“Figuring out who to fix Mac up with,” Jess answered.
“Stop it, you two.”
“Not a chance. I know who isn’t safe around our sweet Mac.” Charly smiled at Jess.
“I bet we’re thinking the same two guys.” Jess seemed to love playing matchmaker as much as Mary and Maude.
“We are. The way she looks at the Masters twins is all the proof I need,” Charly said. “She’s completely gone on them.”
“Please stop talking about those guys to me.” Her cheeks felt hot. Charly was right. Whenever Wyatt and Wade came into the diner, self-control and logic would evaporate inside her. Tingles and humidity would remain. Thankfully, the two were absent from the party. It had continued to be a struggle keeping her cool around that duo with their devilish brown eyes surrounded by the longest lashes she’d ever seen on any male. Never had she witnessed such beautiful men in her entire life. And with their constant advances, flirtations, and downright demands toward her, staying on task in Wilde had been difficult.
“She just told me that a poly relationship isn’t something she’s interested in, Charly.” Jess frowned. “I was thinking Luke might be a better fit.”
“He’s handsome but not for her.” Charly shook her head. “I think she’s only scared at what might happen if she takes the leap. Have a drink with them, Mac, or coffee. What harm can come from coffee?”
“That’s it. I’m leaving.” She placed her glass on a nearby table, then hugged them both. “You’ll have to play matchmakers with someone else.”
Without waiting for them to argue again for her to stay, she turned around to head to the door but was blocked by the muscled frame of Wade Masters.
“You’re not leaving, sweetheart,” the studly cowboy said. His tone told her that he meant business.
Here come the tingles.
Mac couldn’t risk being distracted by Wade right now. Trying not to look at those sexy br
own eyes, she said, “I’ve got the early-morning shift and need to get to sleep.”
She felt his hand on her cheek, sending a shiver up her spine. She didn’t have the will to resist him right now, and so moved her gaze to him.
Wade gave her a sexy grin. “Then I’ll be happy to escort you back to your place.”
Chapter Two
Wade looked down at Mackenzie. She’d eluded him for far too long. Her arrival in town had been quite a stir. No wonder. She was gorgeous. Tonight, she looked especially so.
Her long silky blonde hair screamed to be touched, stroked, and yes, even tugged on. He couldn’t wait to see her blue eyes gazing up at him with a look of dreamy abandon.
It would happen. It would happen tonight.
But it was more than lust for her that had ensnared him. Wyatt, too, though his brother would never admit it. It was her warmth, her resourcefulness, and her energy that he was transfixed by. She had a profound kindness that flattened him out. Who wouldn’t want to spend time with such a person? If he took a hard look in the mirror, the real question was why would she want to spend time with a cold-hearted, selfish cowboy? Doubt was new to him and something he didn’t care for.
For two months, he and his brother had eaten every meal at Norma’s—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—just to be as close to her as possible. In that time, he’d gotten the impression she had a secret wound that was hidden underneath her smiles. He sensed a need in her, not for sex, but for help. For what exactly, he didn’t know, but he was ready to step up for her. That would require getting her to open up to him, which fit perfectly into his wheelhouse.
“I’ll be fine on my own. Thank you, though.” Placing her little delicate hands on her hips, she clearly was daring him to try to stop her. Her sweet defiance whetted his appetite beyond measure.
“Not likely.” He brushed the hair out of her eyes. She blushed divinely. “Let’s get you a vacation day tomorrow. Carlotta,” he called to Mackenzie’s boss, who was standing across the room with her beau by her side.
The owner of Norma’s apparently didn’t hear him as she continued talking to Deuce and another couple.
“Don’t you dare.” Mackenzie pursed her lips tight.
“Oh, I dare, sweetheart.”
“Please stop him,” she said to Jessie and Charly.
They both smiled and shook their heads.
“If you’ll excuse us,” Charly said. “I have a sneaking suspicion that Mac needs some time alone with Mr. Masters, and I have some questions for my cousin here.”