Seaside Whispers: Matt Lacroux (Love in Bloom: Seaside Summers)

by Melissa Foster

  “There isn’t a man alive who can resist following your lead,” Matt said with more than a hint of heat. During their trip, they’d stayed in either two-bedroom suites or adjoining rooms, and after Hagen fell asleep they’d sneak into the other bedroom for some secret sexy time. They’d perfected the art of quiet orgasms. As much as Matt wanted to get Mira alone and make love with reckless abandon, he wouldn’t trade the time the three of them had together for anything. He cherished every moment, and spending so much time with Hagen made him realize how much he wanted to be part of Mira and Hagen’s family.

  She pressed her palm to the center of his chest and said, “I think that’s only you, Mr. Lacroux.”

  Damn he loved her. If there weren’t a set of six-year-old eyes on them, he’d carry her into the bedroom and show her just how much.

  “Good answer. He also said my family’s getting together for dinner at his place Saturday night. I know we have a long drive home tomorrow, but if you and Hagen are up to it, I’d really like you to come along.”

  “Please?” Hagen begged.

  She tapped the tip of his nose. “Of course we can. If Hagen gets tired, we just won’t stay too long.”

  “I won’t get tired,” Hagen promised.

  “Maybe Mommy will get too tired,” she teased. “Or maybe Matt will.”

  Hagen laughed. “Matt never gets tired. He gets up before us to work and goes to bed after us.”

  “Matt does have amazing stamina,” she said in a dreamy voice.

  Only for you, sexy girl.

  She pushed to her feet and lifted Hagen from Matt’s lap. Then she took Matt’s hand and pulled him up to his feet. Their bodies grazed, and his flooded with desire.

  “Come on, boys,” she said. “Let’s go hunt down that pizza.”

  “We’re guys, Mom.” Hagen grabbed his Princeton baseball hat and carried his robot into the bedroom. “I hope it’s better than the pizza in Connecticut. Blech.”

  Matt swept an arm around her waist, pulling her against him, and whispered, “After a certain little guy goes to sleep, we’ll have our own private celebration, and I think you’ll remember I’m all man.”

  “I’m going to need a lot of reminding.”

  “I’ll remind you so long, and so thoroughly, you’ll never forget again. And then I’ll remind you again and again, for however long it takes, until every breath you take brings a memory of just how much of a man I am.”

  IF MIRA THOUGHT Matt was protective of her and Hagen before, then he’d gone full-on Brink’s Security in New York City. He kept a secure hold on both of them, scanning the crowded streets as they navigated the city and made their way toward Central Park, as if at any moment a villain might swoop down and steal them. She’d come to accept that he was also watching out for the safety of others, and he always would be. That was Matt, and she loved his protective nature as much as she loved everything else about him. Over the last two weeks she’d thought about Cindy Feutra often. As much as she wished he’d track her down so he could apologize and hopefully find a modicum of peace from that horrible incident, she knew he was right about it drudging up horrible memories for Cindy. Even though she worried that not having closure would leave that layer of guilt on his shoulders forever, she fell even more deeply in love with him for putting Cindy’s well-being first. That incident was his burden to bear, but at least now he didn’t have to bear it alone.

  “There it is!” Hagen dragged them toward the Maine Monument at the entrance to Central Park. “That’s a statue to remember the sailors that died when the battleship Maine exploded in Cuba.”

  Mira looked at Matt and sighed. “I owe you five dollars.”

  When they’d visited the New York Public Library, which was every bit as elegant as the Boston Public Library and as interesting as the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library in Connecticut, Matt and Hagen had taken out a book all about Central Park, and they’d read about the history of the monuments, the castle, and the carousel. Mira had bet Matt five dollars that Hagen was too excited and exhausted to remember any of it, even though Hagen’s brain was usually like a vault. Her brilliant boy had proven her wrong.

  “We’ll have to figure out some other means of repayment,” he said for her ears only. “I don’t accept cash.”

  MATT’S HAND SLID south and he gave Mira’s ass a squeeze. She tipped a smile up toward him, her eyes bright and eager. He couldn’t resist leaning in for a quick kiss.

