I hope you enjoy this chapter as well. I'm about to get really busy with work, but hope to have another chapter up soon.

It showed the chapter in html when I first posted it. I hope this corrects it.

Chapter 8

Mac had been at J.J. and Avery's joint bachelor party all night. J.J. was one of the partners for the bar he always performed at, so it was closed down that night for the private event. There had been singing and dancing, plus Avery's best man insisted that bachelor parties had to have strippers, so he hired three without Mac's knowledge. She was shocked that Avery's straight brother had been comfortable enough to pick out hot guys to dance for the two grooms.

She was sitting on a stool at the bar drinking water because after the last tequila shot with J.J. caused her to have trouble standing.

"Hey there drunky."

Mac twirled around. "DICK!" She threw her hands in the air. "What are you doing here?" As the words left her mouth, she realized that it might have been an incoherent slur. She also realized there was a cloth handcuff hanging from one of her wrists.

Dick was trying very hard not to laugh at her. "You are lucky I understand drunken English. Jeff called me to come get you."

"Ah. Jeff the Jackass. He cuffed himself to me at one point tonight." She held up her wrist.

"Is that what J.J. means? I always wondered how Jeff Taylor became J.J."

"MACKIE! Who's the beefcake?"

Dick looked down at Mac. "Beefcake?"

"What? You don't think you're pretty?"

Dick stifled a laugh.

Mac looked at the two guys leaning on one another approaching her, who were both without their shirts and sparkling from stripper glitter.

"You two have stripper on you."

"I would rather have one of the strippers in me." The first guy said.

"I don't know. I wouldn't mind having what Mac's having." The second guy stated.

Dick looked at Mac trying to hide his laughter.

"Sorry Steve. He's all mine. I'm selfish that way." Mac placed her hands on Dick's waist.

"Is this best sex ever Dick?" Steve asked.

Mac started to laugh. "Yup."

"Well then, I'm jealous. We'll just leave you two alone. I would tell you to have a good night, but I'm sure it will be." The two guys headed back towards the dance floor.

"Um…not to say I'm not proud of my new nickname, but I am curious how it came to be." Dick raised an eyebrow.

Mac giggled. "We were playing truth earlier and I was asked about the best sex I've ever had. So naturally, you came up." She smiled up at him.

"Naturally." Dick leaned down to give her a quick kiss.

Mac felt him start to pull away and deepened the kiss. She sucked on his bottom lip and then pushed her tongue into his mouth. Dick pulled away from her and groaned.

"Some one is an affectionate drunk, but if I keep kissing you I won't be able to pass a Breathalyzer."

Mac giggles again. "I'm a slutty, honest drunk."

"Honest huh?"

"Yup. Never could lie to people when I'm intoxicated. That's why they always want to play truth when we've been drinking." She stood up off the bar stool and wavered before feeling Dick's hands steady her.

"Let's get you home."

"I love you Dick." Mac leaned against him. "You know I had a crush on you freshman year of high school."

"What?"

She was focusing on walking and missed the shocked expression on Dick's face. "You were so good looking and I just wanted to make out with you while running my hands through your hair. I love your hair. But you didn't know I existed. But now I can do that whenever I want." She placed a hand in his hair.

"Actually I did know who you were. You had the best ass in our class. I spent a lot of time checking it out."

"I do have a pretty good ass. It had one of the best grades on that website I did with Logan."

"I remember that site. I even know which one was yours." Dick opened the door to his sports car and helped Mac get in. As he got in, Mac rolled onto her side in the seat so she was facing him.

Dick looked down at her. "Can I ask you something?"

Mac smiled. "You just did."

"Smartass." Dick rolled his eyes at her.

"You can ask me anything you want." Mac sat up and looked serious, but started giggling.

"Did you sleep with me after Madison's wedding because you had been drinking?" Dick wasn't looking at her as her asked the question and started the car.

"Nope. The alcohol lowered my inhibitions and kept me from overanalyzing it at the time, but I had sex with you because I wanted to. I always want to." She noticed Dick smile. "Why did you sleep with me that night?"

"Because I have wanted you since college and you gave me the chance. Then it was the best sex of my life, which left me hooked on you."

Mac rolled back onto her side facing Dick. "You make me happy."

Dick picked up her right hand and kissed it. "You make me happy too."

