My Only One

  My Only One

  Ella Goode

  Summary

  Mack and Dally have known each other forever. His sister is married to her best friend. At every family function and every holiday, they’re thrown together. Everyone says that they would make the perfect couple.

  And that’s the problem. No matter how many times Mack offers himself up to Dally, she runs away—sometimes literally. Good thing Mack’s determined to convince Dally that she’s not just a convenience, but the only one who will ever hold his heart.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Epilogue

  Also by Ella Goode

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  Chapter 1

  Dally

  I stare down at the shattered salad bowls I’ve dropped on my way to the patio table. I have to remove my eyes from Mack’s almost perfect body. I’m taking this as a sign. Not one that I should have gotten over Mack’s handsomeness by now but as a sign that I shouldn’t be eating salad.

  I dropped the glass bowls at the sight of him baring all of those spectacular abs. It is a rare thing to see Mack show off his good looks. He’s usually more reserved when it comes to showing any part of his body. The man even swims in a shirt. For someone who works out as much as he does he definitely doesn’t take advantage of showing off the fruits of his labor. I also take into account that if I had gone for the cheeseburger instead of the healthy option of salad that I wouldn’t have had a plate or bowl to drop. It would have been shoved into my mouth already. I make a promise to myself that next time I’ll choose wiser. I’m startled out of my thoughts when I hear Mack’s voice.

  “Don’t move,” he demands.

  “We’re not at the office. You can’t boss me around,” I remind him. We are only together today because his sister is married to my best friend. We get stuck together a lot because of that. I should only have to deal with Mack at work but I swear he’s everywhere I turn. I start to take a rebellious step but slip a little on the lettuce that’s strewn all over the place. I stumble into him as I try to get my balance back. I right myself but my cheeks pinken a little in embarrassment. I don’t know how we’ve found ourselves in a constant battle of wills but we have. Anything I say or do always brings some sort of sarcastic remark from him. I don’t know why I ever agreed to take a job with him.

  Oh, that’s right. Because he’d offered me one that was a once in a lifetime opportunity. He was the only person who was willing to take a risk on a fresh out of college woman with an idea. He’s been all over me since he invested in my company. I have no idea why but he’s been up my ass about this project since day one. I thought the Castiles were more of the silent investor types. It was my understanding that’s how they made their family fortune. They invested in things and got the payouts. That and real estate. Mack took over the metaphorical reins from his father and is more involved with the day-to-day operations now. I was one of his first investments. Mack isn’t as silent of a partner as I thought he’d be.

  He’s gone as far as making my office in his building. I couldn’t really tell him no. It is free space that I needed. So I swallowed my pride and snatched it up from him. Now he shows up there nonstop. I thought the man didn’t like me but at every turn I am running into him. For a man that doesn’t like to be touched, he’s in my personal space way too often. He sure has a weird way of dealing with that issue. He’s always on top of me when I’m working. It’s almost impossible not to bang into him.

  “Dally. Don’t move and I’ll get you that set of chairs for the staff lounge area you’ve been asking for.”

  I freeze at that and narrow my eyes on him. I want the lounge area so bad. I think it will be good for office morale. It will make it feel like everything isn’t work all the time. I’ve wanted it for a while now. My not-so-silent partner Mack said people should be working and not hanging around. I mostly want this killer coffee machine for it. Sometimes you need to get out of your office or lab for a moment to clear your mind and relax.

  “Of course you throw money at getting what you want.” I roll my eyes.

  “Nothing wrong with throwing some money around,” Savannah, Mack’s aunt, chimes in. She loves to throw money around. I don’t know how she pulls it off but it’s always badass to watch her do it. It may have something to do with her stoic husband who looks like a bodyguard most of the time. Good thing she has enough personality for both of them but he still looks badass too.

  “Deal or no deal?”

  “You know it’s a deal,” I snip back. Mack is a genius. He knows everything and that includes how to work people to get what he wants. He knew I’d cave for the coffee machine alone. He starts to close the space between us. I throw my hand up. “The coffee machine that isn’t out yet.” I’ve heard there is a new version in production. It is due anytime now. If anyone can get their hands on something no one else has it’s Mack. The Castile men are known for getting what they want.

  Glass cracks under Mack’s shoes as he keeps moving closer. I am only wearing flip flops. I was planning to take a swim—after Mack left, of course. The pool here is wonderful and as much as I am okay with my curvy body I don’t want to get undressed in front of a Greek god because that’s exactly what Mack looks like. He may try to hide it but he is rock solid under those baggy clothes he’s always wearing. If I gave the man a hammer and he grew out his hair, he’d be Thor. The prodigal son and all.

  I let out a small scream when I’m lifted off my feet into his arms. “Wrap your arms around me,” he demands.

  His tone does things to me. It should piss me off but, like always when Mack is around, my vagina and brain don’t agree. I always try and reason why I’m so attracted to him but know it’s because he is perfectly symmetrical. It’s natural for my body to want his. I’ve even read a study about women being drawn to men’s thighs and well, Mack’s are perfect. See, it isn’t my fault that I am one of many women who think he’s attractive.

