My mind was still in that hallway.

I was shocked to see Fallon standing outside my door, holding a coffee. After the elevator incident, I didn’t think I’d see her again anytime soon—let alone see her bringing me something.

When our fingers touched again, and I felt a spark surging through my entire body, I knew I had to leave.

I called Harper to see if she could come over after I got off work. I missed my sister, and we rarely got to spend time together outside of our monthly dinners.

She was always busy with Grant and with her work as a divorce lawyer, just like our parents had been with theirs. I’d already disappointed them long before I decided not to follow in their footsteps, so I didn’t feel guilty about choosing my own path.

“I’m so glad you invited me over, Boog. I feel like I never see you!” she grumbled. She plopped down on the couch and made herself at home.

“I’m just sorry you can’t stay longer. I freaking miss you, Harper!”

“Ugh, I know. I miss you too, but it’s date night with Grant,” she sais, smiling.

Harper and Grant had been married for seven years, but they still acted like they just met. It was nauseatingly cute.

“I know, I get it. I’ll take any time I can have with you!”

“So, what’s new? How’s the aquarium?” she asked.

I took a sip of my wine and grinned, my mind racing through memories of all my favorite animals at the aquarium. Honestly, who wouldn’t love sea otters doing flips or penguins waddling around like little tuxedoed businessmen?

“It’s really good. They’ve been giving me a little more responsibility lately—overseeing the bigger corporate events. It’s been hectic, but I’ve been enjoying the learning experience.”

I was the head coordinator for all the events and promotions at The Coral Cove Aquarium . I started as a gate attendant about seven years ago, and worked my ass off to get where I was in the company.

“That’s great.” She took another sip of her water and remained unusually quiet.

I knew my sister well. She loved gossip, and I could tell she was itching to talk about a certain redhead who had been the center of our last conversation. A redhead who seemed to be the center of a lot of our conversations lately.

“So…” she said, adjusting herself on the couch. Wait for it…

“How’s it going with your new neighbor? Fallon, right?” she finished. And there it was.

“Wow, you waited a solid five minutes. I’m impressed,” I said, checking my imaginary watch.

She shot me a glare, and I let out a sigh. “Nothing’s going on. We either ignore each other or argue.”

I wasn’t about to tell her anything about the brief moments of electricity I felt anytime we were inches apart. She would’ve jumped on my couch like Tom Cruise and analyzed every detail that wasn’t there.

“Rylee told me you two had a moment at Brewed Awakening ?”

A moment? We barely said five words to each other. What kind of moment could we have possibly had in that timeframe? There wasn’t even any smiling happening, except maybe the forced kind.

“Hardly. She was leaving as I was coming in. I let her pass. No moment,” I said.

“Well, is she cute?” she asked.

“Why would that even matter? We can’t stand each other.”

“I don’t know, Kenzie, but is she?”

I sighed again, trying to keep my frustration in check. I wanted nothing more than to move on from this line of conversation.

Why was it so much easier to talk to animals than to humans? Houdini would never make me think about the way my breath got lost in my throat when I first saw her sparkling gray eyes, or how utterly adorable she looked when her cheeks turned the same color as her hair.

“I guess, but it doesn’t matter. It’s not happening. Can we talk about something else, please?” She wasn’t just cute, she was so much more than that.

The first thing I noticed were her freckles. They reminded me of tiny constellations that were scattered across her cheeks and nose. It was like the universe decided to leave a map of stars.

And when she smiled—man, it was like the sun breaking through after a stormy day.

But her freckles and smile together… I shook away the warm feeling in my chest.

She shrugged. “Fine, have it your way.”

We sat and talked more about her gushing over Grant and how work was going. After about an hour, it was time to say goodbye.

“Well, I better go. Grant is waiting to get his ass kicked at Monopoly.” She hugged me and headed for the door. “I love you, sis. I hope everything works out.”

“Love you,” I replied, my voice quieter than I intended. I hoped so, too, but the thought of talking about it more was exhausting.

After Harper left, I refilled my wine glass and started heading out the door. I needed some fresh air, and a space to think.

Not to my surprise, I didn’t see Fallon. It had been radio silence. Ever since she apologized, I hadn’t seen or heard from her. Not that I was actively looking for her, of course.

