Page 40 of The Playboy's Playbook

“Matt,” I moan. He hums against me and begins pumping faster.

“Fuck,” I breathe, arching my back slightly off of the bed. “I’m gonna –”

As soon as I utter those words, he pulls away from me, leaving me infuriated and annoyed. “Matt! What the hell?!”

He smirks and shakes his head. “You’re gonna come, alright baby. Just on my cock.” He furrows his brows as he looks around my room. “Condoms?”

I gesture to the nightstand beside me, and he strides over, retrieving the box. He pulls one out, tearing open the packet with his teeth, and rolls the condom down his length with ease. When he returns to me, he aligns himself at my entrance and leans down to kiss me. The taste of myself lingers on his lips, making my pulse race. His gaze locks onto mine as his hands frame my face. “Are you sure about this, Laila?”

I reach up and touch his cheek, smiling softly.

“I’m all-in, Matty.”

I wake up in the middle of the night, my body sore and tired. As soon as we finished round two, Matt and I were both out like a light. His arm is draped over my stomach as he cradles me close. His hold on me tightens and he stirs a little behind me. I feel him hardening and suppress a chuckle at the feel of him poking me in my back.

“Are you okay?” His voice is deeper than usual and full of sleep.

“Hmm, just a little sore,” I whisper.

Matt immediately sits up and leaves the bed, sending a cold rush up my spine at his absence. I turn and look at him. “What are you doing? Where are you going?”

He walks into my bathroom and flips the switch. “Running you a bath. Lay back down.”

He turns on the bath water and I hear him rummaging through the cabinets, mumbling to himself. I get up from the bed and slowly make my way over to the bathroom. He’s too distracted looking through the cabinets to notice I’m standing in the doorway.

“Can I help you look for something?” I ask playfully as I pull my hair into a high bun.

“Epsom salt?” He rubs the back of his neck.

I walk over to him and pull the container of salt from the cabinet. I hold it out and he pulls me by my wrist closer to him, placing a kiss on my lips. He steps back, turns the water off, and pours the salt into the tub. The room soon smells like lavender and my body turns to goo at the thought of soaking in the bath.

“Get in. I’ll go get you a towel.” Matt turns and walks to my towel closet and I call out behind him.

“Grab one for you, too.”

He doesn’t respond, but he walks back in with two towels in hand. I hold out my hand for him and he walks over to me, setting the towels down on the edge of the circular tub. He steps into the water slowly and pulls me toward him.

I lean my head back on his shoulder, and he tightens his arms around me, placing a kiss on the nape of my neck. We sit in silence for a moment before he shifts to grab a hand towel, pouring soap on it. As soon as he begins massaging my back, a moan slips from my lips.

“Better?” he asks, still running the towel over my body.

I nod, unable to speak. He chuckles and turns my face toward him so he can kiss me again. I pull away from him and stare into his eyes.

“Thank you for tonight,” I say.

He smiles down at me, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. My heart flutters a bit.

What if he regrets tonight? What if he doesn’t feel the same way? I shift and lean up, pushing away from him so that I can face him directly. His entire demeanor has changed and I don’t like it.

“What’s the matter?” I ask.

He sighs and I can tell that he wants to tell me something. A singular emotion is written all over his face, but I can’t place it.

Regret? Guilt? Sadness?

“Laila, I…” He hesitates as he pulls his gaze away from me. I don’t want him to feel like he has to tell me every detail of his life, but I do want him to feel secure enough to tell me what’s bothering him.

“Tonight was the best night of my entire pitiful life and it’s because of you. You make my day and all I want to do is talk to you and hold you. When I go to my place and it’s empty, all I can think about is walking in one day and finding you and Nola there.” He squeezes my hands before continuing.

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