Page 69 of Shattered Secrets

She had slowed things down a few nights before, and he’d complied without question. He hadn’t made her feel guilty or acted all put out. No. He’d just stopped, cuddled her close, and resumed their conversation. It was equal parts shocking, comforting, and... freeing.

Her heart had been bruised and battered over the years, but Matt—with one little comment here and one small gesture there—was slowly healing it.

His arms tightened around her, pulling her from her thoughts. She sank into his chest and sighed. The television was playing some movie she’d paid zero attention to.

“Would you like to go out to dinner with me?” he asked, sneaking a hand under her shirt to trace lazy circles on her stomach. “Just me and you?”

She craned her neck to look back at him. “Just me and you?”

He nodded, and a sly grin played on his lips. “I may have run into Rebecca earlier this week and asked if she’d be okay watching Daisy one evening.”

“Did you now?” Well, that explained Rebecca’s teasing over the last couple of days.

“How does dinner Saturday night sound? I figured Daisy would enjoy some extra time with Rocco.”

Scarlet’s mouth popped open and her eyes narrowed. She twisted, pushing Matt onto his back and climbing on top of him so they lay chest to chest. Chin propped up on her hands, she asked, “Is this why Rebecca offered to have Daisy spend the day with them? She claimed they were going to have a lazy Saturday playing in their backyard, followed by a movie night. ‘Rocco would justlove itif Daisy could hang out with us.’ Was that your doing, mister?”

Chuckling, he framed her face in his hands. “Maybe.” He pulled her down for a quick but thorough kiss that had her toes curling. “You can’t deny that Daisy and Rocco would have a great time.”

A smile crept over Scarlet’s face as she recalled Daisy’s excitement over the news of the potential playdate. She couldn’t deny anything. Including this man. “You’ve thought all this out, haven’t you?”

He shrugged. The casual gesture was at odds with his fiery gaze. “Well, wearedating. And I’ve been a complete asshole and haven’t taken you out anywhere yet.”

Planting her forearms on his chest, she reached up and traced her thumbs along his jaw. “You aren’t an asshole, and Idon’t like it when you call yourself one. Joking or not. Besides, we’ve had countless meals together.”

“You’re sweet, Scar.” He turned his head to kiss both her palms. “But you know what I mean. I want to take yououtout. Where neither of us has to cook or clean. Don’t get me wrong, I love all the time you and I have spent here at home. And you know I love everything about Daisy. But I’ve been looking forward to just me and you going out.”

Home. Love. Daisy. You.

The combination of those words had her practically swooning. Maybe she was reading way more into them than he’d meant, but she didn’t think so. With every breath, this man claimed a bigger and bigger piece of her heart.

She took in Matt’s handsome features. His warm brown eyes, his jaw cut like granite, his five o’clock shadow... Then she took in the rest of him. His T-shirt perfectly hugged his broad shoulders and arms. And his hard bulge pressed against her in a way that was impossible to miss.

“You keep looking at me like that, sweetheart, and I’m gonna have to rethink the fucking-on-the-couch thing.”

She trailed a finger down his neck and along the collar of his T-shirt. In the near-silent room, her nail made a soft scratching noise against the cotton. “Would that be such a bad thing?”

Before she could shoot him a grin, she was on her back with Matt lying between her thighs.

“You’re so damn tempting,” he said. Holding her face in his hands, he simply stared at her.

The look in his eyes had her core clenching. “I want to be with you, Matt. Not just tonight. And not just our bodies. I want...”

“What do you want, baby? Tell me.”

Her heart thudded in her chest. The passion and affection shining in his eyes gave her courage. “I want to be yours. And... I want you to be mine.”

Matt crashed his mouth to hers, and she gasped. Their tongues met, and she moaned into his mouth. Just as the last coherent thought vanished from her mind, he pulled away.

“I’m yours, Scarlet. I’ve been yours for longer than you know.” Slipping his hands under her shirt, he squeezed and molded her breasts. “You’re mine, Scarlet. Mine.”

“Yes,” she whimpered as he ground his hard erection against her. “Make me yours, Matt. Take me. Please.”

He pressed another kiss to her lips before standing and pulling her up. Without a word, he linked their fingers and walked her down the hallway. In front of Daisy’s room, he paused and released her hand. Quietly opening her daughter’s door, he peeked inside. He nodded in satisfaction and pulled her door nearly closed.

Retaking her hand, he whispered, “She’s out cold, spread out like a little starfish. But we’ll lock the door, just to be safe.”

Oh god, this man... Even in the throes of passion, he cared enough to check on Daisy.

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