Page 84 of Wild Stars

I swallow harshly.“Eddy Spaghetti.Because he did that pasta commercial, you know...before he was famous.”

I watch the vein over Matty’s eye twitch.

Well, it was good while it lasted, Dare.

I hope Richie throws a nice funeral.

“Yes,” he says quietly, the sound of the engine only accentuating the silence between us.

Neither of us speaks until we come to my driveway.

I open my mouth, but he only gets out of the car, opening my door like the perfect date.

The perfect date I fucking ruined with my damn cock.

I get out, and he walks me slowly down the sidewalk.

“I’m sorry, Dare,” he says softly.“I just...This isn’t easy for me.”His voice is barely a whisper.“I don’t know how to do this.”He stops in front of my door.

“Do what?”I ask, my voice sounding tired.

“This,” he says, swallowing harshly as he motions between us.

His eyes glisten as he whispers words I know all too well.

“You prayed for my love, you begged for my heart...

And it is time to reap what you’ve sown…

All you have to do is sign the dotted line, baby.”His voice falters and I can hear the sadness in it.

And as I look at him on my porch, I think I finally understand.

This is who Mateo Starr really is.

A man who needs to be in control in all aspects of his life.

A man who desperately wants someone else to take it from him.

Can I be that person?

Am I capable of being what heneeds?

Because I know he’s everything I need, everything I want.

Fuck, he’severythingI never thought Icouldhave.

I was nervous before asking him on this date, but now?

Now, I feel like I really am certifiable.

Because I’ve never taken a leap of faith, quite like this.

This could blow up in my face, or it could be the best decision of my damn life.

“Okay,” I agree, my breath catching.I don’t miss the shift in his eyes, the way his muscles loosen.

“Okay?”the concern, the hope in his voice is not lost on me.

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