"It scares me." Mac whispered. She then felt the car pull off the road and stop.

Dick placed his hand on her cheek. "What do you mean it scares you?"

"I'm too happy, I've never been this happy, which means something is going to go wrong."

"I have the same fear. I'm also scared you're going to wake up one day and realize you could do better than me."

"There is no one better for me than you." She placed her hand on top of his that was on her cheek. "In past relationships, I tried to fall in love with the guys, but never could. But with you, I was in love before I even realized I wanted that with you. It was effortless and natural."

"It was the same for me."

"I never said it before."

"Never said what?"

"I never said I love you."

Dick laughed. "I do believe you've said it many times over the past almost three months."

Mac giggled. "I know that." She lightly hit him. "I meant before you. I never told anyone I loved them before."

"That makes me feel special. Just so you know I never told anyone I loved them before you either."

Mac looked confused. "Weren't you married?"

Dick rolled his eyes. "Yeah for like two days before I had it annulled, but I never told her I loved her."

Mac giggled. "It's typically in the vows."

"I don't actually remember the vows or wedding part." Dick looked embarrassed.

"Remind me to make you memorize the vows when we get married." Mac relaxed into the seat and closed her eyes because she felt very sleepy.

"So we're getting married?"

"Maybe one day." She sighed as sleep overtook her.

"Babe, what are you searching for?"

Mac was searching Dick's bedroom for her blue-stripped wedge heels and was currently on all fours looking under the bed. "My shoes. I could have sworn they were at your house. They're open toed wedge heels."

"Um…I understood heels. There's a pair in the closet."

"I already looked there, those are my black pumps, which won't work because the party is outside." They were getting dressed to attend the Sinclairs's 35th wedding anniversary party. "We need to stop by my apartment on the way there." She stood up in defeat and smoothed out her blue sundress while she put on a pair of flip-flops.

Dick was leaning in the doorway in khakis and a light green oxford shirt with white strips, the collar unbuttoned and sleeves rolled up with his hands in his pockets. "So I have an idea that would solve that problem."

Mac started to put on her earrings. "We don't go? Sounds great!" She made a promise to both sets of parents to go, so she knew she had to.

"I meant more of a permanent solution to you forgetting things at your apartment."

She turned in the mirror to view the dress. It had a large cutout in the back and showed a hint of cleavage in front. "And what's that?"

"You should move in here with me."

Mac turned around to look at Dick with her mouth hanging open.

Dick put his hands in front of her as he approached. "Just think about it. When was the last time we spent a night apart?"

Mac racked her brain trying to remember. "Um…I did that stakeout with Veronica about six weeks ago."

He placed his hands on each of her shoulders. "Doesn't count because you came here afterwards to sleep. We basically live together in two homes. I mean you have clothes hanging in my closet and drawers in my dresser and I have my stuff at your place. And I'm fine with that. But instead of trying to figure out whose place we should spend the night at, I think we should just live together." Dick took a sigh. "I like going to bed with you every night and waking up with you every morning."

"I do too, but living together is a big step. Can I think about it?" Mac had never lived with anyone since having Parker as a roommate in college and definitely not with a boyfriend.

Dick dropped his hands off her shoulders. "Of course. Whenever you're ready."

Fifteen minutes later Dick was parking his sports car in her garage. Mac jumped out. "I'll be right back." She ran to the elevator and jumped in.

As she searched her bedroom for her shoes, which were located under her own bed next to a pair of Dick's, she realized that he was right. They had already taken the big step of living together, but they were just in two homes.

She got back down to the car and sat down. "Okay."

Dick placed the car in reverse and started backing out of the space. "So you found your shoes?"

Mac looked at the shoes in her hands. "Yeah, but not what I meant. Okay, I'll move in with you."

Dick pulled the car back into the space and turned to Mac. "Really?"

He looked so hopefully and excited at Mac's answer that she couldn't help but smile. "Yes, really. Turns out we've already taken that step I just didn't realize it. I just have to give a 60-day notice for my apartment. So we'll have plenty of time to figure out logistics."

Dick pulled her towards him and kissed her hard. "I just heard that I should hire some movers for next weekend." Dick put the car back in reverse and began heading towards the Sinclair's.

"No. Wallace and J.J. moved me in and I'm sure with your help the three of you can move me out. We just need to figure out what to do with all my stuff."

