An adult stories – Coming Home Pt. 03 by uk_writer_53,uk_writer_53 As with most stories on Literotica this one has elements that fit within other genres. However, I think that overall it is a Romance, so that’s where I’ve placed it.
The storyline is from my own imagination so please don’t tell me that the characters would or should have done this or that. The actions and reactions I’ve written fit with the way I wanted the tale to unfold. If you really hate it that much simply stop reading…
Comments on the actual writing are most welcome and if you spot a fault then it’s all mine and I apologise in advance.
All the characters that engage in sexual activities are over the age of 18.
Enjoy
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COMING HOME – Part 3
Chapter 06 – Mackenzie
The rest of the week flashed by for Mackenzie as she got to grips with the demands of her new position. There was a lot for her to learn as well as having the responsibility of supervising her young assistant Amanda who, like herself, was new to her role.
However, she was fortunate that Charles Marwell stayed out of her way for most of the time, leaving her to get on with things.
Unable to take her proper breaks due to her workload she had taken the opportunity to pop out of the office for a few minutes to buy herself a sandwich for lunch.
“Hey Mackenzie.”
She was waiting in the queue at the delicatessen close to the office when she heard someone call out her name.
Looking around she found herself face to face with a friend of hers, Briony Miller.
“Oh, hi Briony. How are you and how’s that gorgeous little baby girl of yours?”
“I’m great to be honest and Angie is fine thanks. How about your Tabitha?”
Mackenzie grinned, “Oh she’s the same as always, a real pickle when she wants to be.”
“How’s the new job going?” Joining her in the queue Briony asked.
“Keeping me busy that’s for sure but I think I’m slowly getting to grips with everything.”
“I don’t suppose you know if there are any vacancies going at WestTech?”
“Are you looking for a change then? I thought you were happy at Wilson’s.” Mackenzie wanted to know, slightly puzzled by her friend’s request.
“It’s not for me, it’s for my brother. He’s just come home and he’s looking for work.”
“Do you have any idea what sort of thing he might be in the market for?”
Briony thought for a moment before answering, “Not really.”
“Maybe you could ask him to send me a cv. In the meantime, I’ll keep my eyes open and if anything comes up I’ll let you know.” Mackenzie suggested with a smile.
With that settled the two girls continued to chat for a few minutes as they waited to be served before saying their goodbyes and heading back to their respective jobs.
Her mood improved by the brief chat with her friend Mackenzie walked back through her office door to find Charles Marwell, the company CEO, unexpectedly sitting in her office.
“Ah, there you are.” He greeted her with a self-satisfied smug expression on his face.
“Good afternoon Mr Marwell. What can I do for you?” She asked rather brusquely.
“Nothing really. I just wanted to drop by and see how you’re getting on with the new job.” His undisguised leer made it totally obvious what he wanted as he let his eyes roam up and down her body “And to remind you about our… dinner date…. on Friday.”
“I’m getting on fine thank you.” She sat down behind her desk enjoying the feeling of security that having a barrier between them gave her, “And, don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about your invitation for Friday.”
“Excellent. Do make sure you dress for the occasion though. We’ll make sure to have dinner first.”
He smirked and without waiting for a response, he stood up and walked out leaving her trembling and with very little doubt about his intentions for their meeting at the end of the week.
Watching him go she shivered with disgust remembering how she had lain under him, letting him have her so she could get the job she was now in.
‘First! What was second?’
‘Would he fire her if she refused to sleep with him again?’
‘Where would it end if she agreed to his demands?’
‘What if anyone found out what she had done?’
Trying to ignore the multitude of thoughts filling her head she ate her lunch as she quietly mulled over her options for the coming Friday.
If he insisted that she went to his bed again she was uncertain if she could actually go through with it and agree to his immoral demands. She already despised herself for submitting to him the first time even though it had got her the job she wanted.
Trying to recollect the night she lost her virginity was now just a dim memory but she could still remember how it had felt and the feelings the boy she had been with had aroused in her. They had never gone away and she had kept them suppressed deep inside her, her own little secret,
The few other times she had done it since then, including when she let Charles Marwell have her in exchange for her promotion, hadn’t been particularly enjoyable and the thought of submitting to him again made her feel sick.
Her friends all enthused about their sex lives and the orgasm’s they had but, with her limited experience, she really didn’t see it as something she particularly wanted to do.
‘Unless he came back into her life.’
Just the thought of Sean Parkes sent a wave of warmth surging through her. Even though she knew there was virtually no chance of him wanting anything to do with her, not after what she had said to him.
Finishing her lunch Mackenzie was feeling more than a little downhearted as she threw the packaging into the bin and settled back in to work for the afternoon.
She was kept busy for the rest of the day and for the remainder of the week but as Friday grew closer she found her mind turning more and more frequently to her upcoming ‘date’ with her boss. So much so that by the time Friday afternoon came around she was struggling to focus on work. Her concerns over what the evening might bring were starting to consume her every thought.
Finally, by four o’clock, she decided she had had enough and packing up her things she said goodbye to her assistant and left work early, heading to the Coffee Pot to see her mother and Tabitha before going home to get herself ready.
“Hi mum.” Pushing open the café door she called out her usual greeting.
“Hey baby, you’re early? I wasn’t expecting you for another hour.”
“Mummeeeeee.” Before Mackenzie had a chance to reply Tabitha yelled out, rushing from the back room to leap into her arms.
“Hey Tabs.” She picked her daughter up and gave her a cuddle as she finally responded to her mother’s question, “Yeah, I’d had enough. I thought I might go home and have a bit of a soak before going out.”
“Time for a coffee or do you have to rush straight off?”
“Coffee please.” Mackenzie grinned and plonked her daughter on a chair and sat down next to her.
“You’re not up to something with that man are you?” Christine Frane frowned and asked her daughter when she bought their drinks over and sat down with her.
“Mum, please. He’s old enough to be my grandad.”
“That’s as maybe but I don’t trust him.”
‘Me neither.’
As usual the same thought ran through Mackenzie’s mind although, as always, she didn’t say it.
“Have you seen that soldier again?” She changed the subject, hoping her mother might say she had.
“You mean Sean Parkes?”
“Yes.”
Christine Frane shook her head, “No, I think your little diatribe the other day scared him away for good.”
“Oh.”
Mackenzie felt her heart sink at her mother’s words. Even if he never wanted to speak to her again she wanted to apologise to him for the things she had said.
“Why do you ask?”
“No reason. I just…. spoke to Belinda the other day and she… well from what she told me he was telling us the truth.”
“He… he was with Liam when he…”
She nodded, a lump in her throat, “Apparently so mum.”
Christine Frane shook her head, “I never doubted him. There was something about Sergeant Parkes that… well that made me believe him.”
Mackenzie knew there was more she could tell her mother but it would have meant revealing something she had never told anyone, not even her.
For the next half an hour or so the pair sat and chatted as they finished their coffee, Mackenzie playing with her daughter until it was time for her to go.
“I’ll come by and get her in the morning mum.” Pushing up from her seat she started to say her goodbyes.
“There’s no rush, have yourself a bit of a lie in.” Christine informed her, “Heather is opening up for me.”
“Ok, maybe I will.” Kissing her daughter she warned her, “You be a good girl for nana and I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Ok mummy.” Tabitha confirmed somewhat reverently making her mother smile.
