Page 29 of The Winning Hat Trick (The Steel City Knights #1)

"As fun as this lunch has been, I need to go meet a client, and I'm pretty sure you have some tiny terrors to get home to. Think over what I said about modeling, be open to that man of yours, and I will see you in a few days for the press release, okay?" Gabriella stands.

I follow suit. She makes her way around the table and pulls me into her arms.

"Okay, I'll see you soon."

"Bye, love!" she calls over her shoulder.

Grabbing my purse from the table, I pull my phone out and see that our lunch ran later than I expected. "Shit. There's no way I'm going to make it out of the city to pick Talon up on time."

I hustle to my car as I debate on calling Ezra or my parents to see if one of them can pick him up for me. Unsure of Ezra's schedule this week, I decide on my parents since they already have Layla.

My mom answers on the second ring. "Hi, honey. How was your meeting?"

"It was great, but I'm running late. Any chance you can pick up Talon and Calla for me? I just pulled out of the parking lot of the restaurant, but traffic is already starting to get backed up."

"Sure. Layla is still sleeping, but I can send your dad to grab the kids."

"Thanks, Mom. You guys are lifesavers."

"Nonsense. That's what we're here for."

"Well, regardless, I appreciate you and dad helping out. I love that Layla gets to hang out with you instead of being stuck at daycare all day. It made the decision to go back to work a lot easier on me."

"I'm glad we can help make this transition better for you, sweetheart. If Layla wakes up soon, do you want us to bring the kids to the house, or would you like to pick them up here? I can make dinner."

"If you wouldn't mind taking them to your house, that would be great. I'm not hungry since we ate so late, but I'd love to be able to get a couple more things done for work before I come grab them if that's alright with you?"

"Of course, that's fine. I'll text your brother and let him know the kids will be at our house, and make sure we get Talon's reading done for the night. You get your work done then come over after. Hell, maybe take a long hot bath while you have an empty house and can enjoy the peace and quiet."

"You know what, Mom, I just might do that." I smile as tears of gratitude fill my eyes. "It's been forever since I could take a hot, relaxing bath."

"Well, then I think it's a must, don't you, my darling girl?" Before I can answer, my mom barrels on. "Don't worry about the kids. We'll be fine, and I can even get them bathed and ready for bed here if it gets too late."

"Thanks, Mom. I'll try not to be too late. I—"

"Enough. Take the time, Celeste. They will be fine if someone else does their evening routine for one night."

"Thanks, Mom." The words come out garbled as I fight off the tears.

"Anytime, my love."

I spend the rest of my drive home reflecting on the fact that while I carry the burden of raising my kiddos mostly on my own, I am far from being alone.

I have so many wonderful, supportive people in my corner who love me, want what's best for me, and are willing to help me even when I don't recognize that I need their help.

After I pull into the garage, I make my way into the kitchen, drop my purse and keys on the counter, pour a glass of wine, then head towards my ensuite to start the bath.

Kicking off my heels, I groan when my feet are firmly on the floor again.

I may have been a model who lived in high heels for years, but my feet are out of practice.

With the water running and the scent of shea butter filling the air from the bubbles I poured in the water, I lazily work the buttons of my blouse open as steam fills the room.

"Fuck me, Celeste."

I scream as I spin and find Mac leaning in the doorway, arms resting above his head as heat floods his eyes. I must have missed his truck parked in the empty bay, too lost in my own head.

"I've missed you," he growls but makes no attempts to come any closer.

"Holy shit, Mac. You scared me." I'm panting as adrenaline floods my veins.

"Sorry, gorgeous. I figured you knew I was here, but then you walked right by, so I had to follow to see why you were neglecting me. I'm not mad about what I found."

Mac's eyes are laser-focused on my lace-covered chest that's bared to him, my unbuttoned shirt resting on my shoulders. I shrug it off and shiver as the fabric falls from my skin.

"Take the rest off," Mac grits out, still glued to his position at the door, but I can tell it's taking all his control to stay put.

"Why don't you come do it for me?" I purr as I run my fingers down my neck, over my chest, then circle my nipple.

"If I move, your bath will be cold by the time I'm done with you." His voice is low, his eyes never leaving the path of my fingers as they caress my flesh.

"Hmm, maybe that's exactly what I need, Maclan."

His eyes shoot to mine when I mention needing him. I know there's nothing that turns him on more than letting him fulfill my needs, and right now, I need Maclan more than my next breath.

"Fuck, Celeste. Are you sure?"

"Maclan," I growl in frustration. "I. Need. You. What more ca—"

Maclan's lips steal my next breath and cut off my words.

