Chapter Two
Mack
I half-listen to Tyler chatter away about ‘that cool lady’ as I drive over to Mom’s.
I’m going to be late - for Mom, for work - but I don’t care much.
I’m lucky that my job is relatively forgiving about my timekeeping - something that’s almost a necessity when Tyler decides to drive me crazy with one scrap or another - and it was worth it, to help that girl out.
Naomi. That’s her name.
My mind supplies it automatically, even as I kind of wish I’d forgotten. It would be so much more convenient if the new girl next door was forgettable.
But that’s the last word I could use to describe her.
I’d heard the moving van earlier today and then the brief snippets of conversation as furniture and boxes were moved around. And before that I’d seen the signs when the previous neighbors had finally sold the place.
So it wasn’t like I didn’t know it was happening, but I’d been totally uninterested in the thought of a new neighbor - except maybe, that it would be cool if they had kids for Tyler to play with.
Naomi doesn’t have kids. That’s obvious.
But now?
Uninterested doesn’t quite cover it.
I can still feel heat pumping through my body - that shot of lust when I’d seen her for the first time, bent over that cabinet with that amazing ass on full display—
I try to kill those thoughts and shift in my seat, glad that Tyler is far too young to have any clue about my current discomfort - and far too distracted to care. At times like this he doesn’t need much input or encouragement, and it’s easy to let his high, excited voice become background noise to my own thoughts.
Thoughts that I wish I could get out of my head right now.
It’s fucking stupid, and irresponsible, and…all sorts of other things.
When Tyler had come racing into our backyard, talking at a mile-a-minute pace about the lady he’d just met, I’d quickly worked out that he’d already introduced himself to the new neighbor - and I figured I should do the same, because I can never be too sure just what he’s said and I might need to apologize.
But I hadn’t expected to find the most gorgeously curvy woman I’ve seen in…a long time…bent over what looked like some antique display, holding a screwdriver wrong and obviously needing help. I mean, who doesn’t know how to hold a screwdriver correctly?!
I hadn’t thought anything of my temptation to sneak a little eyeful of her ass, either. It’s not the first time I’ve had my head turned since I split with Fiona, but that feeling has always faded quickly - usually as soon as Tyler bounces along behind me and reminds me of what’s actually important. But then she’d turned around, and…well…it isn’t just her ass that’s gorgeous.
No, she’s got the sweetest face as well, with shoulder-length curls and cute little dimples and full pink lips that puckered beautifully as she spoke and made me imagine…well, things that a single Dad shouldn’t be letting himself imagine.
It’s the kind of face that you don’t forget, the kind of curves that you just want to touch and press up against a wall and—
I shake my head, knowing I need to get this silly fantasy out of my mind.
I can’t afford to be distracted by women - especially one who lives right next door. It would be too tempting. Too dangerous. And I’ve got Tyler to worry about - he doesn’t need the wrong person in his life just because I can’t keep my dick in my pants.
And there’s already more than enough proof that my dick has fucking bad taste in women.
Something that seems to be holding true again, if the look in that girl’s eyes is anything to go by…the only thing I noticed about her that wasn’t sexy as hell.
A scared look - and the slightly haunted expression that she probably didn’t even realize she had. No, she’s got her own story - and it’s one I want to stay well away from. It’s trouble, and it’s not for me.
Which means I just have to ignore the part of me that wants to bury deep - to know her and understand her and find out exactly what’s behind that look. I recognize the instinct, too - it’s the same thing that always made me the first to volunteer for a risky recon exercise, or go in on point for a dangerous strategy. The part of me that still wants the fucked up thrill of another mission, another problem to solve and another chance to be the hero.
But Tyler is my mission now. He’s my constant, lovable, insane little problem. And the only times I’ve ever been a real hero have been when he’s looking at me.
By the time I park in front of Mom’s house and get out of the truck, I’ve almost got my priorities back on straight. The images of Naomi bent over in front of me slowly replaced with thoughts of Tyler and what he’ll need today while I’m at work - the simple daily concerns that have made up my life for the last six years.
Tyler unbuckles himself as I walk around, starting to push the door open before I get there, as he’s doing more and more. I get around just about in time and help him manage the steps down even though he doesn’t think he needs the help. He might even be right about that, but I’ve still got images of him at three years old falling down these steps, and I haven’t quite reconciled how independent he’s started to become.