"I figured you would want to incorporate most of it into the house so it becomes more our home. Then whatever is leftover of yours, or mine can go in the guesthouse. Logan took all his furniture when he moved in with Veronica, so it's empty right now."

Mac changed her shoes and tossed her flip-flops in the backseat. "How long have you been thinking about this? Because that plan came too easy and is well thought out."

Dick gave her an anxious smile. "A couple of weeks now. Every since that morning you had to leave early because you left those files at your apartment."

"That was over a month ago."

"So I've been thinking about it for over a month." He shrugged his shoulders.

They arrived at the Sinclair's and were led to the party in the garden behind the house. Mac could tell there were already almost a hundred people there and it had official started five minutes ago.

Mac grabbed Dick's hand. "Do not leave me alone with these people."

He kissed her on the side of the head. "We should say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair then I'll get us some drinks and you can find a hiding spot."

"Deal."

They spotted the Sinclairs standing in the middle of the garden talking to another couple and approached.

"Hi Ellen." Mac greeted her biological mother.

"Cindy, honey. I'm so glad you could come." She pulled her into a hug and then turned to hug Dick. "It's so good to see you Dick."

"You too Mrs. Sinclair." Dick placed a hand on Mac's back where the cutout was.

"Oh call me Ellen. You're not a teenager anymore."

Charles said good-bye to the couple they had been previously talking to. "Cindy. I'm glad you could make it." He pulled her into a one armed hug, when he pulled back he noticed Dick standing next to her and Mac noticed the tension radiating off of Charles. "Dick."

"Mr. Sinclair." Dick nodded his head.

Mac smiled. "I think we will leave you to greet your other guests."

Mac and Dick walked away. He leaned into her ear. "He hates me, in case you didn't know."

"I know, but he's opinion doesn't actually matter to me. However, a drink matters a lot right now."

Dick laughed. "I'll get us drinks and you find a place to be antisocial."

Mac walked to the edge of the garden and began to look at some of the flowers.

"So we meet again."

She looked up and saw the guy who had hit on her at Madison's wedding. "So it seems."

"I didn't introduce myself last time. I'm Todd." He extended his hand.

Mac smiled and shook it. "Mac."

"Well I must say you look lovely today."

She began to look around the yard for Dick and hoped he would appear soon. "Um…thank you." Luckily she found him walking towards her and smiled.

"My offer from Madison's wedding still stands if you're interested."

"And my answer hasn't changed. It's still no thank you."

Dick walked up to them at that. "Your drink." He handed her a glass of scotch and eyed Todd.

"Thank you." She took a sip.

Dick held out his hand to the other man. "Hey Todd. How's it going dude?"

"Hey Dick." Todd shook it. "I didn't realize you were friends with Mac."

"Mac and I are real good friends. We've known each other since high school." He looked down at Mac and smirked.

"Well I was just telling Mac how beautiful she looked today."

Dick choked on his scotch. "Oh really." He looked down at her with a smirk. "I can't leave you alone for a second."

Mac pointed at him. "Yuck it up buster."

He turned to Todd. "Dude, don't hit on my girlfriend."

"Girlfriend? I thought it was just a rumor that you had a girlfriend." Todd had a confused expression on his face.

Dick put his arm around Mac's waist. "Nope, it's the truth. This woman has tamed me."

Todd looked between the two of them with shock plastered on his face. "I'm going to…yeah." He walked away from the couple.

"So from one awkward to another." Dick looked down at Mac. "Your brother was at the bar when I got our drinks and guess who he was hitting on."

Mac shook her head.

"Lauren."

Her eyes widened. "No way!" She looked around Dick and caught sight of Ryan and Lauren laughing together.

"Looks like she has a thing for tall blonde men." Dick laughed as he brought his glass to his lips. "Must run in the family."

Mac lightly backhanded him in the stomach. "Hush. He's just being nice, he isn't hitting on her."

Dick positioned himself so he could see the couple too. "I do believe he just brushed a strand of hair out of her face, which means he wanted an excuse to touch her. Flirting."

Charles Sinclair walked up to them. "Cindy, may I speak with you privately?"

She was startled by his request. "Um…sure." Mac turned to Dick. "I'll be right back." She leaned up and quickly kissed him on the lips before following her biological father into the house and into his library.

