Sex, Lies & Lipstick (A Moonlight and Magnolias Novel Book 2) Read online

  I wanted more and felt my shoulders heave as I took a breath and pressed my tongue deeper into her mouth.

  She met my passion with a vengeance and I felt my manhood ache to be released. As I pulled away to tell her we’d go for a drive – anything, just to have a few moments alone, she sucked my lip into her mouth, releasing it in a raptured slow motion, leaving me hungry for her body. As I bent my knees and picked her up and off the ground, she put her legs around me as I pressed her back to a post supporting the porch.

  “Sam?” Polly sang as she threw open the door, catching us in a precarious position. “Oh!” she exclaimed as she turned her back and yelled, “Sorry!” slamming the door behind her.

  “Well, shit,” I blurted as Sam unwrapped her legs and slid back to the ground and our reality.

  “At least it wasn’t Miss Celia,” I joked, trying to make light of the situation.

  “Really, Mac. It was just Polly.”

  “Just Polly,” I repeated and I pulled my hands from her body and adjusted the ache in my crotch. “Just Polly.”

  I looked to Sam as the tears began to well in her eyes. “I’m sorry.” She shrugged her shoulders and looked to the ground.

  “No, baby. I’m sorry,” I apologized as I kissed her forehead and tugged at her neck to move closer to me. “It’ll all work out. We’ve waited a long time to be together again. I can wait a little longer. I want it to be perfect.”

  “But…” Sam began as I shushed her.

  “The quickie after the wedding doesn’t count. I want to completely possess you for hours on end,” I said, kissing her nose. “And I will.”

  We walked to the door together and as I began to open it, Polly emerged again.

  “Hi. Is it safe to come out now?” she asked with a smile.

  “Yes,” Sam grimaced, giving my hand a squeeze. “Were you looking for me?”

  “Mac.” She answered.

  “You’re looking for me?”

  “It’s your mom. Miss Celia is worried.”

  “Momma?” I asked as I came into the makeshift hospital room. “What’s wrong?”

  “She began to weep, Mac.” Mimi explained. “I don’t know why. We were reading for a while and when she didn’t seem to respond I read to myself.”

  “May I have a moment alone with her?” I asked.

  “Of course, darlin’,” Mimi chimed as she used her walker to push herself from the chair.

  “Mimi, let me help,” Sam said as she rushed past me to get to her.

  “We’ll be just outside in the great room if you need anything,” Sam explained as she shut the door behind her.

  I turned to my mother and took her hands in mine. “Momma?” I begged. “Momma, it’s Mac. Can you look at me?”

  She looked away, staring out the window focusing on a slow-moving boat on Lake Pontchartrain. “Momma, please. I need to know you’re okay.”

  I laid my head in her lap and released the air in my lungs, defeated. Helpless, I knew there was nothing I could do for my mother. There was no way to comfort her when she didn’t know who I was. The confused look on her face broke my heart. I knew that she would never want to be this person. She loved life too much to end her days scared and confused.

  I was actually thankful my father was gone. He loved her so much his heart couldn’t take the life my mother now lived.

  I turned my head in her lap and listened to her shallow breathing. “Momma, I just wish you could tell me if something is hurting or if something is wrong.”

  I felt her hand on my head as she began to stroke my hair. I didn’t move, not knowing if it was more therapeutic for her or me. It’d been a tough couple of days on everyone and I loved that somehow she understood me. Maybe I just wanted to believe she was with me in the moment. Regardless, I loved feeling the connection with her.

  “Mac,” she whimpered.

  “Yes,” I breathed.

  “Be careful.”

  “I’m always careful.”

  “Be careful,” she repeated.

  I looked up to her face and found her still staring out the window.

  “Momma?” I asked, taking her face in my hands. “Look at me. Will you look at me?” I pleaded.

  She turned her face and looked into my eyes. “My sweet boy.”

  “You know me,” I gasped.

  “Mac.”

  “Yes.” I stood and pulled a chair to sit and face her.

  “Mac,” she said yet again, looking me in the eye. “Tell Mac to be careful.”