Her bus journey home only took fifteen minutes and once inside her flat Mackenzie set about her preparations for the evening; running a bubble bath, and pouring herself a glass of wine. Then, stripping off her work clothes she slid into the hot water and, closing her eyes, tried to relax for a few minutes.
She had made up her mind she was going to stand up to Charles and tell him she wasn’t going to play his sordid little game. The fact she had let him have her once, to get the job she wanted, sickened her and, for obvious reasons, her recent interaction with Sean Parkes made her want more from her life.
‘She had met him before, the more she thought about it the more convinced she was?’
‘Despite her anger over Liam she needed to put aside her hatred of the military and think about her unresolved feelings for him.’
‘Add to that there were things she had to say to him, things she had kept hidden from her mother and her daughter.’
Laying back she let herself enjoy the soak until she felt the water getting cold. Grudgingly stepping out of the bath she set about getting ready. Despite her reluctance to have dinner with her boss she was determined to look her best. At least then whatever happened, she would feel better about herself and maybe that would help when she told him no.
Sitting at her dressing table she added a little mascara to her eyelash extensions then applied a dark eyeshadow to her eyelids making her blue eyes stand out. The final touch was to put on some red lip gloss after which she brushed out her long hair and, leaving it loose, turned her attention to getting dressed.
Sorting through her limited wardrobe Mackenzie struggled to make up her mind, choosing and rejecting several outfits until, looking at the clock, she realised she was going to be late.
Needing to hurry, she slipped on some tan coloured stockings along with her favourite pale blue bra and matching panties. Then selecting a bottle green sleeveless dress that came to a few inches above her knees she eased it over her head and zipped it up before easing her feet into her black stilettos.
Taking a last look in the mirror she decided she was as ready as she would ever be and, calling up an Uber on her phone, she picked up her jacket and bag and left the house.
It was just a short taxi ride to the Grand Metropole hotel where, after paying the cab driver, Mackenzie paused outside the main doors. Her heart was thudding against her ribs while her stomach had tightened into a solid ball with the tension she felt.
‘Could she tell him no?’
‘What if he threatened to fire her?’
Taking a calming breath, she tried to compose herself as best she could; whatever happened she was not going to submit to Charles Marwell again.
Once she felt ready she pushed open the doors and walked through the foyer, her heels tapping on the tiled floor. She knew she was drawing unwanted attention from the couple of businessmen present as well as looks of curiosity from the two receptionists, but she kept her eyes fixed firmly ahead of her disregarding anyone else.
Entering the busy bar, she immediately saw Charles seated at the far end of the counter and, ignoring the interested stares of some of the male patrons, she made her way across to him.
“Ah Mackenzie, you’re a little late.” Sliding off his stool he kissed her on the cheek, “What would you like to drink?”
“Just a tonic water with ice and lemon please.” her tone was cold and business-like.
“Really? Let me get you something stronger.” He raised an eyebrow and, ignoring her choice, ordered her a glass of white wine.
“So, what did you want to see me about?” She asked once he had ordered her wine and another drink for himself.
“I thought we needed to have a little chat.” He smiled leeringly at her, his eyes roaming up and down her body, “Now that you’re settled in your new post. To discuss how we want things to be going forwards.”
“What is there to discuss?” Taking her glass from the barman she responded curtly.
“Plenty but let’s eat first. I don’t know about you but I’m famished.
She didn’t answer him and quietly acquiesced as he picked up his own drink and put his hand on the small of her back to guide her away from the bar and across towards the restaurant.
Shuddering inwardly, his touch reminded her of what had taken place the last time she had met him here. Biting her tongue for the moment, it reinforced her decision to refuse his advances but, as she was hungry, it could wait until they had eaten.
Perusing the menu, once they were seated, she selected the poached salmon with asparagus while Charles settled on the steak.
“I need to keep my strength up.” He smirked at her after the waiter had taken their order.
“Not on my account.” Mackenzie snorted cynically making him chuckle.
They ate in almost total silence, the food was delicious and the wine excellent but she barely tasted any of it, as she forced it down. Knowing what her boss expected of her when their dinner was over she felt the knot in the pit of her stomach tightening.
“That’s much better.” He smiled salaciously as he put down his knife and fork, “Now we can have a proper chat before we go upstairs.”
Sitting back in the seat opposite him she put down her drink, “If you’re trying to get me to sleep with you again you’re wasting your time.”
“Oh dear, did you not enjoy yourself the last time then?” The sneer he gave her as he spoke made her want to lean across the table and slap him.
“No. Not in the slightest.”
He chuckled, unfazed by her caustic retort, “Then I’ll have to try harder the next time.”
“There isn’t going to be a next time. I told you it was a one off and I meant it.”
He leaned closer to her, his expression rapidly changing, and snarled angrily, “Now listen to me bitch. I put you in that fucking job and if you cross me I’ll get rid of you without a second thought. Understand?”
“I’ll take you to court over sexual harassment.”
Charles Marwell threw his head back and laughed softly, “Who’s going to believe a slut like you. You’re a single mother and you slept with me of your own free will, remember?”
Mackenzie picked up her glass and took a swallow of wine. She knew he was right no one was going to take her word against his. Not after she had willingly gone to his bed to get the manager’s job.
“However, I can wait.” He smiled knowingly and began speaking again after a moment’s pause, “I’ll have you back in my bed eventually.”
“And just how will you manage that? I said never again and I meant it.”
“Oh, you don’t need to worry about that my dear.” The company’s CEO grinned, “Just make sure you look after that delightful little girl of yours. I don’t want you to have to worry about what might happen to her.”
Mackenzie didn’t answer and took another sip from her glass as she tried not to show the alarm his comment had created in her. Tabitha meant everything to her and he obviously knew it.
“You wouldn’t dare?”
“Think very carefully about it. Or you’ll be doing more than just looking for another job.”
The menace in his eyes and the tone of his voice made it very clear it wasn’t an idle threat.
“How long do I have before I make a decision?”
“I’m a patient man. Let’s say 2 weeks.”
Thinking about what he had said Mackenzie finished her wine and stood up, “If that’s everything then, I’ll be going.”
Charles sat back in his seat and smiled up at her, “It’s everything for now. We’ll come back to our sleeping arrangements soon.”
Suppressing a shudder of revulsion, she turned away and walked out of the hotel restaurant without looking back. Her promise to herself that she would never go to his bed again looked to be crushed beyond any hope of recovery.
Almost as soon as she was out of his sight she felt the tears on her face and, not caring who was watching her, she made her way back into the bar. She needed a drink and a chance to calm herself down so, sliding up onto a stool, she ordered herself a large vodka.
She had just taken her first swallow, grimacing against the taste when the voice from behind her made her swivel around.
“Are you ok?”
Chapter 07 – Sean
“Any luck with the job search?” Maureen Parkes enquired as she poured her son a coffee.
Sean had just come downstairs after showering having done his regular run and exercise routine that morning.
Taking a bite from the slice of toast on the plate in front of him he shook his head.
“Nothing much yet but I have an interview at Jackson’s and Briony said she’s going to speak to the HR manager at WestTech sometime this week.”
“That’s promising. What’s the job at Jackson’s?”
Sean shrugged, “Something in their despatch department I think.”
“And WestTech?”
“I don’t know, Briony just said I should get a CV ready for them.”
“Well, that’s a good start.” His mother smiled before her expression faded, “As long as you aren’t going back.”
“No mum, I can’t go back. Not after…. after Liam.”
