Jake could see that MacKenzie was worried and decided to try to set her mind at ease. He didn’t want Jason and Aviva’s no-show to ruin their night together.
“Come on MacKenzie, this is Jason and Aviva we’re talking about. If those two get caught up in each other, we’ll be the last thing on their minds. In all honesty, it could be next week before we hear from them.”
Jake watched as MacKenzie’s eyes glazed over, taking on a faraway look. If his interpretation of the look was correct, his father was right; nearly all women were a sucker for true romance. While she might work hard at her attempts of independence and bravado, she had just failed his test. Therefore plan number one was now in full effect. If that failed, he already had another plan lined up and ready to go. Jake only hoped one or the other worked because he didn’t have a third plan in place... yet.
While she still appeared occupied with thoughts of Jason and Aviva, Jake seized the opportunity to pull her close as the music surrounded them. He knew just as sure as he knew his name; the moment wasn’t going to last for much longer.
He was wrong; the moment stretched on in silence throughout the whole dance. It was as though she were giving her silent consent for him to hold her.
Jake remained quiet as he savored each moment. Each beat of the music became a throb that worked its way through his body attuning itself to the way she felt pressed against him. If he were given the choice to be anywhere else, he knew he would gratefully choose the here and now.
He knew what he was beginning to feel just as he knew how hard she was fighting against her feelings. It was his thirty-fifth birthday, and his mind was made up. MacKenzie and Noelle were his to care for, and to cherish. In his mind the reason was simple, the thought of them in his life filled him with contentment.
Chapter 9
For the most part, the meal was a success. As they stood outside the restaurant, Jake recognized he had another mini battle on his hands. MacKenzie had arrived in a cab, and she now seemed determined to leave the same way. While he knew that wasn’t going to happen, he understood what dealing with MacKenzie meant; there was going to be a clash before he got his way.
“I’ll be fine in a cab, Jake.”
“I’m sorry, but I won’t hear of it.” Jake could see she was getting ready to voice another objection and interrupted her before she could do so. “Here’s my car,” he said taking the key from the valet.
Holding the door open, Jake maintained unwavering eye contact with MacKenzie until she gave in, and slipped into the seat. Feeling elated about his easy victory, he pulled into the late night traffic and cast a quick glance at MacKenzie, who seemed intent on ignoring him.
“Are you warm enough?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Would you like some music?”
“Whatever you want.”
“Umm... whatever I want, huh?” Jake laughed at her attempt at shutting him out with docility. “Well, how about if you and I spend the night–” Jake laughed even harder as MacKenzie cut him off so quickly he was unable to finish his sentence. Her head flashed around so fast he thought she might well suffer the effects of whiplash come the morning.
“Stop right there!”
“I’m curious as to what you thought I was about to say?” He questioned, giving her his most guileless look.
Jake knew calling her out, would put her on the spot, and wondered how long it would take for her to get out of this particular hole.
“I have no idea what you were about to say, and I have no wish to know what you were going to say.”
“Wow, a double block, you’re good! But what you should always remember is that I’m better.”
“Jacob, on your best day, you will never be as good as me on my worst day.”
“Did you just dare me, MacKenzie? Where I come from those are fighting words!” He was enjoying himself, and from the look on MacKenzie’s face, she was too.
“Bring it twinnie, I’m ready!”
“Are you sure you’re up to the challenge?”
“Oh please, is this all you’ve got? I devour Kingdoms for breakfast, then I laugh and move on to devour the world for lunch with a cry for more!”
Jake couldn’t nor did he want to withhold the laughter that bubbled within him. He was with whom, and where, he wanted to be. Even through his enjoyment, he knew MacKenzie was going to be his greatest challenge. He also knew he would relish every moment he spent breaking down her barriers.
“You doubt me?” She asked when he finally stopped laughing.
“MacKenzie, I would never doubt anything you say to me. However, I should warn you that the men in my family rarely play, but when we do, we always win.”
“Win what?”
“Whatever we want.”
“What do you want, Jacob, and don’t say me!”
“I would never be so obvious.”
“Thank goodness for that. I can’t stand an obvious man.”
“Then this is your lucky day!” Jake quipped. “That was bad right?”