  “I’m Mac.”

  “Tell Mac to be careful,” she said again, looking out the window.

  “I’ll be careful,” I whispered as I stood.

  She was gone, and I hated myself for taking her from Autumn Valley for the wedding and then dragging her to Louisiana. If my dad were here, he would’ve told me to leave her where she was comfortable – where she knew more of her surroundings. He would tell me to think of her and not what I wanted for her.

  I wanted to protect her the way she always wanted to protect me. I felt as if I was failing on so many fronts –as a son and a new husband. It occurred to me that I’d not held Katy or Dax all day. Too caught up in the FBI case, I’d let my new life fall by the wayside while pursuing Hector filled my every thought.

  I told myself that I should go to D.C. and hand over the case. Tell them everything I knew and come back to be with my family.

  My mother had always been such a source of strength for me. In my thirty years she’d never steered me in a wrong direction. Using a combination of gentle guiding and reminding me who I was when we were together helped me make big decisions in my life after Dad was gone.

  Even though she’d really not said much, she knew what I needed to hear. I needed to be more careful. And I would.

  I kissed her on the head and closed the door behind me, hoping she would be able to get some sleep in the middle of the whirlwind. I found Sam, the kids, Miss Celia and Mimi all waiting for me in the great room as I emerged.

  “Is everything okay?” Sam asked as I walked to her.

  She could tell by the look on my face I was upset. Standing immediately as I came closer, I hugged her tightly, almost squeezing the breath out of her body.

  “Mac,” she gasped. “What is it?”

  “I just love you. That’s all.”

  I watched Mimi and Celia give each other a nod as I closed my eyes, feigning off the lump in my throat.

  I pulled away and took Katy from Celia’s arms and sat on the large couch.

  “I’m going to turn the case over to Dan and Z.”

  “What?” Sam asked.

  “I’m turning it over. I’m too close. Hector’s too volatile. My place is with you and the children.”

  “Are you sure you can handle having an arms-length distance from all that’s going on?” Sam continued.

  “Yes. Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

  “No offense, Mac,” Mimi began. “I know you, son. You’re gonna stick to it ‘til the last pea is out of the pod no matter what your mouth is sayin’.”

  “I’ll be fine. It will be better if I’m here –with my family. Dax,” I smiled, changing the subject. “Why don’t you get a book and let’s read a little so Miss Celia and Mimi can pack to leave tonight.”

  “Okie dokie,” Dax said, running to his backpack hanging on the back of the dining room chair where he’d been coloring all day.

  “Here,” Dax said, tossing the book in my lap.

  “Be careful. We don’t want to knock your sister in the head.”

  “Sorry,” he cried as he climbed onto the couch and scooted back to rest against the cushions.

  “I’ll Love You Forever,” I remarked, giving the dog-eared paperback book the once-over.

  “It’s Mommy’s favorite,” Dax replied.

  Sam looked at the book and smiled. “It is my favorite, but while you read I’m going to help Mimi and Miss Celia pack.”

  “Okay,” Dax smiled. “Read, Daddy.�
��

  Before I could begin, Dax spoke up. “I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living my baby you’ll be.” Dax looked me square in the eye. “I know this one. You’ll like it.”

  14

  SAMANTHA

  We kissed Mimi, Nancy and Celia goodbye at the door as night had taken over the bayou and the frogs were singing in harmony on the water. One of the agents on post would take them to the airport in New Orleans where Mac had arranged for the jet to meet them.

  I kissed Mimi on the cheek and noticed that Mac was having a hard time letting his mother go. Nancy was confused but kept a smile on her face, continuing to nod at everything Mac said. I took a deep breath, holding in my own tears. I knew it was so hard for Mac to see his mother this way – I was worried about the toll the last couple of days had taken on both her and Mimi.

  “I love you, Momma. Do you understand?” Mac asked Nancy as he held both of her hands.

  She nodded and kissed him on the cheek. “Be good,” she smiled.

