Page 106 of Wild Card
“But?” I prompted.
“But making a difference for ex-cons like Flynn is more important,” he said. “I want to help him. Help them all.”
“What does this have to do with me?”
“These guys aren’t gonna have the skill to help in the shop. But out here, you could use the extra hands.”
I nodded slowly. “There’s always more work that could be done.”
A huge smile broke out on Matteo’s face before I could mention that more employees meant more money, even with the grant helping offset some costs. But hell, we could swing something, surely?
Matteo was so passionate about helping these men find their fresh start.
It wasn’t so different from how I felt about the stray animals I took in. Only…Matteo was being proactive and creating a program. I’d run from that idea like it was a swarm of bees. I’d been so afraid of fucking it up somehow that I hadn’t even considered it.
But if Matteo could step up, why couldn’t I?
Maybe I should text Allison and at least get more details about what sort of grant programs were out there.
“I should get going,” Matteo said, setting a disgruntled Taz down by his feet and standing. “But you’ll think about it? I promise it won’t be too much hassle for you. I’d manage everything.”
I got up and tugged him in for a quick hug and back slap. “Nothing to think about, man. We’ll make it happen.”
“What about the money part?” he asked. “That’s Holden’s say, right?”
“Let me talk to him about it.”
The gate squealed, and we both turned toward the sound. Dalton stood in the opening, a six-pack of beer dangling from his fingers, a distinct downturn to his mouth.
His gaze flicked between me and Matteo, still standing close. “Am I interrupting?”
I half turned. “What if you are?”
Matteo took a hurried step back. “I was just leaving. Thanks, Axel.”
The dogs ran over to Dalton, an overly aggressive welcoming committee. Matteo slipped out of the gate while they were distracted.
Dalton lowered his free hand to pat Sugar on the head and tug at Oreo’s ears in a way that made her tongue roll out happily.
But his eyes never left mine. “You trying to make me jealous?”
“Nothing for you to be jealous about,” I said. “This shit is casual.”
“Like hell it is.”
He strode toward me, expression dark and thunderous. My heart leapt, all that intensity sending a thrill through me. But no, I was supposed to be sending him away. Ending this shit before it got too complicated.
“You can’t just barge in here,” I said. “What if I had a hookup?”
Dalton reached me, snaking a hand around to grab the tail of hair at the back of my head. He yanked my head back painfully, which only made my cock hard.Notthe goal right now, damn it.
“We fucked bare, or did you forget?” he growled into my ear.
I shivered. Damn, how could I forget the delicious heat of Dalton’s insides hugging my fucking dick. It had been exquisite. Still, I couldn’t tip my hand too much.
“I might remember something like that… Maybe. I hook up a lot.”
“Not like this, you don’t.” He kissed me hard, drawing back only enough to bite my bottom lip. I hissed, the sting only adding to the pleasure. He was still pulling my hair, holding me where he wanted me while he plunged his tongue deep in my mouth.
