That was my cue.
I stood up, my robe falling open, and shrugged my shoulders so that it fell to the floor at my feet.
Mac’s lips parted, and I heard the rough inhalation of breath as his gaze drifted down my naked body and moved back up again, lingering between my legs and then again at my breasts.
My belly squeezed at the unadulterated need in his expression, and I grew slick, ready for him.
“What are you doing?” he asked, his voice so hoarse, it was like he could barely get the words out.
Thinking I really needed no words to explain what was happening, I walked toward him, my hips moving with exaggerated sway because of the high heels, and Mac’s eyes followed their rhythmic movement. Then he was close enough I could smell his aftershave, could feel the heat of him.
I reached him, saw the bafflement in his gaze and ignored it, and pressed my body to his, thrilling at the erotic sensation of his fully clothed body against my nakedness. I reached for him, the diamond bracelet on my wrist sparkling in the soft candlelight.
Suddenly, however, my heart jumped unpleasantly as Mac gripped my forearms and pushed me away. He skirted around me, backing up into the living room.
“Mackennon—”
“What the fuck are you doing?” he bit out, not looking at me as he reached for my robe and threw it in my direction. “Put that on now.”
How could he still be frightened of this? “Mac … we don’t need to hide anymore. Look at Regan and Thane! Jesus, look at Lachlan. He went after Robyn, even though she’s your daughter. Why should we stay away from each other when my brothers get to be with who they want, everyone else be damned?”
He wouldn’t answer me, wouldn’t look at me. “Where are your clothes?” He searched the living room for them.
Furious because it was so much better than being hurt, I hurried over and grabbed hold of him, pressing myself to him. “Stop it,” I demanded as he tensed against me, his eyes spearing through mine. “Stop fighting this. I know you want me. I know you more than want me.” I moved to kiss him, but he jerked his face away. Rejection burned, which only made me more determined to kiss him. I knew if I kissed him, he’d be lost to it.
“For fuck’s sake!” Mac shoved me away from him so hard, I tripped over my heels and bounced down onto the couch.
Horrified, I could only stare up at him.
He looked equally horrified as his hands flexed into fists, as if he wanted to reach out.
But didn’t.
Humiliation crawled over me. “I don’t understand … the bracelet.” I waved my wrist at him. “I thought it meant—”
“What?” he snapped, looking pointedly away, the muscle in his jaw ticking with anger. “Meant what?”
I sat forward, searching the floor blindly for my clothes. Where had I put them?
“Meant what, Arro?”
“You’ve never given me a gift like that before. Something so romantic. I thought it was a sign that you wanted …”
“You admired the one I bought for Robyn’s twenty-ninth birthday so much that I made a note to buy one for your birthday too. It’s been such a shit year for everyone. I thought you deserved something nicer for this birthday.”
Oh my God.
I covered my face with my hands, my skin hot with mortification.
How had I totally forgotten that he’d bought Robyn the same bracelet?
Oh, fuck.
I looked up at him and studied the way he glowered at the fireplace, adamantly avoiding my gaze.
But the memory of that night when Eils and Lew stayed over for Christmas decorating filled my mind. Followed by our kiss on New Year’s Eve. Not to mention all the times we’d flirted, including at the village anniversary ceilidh last year. Damn it, the way his eyes had followed me all night was the reason Guy had exploded with jealousy and beat the hell out of me for it.
Newly determined, I stood up again, uncaring of my nakedness. This bullshit between us had to stop one way or another.