Page 98 of The Golden Scoop

He backs away laughing. I stand there overheated, and unfortunately, very interested in finding out exactly what he means by that.

We end up staying for another hour. Matt notices I’m getting hangry and stops at a small café on the way back to get us some sandwiches. I devour mine in the car, sneaking glances at him when he’s busy with traffic.

The radio fills the silence, although it doesn’t need to. Not with us.

When we pull up to his place, Matt pulls over to the side of the road but doesn’t turn the car off.

“You’ve been quiet,” I mention.

“I’ve been thinking…”

“Oh, no. That sounds⁠—”

“Would you like to come inside?” Matt blurts.

His voice shakes slightly and I can’t help but smirk.

“It depends,” I answer. “Are you going to kick me out if things get too intense for you?”

The car goes back into drive. His gate opens, and before I know it, we’re parked in front of his door. Well, there’s my answer.

“I didn’t leave your house the other night for lack of wanting.”

My stomach flips. Not nerves, more anticipation. I can’t tell which is worse.

“Oh, I know. That much was obvious,” I tell him.

Matt turns to me with a mischievous smile, and yet, by the way he leans away, I can tell there’s still something holding him back.

“Talk to me,” I say, placing my hand over his.

“I don’t want to mess this up. You waking up tomorrow and regretting it would kill me.” He doesn’t meet my eyes. “You’ve been let down by men too much. I’ve watched it happen. My wants have been on the back burner with you for so long a couple of days were not going to change anything.”

I roll my eyes. This is so on point with the new version of Matt hunt I’ve discovered. Selfless even when it comes to sex. It only makes me want him more.

“I asked you to stay,” I repeat. “I meant it.”

He turns to me. “I needed you to be sure.”

There’s no armor that could be strong enough to protect my feelings when he’s saying things like those. Words that sneak under my skin like they’ve found their new home.

“I am sure.” I lean up and kiss him on the cheek. “And listen, if you’re too shy, I’ll be happy to take control. Just because you talked big game back there doesn’t mean we have to do anything that makes you uncomfortable.”

I’m teasing, bruising his ego, and Matt knows it. He scoffs, takes the keys out of the ignition and circles the front until he’s hovering over my side.

“Now, there’s the man I was looking for.”

“Enough.” He unbuckles my seatbelt. “Out of the car, honey.”

The walk inside is calm, neither of us wanting to be the first to break. But as soon as the door clicks shut behind me, Matt kisses me, restraints finally snapping.

His mouth is everywhere. On mine, nibbling my earlobe, dragging heat down my throat. Before I can catch a full breath, Matt’s body presses into mine, pinning me against the door. Air’s overrated anyway. Especially when Matt Hunt’s literally eating you alive.

My heart’s beating so fast I can feel my pulse stutter every single place he touches. I never let a man take control this easily, but my brain fully clocks out. There’s nothing more than I want than to be claimed, fully and wholeheartedly, by him.

I run my nails down his chest, all the way down to the edge of his pants, but before I can go any lower, he grabs my wrists and pulls my arms above my head. He holds them there with one hand, while the other roams freely over my waist, my hips, my thigh. It lands on my ass, and he gives me a playful squeeze.

It’s almost like he’s been dreaming about this for weeks, if not longer. Mapping out every curve of my body to cherish forever. I don’t complain. I don’t even need him to ask permission.