As he mentioned the young Marine that had died in his arms he automatically felt his mind drift onto the subject of Mackenzie Frane, Liam’s older sister. She had been the girl in the hotel all those years before and despite the fact she was married and had a daughter he couldn’t get her out of his thoughts.
‘What would he do if he couldn’t forget about her?’
‘Could he take the heartache of seeing her and knowing she was with someone else?’
It was a problem for later and he would face up to it then he decided.
“I’m glad to hear it.” His mother said, bringing him back to the present, as she got up and bustled off to do whatever she had to.
Sitting back in the chair Sean took his time to finish his coffee trying to shake the image of Mackenzie Frane out of his head before getting on with the day.
After arranging to have a beer with his best mate Denny that coming Thursday Sean knuckled down to the task of finding himself a job. There wasn’t a lot he could do but he still spent most of the day looking in the situations vacant section of the paper and doing some online searching, mostly without success.
He wasn’t feeling very optimistic and didn’t have any real hopes for his interview on the Wednesday, but there was always the chance Briony’s friend might have something at WestTech. One thing he was sure of though, he wasn’t going to work for his father.
By Wednesday morning he had just about exhausted every avenue he could think of and it was almost with a sense of relief that he got up and thought about his interview at Jacksons.
“You all set son?” His father asked as they sat down for breakfast.
Sean shrugged, “As much as I can be I guess.”
“What time is your interview?” Frank enquired.
“Eleven.”
“I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.”
“Thanks dad.” Getting up from the table Sean headed back up to his room to get ready.
Nearly an hour later he was downstairs dressed and ready to leave.
“I hope you get it Sean.” His mother fussed over him, unnecessarily straightening his tie.
“We’ll see mum. I’m not going to count my chickens yet.” He smiled, “It’s just an initial interview.”
As much as her fretting bothered him he wouldn’t tell her; he could see how much it meant to her that he was finally home.
“Let’s just hope they see what an asset you’d be for them.”
She brushed an invisible speck of dust off his jacket, “There you look absolutely perfect.”
A car horn from outside interrupted them as it announced the arrival of his taxi.
“Ok, wish me luck.” Kissing her on the cheek he let himself out of the house.
It was almost an hour later at 11.15 that Sean found himself flicking through a magazine, getting more than a little irritated, as he sat in Jacksons reception area waiting to be taken through to his interview. He had purposefully turned up a good ten minutes early to make sure he was ready for eleven and they had left him waiting.
“Mr Parkes? Sorry to have kept you waiting. Would you like to come through now.”
A further fifteen minutes had elapsed before a voice jerked him away from the article on trout fishing that he had been reading.
He looked up into a pair of warm green eyes to find a young attractive redheaded girl in front of him.
“Oh right. Sure.”
Smiling at him with obvious interest she held out her hand.
“I’m Cassie. Mr Groves assistant.” She informed him, holding his fingers in hers for several seconds longer than was necessary, “If you’d like to follow me.”
Walking ahead of him he found it hard not to gawp at her backside as it wiggled ahead of him and it was a relief when she showed him through into the interview room and closed the door as she left.
“Mr Parkes, do sit down. I’m Eric Groves.”
From the moment his interviewer stood up and held out his hand he had felt uncomfortable and when he asked him if he had seen any action Sean knew he wasn’t going to get the job.
Ten minutes later he stood up and, barely keeping his anger suppressed, bid his interviewer goodbye before he walked out of the office.
“Finished already?” Cassie looked up and fluttered her eyelashes at him as he went by her desk.
“Tell your arsehole of a boss if he wants to know what it’s like in a war zone he should join up and try it himself.” He snorted and continued on towards the exit.
“Shit.” She said softly, quickly getting up to hurry after him.
Outside in the street Sean paused and had just decided he needed a drink when Cassie appeared at his elbow.
“Sorry about him, you’re right he is an arsehole.”
“Tell me about it. He wanted to know if I’d ever killed anyone.”
“Have you?” She giggled, “If you haven’t maybe you could start with him.”
Recognising that she was flirting with him he chuckled.
She looked at him, biting her lower lip coyly as she studied him for a moment and pressed a slip of paper into his hand.
“It’s my number, if you fancy a drink sometime?” She blushed as she spoke before hurrying away without waiting for an answer.
“How about Friday?” He called after her.
Cassie stopped and smiled back at him, “Sure I can do Friday. Meet me at the bar in the Grand Metropole at seven.”
“There. I don’t know if you know it.”
She took the piece of paper back and wrote down an address before handing it back to him, then kissing him on the cheek she went back to work leaving him standing alone.
Sean smiled to himself, not bothering to tell her he knew the hotel, and turned towards the nearby pub. She was quite a bit younger than him, he guessed she was about nineteen or twenty, but he decided it might be fun and he hadn’t been on a date since Robyn.
“How did it go Sean?” His mother asked immediately he got home a while later, “Have you eaten?”
“No, I just went and had a pint.” He shook his head, “I don’t think they actually want anyone. At least judging by the questions they asked they don’t.”
Tutting loudly Maureen Parkes put the kettle on and started to make a sandwich for her son.
“Promise me you won’t go back Sean.” Pausing for a moment she turned back to him, “Something will turn up, I’m sure of it.”
“I’ll give Briony a call and see if she’s got anywhere with her contact at WestTech.” He didn’t meet her gaze, there was still the problem of Mackenzie to deal with, “But if I can’t find work what else can I do?”
“You…. you could go to work with your father.” She suggested hesitantly knowing what her son would say.
He looked up sharply and she could see the anger in his eyes.
“I’d rather take my chances and go back in.” Sean stated a little more brusquely than he intended.
Maureen quickly turned away at his statement, tears already forming in her eyes, and he knew she was upset.
“Sorry mum.” Hugging her to him he could hear her sniffling as she tried not to cry, “It’s just if I can’t find anything….”
He let his sentence tail away.
“Why can’t you just meet a nice girl and settle down.” Looking up at him she smiled and stroked his cheek.
“That ship sailed a long time ago mum.”
“So, there was someone then?” Busying herself with making the tea she continued to chat to him.
Not getting a reply from her son she turned her eyes towards him and a sudden realisation hit her.
“Oh my God, have you met someone?”
“Yes, there was a girl.” He responded hesitantly, “I met her just before I left and….”
“Have you seen her since you’ve been back? Does she know that you’re home?”
Sean shook his head, “I’ve seen her but she didn’t seem to recognise me and anyway she’s married with a child.”
“Oh Sean.”
“No matter I have a date on Friday.”
His mother raised an eyebrow and he laughed.
“Don’t go buying a new hat mum. It’s just a date and, to be honest, she’s probably a bit young for me.”
His week continued slowly and apart from his regular exercise routine and meeting up with Denny Foulkes Sean had little to do over the next couple of days, although he did talk to his sister about her contact at WestTech.
Arriving at the Grand Metropole hotel ten minutes early he found himself a seat at the end of the bar where he could see who came in without being noticed. He had just ordered himself a drink when Cassie arrived and slid onto the stool next to him.
“Hi.” She gave him a broad smile, “You came.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
She shrugged, “Oh I don’t know. Maybe I’m too young for you or you changed your mind?”
Sean didn’t answer her. Instead, he just stared over her shoulder at the sight of Mackenzie Frane walking through the bar to greet an older man seated at the other end of the counter. His interest piquing as the man stood up to kiss her on the cheek.
