Page 21 of Big Girl Panties

"Then why didn't you?"

"Because you were drunk, and I didn't want you to wake up the next morning thinking it was a mistake." He leaned closer. "I wanted to make sure that when I kissed you, you'd remember every second of it."

Heat pooled in my stomach. "That’s… actually really sweet."

"I can be sweet when I'm not covered in construction dust."

"I don't know. The construction dust is kind of working for you."

"Is it now?"

"Don't let it go to your head."

"Too late." His grin was pure trouble.

My gaze dropped to my hands. "I thought…"

"I know," he cut me off. "I get it if you're not ready for anything serious or whatever," his palms flattened on each side of me, caging me in. The room seemed to tilt slightly, and I gripped my thighs to steady myself. "But I want you to know I am a very patient man, and I will be here when you're ready to see if this connection I feel, and I know you feel too, is real. I can't promise it will work out because we are just strangers with a very intense chemistry right now, but I can promise that I will always be respectful. I will always be honest, and I will never leave you guessing where we stand. So, unless you make it very clear that you are not interested, I'm not going anywhere."

A warmth crept up my neck, and I couldn't help the smile tugging at my lips. "Okay, but I…" I paused. I can't believe I'm about to admit that I stalked him on social media. "I've seen your type, and I know I'm not it."

His brows pulled tightly together. "My type?" He shook his head. "I'm not following."

"I, uh, well, I googled you, and all the women in your life look the same."

He huffed out a laugh. "I don't think you understand. I was just getting into the world of wrestling when I found out Kelsey was cheating on me. I was heartbroken, and I didn't want anything serious. After her, the thought of opening up to someone again made my chest tighten. Casual was safe. Casual didn't hurt. My career started to take off, and my agent, along with my publicist, personally selected every woman who has been publicly seen with me on my arm over the last ten years. I dated none of them officially. Kelsey wasn't blonde or 5'11" or 100 pounds. She had dark hair and eyes; she was around 5'2", I think, and very curvy."

"Did the women know you weren't dating?"

He nodded. "There were contracts involved. If you want to see them, I'd be happy to show them to you." I wanted to believe Matt, to trust in his words and actions. But Chris's betrayal echoed in my mind, a warning siren I couldn't fully silence.

"So you have a thing for curvy women?" Oh, God, please don't tell me he's one of those men who fetishize bigger women.

"I have a thing for women with curves." His gaze perused my body as he bit down on his bottom lip. His words hung in the air, confident and unashamed. The corners of my mouth twitched upward before I could stop them.

"Where is Kelsey now?"

He shrugged, sucking in a deep breath. "I don't know. I haven't seen her in years."

"I just don't want to miss the signs."

He shook his head. "There are no signs. I will spend every day for the rest of my life proving to you that you are my type if you let me."

"I'm sorry," I sighed. "I'm giving you the third degree for nothing."

"No, I'm glad we are clearing the air. After this conversation, we can start over, start clean. No secrets, no lies. I want you to know everything. No more PR stunts, no more fake relationships. Just… this. Us."

"That sounds good."

"When is your next day off?" He stepped back, cleaning up the scraps of paper from the bandage.

"Well, thanks to you, it looks like the café will be able to reopen soon. I just have to reorder some supplies and food, and I should be back in business."

"Well, I'll make you a deal?" My face split into a grin, and I nodded for him to continue. "There's not much left here for you to do tomorrow. The crews have it covered. So, you go out with me tomorrow on my boat as friends, and then I will come in early in the morning and help you with inventory." My brows pulled together. Boat? "I'm not a terrible cook, and I'll even wear one of the fluffy pink and white aprons."

"Well, that is something I definitely need to see, but…"

"No buts."