Page 61 of Twisted Beauty

“You’ll probably want shoes too,” she said without an ounce of sarcasm. She sounded nothing but concerned as she handed him the shirt.

He sighed. Damn, he really needed that coffee he’d just brewed. “I’m sorry. I just—”

“I know. I’m worried too. Put some clothes on and let’s go.”

He threw on the shirt and a pair of shorts, and shoved his feet into a pair of flip-flops. On the way out, Matt grabbed a thermos and emptied the contents of the French press into it. He took a quick swig and closed his eyes. Exactly what he needed.

“It’s not raining anymore.” Liv had the front door open and stood in the doorway waiting for him.

He came up behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her up against him and kissing her neck. “Thanks for being a good sport about this. I didn’t mean to be a jerk.”

“I’ll think about forgiving you, if you share.” She reached for the thermos and took a long drink. She hummed in appreciation, which, of course, shot an electric current through his body.

Damn it. This was not the time.

Liv stepped out into the gray morning and Matt followed, shutting the door behind him. The way to El Brujo Loco was clear. The wind had died down to a light breeze, and the water had receded, leaving only a handful of puddles along the glistening cobblestones. Puffy gray clouds covered most of the sky, but patches of blue peeked through.

“So what did Tito say about the shop?” Liv asked.

Not a damned thing. Matt ran a hand through his hair, trying to quell the irritation that swept through him. His grandfather was either drowned in a torrent of water or sitting peacefully with a cup of tea and chuckling because he’d gotten his way, Matt and Liv together. "He hasn’t answered his phone. I only have the texts from his neighbors saying there’s flooding.” He pulled his cell out of his pocket and dialed again.

“Bueno.” Tito’s voice came across the line.

“Tito, Christo, why didn’t you answer earlier? What the hell is going on there?” Matt was practically yelling and couldn’t seem to help it, he’d been so worried. God, he was being an ass to everyone this morning. Well, fuck. He’d have to worry about that later.

“Watch your mouth, hijo,” Tito said, gentle and calm as always. “I already tell you. I don’t need babysitter.”

Matt took a deep breath. “Fine. Then why didn’t you answer? Why didn’t you call me? I have about a million texts from your neighbors about the flooding.”

“You talk too fast,” Tito said. “No flood here. Everything good.”

Matt picked up the pace and hoped Liv could keep up. “Why don’t I believe you?”

“You carry weight of world, nieto. El Brujo have potion for that.”

Matt laughed despite himself, despite his worry. “Okay. Well, I’m glad everything’s okay.” He stopped at the corner as cars sped past. When he thrust out his free arm to stop Liv from stepping out, she glared at him like he’d grabbed her by the hair. Would she rather he let her rush out into the street and get run over? “Liv and I are on our way already, so we’ll be there soon.”

“Liv beautiful girl,” Tito said. Matt could almost see the mischievous gleam in his eye as he spoke.

“Yes, I know. I know how much you like her. See you in a bit.”

He ended the call and Liv cleared her throat. “You know, I’ve been crossing the street alone, and safely I might add, since I was ten.” Her arms were folded, but she looked amused.

“And yet, you’re still a pain in the ass.”

Her teeth dug into her lower lip as she tried to suppress a smile. “Well, at least Tito loves me.”

“Tell me about it,” Matt muttered and Liv broke into a huge grin. Who the hell needed sunshine with her standing so close? That smile went straight to his cock, and he knew he didn’t want his time with her to be over just yet. He wanted more of that smile. More of everything.

Matt took the thermos from her, hauled her up against him and kissed her. She melted into him and sighed, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her lips parted beneath his and he took the opportunity to slide his tongue into her mouth. He couldn’t believe how sweet she tasted. The sounds of the world around him melted away as he tangled his tongue with hers.

Until the blare of a car horn startled him out of it.

“Wooooo!” a high-pitched voice bellowed, flashing them a thumbs-up out the driver’s window as the car sped away. Matt stared after the car and laughed. That was a first for him. Coming this close to tearing off someone’s clothes in public.

Liv pulled away and her cheeks were bright pink. She touched her fingers to her lips and looked up at him through thick, dark lashes.

“If you keep looking at me like that, I’ll have to drag you by your hair into a dark alley, caveman style. And we’ll never make it to Tito’s.”