Page 40 of My Secret Bandit

“You should definitely find some wood to knock on, but okay. In five years, I want to be successful in my career. Something like Jeffrey without the hard-ass, egomaniac reputation people have given him without really knowing him. People know he’s great at what he does, and they respect his work. I want that. But outside of career stuff, I never really had a plan. I never saw myself getting married or having kids, not that I don’t want those things, I just didn’t think it would happen.”

Mateo’s mouth opened and closed like he couldn’t find the right words to say. He almost looked disappointed as he went back to my previous question.

“One long-term relationship and one that lasted longer than it should have. The first was a girl I dated through most of high school, then on and off for a couple years in college. I dated around until I met Stephanie at a draft party. Things were cool for a while, but like midway through my rookie season, she changed. Well, I guess it’s more like the authentic version of her came out. Young and a little stupid, I got blinded by a pretty face, so we stayed together a few more months. But she was never happy unless we were out in public getting our picture taken for the world to see. She got caught up in the glamorous side of dating someone in the league, caught up in gaining likes and followers to build some internet personality but, you know, that’s not really me. I only have social media because our communications director made me.” Disappointment spread across his face again. He shifted in his seat and looked straight through the windshield.

My chest tightened, knowing someone spent a significant amount of time stealing and diminishing Mateo’s happiness while using his success as a steppingstone.

“Sounds like your rookie year wasn’t as pleasant as it should’ve been.”

“No. It wasn’t. On the field it was great. Off, not so much,” he answered honestly. “But,” he sighed, finally meeting my eye. “She helped me learn the traits I didn’t want in a partner. I’ve spent the last few years figuring myself out and what I want in life.”

With my focus trained so hard on Mateo, I didn’t realize he stopped driving until I awkwardly looked out the passenger window, unsure of what to say next. “Wh—where are we?”

“A park, I think. I had to stop. I can’t look at you and concentrate on not running people off the road,” he said, unbuckling his seat belt and turning in the leather seat to face me. “Have you asked all your questions?”

I nodded, the shimmer in his eye helping me forget the list I mentally prepared earlier.

“Okay. I have a couple for you now.”

My mouth went as dry as a desert during a drought.

“Would you want to come with me to my parents’ house next week?”

“You want me to meet your parents?”

“Yeah. I talked to my mom during treatment today. I mean, I told her about you a while ago, but anyway, I’d love to have you there. Obviously, it’s up to you if you’re ready for that.”

Choking on my nerves, I bounced my head before the words finally came out. “Yeah, I’d love to meet your parents.” While nervous I’d blow it when the day came, I’d pretty much do anything if it meant making Mateo happy. I knew how important his family was to him. I saw it in his eyes every time he mentioned them and the look he gave me now as I agreed to meet them.

“Next thing is the team’s annual charity fundraiser. It’s still a few months away, but they want RSVPs in by the end of the month. Jeff hates going, so he’d probably send you anyway as press, but I’d really rather you go as my girlfriend.”

I shook my head, unsure I heard him correctly.

“You’re serious?”

“Well, yeah.” He let out a nervous chuckle. “I told you, I’ve spent a while figuring myself out, deciding how I want my life to look. You’re what I want.”

You’re what I want.

I never thought I’d hear someone say those words to me. Hearing them from Mateo, from the man that easily became a part of me, blew my mind, warmed my heart, and was everything I didn’t know I should be dreaming for.

My fingers moved on their own, dancing across the slight stubble decorating his dimples then over his plump bottom lip. “What do girlfriends typically wear to charity fundraisers with their sweet, way-too-fucking-sexy, superstar boyfriends?”

Cocking his head to one side he gave me a devilish grin. “Is that a yes?”

I nodded my head, my giggle skating over his lips as he pulled me closer to him. Just a whisper away from fully feeling his lips on mine, he pulled back.

“Jameson, I,” He watched me, carefully choosing his words. His eyes filled with a look I hadn’t seen before. He shook his head as if to clear it. “I can’t remember being happier than I am right now. Believe me when I tell you I more than like you, like way fucking more.”

If ever there was a time to use the word flabbergasted, it was now. I knew my feelings for him went beyond a normal crush, but I had no idea where he stood, until now.

I took his face into my hands, the same stubble tickling my palms, “I more than like you too.”

“Good. Now come here,” he said with a growl before his hand hooked around my neck, drawing me closer for our lips to meet again. The kiss turned hungry fast. I parted my lips for his tongue to enter and he pushed in eagerly, intertwining his with my own.

I love the way he tastes, subtle and sweet. Like vanilla.

Mateo sucked hard on my bottom lip, and my head fell back on a moan. Expert lips found the sensitive spot against my neck. He sucked and bit as my hands gripped into his hair. With a fist full of curls, I pulled his mouth back to mine, loving the groans I swallowed down. From his head my hand raked down, feeling the power in his neck, the solid shoulders and chest, the hard, rippled abs until I felt nothing but him, hard and ready beneath denim. Fingers paused, unsure of where to go from here. But Mateo’s whispered “It’s okay,” had them lowering to his length, from there they knew exactly what they wanted. It was light, feathery touches at first. Our moans sounded in unison as I palmed him, rubbing him through his jeans. With his mouth still on mine, I bit his lip, soothing it with my tongue. His husky groans only drove me forward. I blindly found the button of his jeans and popped it open like I’d done it a million times before. His hips lifted the smallest bit for me to slide the zipper away.

---