Book 2: What Happens Here - Chicago (What Happens Here Series)

Chapter 36 - Shane

Over the past several days, Shane and Mackenzie had developed somewhat of a routine. After they'd shared breakfast on their final day in Vegas, they'd agreed to stay in touch. They had even shared the limo ride back to the airport, which Shane had insisted on. No way was he going to let an opportunity to spend as much time with Mackenzie as he could slip through his fingers.

After they both cleared airport security, Shane still could not bring himself to leave her side, so he'd decided to walk Mackenzie to her gate, and to keep her company. Once they'd announced that her flight to Charlotte would begin boarding, they had said their goodbyes, which had led Shane to pull Mackenzie into his arms for a hug. Initially, Mackenzie's body had felt rigid, and tense, as she awkwardly returned the hug, but that slowly changed once Shane had felt her body begin to melt into his. The only issue with that was he wasn't able to fully enjoy having Mackenzie Sutton wrapped in his arms for long, because the feel of her soft, curvy body pressed against his, and the fruity scent of her hair had the lower half of his body stirring to life. He hadn't wanted her to feel the undeniable response that her closeness was having on him, which was clearly pressing against her in that moment, so he'd subtly put space between their bodies a second before he'd reluctantly broken the hug.

When he'd pulled back from Mackenzie, he'd stared down into her angelic face, and being unable to help himself, he'd rubbed a knuckle across the smooth skin of her cheek, as his eyes involuntarily dropped down to her mouth. As he stared down at her, Mackenzie was totally oblivious of the inner battle raging inside of Shane as he fought the urge to lean down and kiss those sensual lips of hers that were calling to him like a siren. He had to swallow the groan that formed in the back of his throat when those sexy pink lips parted as if she needed to release a breath.

Shane's eyes rose to meet Mackenzie's, but for a second he could have sworn that her eyes dropped down to his lips before she sucked her bottom one into her mouth. He must have imagined that though...right? Yeah, he most definitely imagined it, because a second later, she took a small step backwards in an attempt to put some space and distance between them. Fuck.

Trying to recover the moment, Shane gave Mackenzie his "panty melter' smile, as he said, "I'll text you when I get to New England." When a slow smile spread across Mackenzie's face at his words, he said, "That's what Van and Candace are doing, right? And since I've been inducted into the friend group, I think I should be granted all of the privileges that comes with the honor." When Mackenzie burst out laughing, a surge of relief flowed through Shane's body, and he relaxed.

Shaking her head, which caused a small section of hair to fall into her face, Mackenzie's smile was wide, and her eyes were bright with amusement as she said, "Oh really? So you think you're a part of the friend group, huh?" Nodding his head, Shane smiled as he crossed his arms over his chest. A second later, Shane found himself hiding the smirk that ghosted the corners of his lips at the way feminine admiration flashed in Mackenzie's green eyes as they took in the way that his crossed arms made the muscles of his chest and arms bulge. Yeah....Ms. Sutton was most definitely interested, but at the same time, she clearly didn't want to be, and Shane had no idea what to do about that.

Smiling, Shane said, "Yep. Both Van and Candace inducted me into the group this morning." Shrugging he added, "Actually...I owe it all to you Mack." The moment turned playful once more when Mackenzie said, "Oh, so we're Van, and Mack now, huh?" Shrugging again, Shane said, "Of course." And with a smug grin, he said, "You are Mack. Savannah is Van. Jasmine is Jazz....and well, I don't have a nickname for Candace right now, but it'll come. Just give me some time." Laughing out loud again, Mackenzie playfully swatted Shane's bicep, as she said, "Oh well... since we are using nicknames, what is yours?"