  The park was bustling with families, businesspeople, joggers, and young lovers walking hand in hand. So much of life had been passing Matt by while he climbed his academic ladder toward an unattainable goal. It was wonderful to finally step back down to solid ground and take it all in. He thought he’d been fulfilled as a teacher, but spending time with Mira and Hagen, and reconnecting with his family, made him realize he hadn’t been anywhere near fulfilled. He’d been intellectually stimulated, but all the other parts of himself had fallen by the wayside.

  The red and white striped brick carousel building came into view, and Hagen pulled Matt toward it. “Come on! Look!”

  Like Mira, Matt wanted to experience everything with Hagen, to soak in the first moment of excitement when he saw something he’d read about, or sat on a carousel for the very first time. Sweet calliope music rang out from inside the building. He stepped up his pace, squeezing Mira’s hand a little tighter as they headed for the ticket booth.

  After buying tickets, Matt draped an arm around Mira’s shoulder and they watched the carousel circle the platform. Colorful horses frozen in various states of excitement carried smiling riders around and around.

  “This is beautiful,” Mira said with awe. “I’m so glad we made this trip.”

  She was gazing at the carousel with a thoughtful expression, and as Matt drank in her perky nose, that sweet spray of freckles, and her deliciously kissable lips, his mind traveled to their future. He imagined coming next year, or the year after, with Hagen and his little brother or sister. He carried that thought with him throughout the afternoon, expecting it to rattle around and find an exit in his mind. But it didn’t rattle. It settled.

  They rode the carousel five times, and by the time they headed for Belvedere Castle it was near closing time. Matt gave Hagen a shoulder ride, and they made it just in the nick of time to take a quick walk around the grounds of the majestic stone castle. They had dinner in Times Square, and much to Mira and Matt’s surprise, Hagen stayed awake through the entire production of the Lion King. But the minute they got in the cab, he closed his eyes.

  “That was the best day he’s had in his entire life,” Mira whispered. “And it’s in my top four, too.”

  “Top four?”

  She glanced at the cabdriver, then whispered in Matt’s ear, “The day Hagen was born, the day you and I shared our first kiss, and the first time we were intimate.”

  “Man, do I ever love you.” Matt tipped up her chin and kissed her.

  “We love you too, Matt,” Hagen said in a sleepy voice.

  Matt’s heart swelled, and he kissed the top of Hagen’s head. Catching a glimpse of Mira’s surprised expression, he realized Hagen hadn’t heard either of them declare their love for each other yet.

  “Sorry,” he whispered to her.

  She wrapped her hands around his arm and leaned in to him, adoration replacing the surprise in her eyes. “Don’t ever be sorry for loving us.”

  And he knew he never would.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  MATT LAID HAGEN on his bed in the hotel room he and Mira shared and kissed his forehead. “I love you, buddy. Sleep well.” He slid a hand around Mira’s waist and kissed her softly. “Do you want help getting him into his pajamas?”

  I love you, buddy. Could Matt possibly know how much those four words meant to her? Mira had never thought too hard about how she would feel if a man loved her son, because she never fully believed she’d fall in love. It wasn’t part of her plan, her mommy bucket list. But Matt’s love for
her and her son was so pure, so real and natural, it felt tangible, and hearing him tell Hagen he loved him was even more powerful than when he told her he loved her.

  Tonight she was starting a new bucket list. A family bucket list, filled with all the things she’d like to do with Matt and the things she’d like to do with Matt and Hagen. Maybe she was getting ahead of herself, which she’d warned herself not to do just a few days ago, but their life was coming together, and Matt was staying at the Cape. She didn’t want to hold back any longer.

  “Baby? Do you want help?” Matt asked again, pulling her from her thoughts.

  “No,” she whispered. “He’s out like a light.”

  Matt nodded. “I’m going to take a quick shower. See you afterward, or are you wiped out, too?”

  “Oh no, Mr. Lacroux. You’re not getting off that easy.” She wrapped her arms around his waist, went up on her toes, and kissed him. “You have some reminding to do. Let me rinse off all this city dirt, too, and I’ll meet you in your room.” As he walked out the bedroom door, she whispered, “Wear your glasses!”

