It wasn’t as though this was the first time Noelle had spent the night away from her. As a single parent, she had called on her sister on more than one occasion for babysitting services when she needed a break. Just because she was a single mother didn’t mean she stopped needing to be, MacKenzie.
Carlos’ past interactions with the baby contributed in alleviating some of her misgivings surrounding him taking her for a sleepover. He was really good with his daughter whenever he had been in her company. MacKenzie’s worry was more that he would get distracted. Carlos was on a mission with his career, and it showed in his lack of free time. Even with his hectic life, he appeared to be trying, and MacKenzie wouldn’t take that away from him.
Maybe it was her unsubstantiated concern about his mother or the way he was currently looking at her, but something didn’t feel right to MacKenzie. Carlos was acting odd. MacKenzie couldn’t put her finger on what his behavior meant, so she attributed it to his nervousness about being responsible for his daughter overnight.
The sight of Carlos standing at her door had come with mixed emotions for MacKenzie. Although no lingering attraction towards him remained, she couldn’t help but notice just how attractive he was. There was no getting away from it; Carlos was a good looking man, and he knew it.
What he failed to realize was that the charm that countless women fell for, no longer held any illusions where she was concerned. When they first met, she had been a little star struck. To be in the presence of such a famous star had been thrilling. However, for MacKenzie, his status hadn’t been the deciding factor. They had spoken and exchanged pleasantries, but she had refused to succumb to his innate charm.
At that time, MacKenzie had been unsure as to whether he was genuinely interested in her or if he was only out to make another conquest. In the end it hadn’t mattered, they were both free and single and it was what they both wanted. After an exchange of numbers, and a number of dates they had started a casual relationship.
“Wow, you look great! All ready for the big night I see.” Carlos voiced his compliment with a smile; yet his stare said something entirely different.
“Thank you, come on in, Noelle is ready,” MacKenzie said, standing aside to give him access to her home.
Once inside, Carlos’ demeanor changed. Gone was the smile that had accompanied his compliment, in its place was a look MacKenzie could only liken to displeasure, where or what his displeasure originated from, she was unclear.
“Is Noelle what you and I have come to, MacKenzie?”
“What else is there? We tried, we failed, the end!” MacKenzie knew she was being flippant, but she didn’t care. She had given Carlos as much of her time as she intended.
“You’re my baby mama. That should mean something!”
The displeasure in Carlos’ voice caused MacKenzie to slam the front door shut. Her action annoyed her even more because she had promised herself that her door slamming days were over.
“First off, don’t ever refer to me as your baby mama ever again. I have a name and our daughter has a name, use them!” As far as she was concerned the title of baby mama was one she would never go by. The sooner he accepted that, the sooner they would come to an understanding.
Completely aware that when her manner became stern, most people found her difficult to counteract; MacKenzie wiped all signs of amicability from her expression. It worked; Carlos seemed to withdraw as though searching for another angle to ingratiate himself with her.
MacKenzie imagined the cogs of his mind turning. That was her indication that something had changed with him. Months ago they had decided they would co-parent Noelle, and apart from her wellbeing, they would go their separate ways. Even though he tried, Carlos couldn’t seem to hide the smug blaze in his eyes, and it made MacKenzie uneasy.
“What’s going on, Carlos?”
His laugh in response to her question sounded contrived, and MacKenzie had an overwhelming need to shake an answer out of him. What he did next caught her by complete surprise.
Stepping in close, Carlos pulled MacKenzie into his arms and fixed his lips against hers. Her brain picked that moment to freeze. She didn’t push him away nor did she respond, she just stared at him as his lips continued to move against hers. After a few moments, MacKenzie’s brain kicked into action, her thoughts wavering between shock and the thought that Carlos must have lost his mind.
Unprepared to fight him, she remained perfectly still. She was experienced enough to tell the difference between a man wanting her and one just going through the motions. Carlos’ kiss fell into the latter category.
When he pulled away, MacKenzie was unsure of what he expected to see in her expression. Maybe some form of bliss that he had shown her attention. MacKenzie wanted to laugh in his face. She had swallowed her pride as much as she was prepared to do where Carlos Ernesto was concerned. If he thought his looks and status were going to change that fact, he was sadly mistaken.