I went down to the elevator. I took it to the top floor and headed toward a door all the way down at the end of the hall.

Through the door was a set of stairs that led to my favorite spot in Seattle—the rooftop.

The roof had a few tables and chairs set up all around. The tables were made of rustic wood, and I loved the cool, laid-back vibe they gave off. Surrounding the tables were two chairs with orange cushions.

There were potted plants scattered around, and twinkling string lights strung across the space.

I’d sometimes go up to the roof to think and escape from life. I mostly went up at night—watching people on the street or looking at the stars when they were visible. It was my peaceful space away from the noise of the city below.

I opened the door and was so surprised that I forgot to prop it open. “Oh, shit!” I turned around as soon as the door slammed shut.

Fallon quickly turned to glance at me before looking back down toward the street.

“Hey. Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” I said.

She didn’t turn back around or say anything.

“Okay then,” I muttered quietly to myself.

I walked over and took the spot next to her, leaning against the railing.

She held a glass that looked like it was filled with white wine and was slouched over the ledge.

She wore a pair of red silk shorts with a matching long-sleeve shirt, the white buttons running all the way up. Her hair looked wet, as if she’d just taken a shower.

Great, now I was thinking of her in the shower. That was definitely not what I needed to be thinking about—at least not with her right next to me.

I shook the dirty images out of my mind and turned to face her. “Good evening,” I said with a wide smile.

I remembered the coffee in the hallway and assumed we were the best of friends—ready to french braid each other’s hair and eat a gallon of ice cream. Okay, not really, but we were at least on speaking terms, right?

She let out a soft sigh. “Hi, Mackenzie.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not here to fight.”

She looked at me with a slight smile before turning back to look down at the street, and my shoulders relaxed slightly. That was a good sign. “Good, me neither. What are you doing here, then?”

“I come up here to think sometimes. It can be pretty peaceful. And how do you know about this place? Do you have other friends in the building I don’t know about?”

She chuckled softly. “I don’t think I’d consider us friends. And there’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

“You bought me coffee, and we aren’t friends? Ouch, Sunshine.” I put my hand to my chest and gave a dramatic pout.

She rolled her eyes. “I’m sure you’ll survive. Besides, it was an apology, not a friend request.”

“Well, then. I’d ask you to leave, but it seems we’re locked out, so it looks like you’re stuck with me for a while.”

She snorted. “I wouldn’t have left anyway. I was up here first, and last time I checked, you don’t own the roof. But if you plan to push me off, do it quickly.”

I grinned. “The thought crossed my mind, but I pushed it away.” She turned to look at me, and I winked, causing her to roll her eyes and grin.

“I’m teasing,” I added, holding up my hands in surrender.

She was still smiling when she turned back toward the street, so at least we were making some sort of progress.

“So, tell me, what troubles could you possibly have? Don’t tell me you’re thinking of jumping off?”

She scowled at me. “You’d love that, wouldn’t you?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Only if you make a dramatic exit, like in the movies.”

She shot me a sideways glance, rolling her eyes. “You’re unbelievable.”

“Okay, okay. Give me some credit. You really think I’d want that? I guess you do think I’m a bitch.” I smirked.

“I don’t know what you want. And what makes you think I have troubles?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

“Well, I definitely wouldn’t want that . And because you blamed me for your terrible life.”

“I should’ve done a lot more than just yelled at you,” she said with a grin. I wished I could’ve read her thoughts.

I quirked an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? Like what? What else did you want to do to me?”

She smirked through her wine glass without a word, and my mind started running with all the things I imagined her doing…

I shook my head, clearing the thought. “I guess opposites attract, huh?” I raised my glass of red wine, and she glanced between our cups before looking away.

“Anyway… people usually come up here to think or have sex, but seeing as how you’re alone, I figured that wasn’t the case. Unless…”

She whipped her head toward me, and I smirked, wiggling my eyebrows. My stomach did a different kind of wiggle at the mental images I pictured, and my smirk grew wider.

“Oh my—grow up!” She scowled, but her cheeks turned the slightest shade of pink.

I laughed. “Hey, don’t let me get in your way. Please, continue.” I motioned around the rooftop.