“You’re late.”
I look up to see my Mom stood in the doorway, the warm smile on her face slightly shadowed by concern as she looks over at me. She bends down to give Tyler a hug, which he’s good enough to only resist a little, and then she shakes her head at him.
“What did you do this time, rascal?”
“Nothing!” Tyler shakes his head in furious denial - exactly the same way he does when he did cause the delay, and I laugh.
“He’s actually telling the truth about that.” I say as I lean down to give her a kiss on the cheek. “The new neighbor needed some help getting furniture inside, delayed us a bit.”
“Mack.” She gives me a skeptical glance. “Did you really have to? That’s the second time this week and—”
“It’s fine.” I say, wrapping my arm around her shoulder and pulling her in towards me. She resists for a moment, but then gives into the hug and I squeeze her tight. “Desmond won’t mind - and you raised me too well to ignore a woman in distress, hmm?”
“Desmond is too tolerant by far.” She mutters, shaking her head.
“You’re complaining about that?” I raise an eyebrow and she sighs.
“No, of course not - for Tyler’s sake, it’s amazing that the man is as good to you as he is. But I don’t want him thinking we’re taking advantage—”
“Mom. I work my ass off and I’m better than half the guys he’s got - it’s a fair trade, believe me.” I tilt my head and give her a knowing smile. “But if it would make you feel better, I won’t risk my job to help the poor woman out again…even if she is cute.”
“Oh, she’s cute, is she?”
Mom’s tone changes instantly, her gaze sharpening - but I just laugh and squeeze her shoulder as I move past towards the kitchen. Tyler has already made a beeline for the living room where Mom keeps an old videogame console for him to play on - one of the reasons he never objects to his Grama watching him - so I’m left alone with Mom as I start unloading some of the groceries I’ve bought for her.
“Mack?” She repeats, determined even though we both know that I’m just teasing her.
I flash a grin in her direction. “Maybe a little - don’t hold your breath though, you know I’ve got better things to be doing.”
I sense her sucking a breath in through her teeth, appraising me in the way she has since I split with Fiona. We’ve had this conversation before - and we both know how it ends.
“You know…” She starts, one finger tapping away on the counter as she watches me put bags of pasta and rice away. “I was going to mention, there’s a nice young girl who just started at work. Thought you might like to stop by one day. Though if you like this - what’s her name - this new neighbor of yours?”
“I don’t like anyone, Mom.” I repeat calmly.
“And with that attitude, no one will like you either.” She retorts, and I grin again.
“Suits me fine.”
“Mack.”
She comes around, stepping in between me and the bags on the table of her little kitchen, and puts her hands on my shoulders. I’m at least a head taller than her, so she has to reach up - but it makes her no less formidable.
“You deserve someone to make you happy, Mack.” Her voice is soft, and I take a breath before meeting her gaze, letting mine become serious again.
“I’m fine, Mom. Please stop worrying about it. Tyler makes me happy. You make me happy. I really don’t need anything else.”
I place my hands over hers and squeeze, then gently detach them from my shoulders. “Though you’re right about the time - think we can finish this conversation later, huh?”
Her mouth twists into a wry line, but she nods.
“Will it have a different ending, later?” She arches an eyebrow at me and I shrug.
“Probably not. Though if you prefer, we don’t have to have it at all, you know.”
“You should at least meet this girl, Mack - she’s lovely and kind and—”
“Mom.” I interrupt, then bend down and kiss her cheek. “I love you. And I’ve gotta go - are you alright with Tyler until tomorrow morning? I’ve got Sunday off this week so I can have him all day—”
“Yes, yes, it’s fine. Go on, then.” She waves a hand at me, and I nod.
I call out to Tyler as I leave, poking my head into the living room, and can’t help the smile that tugs my lips as I barely get an acknowledgment at all. I usually limit the amount of time he has with videogames, but I relax all of that when he’s staying with Mom. If it makes her life easier, I’m all for it.
It’s the only thing that’s ever really tempted me to consider another relationship, too - the thought that Mom wouldn’t have to help out quite so much.
