Page 25 of The Winning Hat Trick (The Steel City Knights #1)

I adore Mac, but I do not want my children growing up in the limelight.

It's a huge part of the reason why I stepped away from modeling.

We don't get the attention from the paps like professional athletes, but it was still something I wanted to avoid.

I want the kids to be raised knowing we don't have to struggle but not the full extent of how wealthy I actually am.

"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, kid." Ezra's voice is subdued.

"It's not your fault. I'm glad you let me know, otherwise my head would've been in the clouds about it. I'll talk to Gab tomorrow, and Mac, so we can come up with a game plan."

"Good. Let me know if you need anything."

"I will. Night, Ez. Love you."

"Love you too, Celly."

Exhausted, both mentally and physically, I give up on getting any work done tonight. I make my way through the house, shutting off lights and checking locks, then head to bed.

I'm just starting to read my book when my phone rings again. This time, I check to see who's calling before blindly answering.

"Hey, gorgeous." His smiling face fills my screen, making my heart flutter.

"Hi, Mac." I try pasting on a smile of my own, but it falls flat.

"What's wrong?" His brows furrow as concern fills his voice.

"Eh, my night took quite the turn after you left."

"How so?" He's lying in his bed, chest bare, which distracts me for a moment.

"The kids' dad called me. I assumed it was you, so I answered without checking the ID. Let's just say it was a very unpleasant surprise."

"What the fuck did he want?" Anger flashes across his face as he sits up in bed.

"Just being his typical douche self. Trying to make me doubt that I'm a good mom. And doubt our relationship—why would you want me when there are a million other women out there without my baggage, mainly my kids." I turn my eyes away from the screen, not wanting for him to confirm my fears.

Stupid Chad dick, for always knowing how to hit me where it hurts.

"Fuck. Him," Mac growls. "Celeste, look at me.

" He pauses while he waits for me to give him my attention.

"I want you . I want the kids . I would never do anything to jeopardize what we're building.

I don't need any other woman when I have you to come home to.

Do you hear me?" His eyes are so earnest as they search mine.

"Yes," I whisper.

"Fuck this." Mac pushes out of the bed, and I'm left staring at the ceiling. "I'm coming over," he calls out.

"Mac, you don't have to. I'm okay. I promise."

"You might be, but I'm not. I'm so mad that I want to track him down and beat him senseless.

Coming to you seems like the smarter move.

You and the kids bring me peace, which is exactly what I need right now.

So unless you don't want me to come, I'll see you in a few minutes. Text me the code for the garage door."

"Okay."

"See you soon, gorgeous." Mac winks at me, now fully dressed, then hangs up.

I text him the code of the garage door, then jump out of bed and race to my bathroom to the mirror.

My hair is a mess, and I've got bags under my eyes, but I've definitely looked worse.

With little time to do much about my appearance, I run my fingers through my hair then braid it.

I swap out my baggy sleep shirt for a crop top tank and silky sleep shorts.

I'm walking back into my room when Mac comes through the door, a bag slung over his shoulder.

He pauses to take me in, his eyes heating as they travel from my head to my toes, then back up again. "Fuck, Celeste. You're stunning."

His bag drops to the floor, then he's across the room in three long strides, scooping me into his arms. Our lips find each other as fire sears my veins at his touch.

I moan as he consumes me, my senses overloaded.

My skin is hypersensitive as his callused fingers caress my bare stomach, sending chills racing through me.

"Mac, I need you," I beg.

"You have me." He lays me on the bed and crawls on top of my body, his hard length notched at my center.

"Inside of me. I need you inside of me." I gasp as he thrusts against my aching core. "Now."

"Too many clothes." He's grabbing my shorts and underwear as I shove at his sweats.

Our movements are clumsy, our desperation for each other overcoming any finesse we might have possessed.

Mac gets stuck in his sweats and has to hop off the bed to get them off.

I seize the opportunity to kick off my shorts and rip my shirt over my head.

Mac loses his shirt before diving back to join me.

His cock runs through my dripping pussy. Shocks of pleasure surge through me, but it's not enough. I notch him at my core and guide him in.

He freezes, his eyes wide as they lock with my own. "Condom. We need a condom. Fuck. I'm sorry." He tries to pull out, but I use my legs to keep him in place.

"I'm clean, and I'm on birth control. I trust you."

Mac shudders in my arms. "I'm clean. We have to get tested regularly for the league, and it's been a while since I've been with anyone. If you're sure…"

I nod as the tension builds between us. Unable to handle it a second longer, I use my legs for leverage and pull him fully into my core. My eyes roll back at feeling so full. Mac is just the right size of "almost so big that it's painful", but instead it's perfect.

"Fuuuuuck." He groans as he buries his face in my neck.

"Move, Mac," I plead.

"Give me a minute, or this is going to be over before we even start, gorgeous."

Knowing he's hanging on by a thread is such a turn-on. I clench my walls around him, which tears a groan from his lips. If I'm being honest with myself, it won't take much for me to get there either.

With Mac distracted, I lift my hips and flip our position so he's flat on his back and I'm straddling his waist. I lean one arm back, plant it on his thigh, then swivel my hips.

"Damn it, Celeste. I mean it. I'm not going to last."

"Good, because I'm close too."

With my free hand, I tweak my nipple, then trail my finger down my stomach to my center, where we're connected. I whimper as I split my fingers and slide them around Mac's length where he's entering me. Gathering my wetness, I circle my clit and feel my walls flutter.

"That's it, Cel. Let go. Come all over my cock until I'm filling this pussy."

"Mac!" I cry out, his dirty words sending me over the edge as I collapse on his chest.

"Thank fuck." He thrusts two more times until he slams my hips down and moans. His release spills inside of me.

We stay like that as we catch our breaths. Our combined releases leak from where we're connected, but my body feels like jello. There's no way I can make it to the bathroom to get cleaned up. Mac is rubbing his hands up and down my back, making me even more relaxed, as my eyes grow heavy.

"Come on, Cel. We need to clean up and get some sleep. It will be time to get up before me know it."

"Ugh" is my only response.

Mac chuckles into my hair. Still lodged inside me, he sits up, wraps my legs around his waist and arms around his neck, then carries me to the bathroom, where he wets a washcloth. Setting me on the counter, he breaks our connection. Our cum spills from my center as Mac gently cleans me up.

I know I should be more helpful in this entire process, but I'm spent. I let Mac care for me, like he does so well. Once clean, he picks me back up and takes me to bed, where he dresses me then climbs in behind me. I swear I'm sleeping before my head even hits the pillow.

As I drift off, I remember that Chad wasn’t the only thing to derail my night.

Being in the spotlight is a real concern I have, especially with the kids.

Mac taking control and showing up may have distracted me from that fact for a moment, but it’s something we need to discuss.

That said, I know he won’t make me handle the paps and public on my own.

I have no idea what I did to deserve this man, but I'm beyond grateful for him.