Mackenzie had done as Alex suggested, changing into a pair of pajama boxers and a t-shirt before curling up on the couch with a blanket. She slept for several hours before she was awakened by the incessant ringing of the doorbell. "Okay, okay," she muttered, getting up from the couch and stumbling towards the door. "Who is it?" she called.
"It's me."
"Me who?" Mackenzie answered, recognizing Howie's voice.
"Me, your favorite cousin," he said.
"That's funny," she said, "you don't sound like Pollyanna."
"It's me," he tried again, this time in a high falsetto voice. Mackenzie laughed and opened the door. "Gee, Polly," she said, looking him up and down, "and I thought I had a rough night!"
"So I heard," he said, stepping in the door and enfolding her in a hug.
"AJ and his big mouth," she complained.
"You've known AJ long enough to know he can't keep a secret," Howie laughed. "How are you feeling?"
"Not too bad," she replied, walking over to the couch and folding up the blanket. "What are you out doing?" she asked. He held up a bag that she could see contained video tapes. "I thought you might be interested in watching some movies with me tonight. Maybe order a pizza?"
"That depends," Mackenzie told him. "You don't have any sappy tear jerkers in that bag, do you?" Howie opened the bag and peered inside. "Nope," he said, looking up at her and winking, "nothing but comedies."
"You can stay then," she told him. "Speed dial 2 for pizza," she said, as she headed for the bathroom.
* * * * *
Mack stood up and took Howie's plate as the first movie ended. She carried the dirty dishes to the kitchen while Howie followed her with the empty pizza box. "You know, cuz, I'm a pretty good listener if there's anything you want to talk about."
"I know you are," she said giving him a slight smile as she put the dishes in the dishwasher. "Well, I mean, if there's anything, anything at all you'd like to talk about, I'm here for you babe," he tried again. Mackenzie sighed. "Just what did AJ tell you?"
"He said that you and Charles called off your engagement," Howie replied. Mack bent down and began to tie up the trash bag. "We did," she said softly, "but I don't want to talk about it right now, okay? Take the trash out for me, pretty please?" she asked sweetly.
"Sure," he said, taking the bag from her. "Put in another movie, okay? I'll be right back." Mack sighed again as Howie took the trash out the back door. She washed her hands and went back to the living room to put in a tape. She chose the movie "Bowfinger" with Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy. It always made her laugh and she really needed that right now. While she waited for Howie to return, she lit a few candles and turned off the lights.
"Hey, Mack," he called as he came back in, "look what I found creeping around outside." Mack looked up to see AJ following Howie into the room.
"Hey, AJ," she smiled, "What's up?"
"Nada," he said. "I just thought I'd come by and see what you were doing."
"We're getting ready to watch. . . . .what?" Howie said, looking at Mack.
"Bowfinger," she supplied.
"Yeah, dude, stay and watch it with us," Howie invited AJ. The three friends settled in to watch the movie, Howie in the recliner, AJ on the floor his back against the couch and Mack lying on the floor in front of the television. Mack gave her full attention to the movie, enjoying every hilarious moment and laughing hysterically during the parking garage scene. Alex watched her more than he did the movie. He enjoyed hearing her laugh although he could tell she was still upset over Charles. As the movie ended, Howie rose, stretching his arms over his head and yawning. "Well guys," he said, "I'm gonna call it a night. You coming, Bone?" he asked.
"Nah," AJ answered. "I'm gonna hang out here a little while longer."
Mackenzie walked Howie to the door. "Thanks for coming by, cuz," she said giving him a big hug. "You're the best."
"No problem," he said. "Oh, I almost forgot. Mom wants you to come for dinner tomorrow after church. You too, AJ," he said.
"Yeah, thanks," AJ said flipping through the channels.
"Great. See you guys tomorrow," Howie said, kissing Mack's cheek before he went out the door. Mack shut the door behind him and turned to look at AJ. He was watching her intently. "What?" she said.
"You look tired," he answered.
"Hmmmm. I am, a little," she said. "Still have a bit of a headache too. Do you mind if we turn off the TV and just listen to some music?" she asked, walking over to the stereo and flipping through her CD's. "That's cool," AJ said, hitting the "off" button on the remote. Mackenzie found the CD's she wanted and loaded them into the CD player. She bent her head down and rubbed her neck as strains of Savage Garden filled the room.