“You really know how to talk to a woman don’t you? You know, I’m surprised you’re still single.” She smirked. “Actually, I’m not surprised at all. You can be a bit of an ass, you know that?”

My expression turned serious. “You think I’m gay?”

Her smile fell and the pink on her cheeks darkened to a crimson. “Oh… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to?—”

“I’m just messing with you. I’m definitely a lesbian.” She let out a breath and I couldn’t help but laugh. She was just too damn cute.

“That’s… I am, too—not that you asked or anything, but…” She shook her head. “You really are such an ass, you know that?”

I chuckled. “I’m an ass? Now who’s being rude? And who said I was single?”

She laughed. “You wear many hats, and I’ve never seen you bring anyone home or come home super late.”

“Do you watch me, Fallon? How sweet. I’m touched, really.” I placed a hand on my heart, trying to keep my tone light.

“Ha! I’m just observant, that’s all.” She laughed.

“Well, I do very well for myself, thank you.”

“I bet you do,” she said, turning away and looking down into her glass. It could have been wishful thinking, but her tone sounded like a mix of wanting and envy. I caught the subtle shift in her gaze and couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to her words than she let on. I quickly pushed the thought out of my mind. I was being ridiculous, and it was probably the wine getting to me, causing a warm feeling inside.

“Aww, don’t be jealous,” I teased, leaning in just a little closer, my grin widening. “I’m not that hard to keep up with, you know.”

She glanced up at me, her eyes flickering with something I couldn’t quite place. “I’m not jealous,” she muttered, but there was a challenge in her voice, like she was daring me to dig deeper. “What could I possibly be jealous of?”

I turned to face her, slowly crawling my hand down the railing. She looked down at the movement, and I stepped closer to her. “Oh, I don’t know...” I mused.

She took her gaze off my hand and turned to look straight ahead, avoiding any form of eye contact. I didn’t know if it was the wine, but a slight blush appeared on her fair cheeks.

“Maybe, that I do just fine for myself?” I brought my mouth down until it lightly grazed her ear. “Or are you jealous it’s not with you?”

“Oh, please… get over yourself.” She rolled her eyes and stepped back into her comfort zone, taking a sip of her wine. But the red tint on her cheeks betrayed her. “If you have to brag about how great you are, you probably aren’t.”

“Is that what you think? Well, if you ask nicely, I can rip those little shorts off that nice ass of yours, and show you precisely why I do so well for myself.” I was desperate to have her on my couch and on her back. I wanted Fallon screaming my name as I made her come so hard, she could describe even the smallest detail of any star.

She let out a slight gasp, and I could tell her heart rate had picked up. When I leaned away, she turned to face me, her cheeks flushed pink.

“You wish.” Her voice was breathy, and goddamn!

“Mm, my mistake.” I smiled and turned to lean over the railing, looking at the people on the street below.

She cleared her throat. “I don’t have any troubles other than you. I just wanted some peace. I wandered around… and here I am.”

“Yes, you are,” I said softly, keeping my gaze on the pedestrians below us. “So, what about me is troubling you?” I turned to face her again.

“I mean, where do I even begin? How much time do you have?” She grinned.

“I’ve got all the time in the world. We could be out here for a while.” I winked.

She shook her head. “You’re rude, for one.”

I took a minuscule step toward her and raised my eyebrows. “Am I?”

She looked at my hand on the railing and back into my eyes. I could have cracked under the heat of her stare.

“You can’t be serious. Yes, you are. Did you forget the first night we met? Or the elevator? Or the hallway? I mean, anytime, really.” She wasn’t yelling, but her words still stung as if she were.

My smile fell. “I could never forget the night we met, and I couldn’t forget the elevator, either.”

She paused, her fingers tracing the edge of her glass before she spoke. “You can’t take a simple apology, and every little inconvenience seems like the end of the world to you.”

“Hey, now. I took the coffee, didn’t I? And I said ‘thank you!’ I think that counts as accepting an apology.” Another step closer.

My hand was inches away from hers, and she didn’t take her eyes off of it. I wanted to reach out and grab her hand—to feel her skin against mine in any way possible.

