Page 145 of Heartless
My heart pinched.I’d missed ‘baby’ said in that deep voice mixed with heat and tenderness.
“Sienna?”a male voice called out from the room.
Twirling toward the voice, I grinned.“Matt?Oh my god.Matt.Hi.”
As I stood to greet him, Camila smiled into her drink.
In a deep green t-shirt that molded his muscly chest and arms, and light-wash jeans, the man approaching our table was every bit the heartthrob he personified.He wrapped his arms around me in a tight embrace.
When he set me back on my feet, I touched his chest.“What are you doing here?”
His voice was as mellow as I recalled.“Book signing at the Writers Conference.”
“Is your new book out?”
He nodded.“A collection of short stories.”
My grin widened.“Congratulations.I’ll buy a copy tomorrow.Will you sign it for me?”
Matt winked.“Absolutely.”
“I’m going to the conference too.My colleagues and I will be there on Monday and Tuesday.”
His gaze warmed.“Your colleagues?”
I was about to tell him about the changes in my life since I’d last seen him, but remembering my manners, I shifted to his side while Matt kept his arm around my waist.“You’ve met everyone except for Jodie.Jodie, this is Matt.”
The men jerked their chins, and the women waved.
Tilting my smile at Matt’s profile, I asked, “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
“I asked Bianca for your number, but she must have been busy.”He took his cell out of his back pocket and handed it to me.“Here.I’m not losing you again.”
After keying in my number, I gave it back to him.
His arm tautened around my waist.“I’m here the whole week.Dinner on Saturday?”
“I’d like that.”
After a quick peck on the corner of my mouth, he flicked his fingers at the table.“Nice to see you again.Great to meet you, Jodie.”
As Matt walked toward his table, I settled back beside Camila.God, I couldfeelJake’s gaze on me.I crossed my legs and clasped my fingers in my lap to tame the shiver skimming all over my skin.Focusing solely on Camila and Jodie, I bared my teeth into a forced smile to squash the completely unjustified pang of guilt squeezing my chest.
I was rescued by Camila.“Do you still want to order some wings, sweet girl?”
“And nachos,” Jodie said before slanting her head to the side.“Who’s the hottie, Sia?”
Jodie was smart and funny and very much in love with Camila.Right now, she was also tipsy.
My cheeks flamed up.“I met Matt at my birthday party.I don’t know him well.But what I know is very nice.”
Her blunt bob swayed as she nodded.“Girl, you have good taste.Jake, and now Matt-the-hottie.I played the field too when I was your age.My advice is enjoy as much down and dirtiness as—”
My face had caught fire, but again I was saved by Camila, who touched Jodie’s cheek and pecked her lips.
Jodie grinned wide.“Big mouth syndrome?”
When Camila nodded, she chuckled and reached for her beer.
