Page 17 of Rescue My Heart
They said their goodbyes, and McKenna hung up, feeling a little more centered. Ember was right. She didn’t have to have all the answers right now. She just had to show up, see what Mazey wanted, and go from there.
She glanced at her phone one more time, rereading Mazey’s text. Penthouse. Tonight. Whatever was about to happen, McKenna knew she couldn’t avoid it forever. She just had to finish her shift, and then she’d find out.
7
MAZEY
Mazey paced around her penthouse, her nerves running wild.
I can’t believe I did it. I actually invited her here.
She ran a hand through her hair. She couldn’t decide whether she was bold or just plain reckless. What was she thinking?
She kept trying to convince herself it was strictly for professional reasons. "It’s just for safety precautions," she muttered under her breath.
McKenna could help her make sure she was doing things right on set. That’s all this was. But as she looked down at her reflection in the mirror, adjusting the delicate lace of her lingerie, she knew she was lying to herself. She’d picked out her best set, something that made her feel both confident and a little vulnerable. She even spent time perfecting her makeup, wanting to look flawless. She told herself it was just for fun, but deep down, she wanted to see McKenna’s reaction. She wore her favourite long silk kimono over her lingerie.
With a deep breath, she turned her attention to the rooftop. She had called room service earlier to get everything ready, blankets draped over lounge chairs, candles flickering in theevening breeze, and a carefully curated spread of wine, cheese, and fresh grapes. It was more than just casual. It was romantic, and she knew it.
Well, if we’re going to talk about safety on set, she reasoned, why not do it under the stars? The idea of it made her smile. The place really was stunning, and for the first time in a while, Mazey stopped to admire it. As the golden hues of the sunset painted the sky, she felt a pang of guilt for not appreciating it sooner. She’d been so wrapped up in her swirling emotions that she hadn’t taken the time to truly take in the beauty of her surroundings.
But now, as she watched the sky fade from amber to deep purple, her thoughts were consumed by McKenna. She’d always been good at keeping her cool and professional, but something about the firefighter had gotten under her skin. Mazey wasn’t used to this, feeling vulnerable and uncertain about where things might lead. She’d never been the one to second-guess her own actions, but here she was, wondering what McKenna would think when she arrived.
And then, as if on cue, her phone buzzed in her hand.
“I’m here.”
Mazey’s heart leapt into her throat. She stared at the message for a moment, the gravity of the situation hitting her all at once. She was really here. There was no more time for overthinking or planning. McKenna was downstairs waiting, and the night was about to begin.
Taking a deep breath, she glanced around one last time. The rooftop looked beautiful, intimate yet casual, just the right mix of effort and ease. The wine was chilled, the cheese perfectly arranged, and the sunset cast a warm glow over everything. Even if tonight didn’t lead to anything more than conversation, Mazey knew it would still be special. She smiled to herself. At the very least, she’d get to know McKenna better.
Just as Mazey was lost in her thoughts, a knock rapped on the door.
Beneath her calm exterior, her mind raced. What if McKenna didn’t feel the same way? What if she was only here because of work? Mazey shook off the doubts. Just be yourself, she reminded herself. Let the night unfold however it’s supposed to.
When she opened the door, McKenna stood there, looking slightly unsure but as composed as ever, dressed in her work uniform - fire department navy blue t shirt and pants with a jacket slung over her arm. She smelled deliciously of what Mazey assumed were her pheromones, something oaky, something smokey. She clearly hadn’t showered and Mazey was glad of it.
“Hey,” Mazey greeted, her voice a little softer than usual, trying not to show how fast her heart was beating.
“Hey,” McKenna replied, her gaze flickering up and down over Mazey ’s body and then around, taking in the setting. “This looks nice. You didn’t have to go all out.”
“Oh, this? This is nothing. It’s the least I can do for taking up even more of your time. I honestly don’t know how you have the energy to come here after a long shift,” Mazey said, her voice teasing but with a hint of genuine curiosity.
McKenna chuckled softly. “Eh, it’s no big deal. I’m used to this. Sorry, I should have showered. The water was out for some reason at the station. Anyway, you should’ve seen me when I was in my twenties. You would’ve been really impressed.”
Mazey raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh really? Want a glass of wine? By the way, how old are you?””
McKenna grinned, leaning back slightly as Mazey handed her a glass. “Yeah, I’d love one. I’m actually forty-one.”
Mazey’s eyes widened slightly. “So you’re older than me. I have to treat you with even more respect now.”
McKenna laughed, shaking her head. “Oh no, you don’t. Just treat me like you would anyone else.”
Mazey tilted her head, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “I think that’s going to be kind of hard.”
McKenna’s brow furrowed slightly. “Why’s that?”
The question hung in the air for a moment, and Mazey could feel the warmth rising to her cheeks. She didn’t answer right away, running the memory of their kiss through her mind, the way McKenna’s lips had felt against hers, the way time had seemed to stop. She blushed, wondering if McKenna could read her mind, if she knew exactly what was going through her head.