His Hotcakes Baby (4 page)

The one female jumped up to fetch it,
whilst the other pulled her tee-shirt up and bared her breasts.  She handed him
her pen and smiled seductively, offering him her breasts.

Mackenzie lost it.  Billy stood
watching and chuckled when she stormed towards the couple.

“I’d prefer you signing my bra, Hawk. 
No, not at the top … here, right at the center.”

Chase always drew the line at singing
on lingerie and the only reason he took the pen was to antagonize Mackenzie.  He
was on the verge of telling her to cover herself when Mackenzie hissed huskily
next to him.

“You as much as lift that pen towards
her boobs and you can swim back to your precious island!  Is that clear, Hawk
Carter?”

“As crystal!  Sorry, miss.  Your boss
is really very particular about where I put my hands it seems.”

Mackenzie nearly socked him on his
lying mouth, but rather scowled at the blond quickly lowering her shirt.

“Get to work and we will discuss this
incident later.  You are within working hours and your behavior reflects on all
of us.”

“I am sorry, Boss.  It was just some
innocent flirting.”

“There is no such thing as innocent
flirting.  I am not going to tell you again to get back to work.”

She watched her walk back to her station
quickly.  Mackenzie turned to Chase and he swore he could feel his skin burn,
her eyes flashed so much fire at him.

“You!  Get off my vessel!  You have
caused enough disruptions for one day!”

“Easy, little dove.  It is not good
for the baby to be so uptight.”

“Oef!  Don’t you dare tell m …”

He held up his hands and retreated to
where Billy was watching with a smile on his face and shook his head at his
nephew.

“I just want to have a quick chat to
Frasier over here.”

Before she could stop him he sauntered
over to Frasier and pretty soon they were chatting animatedly.  Frasier kept
glancing at her and she became more agitated by the minute.

If anyone could confirm whether or not
there was someone in her life, it was Frasier.  They have been friends since
high school.  The others on the team would not know.  She kept her personal
life apart from work and nobody knew anything about her life outside of work.

She sighed in relief when they climbed
on the speedboat and disappeared on the horizon.  Frasier sauntered closer and
watched the boat as it became a spot in the distance.

“So, my friend.  Why is the famous
writer so interested in your love life?”

“What did you tell him?”

He shrugged.  “The same as probably
the rest of the bunch.  Don’t know anything about your personal life, that sort
of thing.  He might have bought it from the others, but somehow I have a
feeling he did not believe me.”

Mackenzie sighed and sank down on a
large coil of rope.

“What’s going on, Mack?  Do you want
to talk about it?”

“I’ve done something extremely stupid
and irresponsible.”

“You?  Irresponsible?  Not possible. 
Do tell.”

“I’m … pregnant.”

He took a deep breath and looked at
her with shock. 

“Is it his?”

She nodded and groaned.  She dropped
her head on her drawn up knees.

“When did this happen?  Is that why
you refused at first to head up this research?”

“Not because I was pregnant.  I did
not know then, but because of … oh lord Frasier.  What am I going to do?”

“I assume he knows about the baby?”  She
nodded again.  “I also assume that you denied it is his, hence all the
questions?”

“Yes.  This is such a mess.”

“Why?  Why don’t you want him to
know?”

“He is nothing but a gigolo, Frasier. 
He flirts and sleeps with every woman that comes across his path.  It’s in his
nature.”

“That does not mean he doesn’t want
the baby.”

“Oh, I know that.  He made that very
clear! I am not prepared to have my child exposed to a man such as that.  He
has no morals!”

“You of all people know not to believe
everything you read in the papers, even less in the tabloids.  You better think
about this very deeply, Mack.  He does not seem to be the kind of man to be
taken for a fool. Be careful not to overplay your hand.  Someone as well known
and as rich as he, is also powerful and could very easily take your child away
from you.”

Billy
arrived promptly at five and assisted her back on the boat.  She sat down and
leaned her head against the back of the seat.   She was tired.  It was a long
hot day and all she wanted to do was to take a long bubble bath.

“Are you okay, Mack?”

“I’m fine.  Just tired.  We did quite
a number of dives today and with the heat … I feel a little drained.”

Billy did not respond and prepared
himself for her anger when he sped passed the cottage she has been staying at.

“Where are you going?”

“Straight to dinner.”

“It is too early and I want to take a
bath!”

“Lots of bathrooms at the house you
could use.”

“What about clean clothes?”

“I’m sure we will be able to find you
something.”

Mackenzie glared at him, but he
ignored her and all too soon, docked the boat at the main jetty.   Billy helped
her into the beach buggy and she snapped at him.

“Stop that!  I am not an invalid!”

He chuckled and got behind the
wheel.    Chase stood waiting for them in front of the house when they arrived
and wouldn’t you know it … shirtless!  She stomped in his direction, her eyes
shooting daggers at him. 

“This is extremely inconsiderate to
say the least. I am tired and in desperate need of a bath!”