“You… you insult me every chance you get, but you don’t even know me. And you call me ‘Sunshine,’ but I don’t think it’s a compliment.”

“Oh, but it is,” I whispered as I put my glass on the table. “So, is that all?”

“Huh?” she asked, but the word came out breathless and short.

She looked up at me, then back down at the railing as I finally gave in to temptation and caressed her fingers with mine. She gasped at the touch, but didn’t pull her hand away. Her hand was soft and delicate, like the slightest movement would’ve caused it to break.

When she still didn’t pull away, I waited for our eyes to meet again before I spoke. “Is that all that’s bothering you?”

“Well, the night is still young…” She pulled her hand back, just slightly. Her gaze flickered to my lips and back to meet my eyes.

“That is true, but do you know what I think, Fallon?”

“I don’t really care,” she said in a hushed tone. She tilted her head down to look at the floor, avoiding me altogether.

“I think you do, but…” I stepped closer, so close I could feel the heat radiating off her.

I grabbed her chin and gently tilted her head up to meet my eyes, causing a sultry gasp to escape from her lips.

Taking the wine glass from her hands, I sat it down on the table next to mine. “I think what’s really bothering you is how badly you want to hate me, but you can’t. You’re bothered because you can’t get me out of your head, and every time you see me, you wonder if I’ll kiss you. You may not like me, sure, but you can’t deny how much you want me.” I released her chin to push a strand of hair back behind her ear, and her breath caught slightly. I took a small step back, but her eyes never left mine.

“That’s not true,” she said in a shaky whisper.

“It’s not? Hmm. So, in the elevator, you didn’t think, even for a split second, about kissing me? About what our lips would feel like together? When you spilled my coffee, your eyes didn’t go to my chest when you thought I wasn’t paying attention? I know that you couldn’t help but look down for a few selfish seconds. I don’t know a lot about you, Fallon, but I do know that much. And do you want to know how?”

I placed my hand on her waist, pulling her closer. She inhaled softly, instinctively grabbing my arm. Her touch burned against my skin, sending a jolt of electricity through me, igniting a deep desire.

“I… uh, no?” Her dismissal sounded more like a question. She cleared her throat as her cheeks turned a blazing shade of crimson.

I moved my mouth to her ear and whispered, “Because, Fallon, these are all the thoughts I have, too.”

“You don’t know what I want.” Her breathing was uneven and I gazed into her eyes as she stared back at me. Looking into her eyes was like looking at the moon and the stars. They were drawing me into another galaxy, and I didn’t know if I would ever find my way out.

“Maybe you’re right. So, tell me I’m wrong, Fallon. Tell me I’m an insufferable, arrogant asshole, and that you’d rather jump off this roof than to even think about kissing me. Tell me, and I’ll walk away right now.”

She stood there for a while and didn’t say anything, indecision written all over her face.

I leaned in closer, my lips almost grazing hers, when the door swung open.

“Oh shit, sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I didn’t think anyone would be up here.” A deep voice shattered the moment, pulling us apart.

Fallon cleared her throat. Our eyes were still locked, and I felt her slowly pull away from me.

“I better go,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. She turned to the man who’d just interrupted, her focus shifting entirely back to reality. “You’re not interrupting. I was just leaving. Uh, we got locked out, so make sure you prop the door open.” She walked toward him, then paused at the door, turning back to face me. Her expression was unreadable, but then, without a word, she was gone.

“Yeah, thanks,” the man said as she left, checking her out the whole way. He propped the door open and whistled, turning to me. “You are one lucky woman. Your girl is so hot.”

I fought the urge to gag and forced a tight smile. “She’s not... she’s just my neighbor.”

I gave him a quick nod and turned on my heel to walk away, quickening my steps as I headed back to my apartment, my face burning with frustration. I needed a cold shower. What did I almost do?

When I turned the corner toward my apartment, I saw Fallon at her door. She was getting her keys out when I approached, pausing for a brief moment without looking up.

“That’s the second time we got trapped together. I’m starting to think the universe is trying to tell us something.” I laughed.

She shook her head and unlocked her door. When she opened it, I grabbed her wrist, stopping her. “Wait, Fallon.”