Clearly he wasn’t her husband and the way they interacted told him he wasn’t a relative either.
‘Could she have a lover maybe?’
‘Was he the father of her child?
A number of thoughts immediately sprang unbidden into his head.
“Sean…”
Twisting in her seat Cassie looked across the room, noting the attractive blonde who her date was clearly looking at.
“…. Who is she?”
“Just someone I knew once.” He responded not taking his eyes off of Mackenzie, his heart sinking, as he wondered what she was doing meeting a man in a bar rather than going home to her husband.
“I would say, looking at your expression, she was more than just a someone.”
Glancing back at Cassie he smiled thinly, “She might have been once, had things been different.”
She took a sip of her drink watching Sean as his eyes switched back to the other girl, following her as the older man almost frogmarched her towards the dining room.
“Maybe I should go?”
“I’m sorry Cassie.” He turned his attention back to the her, “Perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea.”
“How long ago was it?” She asked taking another sip of her drink.
He shrugged, “About eight years.”
“And you’re still in love with her?’
“I….” He stopped, finally accepting the fact, “Is it that obvious?”
“Yes.” She chuckled, “It’s ok. You’re a nice guy Sean. If you do ever get her out of your mind give me a call.”
They sat for a while just talking, Cassie finishing her drink, before she stood up and, kissing him on the cheek, said goodbye and left him sitting alone at the bar.
Nursing his beer, he simply sat and considered what he was going to do with his life. He had no job and at the moment his employment prospects appeared somewhat bleak; he had had no luck at Jacksons and now he was waiting to see if WestTech had anything they could offer him or he could go and work for his father.
‘Maybe I’d be better off going back in?’
He couldn’t stop himself from thinking that perhaps he should just re-enlist. At least that way he would be away from her.
Sighing to himself he took one last mouthful of his beer, finishing his drink and ordering another. Once it arrived he left it sitting in front of him as he mulled over what to do with his life now. He had no idea how long he sat there contemplating his future before deciding he ought to go home.
Glancing round towards the restaurant thinking about Mackenzie Frane he was just in time to see her heading back to the bar. She was obviously upset, judging by the tears on her cheeks, and sliding up onto a stool he watched as she ordered a large vodka.
While part of him said he should walk away another, larger part, was curious about her.
Standing up he made his way across to her.
“Are you ok?”
She had just swallowed half the glass in one go, grimacing against the taste when his voice made her swivel around to stare at him.
Chapter 08 – Mackenzie
For several seconds she just stared at him, her pulse starting to race as she looked into the brown eyes that had haunted her dreams for the last eight years.
‘It was him. It just had to be him.’
“Are you ok?” He asked again, interrupting her thoughts.
“What?”
“Is everything ok? You looked upset.”
Swallowing hard he tried to calm his heart as it thudded against his rib cage as he gazed at the only girl he had ever loved.
Ignoring his question Mackenzie wiped her wet cheeks with the palm of her hand, “Yes…. thank you, it’s… it’s Sean isn’t it?”
Smiling he picked up a serviette off the bar and offered it to her, “You remembered.”
“Thank you.” She blushed accepting the tissue, “I think I owe you an apology.”
“There’s no need but perhaps you should go home to your husband?”
“My husband?” She gave him a slightly confused look before holding up her left hand and chuckling, “I’m not married?”
“Sorry. Your partner then.”
Her grin got a little bigger, “No partner either. If you’re referring to Tabs then I should tell you I’m a single mum.”
“Oh, so, who was the man you were meeting? Sorry if I’m being too nosey.”
She shook her head sending her blonde hair swaying across her shoulders and his heart rate through the roof, “Charles Marwell, my boss and first-class lecher.”
“Oh, you and he are…..” Sean let his sentence just fade to nothing as he realised he was asking too much.
“What no. No way.” Mackenzie pulled a face, “He would like it to be the case but… no. Not a chance.”
“Oh, I…. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.” It was his turn to blush now, “It’s really none of my business.”
“I’m the one who’s sorry sergeant Parkes. I said some terrible things at the café and I… well I was wrong.” Mackenzie said remorsefully, “Can I buy you a drink to apologise.”
“I’ll have a beer if that’s ok? And it’s just Sean now.”
“I’m Mackenzie and please have a seat.” She smiled warmly and indicated to the vacant stool next to her, her heart racing with the excitement she felt at being close to him.
Sean slid onto the seat as she ordered their drinks and the bartender shuffled off to get his beer, along with another large vodka for her.
“What happened to the sergeant?” She asked as they waited.
He shrugged, “Nothing. I… I’ve decided to come out.”
The thought that he might be around for longer than just a period of leave sent a warmth straight to junction at the top of her thighs.
“Any particular reason.”
Sean shook his head. There was a very good reason but he didn’t want to bring it up and set her off again.
“A couple of things.”
Just then the barman returned and placed their drinks in front of them.
“I warn you I intend getting quite drunk.” Lifting her glass, she giggled and clinked it against his.
“I see. So, is everything ok?” He asked her yet again, “With your boss.”
“A bit of a work problem that’s all. Nothing to worry about.” Mackenzie shrugged avoiding giving him a direct answer, “So, you were with Liam when it… when he was… killed?”
“Ah… who told you?”
She finally gave him a genuine smile, “Belinda Foulkes. She said her husband is a good friend of yours.”
“Yeah, Denny and I go back to when I joined up eight years ago.”
“You held him in your arms when he… when he passed away.” The tears came again but this time he knew the reason why.
Struggling to stop himself from breaking down Sean just nodded, too choked up to speak.
“And the funeral. You couldn’t come because of your injuries. That’s what Belinda said.”
Swallowing hard he nodded again, “Yeah I was in hospital for three months all told.”
“So, what brought you here? Apart from seeing mum that is.”
“This is my home. I haven’t seen my parents since I joined up and… well I’m leaving the Marines so I thought it’s time to mend some fences.”
“What will you do now then?”
He shrugged, “I’m not sure. I need a job that’s for certain. My sister was going to call her friend at WestTech Industries HR department for me.”
“Your sister’s Briony Miller?” Mackenzie exclaimed, suddenly making the connection, “Of course, Miller’s her married name. I didn’t think.”
“Wait you’re the friend she was talking about?”
“Guilty as charged.” She held up her hands, “WestTech’s new HR manager.”
“I guess my chance of a job there has gone now then.”
“Not necessarily.” She giggled cheekily and took another large mouthful of her vodka, “I’ll think about it, if you’re nice to me.”
“What exactly does ‘being nice’ entail?”
‘I could suggest a few things.’
Mackenzie bit her bottom lip and stopped herself repeating the thought that popped into her head.
“I’ll have to think about it.”
They both chuckled and, falling into an easy conversation, the two of them continued to chat for another hour or more. As they talked she found herself staring into his eyes, totally mesmerised by them just as she had been all those years ago.
‘Could they possibly be together?’
‘I would need to tell him everything.’
‘What if he hated me afterwards?’
A whole host of thoughts ran through her mind as she sat and fell for him all over again.
Several drinks later they got up to leave, both of them more than a little drunk. Sean insisting that he escorted her home despite her protests, leaving her secretly delighted to spend more time with him.
Taking his arm outside the hotel, she felt a shiver of excitement running through her as they strolled nonchalantly back to her flat.
Walking along with him she tried to analyse her feelings. She had only really met him a few days previously but she had known him a lot longer. One thing she was certain of now was that even though she had loved him for years she also liked him, a lot.