I hardly even register him moving, but now I'm wrapped in his arms as our tongues fight for dominance and he carries me to the counter. We're not gentle as we kiss, nip, and devour each other. Our hands tear at the other's clothes until we are finally skin to skin.

"Mac, please," I beg, my desperation for him becoming unbearable.

"What do you need, Cel?"

"You. Now."

"You're sure?" he mumbles in between kissing down my neck towards my breasts.

Grabbing his hair, I pull it until we're at eye level. "Do not fuck with me, Mac. I told you what I need. Take care of me, or I will hop off this counter, walk into my room, and do it myself."

"Fuuuuck." He groans as his eyes roll back in his head. When they open, his pupils are blown, his desire evident as he grits out, "Show me."

"Wh-what?" I stammer as I try to process what he just said.

"Show. Me." He lifts me off the counter and carries me to my room, where he drops me on my bed. "Show me how you take care of yourself while I'm not here, then let me do it for you myself."

"Fine." I lean over to my nightstand and rip the drawer open, grabbing my vibrator. "You want to see me get myself off? With pleasure since you won't give me what I need." I thrust the vibrator into my mouth, wet it, then notch it at my center as I click the power button and relax into my bed.

"Damn," he mumbles under his breath.

"Mmm." I can't hold in the moan as I thrust the vibrator in my aching center and close my eyes as the sensation takes over. The build happens faster than I like, my orgasm right on the edge within a minute.

"That's it, gorgeous. Let go." Mac growls from above me as he reads my body.

His lips wrap around my nipple, tipping me over the edge, as my orgasm races through me.

I'm still in the midst of my release when Mac rips the vibrator from my pussy and thrusts his dick in hard.

He stills as aftershocks rack my body and grip his rock-hard length, making him shake as he hovers over me.

"Move, Mac," I plead as I wrap my legs around his waist and lift my center.

"Fuck." He grips my hips and pins them to the bed. "Don't. Fucking. Move." Mac breathes heavily, his eyes closed as his body trembles.

"Maaaclan," I whine, my desperation for him unbearable.

"Damnit." He grabs me then flips our position so I'm now straddling him. "Ride me, gorgeous."

I lift my hips tentatively then slide back down. I do it again and again, until I've found a rhythm that has my legs shaking and inner walls quivering, while Mac grunts his approval from below. My hands caress my body, my skin feeling electrified.

"That's it, Cel. Play with those beautiful tits. Pinch your nipples like I'd bite them," he demands as his thrusts pick up pace.

I glide my fingers up my stomach until they reach my nipples. I tease the stiff peaks, then pinch, gasping. My thrusts stutter as pleasure shoots from my core. I'm so close to exploding, but I want Mac to come with me.

"Just like that. Are you ready to come on my cock like the good fucking girl I know you are?" His voice sounds like gravel as he pummels me from below.

"Y-yes!" I cry out as Mac circles my clit with just the right amount of pressure to make me see stars.

"Holy hell, Celeste." Mac groans into my neck as our bodies come down from our release. I don't even remember collapsing on his chest, but apparently I did at some point in my blissed-out state.

I can feel him leaking from my center, which sends another shiver through me. We're a tangle of relaxed limbs until Mac flips me off of him and races to the bathroom.

"What the—" I follow him on weak legs to find water spilling over the side of the tub and a few inches covering the floor as Mac looks at me sheepishly.

"Do you want the good news or the bad news?" He turns to me, worry on his face.

"Good news."

"The water's still hot." He shrugs as I burst out laughing.

"That is good news. I think we need to drain a little bit unless we really want to flood my bathroom." I open the glass shower door.

Thankfully, there's no ledge on the shower, so we can push the standing water into it and down that drain.

As soon as the door opens, the water naturally flows in that direction, making our lives a lot easier.

Mac pulls the plug on the bath while I grab the mop from the pantry.

When I come back to the bathroom, my laughter returns full force when I see Mac trying to guide the water towards the shower, completely naked and using Layla's bath toys.

"Oh, you think this is funny?" He grins from where he's bent over, his toned bare ass in the air as he fails miserably at moving the standing water towards the drain.

"Just a little." I hold my hand up with my fingers an inch apart to emphasize my point.

"Where are the tiny humans? I thought I'd be surprising all of my favorite people when I showed up earlier." Mac gives up as he stands and tosses the toy to the side.

"At my parents'. I should probably get cleaned up and go grab them."

"I'll go with you after our bath. We can't waste it now." He smirks as he tugs me into his arms.

"Okay." I smile, unable to resist his charms.

I'm even more grateful for my mom helping out with the kids, which allowed me this time with Mac. I've missed him while he was gone and appreciate him being home.

Fuck, not home but back in town. This isn't his home, as much as I love having him here. I need to remember that and not get lost in the fantasy.