Chase looked at Billy who just shrugged.

“I was not prepared to be at the brunt
of her anger.  You deal with it.”

“What is he talking about?”

“I moved your things here.  You will
be staying with us from now on.”

“Like hell I will!  You can move my
stuff right back to the cottage.”

“You said you want to take a bath, so
why don’t you do that so long and then we can talk.”

The prospect of a relaxing bath calmed
her down and she followed him up the stairs into a beautiful large bedroom. 
There was a massive bed covered with the softest white linen and dark green
scatter cushions. Dark green carpet covered the floor and white flowing
curtains adorned the windows, which were pulled back leaving the view open to
your eyes.  There were two plush wingback chairs in front of the window, an oak
dressing table and writing desk that complimented the headboard of the bed. 
The bathroom was breathtaking.  It was large with a massive oval marble bath in
the center facing floor length windows looking out to sea.  There was a double
shower, large mirrors and an ottoman.  It was a bathroom built with romance in
mind.  A bathroom and a room to share.

Chase opened the taps and threw some
bubble bath under the streaming water.

“There, see.  I can be handy to have
around.  Enjoy your bath, hotcakes. Your clothes are in the cupboard.  I’ll see
you downstairs.”

She waited until he drew the door closed
behind him before she got undressed and sank into the warm water, engulfed in
bubbles.  She moaned with pleasure, dunked her head and leaned her head back
against the edge of the bath.  Time passed by without her notice, she was so
relaxed and taken in by the beautiful view.  She’d warmed the water a few times
and just soaked her tired muscles.

“You are probably wrinkled by now, or
are you trying to avoid me?”

Mackenzie nearly drowned in fright
when he spoke next to her so suddenly.  She glanced down and was relieved that
everything was at least covered by the bubbles.

“Get out of here!  I’ll be out
shortly.”

“Do you always take such long baths?”

Mackenzie glared at him as he sank
down on the ottoman just to the side of the bath.

“Yes.  I told you to leave.”

“I don’t really respond well to being
ordered around in my own home.”

Mackenzie felt herself blush with his
eyes slowly caressing her shoulders and the top of her breasts visible above
the bubbles.

“You look very enticing in that bath.
One might be tempted to join you there.”

“One might be socked on the nose for
the temptation!”

Chase chuckled, then sobered.

“You’ve been in there long enough,
honey.  Get out or I will see my joining you as an invitation.”  He got up and
walked to the room adjoining the bathroom.

“Before I forgot.  We have an
appointment with my sister’s obstetrician tomorrow morning in Nassau.  Better
let Frasier know you will be late.”

She sat up so fast the water spilled
over the sides of the tub.  She swung her torso around and scowled at him.

“I don’t need you to make appointments
for me.  I am quite capable of doing it myself! And least of all will you be
going with me!”

His eyes slowly lowered to fasten on
her heaving breasts bobbing above the water level.  He drew a deep breath. 
Lord, she had beautiful breasts.  They were lush and so temptingly inviting he
could not stop from moving back to the side of the tub.  He reached out and circled
her breasts with his fingers.  She gasped, then grasped the sides of the tub
when both his hands closed around her breasts and he tweaked and rolled her
nipples between his fingers.

“What … are you doing?”

He went down on his knees and
whispered in her ear.

“I need a taste.  I am desperate for a
taste!”

His head swooped down and his lips
closed around an aroused nub and Mackenzie moaned deep in her throat.  He
pulled it deep into his mouth and suckled greedily, moving from the one to the
other, driving her crazy.  She nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt his
wicked fingers circling her clit below the water and her thighs fell apart to
allow him entry.  He pressed a finger inside her and his groan echoed hers at
the heat he found there. Another finger joined the first.  He twisted his hand
and rubbed her clit with his thumb, while plunging his fingers inside her,
searching for and finding her G-spot.

Mackenzie moaned at the sensations
that shot down her body from where he suckled her breast to his hands
plundering her core.  Her body heated up rapidly and she was on fire.

“Chase … you … ooh … aah!”

Her scream echoed through the room
when she climaxed and Chase kept pumping his fingers inside her drawing out her
climax. He released her breast and watched her face, his own rigid with his own
need raging through him.

Her head was thrown back, her skin
drawn tight.  Her eyes were hazy and pleaded with him.  She was absolutely
beautiful in her climax.

“Stop … ooh!”

“No, honey … give me more!  Yes …
beautiful!”

He kept feeding her climax, his thumb
ruthlessly rubbing her clit, following her as she tried to move out of his
reach.  Her breath caught and her body arched high above the water level and
another desperate cry escaped from her lips. Her muscles clamped around his
fingers with even more strength than before.  She couldn’t breathe and clutched
at his arm in desperation.  He relented and pulled his hand away from her.  He
leaned down and captured her lips with his.  He kissed her wildly, urgently and
with so much hunger, her just found breath wheezed out of her.

The
next moment, he was gone.

