Megan frowned. “He looked upset after talking to you.”
“Probably.” Inspiration struck. A bonus indeed. “I have plans on Christmas Eve and the week after. He’s having a hard time filling the slot. Know anyone who could help?”
Megan perked up. “Oh. Maybe I could step in. See you.” The woman raced around Maggie back toward the aerobics room.
Maggie would have felt bad about siccing Megan on Mac except she knew he had no interest in her. Hearing Geo talk about Mac turning women down had pleased Maggie to no end. He hadn’t lied about that, at least. He’d stated plainly that he only dated one woman at a time. He’d had sex with her, so that might not qualify as a date. But he didn’t seem to be having sex with anyone other than her. And though he didn’t seem that pleased to see her lately, he acted annoyed with everyone in general, so she didn’t take it personally.
A typical Mac mood consisted of grunts, a few growls, and orders. He saved his smiles for the gym patrons. A good thing, because if he smiled at her, she might break down and beg him to continued what they’d started Friday night. Despite wanting to keep her heart safe, she couldn’t stop thinking about Mac, what he was doing, how he felt, if he thought about her.
God, now I sound like Megan. It’s just great sex. Snap out of it. She’d have an easier time believing that it she hadn’t seen him looking at her the last few days with a strange expression on his face. Almost like frustration and longing, which made little sense. The guy constantly had women all over him. Maggie didn’t need a man like that. She’d been with boyfriends not half as good looking, and they’d disappointed her time and time again. Mac had easy access to any woman he wanted. Why should Maggie expose herself to trouble she didn’t need?
As she made her way to his office and waited, she continued to force herself to look at him with detachment. He was funny and charming when he wanted to be. So what? He had a big cock and knew how to use it. The ability to turn her on and keep her revved during sex more than satisfied her. Why complicate things with a relationship, one he hadn’t even asked for? Typical Maggie.
She entered his office and closed the door behind her. He wasn’t around, so she sat in his big chair and kicked her feet up on his desk. She closed her eyes and concentrated on not liking him more than she had to. Who knew Mac Jameson would be so hard to deny?
Out in the main gym lobby, Ian stood with his hands in his pockets and stared out at the dark, wet night. He had a chill in his bones but a spark in his brain. He hadn’t missed how Maggie had looked at Mac, or how his nephew had studied Maggie like he was starving for her.
Ian couldn’t blame him. Maggie had outward beauty, no doubt. Petite but curved in all the right places. That light blond hair and blue eyes, her milky skin over clearly defined muscle packed a knockout punch, and then hearing her soft voice and watched her interact with others… She had charm, personality, and a giving heart—exactly what Mac needed.
Seeing her with Geo had reminded him about the last time someone had interfered in a man’s personal life. Geo had filled Ian in on the gory details of Geo’s lame matchmaking attempts between Shane and Shelby.
Yet the pair seemed tighter than ever. If not for Geo’s, Mac’s and Shelby’s parents’ involvement, Shelby might still be languishing as a single woman without love on the horizon.
Ian just had to figure out how to get his nephew on board the love train. He grinned at the thought of it.
“My, my. They do make them handsome out here, don’t they?”
He turned to see a gorgeous creature in a fuchsia workout getup so bright he feared his retinas had been scarred. A mature woman with dark red hair frosted with white, merry green eyes, and rings covering all of her fingers, smiled at him.
He had a hard time breathing. Magnificent didn’t come close to describing her. The woman had presence, something he hadn’t come across in years. “And who might you be?” he asked, unable to disguise his interest.
“Oh my God. That accent. I think I’m in love.” She stepped closer and held out a hand. “I’m Mimi Vanzant. A friend of Maggie’s. She’s an instructor here.”
He knew that name, Vanzant. Ian took her hand and brought it to his lips. “A pleasure.”
She flushed and withdrew her hand, but if anything she stepped closer. “Mine as well.”
“So you’re here to see Maggie, eh?”
“I am. You know her?”
He realized he hadn’t introduced himself. “Ian Jameson. You might know Mac, my nephew.” Pieces connected in his mind, and he understood fate had dropped this woman in his lap. “You’re Shelby’s mother, aren’t you?” The same woman who’d interfered in her daughter’s life and snagged her a man. Ian’s grin broadened when she nodded. “Mimi, why don’t I treat you to dinner, and we can talk. I’ve got a problem I think you’re more than qualified to help me with.”
She stared at him with wide eyes. “Really?”
Realizing she might have mistaken his intent, he hurried to reassure her. “Strictly a platonic dinner. I have a nephew who could use some help. Like the kind you gave Shelby and Shane.”
Mimi nodded. “Sounds right up my alley.”
Ian had to add, “And after that, well, I’d like to take you out on the town. Been a while since I’ve had such a striking woman on my arm.” He intensified his brogue because she seemed to like it.
Her eyes sparkled. “I don’t know how I could refuse such a charming offer from a gentleman.” She grabbed the hand he held for her and let him tuck it into the crook of his elbow. “Mac’s uncle, hmm? I think you and I might already be working toward the same goal. I’m Maggie’s spiritual mother, you know.”
“You don’t say.” Ian escorted her to his BMW. After he’d closed the door after her, he took a deep breath and let it out, reminding himself not to blow this. He was a bit rusty when it came to dating, but it hadn’t been so long that he’d forgotten how to handle a woman as sexy as this one. He joined her in the car. “Now where would you like to go, my dear?”
“Hmm. I think I have just the place. It’s quiet, the food is good, and if I’m right, we’ll need the backup.” She took out her phone and called someone named Ron. After she gave him directions, she sat back and sighed. “This car is wonderful. I love the smell of leather.”
“Me too.” He paused. “So that Ron. Not your boyfriend, is he?”
She laughed, rich, honest amusement she didn’t try to cage. He liked her more already. “Ron is my business partner and best friend. We’re going to his and his boyfriend’s new apartment for dinner and some planning. Will that work?”
Ian smiled. “Sounds perfect.” Her best friend had a boyfriend. Outstanding. Now he had a shot at not only snagging a woman for his nephew, but maybe a girlfriend for himself as well. A glance at her widened his grin. “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship, Mimi.”
She rested her hand on his shoulder, and he felt a flare of heat all the way to his toes. “I think you may be right.”
Chapter Ten
Maggie dropped Mac off at his house. He waved goodbye without a backwards glance. He hadn’t made a move or a suggestive comment the whole way home. No mention of payback or their next Master/sub session either, which irked her.
Okay, so Maggie didn’t want a relationship with him. She wouldn’t mind the opportunity to turn him down, though. Granted, that might make things between them a bit hairy, but it would reinforce her confidence, letting her know he wanted her.