When they reached her door Sean went to say goodnight only for her to put a finger to his lips.
“Coffee?” Mackenzie had no idea why she said it, all she knew was that she didn’t want the night to end and it felt right to her.
“Err… yeah sure.”
In her small kitchen she put the coffee machine on before turning to face him.
“Why don’t you like me?”
Her question stunned him.
“I err… who said I don’t.”
Mackenzie blushed, “I assumed after my ranting in the cafe.”
“Its ok, I understand why you said what you said.”
“You do?” She stood in front of him, looking up into his face and biting her bottom lip coyly.
“Yeah, I do and just for the record I do like you.”
She fluttered her eyelashes, “Then why haven’t you kissed me.”
Time stood still as they stared into each-other’s eyes for what seemed like an eternity before Sean pulled her into his arms and did as she requested.
Their lips met, gently to begin with but then with growing passion as she surrendered herself to him. Her arms encircling his neck while her body moulded itself to his so tightly she was sure he would feel the frenetic beating of her heart.
She hadn’t had any idea of what her intentions had been as they walked home but it certainly hadn’t been to throw herself at him.
Unable to stop she kissed him again and again, peppering his mouth with them as she refused to release her hold on him. Fortunately for her his own hands were busy, caressing down her back, cupping her bottom and holding her equally tightly.
‘Oh God I want him so badly.’
‘Is this a one-night thing?’
Again, a host of conflicting thoughts filled her mind.
Forcing them away she surrendered to the sensations that he was creating inside her, ignoring any semblance of reason, determined to give herself to him.
“Take me to bed.” Leaning her head back away from his face she whispered as seductively as she could.
Grinning from ear-to-ear Sean scooped her up as if she weighed nothing and headed for one of the closed doors.
“Wrong way silly…. Over there.” She giggled and pointed in the other direction.
Carrying into the right room he set her down on her feet, looking into her deep blue eyes.
“Mackenzie I need to….”
“Stop. I want you.” She went on tip-toe and kissed him again, cutting him off mid-sentence, “No explanations, no revelations, just us.”
Sean knew he should tell her, to ask her if she remembered him from all those years ago, but he somehow couldn’t. He wanted her so much he couldn’t take the chance she would reject him. So instead, he pulled her back against him and let his mouth start to hungrily devour hers yet again.
As they kissed he slowly drew down the zipper at the back of her dress until it reached the top of her arse crack, the garment peeling apart to expose her smooth pale skin beneath.
Stepping away from him for a moment she kept her eyes on his and, doing a sexy little shimmy, let her dress slide down her legs to pool around her feet.
“Do you like?” Mackenzie asked self-consciously, keeping her eyes focused on the floor.
Putting his finger under her chin he lifted her face, “I like a lot.”
‘Would he remember her?’
She blushed and tried to subtly remind him, “I… I don’t do things like this…. except… I did…. once.”
Leaning closer he gently pressed his lips to hers again, his stomach unclenching as he finally realised she knew who he was.
“I know.” Was all he said.
‘He did.’
Her heart did several somersaults as they stood and looked at each other before he lowered his mouth to hers.
For the next few minutes they kissed, longingly, their tongues playing together as she pulled off his shirt and unfastened his pants, pushing them down so her fingers could curl around his engorged manhood. At the same time, he fumbled her bra open, slipping it off her shoulders to expose her modest breasts.
“Please, I want you Sean…. don’t make me beg.” Leading him towards the bed she kept her hand wrapped around his tumescent prick.
“I want you too.” Between kisses he whispered a response, his hands on her tits, mauling them gently as he teased her nipples into firm bullets, “More than you can imagine.”
Falling back onto the bed she pulled him against her, their mouths again moulding together reflecting the growing lust they both felt.
Moving down her body he kissed along the line of her neck, then onto her right breast, taking the already swollen teat into his mouth and suckling greedily on the sensitive nub.
“Aaaahhhhh!” Mackenzie gasped softly, her back arching up off the bed.
Switching to the other soft mound he continued his assault on her senses, nipping and gently biting her nipple until she was shivering with lust. Finally, satisfied he had her where he wanted her, he started to trace a path down across her belly, his fingers hooking under the waistband of her panties and drawing them down her stockinged thighs.
She knew what he was doing and held her breath. Her limited sexual experience hadn’t included having someone go down on her and it made her nervous.
“I… I’ve never had… any… aaaaahhhhhhhhh!”
Her initial protests tailed off into a long moan of delight as his tongue traced along the length of her pretty pink crevice, leaving her neat lips parted while he worked from the back up to her clitoris.
Feeling her fingers grab at his hair Sean began to hungrily lap at her slit, alternating between teasing the hardening bud and probing into her slick depths.
“Oh Sean… oh God… oh, oh, ohhhhhhhhhhhh!”
Pulling him against her Mackenzie shuddered, her stockinged thighs clamping around his head as she came for the first time. With her eyes closed she bucked her hips upwards, delirious with lust as wave after wave of bliss washed over her body.
Giving her time to recover he moved slowly upwards, his mouth slick with her juices as he found her breasts again. Pressing the tip of his cock into her dripping entrance he felt the swollen dome prise her wet labia open.
“Should I stop?” He lifted his head and asked her softly.
She looked at him and bit her lower lip, “Do you want to?”
Sean shook his head, “Never.”
“Then make love to me Sean and make me cum again.”
His eyes never left hers as he slowly eased his shaft into her tight pussy splitting her wide open. Entering her he remembered how she had felt the first time, eight years previously, when she had asked him to take her virtue.
“Yes, oh yes Sean… yes, yes.” Groaning softly, she stared back into his brown eyes and gladly accepted his hard length inside her.
His mouth found hers again as he began to move, slowly at first, gently easing his manhood back and forth between her moist nether lips as they clung to his erection. Folding in around him when he drove deep into her and adhering to it, trying to draw it in, when he pulled back.
With her eyes closed she wrapped her arms around him, her nails clawing at his back while her long stockinged legs hooked over his.
Moving together he began to slam into her, his hips slapping hers while his hard length pumped into her wet pussy, squelching with each stroke.
“Yes, yes… oh yes… oh Sean… I’m gonna….”
Losing control Mackenzie writhed under him, bucking her hips up to meet every stroke with her breasts crushed against his chest, as her orgasm erupted in her core.
“Cuuummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!”
The last word came out as a shriek of delight, her body tensing then undulating uncontrollably as the ecstasy of her climax took her.
Thrusting into her half-a-dozen more times Sean gave up on trying to hold back, and when her vaginal muscles clenched on his already throbbing organ he surrendered and flooded her womb with his seed.
Rolling off her he felt her turn onto her side and rest her head against his chest as she started to cry softly.
“Hey, what’s up. Did I do something wrong?”
“No, it was perfect. It was just how I imagined it would be.”
She looked up and kissed him lightly, knowing there were still things she needed to tell him but not wanting to end their night together just yet.
Holding her against him Sean knew he should talk to her but, like her, he did not want the evening to finish either.
They made love again before they slept, taking their time. Mackenzie climaxing three more times before he emptied another copious amount of his man cream into her belly.
The sun was already up when she woke the following morning, feeling more than a little content with life as she rubbed her eyes and rolled over only to find the space next to her empty.
“Bastard!”
Her stomach churned and she hissed angrily at the rumpled pillow wondering why would he have just have left without a word.