  “I think everything’s loaded,” King announced as he came back through the entrance. “Mac, if you have any problems or questions about the house, let me know. I’ll have Aurelia come back and secure it tomorrow after you’ve gone.”

  Mac smiled one last time at Nancy and nodded. He shook King’s hand and slapped him on the back. I knew Mac appreciated everything King had done for us over the last twenty-four hours, not to mention watching over the older ladies and safely escorting them home to Alabama.

  “King, I can’t thank you enough,” Mac nodded.

  “I’m glad I could help out,” he acknowledged. “I’ll let you know when everyone is back at Autumn Valley safe and sound. A limo from the nursing home is coming to meet us on the tarmac and your man Timms is picking up Celia.”

  “We appreciate it, King. Thank you,” I added, give him a hug.

  “Here are the phones,” Mac said as he handed the three phones back. “My only request is that you not speak or text of our whereabouts on your phone or otherwise. Understood?”

  “Not a problem,” King nodded. “Sam?”

  “Yes?” I turned to him as I hugged Celia.

  “I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to Polly. Will you let her know I’m sorry we didn’t have an opportunity to…ah, talk,” King fumbled.

  “I’ll let her know,” I assured him. “She’s putting the children to bed. I’m certain she’ll be sad she missed saying goodbye.”

  “Tell her to take good care of my babies,” Celia added.

  “Don’t worry, Miss Celia,” Mac smiled. “We won’t spoil them too much while they’re away from you. I’d hate to return an unruly bunch back to you in Alabama.”

  “Just get back to Alabama. That’s all I ask.” Celia’s voice cracked as she tried to hide her worry. “Come home soon, baby.”

  “We will.”

  Mac and I stood on the porch and waved as the black SUV drove away into the lonely night.

  Mac shut the door behind us and gave me a long and tight hug. I felt his arms grow heavy around my waist and I knew he was as emotionally spent as I was.

  “It’s almost eight o’clock,” he said, holding me tightly by the waist. “Are you hungry?”

  “I’ve had such nervous knots in my stomach since we left Lone Oak, I don’t know when I ate last.”

  Mac took me by the hand and led me into the kitchen. “Let’s see what King’s girl left us in the fridge. I could whip up a little something for my wife for dinner.”

  “Since when do you know how to cook?” I asked with a laugh.

  “Since always.”

  “Miss Celia practically spoon feeds you. I’ve never, and I mean never, in the last year I’ve known you seen you cook.”

  “I barbeque,” he protested.

  “Cooking a steak or a hamburger doesn’t count,” I smiled, trying not to hurt his ego.

  “I’ve been a bachelor so long, baby,” he smiled. “I can made dinner out of almost anything. Now,” he paused, sexily cocking his head to one side. “Whether or not you’ll eat what I fix is another thing.”

  “I’ll take my chances,” I grinned.

  “I was hoping you’d say that.” He turned his attention back to the refrigerator. “Aha, I think King’s kitchen help left us a little present.”

  “What?”

  Mac pulled his head out of the refrigerator and presented a cast iron pot with a lid. “This looks like something….”

  Releasing the lid, he leaned in and took a whiff. “Thank you, Jesus, it’s shrimp étouffée. There is a God,” he smiled.

  Mac turned on the gas burner and sat the cold covered pot on the stove. “I’ll give this a little stir and some heat and we’ve got dinner.”

  I nodded and dropped my head, suddenly overwhelmed. It was too much and I couldn’t control the tears now that the older folks were gone and the children were tucked in for the night.

  “Come here, baby,” Mac whispered.

  I buried my face in his chest and did my best to keep from sobbing. Biting my lip, I calmed myself as he rubbed my back without uttering a word.

  After three big breaths, he kissed my forehead and whispered into my skin, “Let me draw you a bath, sweetheart. We can eat later.”

  I could only nod, knowing if I uttered a word I would crack – completely.

  Turning off the stove, Mac left the etoufee in its covered pot on the burner and began to walk me out of the kitchen and up the twisted stairs.