Chase
stormed down the stairs and dived straight into the pool to cool his rampaging
desires.  The woman drove him crazy.  He could not even blame her. He knew what
it would do to him to find her in the bathtub, but he still walked in.  He
cursed as his head cleared the water.  He has never been this affected by a
woman.  The past twelve years he took what was offered and moved directly to
another.   He never went back for more.

Mackenzie … he’s had her only once and
it was over much too quickly, but he wanted her again.  Somehow he knew once or
twice more, would not be enough.

No matter how much she complained, he
was going with her to the doctor.  He had the right to know if she was carrying
his child.  As soon as he did, she would be his, no further delays and she would
marry him.  His child was not going to be passed back and forth between
parents.

He swam ten more laps and by the time
he stood up Mackenzie was sitting chatting to Billy.  She wore a bright yellow
sundress that hugged her body with silver slip on sandals.  Her hair was loose
and tumbled gloriously over her shoulders.  He took a deep breath and pulled
himself out of the pool.  He picked up the towel and walked towards them drying
himself. 

Mackenzie’s eyes flared when they fell
on him and his shaft rose slowly.  He cursed and sat down before his arousal
became too noticeable.

“Essie is not going to be happy with
you sitting with your wet ass on the cushions.” Billy informed him drily.

“Maybe now is a good time to go and
see if you have any shirts in your cupboard.  We don’t mind waiting.”

Mackenzie’s surly voice turned the
corners of his mouth in a wide smile. Billy chuckled. Chase rubbed his fingers
over his chest and her eyes followed the movement.

“I’ll go if you come and help me
choose.”

“Gmphf … when pigs fly would I be so
naïve as to go with you to your room!”

“Seems to me it is a little too late
to stay out of his room, Mack.”

“I am only saying this once more.  It
is not his baby!”

“So why do you allow me to touch and kiss
you if you’re carrying another man’s child? One you have been involved with for
how long again?”

Chase’s face was serious and his tone
demanded an answer.

“If your memory can stretch as far as
that, it is not about allowing!  You don’t listen and just do what you want!”

Billy chuckled.  “Mack’s got a point,
Chase.  Sounds exactly like you.”

“I guess tomorrow would be the turning
point in our relationship then, hotcakes.”

“I already told you, I will make my
own appointment with an obstetrician of my choice and you will not go with!”

“I’m afraid it is not negotiable,
Mackenzie.  I believe it is my child in your belly and I have a right to know. 
If I have to tie you to get you on that helicopter I will.”

Essie arrived with their first course
and Mackenzie promptly ignored him and concentrated on her food.  Her mind was
in a whirlwind.  She had to find a way to get off this damn island tonight! 
Frasier can take charge of the team and the project. What happened in the
bathroom was just further proof that she needed to get away from him. 

She
heeded Frasier’s warning and knew he would not think twice to take the baby
away from her if she opposed him.  For her own sanity and to keep her heart
intact, she needed to get away from him.

Mackenzie
sighed in relief when she found the spare key in the normal spot under the
flowerpot on the front porch. She unlocked the door and tugged her large
trolley suitcase after her through the door.

 She frowned when she noticed all the
curtains were pulled closed and the window shutters locked up.  She should have
phoned her aunt before she just arrived on her doorstep.    There was clearly
no one home. She dropped her bags and pulled the curtains open along with some
of the shutters.  She took her phone out of her bag, quickly scrolled to her
aunt’s name and pressed the dial button.

She went to stand on the porch and
looked out onto East Arm Grand Travese Bay which was a bay off Lake Michigan.

“Macks?  Darling, this is a wonderful
surprise!”

“Hi Gabs.  It would have been an even
better one if you were home.”

“No!  Are you in Michigan?”

“Yes, standing on your porch.”

“What is wrong?”

“Why do you think something is wrong?”

“Mackenzie, I know you.  You never
just pitch up at my door, unless something is chasing you.”

“I … just needed to get away for a
while.  Where are you?”

“Carter and I are in Hawaii for three
weeks, but we just arrived here.”

“Would you mind very much if I stay
here, Gabs?”

“Of course not!  In fact it is ideal. 
I did not really like to leave for so long without anyone to look after the
place.”

“Thanks.  Is there anything specific
you need me to do?”

“Not really, except water the plants. 
How long are you going to stay, darling?”

“Maybe … I might … I am considering
moving permanently.  I just don’t know where yet.”

Her aunt was silent for a long while.

“Mack … are you su …”

“Please don’t worry about me.  I am
really fine. Enjoy your holiday and say hi to that clever cousin of mine.”

“I will.  I will phone you.  And Macks
… phone me if you want to talk.”

“Of course and thanks Gabs.”

Mackenzie ended the call and slumped
on one of the deck chairs.  She really wanted her aunt to be here.  If there
was anyone that would understand, it was her.  The situation differed slightly
though.  Gab’s heart was broken and the man she loved walked away from her. 
She only realized she was expecting his baby two months later.