Charles closed the door to the library. "What are you doing with Dick Casablancas?"

"Um…we were standing outside talking when you came up." Mac was intentionally being a smartass because she was pretty sure this was a continuation of the conversation from Madison's wedding.

"Ellen told me the two of you are dating. You could do much better Cindy. In fact, I saw Todd talking to you. He's a lawyer."

"He's also a disgusting prick who asked me at the wedding to sleep with him and didn't think to ask my name until today."

Charles rubbed a hand in his hair. "Fine, so he isn't a great example. But there are other men that are much more suitable for you."

"Why do you hate Dick?" Mac crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"Because he cheated on Madison when they dated. I want better than that for you."

Mac leaned her head back to look at the ceiling. "Did Madison ever tell you that she cheated on him too?"

"My daughter would never do that."

Mac looked Charles in the eyes. "Do you even know Madison? She is cruel and hateful. She can put on the sweet innocent act to manipulate people, but she always has an evil agenda."

"You need to watch what you say about my daughter."

"What the truth? Is it hard to hear that you raised a spoiled, selfish monster? She must take after you. Don't think I don't know about the prostitutes you hire to meet you at the Grand. I'm so glad that I didn't have you as a father."

"If I disgust you so much, then what are you doing with a man like me? He will cheat on you, he probably already has."

There was a knock at the door and Ellen entered the library followed by Dick.

"I found Dick here talking with Lauren and Ryan without Cindy and he told me that you pulled her away for a private conversation. Charles, we have guests that you need to get back to."

Charles came to stand in front of Dick. "Cindy deserves better than you."

"Yes she does."

"Then let her go. You know you will just hurt her."

"I love her and I plan to spend every day I have with her making her happy. So unless she decides to leave me, I guess you'll just have to learn to live with it." Mac came to stand next to Dick and placed her hand in his.

"Mark my words, this won't last." Charles stated.

"Noted." Mac nodded at him.

Charles and Ellen left the room, leaving Mac and Dick alone.

"I don't even know why he hates me so much." Dick scratched his head.

Mac reached up and fixed his hair where he messed it up. "Because you cheated on his perfect little girl back in high school."

Dick laughed. "Has he met Madison?"

"That's what I said!"

Dick leaned down a kissed her. "That was an unhealthy relationship and nothing like us. She cheated on me first and way more than I ever did to her."

"I know. Veronica showed me the pictures of Madison and the former Sheriff Lamb getting busy."

"Hold up. Sheriff Lamb was the older guy?"

Mac's eyes widened when she realized he didn't already know that. "I thought you knew that."

Dick gave her a goofy grin. "I saw Madison outside. I think we should go say hi." He was like a little kid with a new toy.

"What are you going to do?"

"Just go with it."

They approached Madison who was standing by herself. "Hey Maddie. How's married life?"

"Hi Dick. It's great." She started looking around the yard obviously looking for an out.

"I'm curious. How did you get that lamb of a guy to marry you?"

Mac started to laugh and quickly turned it into a cough.

Madison turned to look at Dick. "Excuse me."

"You know, your husband is such a nice guy, kind of like a lamb. In fact, you should have served lamb at the wedding. It would have been a nice remembrance for all the lamb you had in high school."

"Shit." Madison rolled her eyes and opened her mouth to make a comment when Lauren and Ryan walked up, so she took off.

"Hey Mac. I've been looking for you." Lauren embraced her. "Ryan was telling me stories from when you were kids."

"Don't believe a word he said." Mac returned the hug. "Mackenzie men over exaggerate everything."

"So you didn't stay up with him all night when he was in sixth grade to help him build a volcano because he waited until the last minute?"

Mac grinned and her brother and shook her head. "Yeah we did that. Just run all stories by me for accuracy before you believe them."

Dick patted Ryan on the back. "Come on dude. Let's go get these lovely ladies new drinks."

Once Mac and Lauren were alone, Lauren pulled her further away from other people. "Mac, do you think Ryan would be interested in me?"

Mac let out an awkward laugh. "Um…maybe."

"It's too weird right. Nevermind, forget I said anything."

"Actually, Dick was just commenting on how he thought Ryan was flirting with you, so I'm pretty sure he's interested." Mac shook her head and looked over at Dick who was talking with Ryan.