Page 69 of Mr. Red

“What happens when you go back to Texas? I’ll still be in Washington.” I slap my forehead. “I’m such an idiot.”

“Hey, hey. Look at me.” He’s holding my hands and staring straight into my eyes, even though I’m trying to look away. “I want to be official. I don’t want to let you go. Say you’ll be mine.”

“Ugh!” I say pulling my hands away and running them through my hair. “That’s even worse! Now it feels like I gave you an ultimatum. I’m not trying to force you into anything. I’m trying to protect my heart.”

“Sweetheart, no one canforceme into anything I don’t want to do.” He grabs my face and directs me to look at him. “Please stay with me. I want to be with you. There’s no reason for you to leave right now. Let’s figure this out.”

“Are you sure? I can go right now. Cut any more feelings. You can be a hot, single bachelor again, screwing anything with legs.”

“I want your legs.” He holds my chin with his hand. “Now say you’ll be mine.”

I nod my head. He wraps me in his arms and just like that, he pulled me into his grasp again. I can’t tell if my stomach is doing flips because it’s excited or about to throw up. I guess it doesn’t matter; my heart was already gone the day I started training him.

Please be careful with it, Matt.

Chapter 37

Scarlett

By the time we’re done sailing, it’s night. The marine layer has moved in, and there’s no sign of stars. I haven’t left Matt’s side since our conversation. Now I’m a freaking clingy girlfriend. I can’t seem to get this right.

I don’t know what the future has in store for us. Will he stay in Washington? Would he want me to go with him to Texas? Can I choose to leave my life behind? What will happen with the gym if I leave? What about my friends?

I like the life I have in Lakebrook—my friends, knowing every single inch of my town, knowing all the restaurants, running into familiar faces, having a gym. I need him to see all the good things about Washington. One of us is going to have to make a decision to move states and leave everything we know behind if we want to stay together. It leaves me thinking we need to figure this out soon. I don’t think it can be me.

I’ll get to the bottom of these questions by the end of this trip. I have to.

He pulls the boat up to dock at the marina like he’s been a captain for ten years. He jumps off the boat and ties it off quickly.

“So, we’re back,” I start.

“We’re back.” He nods.

“That was quite a day. The sea takes a lot out of you.”

“Don’t run off now just because you’re back on land.”

“Don’t make me.” I jut my chin out.

He pulls me in by the waist and gives me a full-on kiss. He breaks away first and pulls me towards the car. We drive back to his vacation home, and he pulls me inside by the hand. Then we make our way to the bedroom.

“I’m going to shower first. Care to join me?” he asks, still holding my hand.

“Sure, sounds nice.”

He starts the shower and begins undressing me. Then undresses himself and checks the water. He holds his hand out as a gesture for me to go in first. We get in, the hot water warming my body and melting away the layer of sunscreen on my skin.

Matt lathers his hands with soap before cleansing my body. He circles the suds all over from my shoulders, breasts, stomach, between my legs, ass, thighs, and calves. I rinse and go to help him, but he shakes his head.

“I want to do this for you.”

I wonder if this moment means more than just getting naked. I pause, unsure what to do, other than watch him cleanse himself. Once he’s finished, he gives me a quick kiss.

“You ready to get out?”

I nod and follow him out of the shower. He wraps a towel around his waist and then waits for me to step into the one he’s holding out.

What’s going on here? Does he think I’m a two-year-old?

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