I still feel bad about that - she’s over sixty now, should be settling down and letting me take care of her, not raising another child. Instead she’s still working, since I don’t make enough to support the three of us in two different houses - another debate we’ve had more than once - and running around after my kid.
If Fiona had been even slightly capable or willing to help out—
But I don’t bother finishing the thought. I gave up hoping for that a long time ago - and even if she wanted to now, I wouldn’t trust her with Tyler again.
So instead, Mom and I try to take opposing shifts, so that between both of us and school, the childcare works out. Mostly, we seem to be able to balance it all, even if it gets tricky sometimes. And Mom’s right - we have Desmond to thank for a lot of that.
The ex-Marine offered me a job in his security firm as soon as I left the forces and came back to Mayfair - and then after it all broke down with Fiona, he made it clear that I could have whatever shifts worked for the rest of my life. It was working for him that made leaving the Marines bearable at first - it felt almost the same, and we’ve always had the sort of understanding that the rest of the team doesn’t quite get. I can work odd hours, take random time off and he never questions any of it - but I work my ass off for him when I’m there, I cover things no one else wants to do and I spend as much time playing with the security kit and developing new tech to sell as he does.
So…it’s all okay. It’s working. And considering how impossible that seemed at the beginning, it sure as fuck isn’t something I want to mess with now.
Maybe being a single Dad isn’t what I ever wanted or hoped for - but it’s doable, and at least Tyler seems happy enough. I know Mom worries that he doesn’t have a mother figure and when I spend too much time thinking about it, sometimes I do as well. But I just hope that with her there, he doesn’t feel it too badly.
At least he hasn’t started asking questions yet - but then, I don’t know how much of his time with Fiona he remembers. It bothers me that maybe there’s a reason he never asks about his mother.
I knock the car into gear and pull out of Mom’s driveway, finding her words repeating in my mind again.
You deserve someone to make you happy, Mack.
I shake my head. She’s said it before and she’ll say it again - I don’t usually have trouble brushing it off.
But Naomi’s sexy-sweet smile is still in my mind, and the way her eyes sparkled as she talked to Tyler.
She’s confused things - and I don’t even know why. She’s not even my type.
I mean, physically, sure. I’ve always had a thing for beautiful women with the kind of soft curves you can hold onto at night. But Naomi…she was scared of me. And if there’s anything that could make me feel less like a man - that would be it.
She was nervous the whole time I was trying to help her out - one look at me and she was practically shaking, barely able to meet my eyes or say anything at all. Just impossible, not to mention unnerving. I kept wondering what the hell I’d done wrong, and the normal sexy banter I might enjoy in a situation like that dried up until I felt uncomfortable saying anything at all in case I upset her.
Not the kind of thing I find sexy or fun - and not what I like in a woman at all.
I usually go for the sassy, confident type. Someone who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it - which, in all honesty, is probably why I was far too tolerant of Fiona’s bullshit for so long. But, still, nervous doesn’t do it for me. I’ve never been interested in a woman who looks like she could be scared of her own shadow - or, okay, maybe my shadow - before.
Except…with Naomi, yeah it bothers me that she obviously felt that way, but it has me wanting to fix it, too. To comfort and reassure her until she knows that she doesn’t need to be afraid of me - or anything else.
It makes me want to protect her.
And that’s far more scary than simply wanting to fuck her.
I don’t know why she’s here or what’s made her so nervous - but I have Tyler. I can’t get invite that kind of thing into my life, not anymore. And I don’t even know if there is anything behind what I thought I saw in her eyes. Maybe I’m just making it all up - trying to create another mission, another chance to be the hero.
Maybe she just doesn’t like you. Maybe you’re just intimidating and scary as fuck, and she doesn’t like it.
It wouldn’t be the first time someone was scared of me - just, for some reason, the idea of that girl feeling that way bothers me. But if that’s it…well, I guess it’s for the best if it makes her want to avoid me. And if I encourage that a little…well, it won’t matter that she’s living right next to me. There won’t be any risk of getting too friendly.
Which means all these silly thoughts won’t have a chance to go anywhere at all - I’ll be able to keep enough distance that my interest fades and disappears, just like it always does.
Even if my stupid dick keeps remembering her bent over that old wooden cabinet.