MacKenzie Fire(61)

“Oh, yes I do.” I unbuckle. “Are we here? I need a beer.”

He smiles. “One beer, coming up.” He opens his door and jumps out. “Hang on, I’ll get your door.” His door slams shut, rocking the whole truck, and then he’s at my window. “Watch your step,” he says. “Ground’s real slippery.”

I’m warm from my head to my toes, but not because of my jacket or my boots. Ian’s being a total prince and the connection between us is undeniable. I know he feels it too. It’s almost like we’re a couple, and we haven’t even really officially kissed yet. Yet. That one in the hospital didn’t count since it was fake, not fueled by passion. I fully intend to kiss him at or after this party, though. I can’t wait anymore.

He holds out his elbow so I can hook my hand through his arm. I do it not only because it helps me walk over the slippery ground without falling but also because I want all the chicks in this town to know that for as long as I’m here, he’s mine. Mine all mine all mine.

The snow crunches under our feet as we walk across someone’s front lawn. “I hope you aren’t expecting anything too fancy,” Ian says. “Boog isn’t the most sophisticated guy in town.”

“Oh, don’t worry about me. I can party with anyone.” The hair and beauty business attracts all types of people, and I’ve never been one to discriminate.

The sound of heavy rock music comes from the house even though it’s shut up tight. “This is it,” Ian says, stopping just at the bottom of the front steps. “Last chance to turn back.”

I stop, facing him. “You can’t scare me away from this, Ian.”

He looks down at me and smiles. I can’t see his eyes very well, the shadow from the brim of his hat making them pure darkness, but I know they’re twinkling. “Not trying to scare you. Just giving you a chance to change your mind. I hear most women do that a lot.”

“I’m not most women. Once I decide to do something, I do it.”

“Well, you’re right about one thing,” he says, walking up the stairs and letting go of my arm to take the door.

“What’s that?”

He pulls the door open, letting the heat and the noise blast into me. “You’re not like most women, that’s for sure.”





Chapter Twenty-Eight





WE WALK INTO THE HOUSE, me first and then Ian, who shuts the door behind us. The warmth hits me all of a sudden, like I just walked into a sauna but fully clothed in way too many layers. I hurry to get out of my borrowed coat so I don’t start sweating. Several guys stop talking and watch me, so I make sure to arch my back a little and give them a good show. I paid for these boobs so I like to make sure I get my money’s worth.

I’m smiling at the attention, but it doesn’t last long since Ian decides to walk around me and block my view.

“Watch it, Ian. I can’t see.”

“Come on, let’s go get a drink.” He takes me by the hand and starts pulling me through the front room.

Part of me is thrilled that he’s holding my hand in front of strangers, but the other part is getting cranky that I’m being dragged past a whole group of people like some sort of dog on a leash.

Slowing down, I use his forward momentum to break our hands apart. He gets a few more steps towards another room before he stops. Before he can turn all the way around, there’s a guy standing at my side.

“Hey there. You the girl staying up at the MacKenzie place?” he asks. He’s tall and lanky, dressed in a t-shirt and jeans. His belt buckle is the size of a bread plate, but he’s cute. His hair is short like he’s in the military and I see the bottom of a tattoo coming from his shirt sleeve.

I smile as big as I know how. “I am. And you are…?”

He puts his beer bottle in his left hand and holds out his right. “I’m Mike. Friend of Ian’s. Nice to meet you.” He lifts his chin at Ian who stops at my side.

“Mike,” Ian says, shaking his hand too.

“Heard today you got into a little wrestling match with a cat,” Mike says, smiling when he’s done. He has the most charming dimples on both cheeks, I totally want to squeeze his face.

“How’d you hear that?” I ask, mystified since it’s been only a day since it happened.

“Stopped by the diner. Heard it from Hannah.” He takes a drink of his beer without taking his eyes off me.

“How does Hannah know?” I ask, looking from Mike to Ian.

Mike shrugs, looking at Ian. “I figured Ian told her.”

I feel a little sick over the idea that Ian might have been hanging out with her when I was in the hospital, but it’s not like I have any claim over his time. Some of the excitement of coming to this party with him fades.

“I haven’t talked to her or anyone else about it,” Ian says. “Why would you think I did?”

Mike takes a long drink from his beer again before answering. “Don’t know.” He lets out a burp that he tries to keep somewhat not loud by covering his mouth with the back of his hand. “I suppose because she likes to talk about how much you all hang out.” He shrugs.

Ian lets out a hiss of air. “Man, you know she’s full of it. You know I don’t hang out with her.”