She stopped and turned to face me. “What do you want, Mackenzie? Do you want to insult me or fuck me? Do you want to insult me while you fuck me? Because I’m sorry to disappoint you, but being degraded is not my kink.”

I let go of her wrist. “So, you aren’t opposed to other types of kinks?” I smirked. “Kidding, obviously. I was just teasing, okay? I’m sorry, Fal?—”

“Look.” She stopped me with a sigh. “I don’t know if that was some sort of game to you, or?—”

“Fallon, it wasn’t a game,” I said, frowning at the assumption I would play with her in that way.

“Whatever it was, I don’t think it’s a good idea, Mackenzie. I… goodnight.” She turned away and closed the door before I could say another word.

I went inside, and let out a long breath. “Fuck.” I rubbed my face and groaned, hitting my head on the door.

When I went to the roof, I was expecting to be alone. I wanted space to think and get Fallon out of my head. What I didn’t want was to be trapped out there with her, and I definitely wasn’t expecting to be tempted to kiss her.

I wasn’t playing any games, though. Everything I told her was true. I didn’t know what was wrong with me. I shouldn’t want her. I couldn’t.

It was the first day we didn’t argue or insult each other, and I tried to kiss her? Pull it together, Kenz!

I shook my head. That was a mistake.

I started walking to the bathroom, but I paused. Maybe I could go back out there and knock on her door. Get her out of my system?

No! I had to force myself to keep walking and go to bed. I definitely did not need to be thinking about kissing anyone in this building.

I needed to move my legs, take them to my bed, get in, and go to sleep. I did not need to turn around and…

I sighed, accepting the inevitability. “Shit.” I tossed my head back in defeat, turned around, and walked out the door.

I knocked on her door, but there was no answer. I should’ve gone home.

I knocked again, but still no answer. I should’ve taken it as a sign from the universe to walk away and leave well enough alone.

I knocked again, but this time, I kept knocking and didn’t stop until the door flung open.

“Jesus Christ, what the—” She stopped when she saw me. “Mackenzie? What?—”

I took a step toward her, not saying a word. Grabbing her waist, I pulled us closer together. Her face was flushed, and my heart raced.

“What are you doing?” she breathed out.

I had no fucking idea, but I couldn’t seem to walk away.

“Tell me I shouldn’t kiss you,” I said.

“You really shouldn’t kiss me,” she whispered slowly, shaking her head.

“Then tell me not to. Please, Fallon,” I begged. I needed a reason not to kiss her. I needed a reason to forget about what I was feeling and turn away.

“I need you to tell me to walk away because I’m having a very difficult time listening to myself when it comes to you right now.” I waited a few seconds for her to say something—anything—but she didn’t.

She looked at me with heat in her eyes, and her breathing was fast and heavy. Her gaze flickered from my eyes to my lips a few times before landing back on my eyes.

With one hand still on her waist and the other cradling the side of her face, I leaned in, only to pull back slightly just before our lips connected.

“Fallon—”

She gripped my shirt, tugging us closer. “Jesus, Mackenzie, just kiss me, please.” Her words were barely above a whisper, but I heard them loud and clear.

I brushed my lips over hers lightly. As soon as I did, I knew it was a mistake—because once I felt her lips on mine, I never wanted to lose that feeling.

Her lips were soft, tasting sweet like cinnamon and vanilla. And her tongue... God, her tongue sent a tingle through every nerve in my body.

She ran her fingers through my hair, pulling us closer, deepening our kiss.

I slowly moved my hand off her face and down her back, drawing her closer. She gasped, and I grinned at the seductive sound.

I moved my hands down to her ass, and squeezed. I needed to know how it felt. If only she knew of all the inappropriate things I fantasized about when I thought of her.

She let out a gentle moan, and I swear I almost shattered. There wasn’t a kiss I’d ever shared with anyone that came close to the one I experienced with Fallon. It felt as if our lips were made perfectly for each other. Every swipe of our tongues, every touch of our lips, sent a bolt of electricity through me. I couldn’t get enough.

It took everything in me to force myself to end that kiss.

She looked at me with flushed cheeks and dark, hungry eyes. “Wow, I…”

“Goodnight, Fallon.” I said, panting.

“I… goodnight,” she whispered.