Page 79 of Rocky Mountain Desire
And that’s what Hope was going to find out big-time, if he had any say in the matter.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hope tucked the last of the vegetables into the crisper, wondering if he’d noticed it took an unearthly length of time to find places for what she’d bought.
There was a ton she needed to say, but she dreaded it so much that even a foolish prank like drawing out her chores seemed worthwhile. Just to keep him at her side for a few more minutes, their hands and bodies bumping, his familiar scent an addictive drug to her senses.
A couple days ago the realization had hit she’d somehow crossed the line. He was no longer a guy she was obsessed with. The one she could find instantly in a crowded room.
She had gone and fallen in love, and now her sister had to come and remind her all over why she’d avoided serious relationships. It wasn’t anything Matt had done, not yet at least. But all her hard-won confidence from the past year was fading fast as Helen tore away her control.
This is why you can’t have nice things.The smart-ass remark popped into her head, and she snorted in spite of her frustration. Yeah, right. If she clung to her sense of humour, it might help her get to the end of the day with her mind intact.
A quick turn brought her face to face with Matt, his grey eyes staring intently at her face. Like a Band-Aid, the quicker she did this, the better.
“Thanks for dropping in. I’ll call the police department and…”
He was already shaking his head, moving in closer. “That sounds as if you’re trying to get rid of me. What’s the rush?”
The rush was she had to do this before her courage failed. Helen had pushed so hard, so often. At some point Matt was going to throw up his hands and wish he’d never gotten involved with either of them. Hope would prefer to cut the ties before her heart got more involved—as if that was possible.
She tried to make it seem casual. “I’m tired. All this melodrama has been too much. How about I’ll call you in a few days?”
Walking toward the door was the hardest thing, but maybe if she actually opened it and pushed him out, he’d go.
He didn’t budge.
If anything, he got a little more settled against the wall he was now pretending to hold up, his broad shoulders easing back. Arms crossed in front of him, the entire long length of him relaxed and muscular and good enough to eat.
Hope swung the door open.
Matt laughed. Outright laughed. “I don’t think so, darling. Whatever it is that’s biting your ass is gonna get worked out right now.”
“There’s nothing—”
“Hope.” All the relaxation vanished as he straightened and moved in like a predator intent on its prey. “Go to your room, strip and lay on the bed.”
Her mouth was open far enough if this was summer, she’d be catching flies.
Matt raised a brow. “You hear me?”
“You expect after this kind of day that I’m going to—”
“Listen to what I’m telling you to do without a single fucking complaint? Oh yeah. You said you wanted me to take, then, goddamn, I’m taking. I need to grab something from my truck, but by the time I get back I expect you to be naked on your bed. You got that?”
Hope swallowed hard as she clutched the door. The cool wintry March air floated in, knocking some sense into her.
It might be the last thing she got from him, so…why not? Thewhywas easy—the goose bumps pebbling her flesh weren’t caused by the chill brushing past her. It was all him.
His voice, his body—the way he stalked in and made every bit of her quiver.
The way he looked at her. Heated, dirty passion waiting to be forced on her, and she knew in the midst of all of the chaos that this afternoon would be something she’d never forget.
Pity it was bound to be their last time.
She didn’t answer him. Just brought her hands up over her head as she stripped off her T-shirt. Eyes focused straight forward, she paced past him, brushing his chest, his fingers trailing over her bare shoulders as she moved to the back of the apartment.
She deliberately dropped one article after the other on the floor, like a breadcrumb trail leading toward safety. Only this was one of the most dangerous things she’d ever done.
