Page 52 of Spark
"After sleeping on your bed, I don't know if I can go back to this mattress." He pushes on the overly firm bed. "It's like going from sleeping on clouds to sleeping on two by fours." The corner of his mouth hooks in the self-deprecating way he has, and it’s all I can do not to steal him away and make his every want, every dream a reality.
I trace a finger along the column of his neck, entranced by the bob of his throat. “I told you I’d buy you a new mattress.”
“Flowers are one thing. A mattress is…” He steadfastly trains his eyes on the water stain marring the wooden floor.
“Intimate.” I brush my lips against the shell of his ear and give a gentle tug on his lobe. He sighs into me, his hand trailing up my thigh.
“You looked good mowing.” His breath hitches when I trace the inside seam of his shorts.
"Shirtless and sweaty does it for you?"
He pulls back until his guileless eyes are holding mine in their grasp. “Youdo it for me.”
Cupping the back of his head, I bring my mouth to his. The same thrill that blitzed me with a deluge of emotions after our first kiss still rakes over me. My chest expands, but it’s too small to contain all I feel for Mateo. He licks the seam of my mouth leisurely like he has all the time in the world and wants to use it savoring this moment.
“I can’t imagine what I would have done without you.” His hands roam my back, shoulders, and chest in an unhurried exploration. “Thank you for taking care of me.”Kiss.“Thank you for being you.”
Tugging on the hem of his shirt, I pull it over his head. “Let me take care of you right now.”
He smiles against the base of my neck. “What do you have in mind?”
Gently, I push him onto his back and straddle him. His girth hard and hot through the layers of athletic material. "Whatever you want."
“What if I want it all?” His palms slide up my bare legs and under my shorts.
I’m unsure if he's talking about sex or if his question is something more profound. When it comes to sex, I’ll give him anything he wants. And if he’s referring to marriage, family, a life together? “Then, I’ll give it to you.”
His hands still, fingers pressing into my thighs as his eyes dart between mine. Breath suspended, I watch and wait for his reaction. In the past, Cam has mentioned that I would do better keeping some things closer to the vest. But with Mateo, it’s impossible.
Sweeping his finger along my hairline, down my cheek, and to my jaw, his words wobble. “You would, wouldn’t you?”
I nod because my throat has seized all the sounds needed to speak. The enormity of this seems greater than either of us is ready for.
“Damn, I’m glad we found each other.” He props up on his arms, kissing me with honeyed lips and long, leisurely strokes.
The thunderous crash sounding in my ears is me falling the rest of the way for this man. Any doubts about doing whatever I can to care for him are swept away with his words. It may be too soon to tell him I love him, but I can show him.
Chapter Fourteen
Mateo
Thesunisshiningbright over the rugby field as Finlay and I exit his car and walk through the parking lot. From the number of cars around us, most of my teammates have already arrived. Even though I’ll only be a spectator for the game, excitement to see them spins through me.
Every step I take, every turn of my head is a reminder that my knee and neck are finally healed. Moving pain-free feels amazing. Best of all, at my doctor’s appointment yesterday, I finally got clearance to return to both jobs. After six weeks away, I’m ecstatic to be going back to work. Breathing in the fresh cut grass and soaking up the early summer sun on my skin, I swear my mood can’t get any higher. But then Finlay takes my hand in his, and my heart blooms.
He’s been the best throughout this whole ordeal. Supportive, kind, and distracting me whenever worry overtook my thoughts. I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through this without him. Especially these last two weeks. While I hadn’t been happy about the setback when the doctor said I needed to give my knee and head more rest, I knew I couldn’t work while movement was difficult. I needed the extra healing time.
But now, it’s over. Thankfully. And I owe Finlay so much for all he’s done for me.
Squeezing his hand, I gently bump his shoulder with mine. "I’m cooking dinner tonight. Whatever you want. Name it."
Finlay laces our fingers together, the low scratch of his voice tickling the ever-present itch of my arousal. "I could help you cook."
"We both know what happens when you do that." His help often takes the form of distracting kisses and the food ends up forgotten, going cold, or burned.
He lowers his sunglasses and that smoldering hazel gaze makes my breath catch. "Is that ano?"
The concrete gives way to the grass, soft under our sneakers. I stop walking, tug him toward me, and brush my lips over his tempting mouth. "It’s never ano."
