All Chapters of IT HAD TO BE YOU: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

“Mackie, there’s something I don’t understand.” She turned her face up to him, eyebrows raised in question.“You’re an incredibly sensual woman. I don’t see why… how you’ve waited this long.” Mackenzie looked at him in silence for a while, then sighed.“I’ve always had these romantic notions. I wanted it to be perfect. I wanted to wait for love. Especially after Helen’s ordeal… She’s my best friend and the one who drove me home earlier. Anyway, she got pregnant at sixteen, got married, and…the rest is history…” She shook her head.“Helen was a child raising a child. She’s never had a chance to really find out who she really is... The whole thing cemented my belief that I wanted to wait for my One… for true love.”“But after all this time, why now?” Her dainty shoulders shifted.“At twenty-five, I felt like some kind of freak. I never realized true love would be so hard to find.”“Hasn’t there been anyone else?”“Oh, there have been a number of m

The line moved. She took her bag from him to hand it to the attendant, then stepped to the counter, setting her carry-on on the floor. Wyatt ground his teeth. Guilt tore at him. He had to talk her out of this ridiculous plan. A few moments later, Mackenzie turned to him, boarding pass in hand. He picked up her carry-on and followed her as she got in line to go through the security check. She faced him, and something like regret flashed in her eyes.“Look, Wyatt… I appreciate your concern, but I’m a big girl. I know how to take care of myself. I’ll be just fine.” Wyatt’s gaze fastened on her mouth. The memory of loving her washed over him, the warmth of her pressed against him, the stroke of her tongue fresh in his mind. He’d taken her virginity, and now she meant to bestow all her blessings on some stranger. Because Wyatt had liberated her. His guilt and some other unfamiliar emotion he didn’t want to explore right that instant, swelled in him.

Wyatt blinked at the sunlight reflecting off the blue-green water and white sand. Even through his dark glasses, the beach dazzled. He drew in a breath of salt air and searched the area for Mackenzie. The little minx had nearly lost him in the airport. He’d hung back, though, following her to the resort. The sun glinted off his watch as Wyatt checked the time. She’d been in her room for fifteen minutes. If his hunch proved right, she’d head straight for the beach. He passed a group of college kids playing volleyball and moved toward a vacant chair beside a far umbrella. He’d have a good view of the beach from here, but wouldn’t be too noticeable. Mackenzie emerged as Wyatt settled into the canvas seat. He sat forward, his throat tightening as she sashayed to a spot near the volleyball players. A bright blue bikini top cupped her lovely breasts, while a flowered sarong hugged her hips. Ignoring the umbrellas, she spread a multi-colored towel on t

Mackenzie ran her finger along the salt-coated rim of her glass.“I think adventure might be exactly what I want.” Matthew let loose a small sound of excitement.“I have been searching for such an adventurous woman since I arrived here. I have been searching for someone who dares to leave the beaten path, who makes her own rules, regardless of what society dictates. I have been searching for a free, untamed spirit…” She laughed.“Believe me, I have definitely not traveled the beaten path.” He and Deborah shared a knowing look. Mackenzie straightened, feeling a little self-conscious. Had they guessed she referred to her long stint as a virgin? A waitress, a young woman with a deep tan and sun-bleached hair, approached their table. While she took Deborah’s drink order, Matthew leaned in closer to Mackenzie. He held her hand and rubbed his thumb along her palm.“And this urge to take the unbeaten path, does it apply to all areas

Something bright against her eyelids dragged Mackenzie from her slumber. Yawning, she slowly stretched. Sunlight flickered in through the open curtains. A weight across her middle and warmth at her back brought memory flooding in. Heat crept up her cheeks as she rolled carefully to her other side. Wyatt mumbled something in his sleep and tightened his hold. His half-erection pressed against her thigh. She smiled, in spite of herself. Her lover just kept going and going. Seems he was going again in his dreams. She closed her eyes as details from the previous night spun through her mind. Embarrassment filled her. How was it she could act so brazenly, so unlike her around him? It was as though he was some mind-altering drug that had her doing and saying things she dared only dream of in her normal world. Now, here in the morning light, her actions played out for her. She’d lost her virginity to her brother’s best friend, a known