  “Dally,” he snaps at me. I do as I’m told, glaring at him as I wrap my arms around his neck. I hope this masks the desire that I’m really feeling right now.

  “You don’t like to be touched,” I remind him.

  “I’ve never told you not to touch me,” he counters. No he hasn’t. I have seen him lean away from me on occasion though. I’ve gotten the message loud and clear.

  I let out a humorless laugh. “You didn’t have to say it, Mack. Your actions have spoken volumes.” I try and wiggle as he clears the broken glass so he can put me down but he doesn’t immediately. He stares down at my face with a look that I can’t read as he slowly puts me on my feet.

  “Touch me all you want.” My heart starts to race at the low tone of his voice. It’s then I realize I’m pressed up against him. I jump back, making sure we have a little space between us. My body is begging me to get closer but I deny myself because I’m unsure of how to react.

  “Are you sure you’re not the one who doesn’t want to touch?” he asks. I can’t tell if he’s serious or teasing. Either way, I turn and run.

  Chapter 2

  Mack

  “That girl’s going to be a tough nut to crack, but if you think she’s worth it, just stick with it. I have confidence in you.” My Aunt Sav pats me on the back. A few other family members cast pity looks in my dire
ction which make me, a guy who is 6’ 5”, feel small.

  I drag a frustrated hand down my face. Dally and I have known each other for years. I’ve been in love with her for years. I’ve done everything I could from funding her DNA testing company to helping her move—five times.

  And It’s not that I expect sex in exchange for being there for her. It’s that I don’t get why she thinks I don’t want her to touch me or that I spend time with her because it’s convenient. I want to be with her 24/7. If that were an option, if I didn’t think she’d spend the majority of that time hiding from me, I would be by her side constantly.

  To this day, I’m not certain if she’s afraid of me, afraid of contact with males, or maybe just doesn’t like me. Not to be an asshole, but, generally speaking, most women like me—too much, in fact. There’s hardly a day that goes by without some random woman trying to slide her number in my pocket. I’ve gotten pretty adept at turning them down by either playing really dumb or pretending I’ve got a girlfriend. The thing is I’ve been single forever and it looks like I’m going to stay that way so long as Dally thinks that being close to me is as bad as sticking her hand over an open flame.

  Predictably, Dally avoids me the entirety of the barbecue. My sister, Star, gives me a squeeze and tells me to stay strong before she waddles off with her wife. I stare after the two of them with envy gleaming in my eyes. They’re together and happy—basically living the life I want to be living with Dally.

  I allow myself five more seconds of self-pity before pulling up my balls and marching over to Dally, who is in the process of trying to carry three trays of leftovers into the kitchen.

  “I’ll take these,” I say, sweeping food out of her arms. “Why don’t you grab the salad?”

  “I was fine,” she argues with a small scowl furrowing her forehead. “I’m a lot stronger than I look, you know.”

  “I know but my hands were empty and Aunt Sav was looking around for things for me to do. I could get stuck with cleaning out the fire pit.” I tip my head to the barbecue, where one of the caterers is currently getting sooty as he scoops out the ashes. “Now I look booked and busy.” I start walking toward the kitchen in hopes that Dally follows.

  She grabs the bowl and falls in step behind me.

  “So the office lounge chairs you wanted, you have a supplier for those?” I call over my shoulder.

  “Quinn can order them. I should have the cash flow in a few months to pay you back if I play my cards right. The ad campaign we just launched is having some good results.”

  Or I could just buy them for you, but Dally’s big on earning everything herself. “Just add it to my tab,” I tell her.

  “The tab seems to be getting bigger instead of smaller. Why is that?”

  Because I like it that way. Asking for a capital investment from me was hard. She calls it a loan--as if I’m ever going to let her pay that back. The minute I have no ownership in that company, Dally will kick me to the curb so fast my head will spin.

  “Anyway, I’ll go over to Quinn’s office tomorrow and put in the order.” And then I’ll need to run through my contact file to see who can do me the favor of procuring that damn coffee machine. If that’s what my Dally wants, that’s what she’s going to get, even if I have to buy the stupid prototype.

  “No!” she practically shouts.

  Her outburst takes me by surprise and I nearly trip on the flagstones leading up to the back of the house. Thanks to my quick reflexes, honed during my college football playing days, I manage to right myself without a spill. “What’s wrong?”

  Dally rushes up next to me. “I can put in my own order. You do not need to go over there.”

  “I’ve got the time.” The nice thing about having money is that you get to do what you want with your days. Most of the time, what I want is Dally focused so I’m either in her lab or office. On the rare occasion I leave, it’s also for Dally—either running an errand for her or closing a business deal on her behalf. Dally, bless her heart, isn’t very good with people. She’s too impatient. They’re often too dumb for her, asking her questions that she doesn’t care much about. It’s the scientist in her, I think. That and the fact that she is smarter than 99.9% of the population. If I had a brain as big as Dally’s, I think mere mortals would irritate the shit out of me, too. Hell, maybe that’s why she doesn’t like me much. I’ve got a big wallet, a big dick, but my brain isn’t even half the size of hers.

