Zack (Armed and Dangerous Book 1) by Cheyenne McCray

it started pounding. Maybe it was Luke.
    The knock was louder this time. Her heart knocked harder, too.
    Ignore it, MacKenna. Don’t answer.
    The catch on the door handle clicked and she could only stare at the door, holding her breath.
    The door creaked open and Sky’s heart creaked with it as Zack Hunter stepped over the threshold.
     

Chapter 11
    For a moment Zack just stood in the doorway, watching Sky. Even after what had happened Friday night, he still had the power to take her breath away.
    Damn him.
    Zack stepped into the house, his dominating presence filling the room as he closed the door behind him. Sky felt like everything was off-balance, as if the house itself were tipping.
    Fie said nothing as he walked toward her, his worn blue jeans hugging his thighs and his boots ringing against the tiled floor. A gray T-shirt stretched over his chest, the shade bringing out the steel of his eyes. His weapon was holstered at his side along with his cell phone.
    No doubt from his fight with Wade, a bruise darkened Zack’s cheekbone, his nose looked a little swollen, and he had a black eye. His dark hair was slightly ruffled and he gripped his Stetson in one hand.
    Sky swallowed. Where were all the things she wanted to yell at him about? Why wouldn’t her mind cooperate with her mouth?
    When he reached her he towered over her for a moment and it looked like he was trying to read her frown. Then without invitation he moved to the couch near her rocking chair and sat on the end closest to her.
    “I told you to stay away.” Her mind finally was able to transfer the words to her mouth as she deepened her frown. “Starting a fistfight with Wade—that was inexcusable.”
    Zack looked down at his western hat that he now held in both hands. He raised his face again and met her gaze. “Was it?”
    Sky looked at him with incredulity. “You think that charging in, acting like you own me, and trying to beat the crap out of another man is excusable?”
    “After what we shared, I couldn’t let another man touch you, Sky.” Zack’s deep voice was low, almost soft. “The sight of him trying to kiss you—there was no way I was going to let that happen.”
    “What you and I did—that was a mistake.” Fear of Zack destroying her defenses any further made her voice quaver. At the same time, the memory of him taking her up against the building sent heat flushing through her.
    He shook his head. “Being inside you again was right. Perfect.”
    “No, it wasn’t.” She clenched the edge of the quilting basket in her hands as she could almost feel him thrust in and out of her slick core. “It should never have happened.”
    Zack glanced down at his hat again that he was slowly turning around by its brim. “I’m not going to apologize for something that was meant to be.”
    “Then what are you here for?” She let the words out with a bite to her tone. “I’ve already made it clear you’re not welcome.”
    “I fucked up.” His voice had a harsh edge to it. “I shouldn’t have lost control with Larson. I should never have let you see me like that.”
    Sky didn’t know what to say as she looked into his gaze.
    “And I don’t know how to fix this.” He glanced at his hat before looking at her again. “I don’t know how to fix us.”
    She could feel her heart crumbling. Why was he doing this? To let him into her life again... she couldn’t let him hurt her like he had before. She wouldn’t let him hurt her again.
    When she could speak, she said, “How many times do I have to tell you there’s no us to fix?”
    He looked away and when he turned back she was startled by the pain etched into his features. She had the instant desire to wrap her arms around him and draw that pain away. His expression filled with so much self-loathing that something hard twisted inside her belly.
    “I saw it in your eyes when I was arrested for beating the shit out of that bastard.” Zack got to his feet and looked down at her. A