‘Perhaps he wanted revenge?’
‘Could she blame him for that?’
She could feel the tears starting to prick the corners of her eyes, thinking he had done the same to her as she had to him all those years ago.
That was when she glanced down at the floor to see Sean’s trousers, shoes and a few other items laying there.
Biting her lower lip apprehensively she slipped out of bed and, opening a drawer, pulled on a long baggy t-shirt to cover her nudity before cautiously opening the bedroom door.
Peering out into the open plan living and kitchen area she was immediately assaulted by the smell of fresh coffee and bacon cooking.
She couldn’t help but smile at Sean who, with his back to her, was fiddling around at the counter making breakfast.
Quietly closing the door, she leant back against it, her heart thumping excitedly, as she took a moment to compose herself.
‘He hadn’t gone.’
‘He was there, making breakfast.”
Wiping her eyes, she sighed contentedly and opened the bedroom door again.
Tiptoeing up behind him she slid both her arms about him, feeling him tense for a moment before relaxing.
“I thought you’d gone.”
Turning around he pulled her up against him and gave her a kiss, “Why would I leave when I had a beautiful girl in bed just a few feet away, naked, waiting for me.”
“Beautiful?” Mackenzie giggled, “And who says I was waiting for you?”
“You are.” He grinned, “And weren’t you?”
“Maybe.”
She kissed him again and slipped out of his arms to go to the bathroom.
After she returned they sat down at the table with the bacon sandwiches and coffee he had made.
“Very domesticated.” Mackenzie airily waved half of her sandwich at him, “I might decide to keep you.”
“It comes from being a soldier.”
“I know, it changed Liam for the…”
Everything went quiet for a minute as she forgot herself and mentioned her younger brother.
“Hey, it’s ok.” He took hold of her hand.
She looked at him deciding it was time to tell him everything and hope he still wanted her.
“Sean…”
“Kenz…”
They both spoke at the same time, both of them laughing and each suggesting the other went first.
Sean won, urging her to begin.
Suddenly the words she wanted to say stuck in her throat as a feeling of fear crept through her.
‘What if he didn’t want her afterwards?’
‘Could she face losing him all over again?’
It would be better to end it now rather than later she quickly decided.
“It… it doesn’t matter…. It’s nothing.” She stammered panicking, “I… I have to go and pick Tabitha up.”
“Oh, ok.”
Jumping up from the table she almost ran into the bedroom, virtually slamming the door and leaving Sean sitting totally bewildered by her sudden change of attitude.
Away from him she leant against the door and held back the tears.
She had so much to tell him but she had no idea how to begin.
‘What if it was just sex to him?’
‘What if he doesn’t want me.’
‘What if he has a girlfriend or a wife?’
Panic had set in and she could feel herself starting to hyperventilate as she threw on her clothes, desperate to get out of her flat.
He was still sitting holding his coffee mug trying to understand what had just happened when she reappeared, fully dressed.
“I… I need to go. Just let yourself out when you’re… you’re ready.”
“Kenz, what’s going on?”
“Nothing… I… I have to go.”
“Mackenzie….”
She fled, hearing him call out her name as she pulled her door closed behind her, leaving him alone.
Sitting at the table Sean took a mouthful of his drink.
‘She clearly wanted nothing more to do with him.’
‘He had obviously been just a bit of fun for her.’
Swallowing the last of his coffee he made up his mind.
He had nothing else to keep him here now. Getting his clothes on he rifled through the kitchen drawers until he found a pen and a piece of paper.
It took him a few minutes to write out a note which he placed in the middle of the table then, with a last look around, he got up and left Mackenzie Frane in the past.
Chapter 09 – Mackenzie
“Mummy!” Tabitha yelled and jumped into Mackenzie’s arms when she let herself into her mother’s house.
“Hey sweetie. Have you been a good girl.” She tried to smile.
“Of course I was mummy.” The seven-year-old giggled as her mother tickled her before putting her down.
“How was last night?” Christine Frane appeared in the doorway wiping her hands on a tea towel
“Mum… I….” Unable to stop herself she burst into tears and fell into her mother’s arms.
“What’s up baby? Was it that awful man?”
“No. It… it was… someone else… someone I never thought I’d see again.”
Mackenzie managed to answer her before dissolving into another flood of tears, sobbing as she clung to her mother.
“What happened? Did they hurt you or something? What did they do?”
Christine pressed her daughter, becoming more concerned by the second.
She shook her head, “No. It wasn’t like that, it was…. perfect.”
“I don’t understand.” Her mother looked at her with a puzzled expression, “Tell me what happened honey?”
Wiping her eyes Mackenzie took several deep breaths as she tried to calm herself down before starting to explain the events of the previous evening.
Leaving out Charles Marwell’s propositioning of her over dinner, she reached the point she had met Sean in the hotel bar when her mother interrupted.
“Sean Parkes? The Marine who came to the café? Are you telling me you’ve met him before?”
Mackenzie bit her bottom lip and just nodded as she avoided looking at her mother.
For a minute there was silence and then Christine Frane put two and two together.
“Is he….?” She tipped her daughters face up so she could look into her eyes.
“Yes.” The response she got was just a whisper.
“Oh Mackenzie.” She pulled her daughter against her again, “Did you tell him?”
“I was going to this morning and then I… I panicked and virtually ran out of the flat to come here.”
“He was at your apartment this morning?”
She blushed, “Yes mum, I slept with him.”
“And?”
Mackenzie looked up, tears starting to run down her cheeks again, “I… I love him. I’ve loved him since that night eight years ago ok.”
“Oh baby.” Holding her daughter Christine Frane found herself weeping as well, “And how does he feel about you?”
“I don’t know, I think he remembers me but…. I just don’t know.”
“You need to go home and tell him everything sweetheart. He deserves to hear the truth.”
“But what if he…. he doesn’t… want anything to do with us.” Mackenzie sobbed miserably.
“Then at least you’ll know baby, but I have a feeling you might be surprised.”
She looked at her mother and took a deep breath.
“Do you really think so?”
“It doesn’t matter what I think.” Christine held her daughter’s shoulders, “But Sean Parkes is an honourable young man and he deserves the truth from you.”
“You’re right mum. I’m going straight home to talk to him.”
Drying her eyes, she gave her mother a weak smile and started to gather up Tabitha and her things.
Her stomach was a solid ball of concrete when, twenty minutes later, she nervously opened her front door and, holding her daughter’s hand, stepped inside the apartment.
“Hello…. Sean. Are you here?”
Her greeting was met by a deafening silence and her heart fell as she realised he’d gone.
It was then that she saw the note and picking it up she began to read, her tears starting again.
~~~~ ~~~~
Mackenzie,
Eight years ago, I fell in love with a girl.
I spent a night with her but never found out her name and, like Cinderella, she had disappeared by morning. After that night I never thought I would ever see her again but I never stopped loving her.
Then, when I saw you in your mother’s café I knew I had found the girl in the hotel who stole my heart.
I don’t know what I said or did to make you react the way you did this morning but I guess you regretted last night. However, I never will.
Being with you again, if only for a few hours, just confirmed what I have known all these years. You are the only girl for me but obviously I’m not the man you want.
You have your life and daughter but don’t worry I won’t bother you again.
I know there’s nothing here for me now and I’ve decided to re-enlist so you won’t have to worry about us meeting accidentally.
Be happy.