  “Hey, Dally, do you think I’m dumb?”

  “What? Who said that? Did someone call you dumb? Tell me who it is so I can kick their ass.” She looks like she’s ready to throw the bowl at someone’s head. Unfortunately, I’m the only someone around so I hurry to appease her.

  “No one’s called me dumb. It’s just a thought that popped into my head.”

  “Well, you’re not dumb and if anyone ever calls you that, you better tell me.”

  “Why?”

  “Why what?”

  “Why should I tell you? Or I guess, why are you mad on my behalf?” I hold my breath, hoping that she admits that she’s angered because she loves me and doesn’t want anyone slandering my good name.

  “Why wouldn’t I be mad? Wouldn’t you be mad if someone called me dumb?”

  I sigh. “Nah. Because we both know you’re smart as hell and if anyone called you dumb it was because you probably defeated them in something.”

  Dally smirks. “I guess the truth hurts. I am awesome.”

  “I know.” I sigh again. “I know.”

  Chapter 3

  Dally

  “I know girls drool over Mack but I didn't know you’d be one of them.” I look up from the sink where I’m washing my hands. I was thinking about heading out for the night. Maisie is giving me a mischievous smile. I know girls have been drooling over him for years. I saw it happen plenty of times in college. I try to hide how deep my attraction for him is but it’s getting harder with each day that passes. We work in such close quarters that I find myself getting worse rather than better. I’m now around him all of the time, not only personally because of my relationship with Maisie but professionally. I try to reason with myself that he’s only attractive to me because his face is perfectly symmetric. That it is all science. Nothing more. I’ve told Maisie that too. She doesn't seem to be buying what I’m selling anymore. I’m not sure I am either.

  “Man has good abs.” I shrug it off. “Plus I’m clumsy.”

  “Liar. You have freaky steady hands. You should have been a surgeon.” I keep quiet knowing that everything she’s saying is true. I do have super steady hands and balance. The only time those things seem to be off are when Mack is around me. There is no way I’m admitting these things to Maisie or I’ll never hear the end of it. I proceed to dry my hands on the nearby dish towel and attempt to change the subject. She’ll start trying to play matchmaker. She’s been doing that to me since she found love herself.

  “I’ve been thinking about having my office redone and thought Star could give me a hand.” Maisie lets out a deep breath in frustration. I continue down the path of denial that I’m trying to get her to follow. “She has such a great eye and it’s missing something.” She remains quiet while I continue to jabber on.

  “You know he’s not going to wait forever. I hope for both of your sakes that one of you makes a move. You’re both so smart but such idiots too.” My mouth hangs open in shock at her calling me an idiot. Before I can respond she walks out of the room. She stops before she reaches the door that heads outside. “I’ll let Star know that you’re looking for some help redoing the office.”

  I stand there speechless until I hear the back door slam closed. Is she right? Would I care if Mack found someone? I haven’t given it a ton of thought. Of course women throw themselves at him but I also know he doesn’t like it. He doesn’t care to be touched by random people and enjoys his own personal bubble. Except when it comes to his family. I’ve even noticed him letting me more and more into his personal space
too. I’m not purposely trying to enter it but we spend such a good amount of time together that it’s been happening naturally. He’s used to me now so he groups me in as one of the women in his family. Or maybe I am missing something. The very something that has been right in front of my face this entire time.

  I keep to myself for the next hour while I continue to clean up. Now I’m not only avoiding Mack but everyone else too. I peek out the window that looks out over the yard and scan it for any sign of him. When I think the coast is clear, I step outside and say a quick goodbye to everyone. I had thought about leaving out the front door but decided against it. I walk hurriedly to my car that’s parked out in front of the house. I reach my car, open the door and get in. I breathe a sigh of relief that I’ve made it without running into Mack again. I step on the brake and push the start button, ready to make my escape. Nothing happens. I repeat my actions but still my engine doesn’t turn over. “You have to be kidding me!” I slam my hand down on the steering wheel and let some other not nice words out while I’m at it.

  “Something wrong?” My head jerks up to see Mack standing in front of my car.

  “No. I cursed and hit my steering wheel for no good reason,” I snip at him. I instantly regret being rude. It’s not like it’s his fault that my car won’t start. Thankfully he gives me one of his smiles that washes most of my guilt away.

  “Let me give you a ride home. I’ll have the car fixed.” He opens my car door. I should fight him on it. I’m sure by morning the car will be fixed and parked outside my apartment even though it’s Sunday night. He’ll find someone to fix it. That is Mack. He knows how to do most things. It is why his comment about him being dumb caught me off guard. That’s the last thing anyone would consider him. I often think how smart he is gets overlooked because of how handsome he is. He hasn’t always been the sexy beast of a man he is now. Going through puberty has done him well. Hell, it has done him more than well. I still find the pictures of him in his younger days adorable. He was cute and chubby and I hated how my mind always thought about having cute chubby babies with him.