Page 66 of Shattered Secrets

“Mateo.”

She tilted her head in question. “What?”

“It’s Mateo, not Matthew.”

Her grin widened. “I’ll rephrase, then. Are you flirting with me, Mateo Alvarez?”

“Maybe.” He shot her that brilliant smile—the one that never failed to make her stomach flip. “Is it working?”

The corners of her lips kicked up. “Maybe.”

“In that case...” He crooked a finger at her.

Every nerve in her body tingled with anticipation, and she leaned closer. How could she not?

With the same finger he’d used to beckon her closer, he lifted her chin. “I think I like flirting with you,” he murmured, lowering his head until his lips were just a whisper away from hers.

Scarlet’s heart thumped rapidly in her chest, and her skin tingled. She’d never wanted anything—anyone—more. “Then you should probably do it more often.”

Her next breath was cut off by his lips. And holy crap, the kiss was better than her wildest imaginations.

Matt’s lips were soft but demanding. One hand wrapped around her waist and pulled her close, while the other tangled in her hair. It was pure heaven. And she desperately wanted more, wanted to climb the man like a tree.

She lost all concept of time. The only thing she remained conscious of was Matt. How his solid chest felt pressed against hers. How he tasted like sin. How he set her on fire.

They could have kissed for a minute or fifteen, she didn’t know or care. She pulled at his shirt and snuck her hands under the material. His skin was hot and firm. He was all solid, chiseled muscles.

With a groan, he pulled away. “Hang on, Scar.” His hands enveloped hers, and he brought them to his lips, kissing her knuckles. “We have to slow down.”

Her breath locked in her chest. What was going on? Did he not want...?

Reality crashed over her like a bucket of cold water.

Holy shit. He wasn’t into it, wasn’t into her.

Mortification heated her face, and she tried to pull her hands from his grasp.

“Nope,” he growled, gripping both her hands in one of his. Tipping her chin up, he crashed his mouth down on hers.

Surprise had her lips parting. In an instant, he was there, licking and nipping. She moaned when their tongues tangled and couldn’t stop herself from grabbing on to his biceps.

They were both breathless when he pulled away. “Whatever you were thinking was wrong, Scarlet.”

“How did you?—”

“I’ve been watching you for a while. I can read some of your expressions. I can see when the doubt starts creeping in. Hear me, sweetheart. When we’re together for the first time, it’s not gonna be a quick fuck on the couch. Don’t get me wrong, at some point I’ll fuck you on this couch—hard and fast, for sure.”

His eyes burned with desire, and heat pooled between her thighs.Ohmygod. Yes, please.

“But the first time we make love, we’re gonna take our time. I’m planning on tasting every inch of you. And it’s gonna be on a bed.”

A thousand times yes. I’d?—

Wait. What had he just said? She pulled away so she could look him fully in the face. “Umm...”

His grin was more smirk than smile. “It was the ‘make love’ comment, wasn’t it?”

Shaking her head, she chuckled. “A little bit, yeah.”

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