Theo

With Mac spread out on my chest, I inhale her scent. Breathe her in like a man drowning.

I could stay here forever. Lost in her.

“You okay?” I ask, running my fingers down her back. God, her skin is so soft.

When she doesn’t answer, I flip her over on her back so that she’s pinned beneath me.

A small gasp escapes her parted lips.

She stares up at me with those eyes. Amber flecks catch in the evening light. So fucking beautiful. And mine.

“How long does my mom have Logan?”

“She’s keeping her overnight.”

“Good. So, you can stay with me.” I kiss her swollen lips, her chin, down her neck, across her collarbone. “I’ll make us dinner and then–”

I stop when my mouth brushes against a faint, raised scar. Frowning, I trail a finger over the white line that grows wider until it stops just above her breast.

“What’s this?”

I feel her body tense under me, and she squirms, trying to pull the sheet over her chest.

“It’s nothing.”

More lies. Damn it, even now, she still doesn’t trust me.

“How did you get that?” My voice is a low growl, but I can’t help it. I don’t want there to be any secrets between us. “Mackenzie.”

Her eyes snap to mine, and I can see emotions warring behind them.

I sit up, shaking my head.

My right eye twitches as I stare down at her. “I asked you how you got the scar.”

“And I told you, it’s nothing.” Her breathing is uneven, her eyes wide as she jumps from the bed, grabbing her discarded clothes from the floor. She pulls her shirt over her head quickly, not bothering with her bra.

Oh, for fuck sake.

“Where are you going?” I shove my legs into my pants, then follow her to the living room.

I’m going to get whiplash from her hot and cold spells.

“I need to have a shower,” she mumbles, not looking at me.

I grab her hand before she reaches the door. Is she seriously going to run without an explanation?

She’s hyperventilating now, her skin ice cold.

Shit.

I pull her against my chest, not letting go when she struggles against me. “Calm down.”

“I-I can’t.” Her voice is edged with panic.

I know not to push her, but how the hell am I supposed to help if she doesn’t trust me enough with the truth?

With my thumb under her chin, I tilt her face up towards mine. Her lips are trembling when I brush my own over hers.

“Whatever happened, you’re safe now.”

She shakes her head vehemently. “No.”

I go cold. Ice forms at the base of my skull, making light dance at the corner of my eyes. What, or who, didn’t she think she was safe from?

“If someone hurt you–” My entire body tenses at the thought. I see the truth in her eyes, as if she’s replaying some horrific event over and over again in her mind. “Who? Who was it?”

Her fingers curl into fists at my chest and when she speaks. It’s so low, I barely hear her. “Stefano.”

“Stefano?” I try to keep my tone steady, searching my memory. Trying to match the name, I come up short.

“He was living with my mom …” She closes her eyes and rests her forehead against my chest. “Right before I left.”

I remember now. The man was bad news. But all of Terri’s boyfriends were. He was the one who gave her the scar? How? Why? It doesn’t really matter. I’ll fucking destroy the bastard when I get my hands on him.

“What happened?” Acidic anger rises in my throat, burning my esophagus.

“He cut me. It wasn’t that deep.” She shrugs like what she’s telling me shouldn’t make my blood boil.

“Jesus,” I breathe out, dropping my hands from her shoulders. I’ll kill the fucker. “Why didn’t you come to me?”

“I did.” She moves to the couch, sinking down slowly.

“When?” I narrow my eyes at her, a tightening starting in my chest.

“It was the same night we…” She swallows visibly. “After we…when I went home, he did this to me.” Her fingers linger over the scar. “I came back, but…”

I don’t need her to finish. I know the rest of the story. And even though I can’t remember the night, or how the other girl got into my apartment, guilt consumes me.

“Shit, Mac. I’m so sorry.” I know I should comfort her, but I need to pace, need to work out my anger, my own sense of responsibility. “Did you report it?”

“No.” She rubs her hands over her bare arms.

I curse violently under my breath, making her flinch.

“Do you know where he is?” My nostrils flare, my jaw clenching as I think about what I’m going to do to the asshole.

“No.” She looks down at her hands and takes a shaky breath.

I feel like she’s still holding back. Then a gut-wrenching thought occurs.

“Did he do anything else?” I rub my neck, trying to ease some of the tension.

Her eyes grow wide when she realizes what I’m asking, and she shakes her head.

“No. His fist and knife did enough.”

“Fuck.”

“I should go.” She shifts on the couch, then stands.

“Like hell you should. You’re staying here.”

“You’re upset and you’ve got a flight in the morning.”

“I’m not upset with you, and I can sleep on the plane.” I pull her to me, kissing her roughly, possessively. “Come with me.”

“What?”

“Come to Vegas with me.” I don’t want to be away from her. Especially now. I need her to know she’s safe. That I’ll keep her safe.

“Logan–”

“She can stay with my mom. Come with me.”

Her lips curve up, just slightly, and she shakes her head. “I can’t.”

“Then, at least stay the night.” I take her hand in mine and lightly kiss her palm.

Her brows furrow and I think she’s going to say no, then I feel the shiver that races through her body, and I know I’ve won.

“Okay.”

“Okay.” I lean in and kiss her, long and hard, until I feel her melt completely in my arms.

Her little moans and whimpers make my cock harden. There’s no doubt she wants me just as much as I want her.

“Now that we have that settled,” I say, scooping her up.

She squeals when her feet leave the floor, then laughs, slapping me on the chest.

God, I love that sound.

“What’re you doing?”

“I’m going to make sure you’re too tired to think about running away from me again.”

I can’t help but grin at the startled look on her face.

“Sweetheart, I have every intention of spending the entire night making you scream my name over and over again.”

And I do.