Page 37 of Rescue My Heart
Mazey’s face lit up, her eyes bright with a relief that made McKenna’s heart clench. “Well,” she said with a teasing grin, “it’s good to know my hero is willing to stick around. You’ve alreadysaved my life three times, you know. Twice from real danger and once from heartbreak.”
McKenna chuckled, shaking her head. “Guess that makes me a full-time lifesaver then,” she replied, her tone light. “Though I don’t remember heartbreak being part of my rescue training.”
Mazey laughed, the sound warm and genuine, and it felt like the last barrier between them finally crumbled. “You’d think I’d know how to handle it by now.”
“Well, maybe it’s time you learn to avoid cliffs, raging rivers, and reckless texts,” McKenna quipped, her own grin widening as she felt the tension melt into something warm and familiar.
Mazey’s smile softened, her gaze meeting McKenna’s with a gentle intensity. “Guess I’ll have to keep you close. You know, just in case I need rescuing again.”
McKenna felt a tug at her heart, pulling her closer until the space between them was only a breath. “Yeah, I think that’s probably a good idea,” she murmured, her voice softening as her eyes traced Mazey’s features.
Their shared laughter faded, replaced by a quiet understanding as they leaned in, neither of them hesitating. When their lips met, it felt like coming home, a warmth that settled into McKenna’s bones, steady and real, washing away the doubts and heartache that had lingered for so long.
As they sat close, the weight of their unspoken feelings and past misunderstandings finally lifted, leaving only a quiet excitement between them. McKenna took a steadying breath, looking into Mazey’s eyes with a small smile. “So, are we really going to do this?”
Mazey didn’t hesitate. “Yes, we are, I’m going to come out,” she said firmly, her voice filled with conviction. “And to make it official”—her face softened, and she reached out, slipping her fingers through McKenna’s—“McKenna, will you go out with me?”
McKenna laughed softly, the joy in her chest almost overwhelming. “I’d be honored,” she replied, giving Mazey’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Now, where are you taking me on our first official date?”
Mazey grinned. “Leave it to me. I think I know just the place.”
They ended up at an intimate bistro with low lighting and soft jazz playing in the background. As they settled in, McKenna couldn’t help but notice how relaxed Mazey seemed, her usual hesitance about public appearances nowhere in sight. Mazey caught McKenna’s gaze and smiled. “Surprised?”
“A little,” McKenna admitted, leaning forward, unable to hide her admiration. “You’re handling this so well.”
Mazey shrugged, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. “It’s different now. You make me feel…brave, I guess.” She chuckled, looking down at her glass. “All those worries about what people think just fade when I’m with you. I realize now I don’t want to hide. Not anymore.”
McKenna felt a warmth spread through her, reaching across the table to touch Mazey’s hand. “Then I’ll stand by you. Whatever comes our way, we’ll handle it together.”
The conversation flowed easily as they settled into their meal, sharing laughs, reminiscing, and talking about the future in a way that felt genuine and exciting. Mazey opened up about her aspirations, how she wanted to explore roles that felt meaningful and projects that resonated with who she was rather than just what Hollywood expected from her. She confessed how exhausting it had been to feel like she was always putting on a mask.
McKenna listened intently, her heart swelling with admiration for Mazey’s dreams and determination. “I love that you’re finally seeing your own worth,” she said, squeezing Mazey’s hand gently. “I’m here to remind you of that whenever you need it.”
Mazey smiled, touched by McKenna’s words. “And you? What do you want out of life, McKenna?”
McKenna paused, feeling a bit vulnerable, but Mazey’s gaze was so warm, so encouraging, that she couldn’t hold back. “I want to keep helping people, like I do with firefighting. But…” She hesitated, searching for the right words. “I want a life that feels grounded and meaningful. I want to come home to someone I love, to a life we can build together.”
Mazey’s smile grew, and her fingers tightened around McKenna’s. “Then let’s make that happen. I’ll support you every step of the way, just like you’re doing for me.”
They stayed for hours, caught up in each other’s dreams and promises. The quiet, intimate atmosphere of the restaurant was almost magical, and they soaked in every moment, finding a beautiful harmony in the simplest of things: a shared laugh, a lingering gaze, a brush of hands across the table.
As they left the restaurant, Mazey glanced at McKenna, her eyes full of longing. “What would you say if I asked to come back to your place?” McKenna’s pulse quickened, and she smiled, leaning in close. “I’d say let’s get out of here.”
When they arrived at McKenna’s house, they were both a bit breathless, caught in the electric anticipation of finally being alone together, free of the world’s prying eyes. The moment thedoor closed behind them, Mazey turned to McKenna, her gaze intense.
They moved slowly at first, savoring each touch and kiss, the world outside fading away as they surrendered to the closeness they’d been craving for so long. In that quiet space, words became unnecessary. Every movement, every whispered breath, seemed to say more than language ever could.
Their passion built steadily, layer upon layer of longing they’d both held back for too long, until it grew into a tender, all-consuming connection. McKenna’s hands traced Mazey’s skin with reverence, memorizing every curve, every shiver of Mazey’s body beneath her touch. Mazey’s fingers slid through McKenna’s hair, pulling her close, as if she wanted to bridge the gap between them entirely, to be as close as humanly possible.
McKenna stripped them both of their clothes and guided Mazey down onto her bed.
“Get on top of me and spin around,” she commanded and Mazey looked at her and raised an eyebrow.
“You mean like a 69?”
“Absolutely a 69. You think you might like that?”
Mazey smiled and her blue eyes sparkled with mischief. “I think I might like that a lot,” she said. “I’ve been thinking a lot about tasting you.” Mazey blushed and it was the most endearing thing McKenna thought she had ever seen.