Love
Sean
~~~~ ~~~~
“Mummy why are you crying?” A small voice beside her made her look up.
“We have to go look for someone sweetheart.” She wiped her hand across her cheeks.
“Who?” Tabitha wanted to know as she was dragged out the door.
“Your daddy.”
“But you said….” The child asked, confused, as she hurried along holding her mother’s hand.
“I know but I was wrong and we… we have to find him.”
Walking as fast as she could with a child in tow it was a good forty-five minutes before Mackenzie started to hammer on Briony Miller’s front door until it finally opened.
“Kenz! What’s up?”
“Your brother. Where can I find him?” She panted breathlessly, picking up Tabitha.
“Sean. He didn’t come home last night so it’s anyone’s guess.” Briony chuckled, “He must have got on well with his date.”
Ignoring the comment about Sean having a date Mackenzie’s cheeks coloured.
“I know, he was with me.”
“What!” Briony’s eyes went wide in utter shock, “You and Sean? What happened?”
“I don’t have time Bri, I need to find him now.”
“Well, if he’s not at yours then he’s probably at my parent’s.” She smirked as she said it.
“Where’s that? I need to talk to him before he goes back.”
“Back!” Briony’s expression changed, “He said he wasn’t, he was going to stay.”
“Please Bri, I have to find him. Please.” Mackenzie grabbed her friend’s arm, “I’m in love with him.”
“WHAT!”
“Please Bri, please.”
“Ok, let me get my keys and I’ll drive you. I really have to hear this anyway.” Briony dashed back into the house, grabbing her baby and her keys before unlocking her car for them all to get in.
Getting them to her parent’s home in record time she opened the front door to her the house and ushered Mackenzie in before her. Stopping in the hallway the pair could hear the discussion going on in the living room ahead of them.
“Please Sean, you promised me. Please don’t go.”
“There’s nothing for me here mum. I’m sorry.”
“You’ll sort something out and you can stay here till then.” His father joined in.
“No dad, you don’t understand, I have to go.”
“You can’t Sean, you said you wouldn’t go back.” They both heard Maureen Parkes emotionally say it again, just as they paused in the lounge doorway.
“You…. you can’t go back.” Mackenzie’s voice startled them and almost as one they turned around to stare at her.
With everyone’s eyes on her she stood, tears running freely down her cheeks “You can’t go… you just can’t.”
“Mackenzie…what are you doing here?”
“You can’t go.”
“What, why? You left this morning and….”
“You can’t go because….” She took a deep breath, “… because I love you.”
“You what!”
Mackenzie’s heart was hammering against her ribcage as if it were about to explode and her stomach was a tight knot but she knew she had to tell him.
“I’m sorry about this morning. I… I needed to tell you something and I panicked. Then when I got back I saw your note and….”
“Yeah I’m dying to hear this story as well.” Briony whispered to herself, glancing between her friend and her brother.
“Then… why…”
“Please Sean let me say what I need to.” She interrupted him, wiping her face and fidgeting nervously while everyone else stood silent, watching her as they listening to what she had to say.
“I… I think I knew who you were the moment I saw you in the café.” She continued after a moment, “But I was so angry about Liam that I… I said things I shouldn’t have.”
She paused and took a deep breath.
“Then I thought you hadn’t recognised me so I didn’t want to say anything but the truth is Sean…. I love you. I’ve spent every day for the last eight years regretting the fact that I walked out of that hotel room and this time I’m not letting you go without a fight.”
“What” You’re the girl!” Behind her she heard Briony gasp in shock.
Standing in front of her Sean just stared into her eyes, “Kenz I…”
“Wait. Please, there’s more.”
“That’s not enough?” He couldn’t help but stare at her his heart rate jumping.
“No.” Mackenzie shook her head sending her blond hair swishing across her shoulders.
“Let me finish and I… I’ll go. I’ll… I’ll leave you in peace.”
“Kenz…”
“I never went to Nottingham Sean.” She put her hand up to stop him speaking.
He looked puzzled, “But that was your plan, the reason you wanted me to…”
Stopping before he finished what he intended to say he blushed.
“I know, it was my plan but…. things changed.” She looked at Tabitha tears in her eyes and hugged the seven-year-old to her.
“Tabitha sweetheart…. this is your daddy.”
The silence was deafening as everyone took in the bombshell that Mackenzie had just dropped while the little girl simply hugged her mother’s leg and stared at Sean.
“I found out I was pregnant and… well things changed.”
“I… we… she’s….” He struggled to breathe as he stood motionless, staring back at his daughter, “I… I never knew.”
“By the time I realised I was expecting I didn’t know where you’d gone or even what your name was.” She finished tamely by way of explanation.
“Jesus, I knew this was going to be good but not this good.” Briony laughed quietly and cuddled her own baby.
“I’m so sorry Sean, I really am.” Mackenzie was crying now, “I know I’ve made a mess of things so I’ll go but please, for your daughter’s sake, don’t go back. She needs to get to know you.”
With that she turned and started towards the front door.
“Mackenzie Frane.” She had barely gone three steps when he caught her arm and pulled her round to face him, “I’ve loved you for the last eight years as well and I don’t intend to let you get away from me that easily. Not this time.”
“Please Sean, don’t say it if you don’t mean it.” Biting her bottom lip, she stared back into his eyes hopefully, “If I was just a…”
“Oh, I mean it.” As he spoke he pulled her against him and kissed her with as much passion as he could find.
Almost instantly her arms went around his neck as she responded, desperately crushing her lips against his.
“Sean.” His mother’s voice startled them all and brought their kiss to a stop, “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
Still holding her in his arms he looked around the faces and took a deep breath, “Mum, dad. This is Mackenzie Frane, the girl I fell in love with eight years ago…. and who I’ve been in love with ever since.”
“And just who is the other gorgeous young lady?” Maureen chuckled.
“I’m Tabitha and I’m seven and three quarters.” Tabitha declared, entering the conversation and making everyone chuckle.
“How about it, Kenz? Are you and Tabitha willing to give an ex-soldier a chance?”
“Yes.” She giggled, her arms still encircling his neck, “As long as you’re willing to give us a chance too.”
Epilogue
Sean never did re-enlist.
Instead, Mackenzie found him a position at WestTech Industries more in line with his experience. For a month he would be shadowing Brian Harrison, the company’s head of Security, and would then take over from him when he retired.
The couple set out with every intention to take things slowly and simply start out by dating a couple of times a week. However, unable to keep their hands off each other, within a fortnight they were at her flat almost every evening as well as spending the week-ends together.
Of course, taking it slowly meant nothing to Sean where Tabitha was concerned. He wanted to spend as much time as he could with her and get to know his daughter. Although it took her a little while, once she overcame her shyness of him she wanted to spend time with her new daddy.
Little more than a month had gone by before he was virtually living with Mackenzie while Tabitha, as everyone could clearly see, had him wrapped around her little finger.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
The problem of Charles Marwell was a little more difficult to resolve though, and while they kept their relationship a secret at work her boss continued to enthusiastically pursue her.
It took a few more weeks but eventually it was Sean who concocted a plan to trap him.
Mackenzie had repeatedly put him off making a variety of excuses but had been finding it increasingly difficult to avoid him and refuse his suggestions as he became more forceful and threating. So, it was with more than a hint of apprehension that she had eventually gone to his office and, despite her loathing of the man, to suggest dinner at their usual hotel.