"Come and sit here, sweetheart," AJ said, patting the floor between his legs. "I'll rub your neck for you."
"You're a good man, Alexander McLean," she said, settling down on the floor between his bent knees. He began to knead her neck and shoulders with his strong hands. "Mmmmmm," she purred. "You know," she teased, "if the music business doesn't work out for you, you could always get a job as a masseuse." Alex laughed and said, "That's my game plan."
"Charles left a message on my machine this morning," she said quietly. Alex's hands stilled for a moment. "And?" he said, as he continued to rub her back.
"He said he was sorry and he still wanted to get married," she told him.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"I want. . . . ," she said, her voice breaking, "to understand how someone who's . . . . who's suppose to love you . . . .can say such hateful things. . . . and then think saying "Sorry". . . can just erase them?" Her body shook as she tried to contain her sobs. AJ put his arms around her and drew her back against his chest. "Baby, don't cry," he pleaded, "not over that jerk." He held her and rocked back and forth, murmuring soothing, meaningless words. Gradually her sobs subsided and she lay quietly against his chest, listening to his heart beat. AJ hugged her tight and said, "You know, even with all the mean, nasty pranks I used to play on you, this is the first time I've ever seen you cry."
"That's because I made a vow when I was twelve never to cry over anything you did," she retorted, sniffling. "God, I hated you back then," she told him, a stray tear running down her cheek. He wiped the tear away with his finger and bent his head towards hers. He hesitated a moment before placing a soft, undemanding kiss on her lips. Mackenzie leaned her head back against his shoulder and hesitantly returned his kisses. She felt Alex slide his hands under her shirt and unfasten her bra. She knew she should stop him before it went too far, but his hands felt too good on her bare skin. As he cupped her breasts, she arched her back, thrusting herself more fully against him. He lifted her shirt up and pulled it off over her head. She let her bra drop to the floor. He laid one hand on her belly and pulled at her nipple with the other, while kissing her neck. He slid his fingers into her panties, feeling the wetness between her legs. It excited him even more to find her so ready for him. He brushed her clit with his thumb and slid his finger inside her. She cried out in pleasure as he began an age old rhythm.
"Come for me, baby," he urged her, "come for me." Alex laughed, hugging her, as he felt her convulsions begin. Mackenzie thought she would die from the intensity of her climax. As she floated back down to earth, she felt AJ remove his finger from her and run it across her lips. She turned her head away, embarrassed. He laughed and licked her juices off himself. "You taste so sweet, baby," he growled, stretching out on the floor and pulling her down along side of him. He ran his hands down her back, pulling her close. She could feel the hard length of him against her stomach. She whimpered as he took her nipple into his mouth and suckled her. She tugged impatiently at his shirt, trying to remove it. He laughed at her eagerness and quickly stripped off the offending garment.
Mack turned her attention to his pants, unfastening them. She slid her hand in his boxers and wrapped her fingers around his erection. AJ groaned and thrust himself against her grip. He covered her hand with his own, showing her what he liked. Mack looked up at him shyly. "I've never done this before."
"What?" AJ asked, continuing to thrust against their grip.
"I've never done this before," she repeated. AJ went completely still. "Not even with Charles?" he questioned, a suspicion beginning to form in his mind.
"No, not even with Charles," she said.
"Shit," AJ swore, pushing her hand away from him. He turned over on his back and flung his arm across his eyes.
"AJ?," she said, reaching out to touch him.
"Don't touch me!" he snapped. Mackenzie drew her hand back as if she'd been burned.
If she touches me, AJ thought, there's no way I'm not getting inside her. AJ laughed to himself. Hell, if she touches me, I'll probably come all over myself before I get anywhere close to being inside her! "Give me a minute, Mack," he said in a calmer voice, trying to gain control over his body. After a few minutes he raised his arm and looked over at her. She was sitting with her knees drawn up, her arms wrapped around them. She chewed her bottom lip nervously.
"Please don't tell me you're a virgin," he pleaded.
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