  As we neared the top, I saw Polly out of the corner of my eye. Mac gave her a nod and Polly smiled back. I wanted to say goodnight, but the word got stuck in my throat. I knew Polly understood my fears. She had them too. She was too good of a friend to let me know we were both scared.

  The old cast iron claw-footed tub was a nice feminine addition to King’s manly master bath. I looked around at the candles Mac had lit. The soft light bathed the pine-covered walls with warmth. After seeing the skylight change from windows to mirrors earlier, I knew that King’s man cave was no doubt also used as a love nest. Southern gentlemen liked to woo their women and I was pretty sure King had wooed his fair share – especially from this quiet little location on the bayou.

  I couldn’t help but wonder as I soaked away the last twenty-four hours if King was joking or being serious about his secret room in the house. Part of me believed he was telling the truth. The other part thought that maybe he was just teasing Polly – knowing Polly would love the tease.

  Music began to waft through the room and I opened my eyes as I slid down into the warm soapy water. The hidden speakers in the walls were playing a simple solo piano piece and the beauty of the music helped me to unwind a little bit more.

  I sank deeper into the water and wondered what else King’s little love nest contained.

  The huge bathroom was covered in mirrors. More mirrors, I smiled to myself. Either King was really into himself or he liked to see exactly what he was doing.

  The long marble vanity contained his and hers sinks and there were separate water closets for the toilet and the urinal.

  There wasn’t a television in the master bedroom, but a flat screen TV was built into the mirror in between the two sinks. King could shave, have sex and watch a football game all at the same time. I was beginning to rethink the love nest idea and moved back to man cave.

  I giggled to myself as I pictured the scene.

  I secretly hoped Mac wouldn’t get any big ideas after being in this testosterone-laden haven. I loved the old world charm of our home. Massive in its size, Lone Oak had felt like home to me immediately.

  I pictured Hector destroying the house or the grounds as catastrophic thinking took over my garbled mind. Then again, he seemed more intent on hurting me.

  I thought back to the note I read in Mac’s stack of papers and calmly reminded myself that Hector probably didn’t just want to kill me—he wanted to torture me.

  “I’ve brought you some wine, my dear,” Mac sa
id, breaking my thought and shutting the door behind him. All day Mac had worn an old pair of jeans and a plain t-shirt that hugged his chest in all the right places. He was sexy when he was dressed to the nines, as his muscles always seemed to stand out even under his clothes, and he was hot in his old jeans where I could gaze at his biceps as they stretched the band around the arm of his shirt. Not to mention the sexy bulge that always seemed to be just a little more accentuated when he wore jeans.

  He carried two wine glasses, one bottle and a wicked grin.

  “I hope you didn’t raid King’s wine cellar,” I breathed into the bubbles, causing them to separate, revealing cleavage.

  “Whatever we drink, I’ll send a case of the same when we return.”

  I shifted in the tub and came to the edge. “That sounds like a fair trade.”

  Mac twisted the corkscrew, and I watched the muscles in his arms tense. With each turn I became mesmerized as his tan skin glistened in the candlelight.

  “Baby,” I uttered. “You are so sexy.”

  He shook his head at me and pulled the cork from the bottle.

  “Don’t be stealing my lines, love,” he rasped, his voice deep and full of intention.

  He poured the dark red wine into the glasses and came to the edge of the tub, placing my glass in my soapy hand. He sat on the floor.

  “Aren’t you going to join me?” I asked with a pout.

  “I’m going to let you relax with your wine. I promise,” he grinned. “I’m more than happy just to watch you.”

  I giggled, and it felt good to release the tension in my body. This was what my honeymoon was supposed to feel like.

  “Here’s to my beautiful wife,” he said as the crystal glasses chimed with his toast. “My sun…”

  “My moon…” I continued.

  “And all my stars.”

  Mac leaned in and before kissing me gave my lips a fleeting lick with his tongue.

  “Mmmmm” I moaned. “You’re going to make me think dirty thoughts.”

  “You’re on to me.”

  “It’s so quiet. Is everyone tucked in?”

  “Polly is reading, the children are fast asleep and there are agents at each door – the lane leading to, and all sides of the house.”