“What can I do for you Mackenzie?” He had looked up from his desk when she stepped into his room and closed the door.
“We need to resolve this…. this thing between us. I can’t carry on working like this.”
He sneered at her, “The only resolution is that I’m going to fuck you or fire you. It’s your choice.”
“We’ll talk about it on Friday.” Trying to keep her emotions in check she responded curtly, “Reserve a table and I’ll meet you, seven o’clock at the Grand Metropole.”
Sensing victory he smirked lustfully at her letting his eyes roam up and down her body.
“Very well. Just make sure you’re suitably attired. You know how much I like you in stockings.”
She didn’t answer him as she turned and left, trying to suppress the urge to vomit.
By the Friday afternoon Mackenzie was wound up like a coiled spring and on the verge of calling everything off. It was only Sean’s insistence that they put an end to the whole sorry business for once and for all that persuaded her to go.
Dressing up for Charles was the last thing she wanted to do but she knew she had to convince him she was considering agreeing to what he wanted. With that in mind she wore a shorter skirt than she would normally, one that would reveal the tops of her black stockings when she sat down.
Three-inch heels and going braless under her silk top completed her outfit and, with her blonde hair left down, gave her the sexy look she knew would appeal to him.
The final touch was to wear a small microphone and a transmitter that Sean had borrowed from a friend.
Then, with everything set, Mackenzie set off to meet Charles in the Grand Metropole hotel, the same one they had met in previously.
“On time, that’s a good girl.” He smirked, standing up as she walked up to the table.
She smiled but didn’t answer and just settled into her chair, noticing the way his eyes travelled down to her legs, staring as her stocking tops were revealed when her skirt rose up her thighs. Despite her boyfriend’s assurances she still felt apprehensive about the meeting and his lecherous gaze did nothing to calm her nerves.
“What do you want?” Mackenzie waited until the waitress had taken their order before confronting the WestTech CEO.
“I think you know the answer to that question.”
“And if I don’t agree to sleep with you?” As she spoke she leant back slightly, her hard nipples pressing out against the material of her top.
Charles Marwell licked his lips sensing her imminent surrender, “Then you’ll find yourself unemployed.”
“I’ll get another job.” Mackenzie shrugged.
“That’s never going to happen.” He snorted, his smirk got even more obnoxious, “Once I put the word around what a slut you are no one will touch you with a barge pole.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Listen to me very carefully.” He rested his elbows on the table and stared straight into her eyes, “Either you start spreading your legs for me or you start claiming unemployment benefits.”
“I think that might be preferable to having to warm your bed.” She stated after a moment’s pause.
Reaching across he grabbed her wrist, his expression one of pure anger, “You’ll do as your told whore and start dropping those pretty little knickers for me tonight or else.”
Reacting with fear she tried to pull away from him but his grip tightened on her arm.
“Do you understand bitch? You’ll be fucking me whenever I want or else.”
“I think you need to let go of her arm before I break yours.” Without either of them noticing Sean had appeared next to the table.
“This is none of your fucking business, get lost.” The older man looked up at him and sneered.
Grasping Charles Marwell’s fingers he prised them off of Mackenzie’s wrist and squeezed, hard.
“She’s my girlfriend and that makes it my business.”
“Aaaahhhh you’re hurting me.” The executive whimpered.
Not wanting to create problems for them Sean let go of his hand and leaned over him, the intensity of his gaze making the older man lean back.
“Now you listen to me you fucking slimy little weasel. We’ve recorded your little attempt at blackmail so you can expect a sexual harassment suit in the very near future.”
“I suggest you don’t try it.” Charles started to bluster, “I know people.”
Sean laughed, “So do I.”
“My boyfriend was a Marine.” Mackenzie added with a smile.
“Fuck you. Both of you.” The WestTech boss stood up, glaring at the pair of them and tried to retain as much of his dignity as he could as he stalked out of the hotel restaurant.
“Shall we eat? Now that’s done.” Sean sat down opposite a beaming Mackenzie.
“Please, I’m starving.” She giggled happily.
It had proved a simple task to get the pompous executive to incriminate himself as she sat in the restaurant with him and it meant that, for the first time in months, she felt like a weight had been taken off her.
Mackenzie went ahead and brought a case of sexual harassment against the company CEO which, after her lawyer had presented both the sound and video recording to Charles Marwell’s solicitor, went uncontested.
It was a bonus that as a result, the board of directors immediately forced their Chief Executive to resign to avoid any damaging publicity. Then, settling out of court, they paid a substantial amount of money to Mackenzie by way of reparation.
She expected everything to settle down now that her problem with the former head of the company was over and done with but, she couldn’t help but worry as Sean started to become rather tense and edgy.
As the week went by it became more noticeable to her and she quietly began to worry that he had realised he had made a huge mistake.
“Are you doing anything tonight Mackenzie?” Her assistant Amanda Grey asked as the time crept towards five o’clock one Friday afternoon shortly after the harassment case had been resolved.
“What?”
“Tonight? Are you doing anything?”
“Oh, I’m having a pizza with my daughter and my boyfriend.” Even as she said the word she felt herself start to worry.
‘Had he gone off her?’
‘Would he still be her boyfriend by Monday?’
‘What would she and Tabitha do if he left her?’
The younger girl grinned, “Boyfriend? I thought you didn’t have one.”
“What?” She jerked herself back from her thoughts.
“I thought you weren’t seeing anyone.”
Mackenzie smiled faintly, “We’ve been keeping it quiet but it’s Sean, our head of security.”
“You’re dating Sean!” Amanda exclaimed wide-eyed, “You lucky cow, he’s gorgeous.”
“Yes he is and he’s all mine.” Mackenzie laughed, hoping he still was.
“What about Tabitha? How does she get on with him?”
“Oh, she loves her daddy.” Picking up her bag she headed out of the door leaving her assistant speechless and staring after her open-mouthed.
Waiting in reception for Sean she set tongues wagging when they kissed before driving out of the company car park together, going straight to her mother’s café to collect Tabitha.
It was almost mandatory to stop for coffee and as the four of them sat around a table she could see Sean fidgeting and looking even more nervous than ever.
“For God’s sake Sean, what’s up?” Mackenzie asked uneasily, “You’ve been on edge for days now, what’s going on?”
“I err… I umm…” For once he stumbled over his words and struggled to look at her.
“Please Sean.” Her hand went to her mouth and she felt her eyes start to tear up as she began to fear the worst, “Please don’t break up with me. I love you.”
“Break up with you?” He looked up, stunned, “I’m not breaking up with you.”
“Then what is it?” She whispered fearfully, “You’re not going back in are you?”
Instead of answering he got up and went down on one knee drawing a gasp of surprise from both Mackenzie and her mother.
“I love you Kenz and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” Fishing in his pocket he pulled out a small box and opened it to reveal a diamond solitaire ring, “So, Mackenzie Frane I guess the question is, will you marry me?”
Christine Frane looked at her daughter waiting for her answer.
Slowly the tears started to trickle down Mackenzie’s cheeks, her chest heaving as she tried to get control of her emotions.
“What do you think Tabs? Should I marry daddy?” She managed to ask between breaths.
The seven-year-old giggled, “I suppose so, he’s not too bad… for a daddy that is.”
“So?” Sean asked, “Will you?”
“Yes.” Mackenzie whispered softly, dropping to her knees to look into his eyes, an eight-year wait coming to an end, “A million times yes.”