  Mira showered and dressed in the sexy lingerie she’d bought from a cute boutique while they were in Rhode Island. The sheer and lacy pink nighty had a halter-style top and a skimpy, flowing body that just barely covered her goodies. She put on the silk kimono she’d splurged on as a special gift for her man and tried to ignore the butterflies fluttering in her stomach as she walked through the dark suite toward Matt’s bedroom. She carried her panties in her hand in case Hagen woke up and she needed to cover up. She pushed open the door, revealing a dimly lit room, candles on the nightstands, and Matt, wearing only black briefs and the glasses that made her want to page through him, sitting in the center of the bed. Music floated softly from the radio into her ears as she closed the door and went to him.

  He reached for her, his stare bold and inviting. She crawled up the bed on all fours, feeling sexy and naughty as they embarked on their secret tryst. She dangled her pink lace panties before his eyes, then tossed them on the nightstand.

  “How’s my beautiful, sexy girl?” he whispered as she straddled his lap.

  His hands slid beneath her lingerie, warm and strong against her skin as they laid claim to her waist, his long fingers brushing over her ass. Somehow she knew that even if she were wearing a sweatshirt, the look of love and devotion in his eyes would be just as strong. Her heart was already in take-me-now mode, and she loved the feel of him growing instantly hard beneath her. If he were covered head to toe in mud or wearing armor, her desire for him wouldn’t diminish. He was always so loving toward her, sensual and caring, pleasuring her first multiple times before letting go himself. Tonight she wanted to return the affection and let him know exactly how much she appreciated his sinful talents and generosity.

  She ran her finger down the center of his chest, holding his gaze. “I’m filled to the brim with happiness.”

  When she leaned forward to press a kiss to his lips, his erection twitched against her sex. His fingers pressed into her skin, and when he spoke, his voice whispered over her lips.

  “Me too, sunshine.” He leaned in for another kiss, his scruff scraping enticingly against her cheek. “I kind of hate going back to the real world and sharing you with everyone else.”

  “Do you, now?” She kissed his neck.

  He made a low, sound of appreciation, spurring her on. She nipped at the ridge of his jaw. “Which part of me do you hate sharing the most?” she asked daringly, her hands playing over his pecs, feeling them jump beneath her touch.

  “All of you.” His hips rose beneath her in a delectable rhythm as his hands pressed down on her hips, the exquisite friction carrying oceans of lust to the far reaches of her body. “Your sassy, tenacious personality, your charm and intelligence.”

  He slid one hand to the nape of her neck, claiming her in a demanding kiss.

  “Your gorgeous face and stunning body.” He tangled his hand in her hair, tugging her head back, and sealed his mouth over her neck, sucking and kissing and chipping away at her resolve to be his temptress.

  She closed her eyes and grabbed hold of his shoulders, giving in to his seduction. He dragged his tongue up the column of her neck and took her earlobe between his teeth. Spikes of pain and pleasure raced to her core. She dug her fingers into his hard flesh and heard herself moan.

  “My girl likes that. We’re going to have to keep quiet, remember.”

  Her brain could hardly hold on to that warning as he crashed his mouth to hers in another penetrating kiss. His tongue stroked hard and eager over hers, around her mouth, over her teeth, until she abandoned all control, relaxing her jaw for him to take everything he wanted. And take he did, loving her cheeks, her jaw, her neck, and when he tugged her head further back, she didn’t resist. His adept fingers untied the top of her nightie, and it puddled around her middle.

  “Off, baby.” When he released her hair to lift her nightie over her head, the air left her lungs. “How did I get so lucky to be the man you picked?”

  Her eyes fluttered open and he kissed them closed. “Close your eyes. Let me love you.”

  So different from his usual command of her eyes open, it intrigued her, but she wanted desperately to give him a memorable night, and she forced her eyes open again. “But I wanted to treat you tonight.”

  She pushed her hands into his hair, but he had other ideas. With both hands, he reached beneath him. Lifting his hips with her on them, he pushed out of his briefs. The base of his arousal pressed deliciously against her sex. He reached for his glasses next, and she stuck her lower lip out in a pout. He chuckled and left them on.

  “Look who’s got the seduce-the-professor fantasy now.” His eyes narrowed, their heat consuming her.

  Feeling empowered by his desire, she said, “I just want you to see me clearly, so you never forget this night.”

  His smile turned sinful as he locked his hands behind his head, giving her complete control. Oh Lord, where to start? Her eyes swept over his chest, down all those glorious ripped abs, to the head of his cock poking out from beneath her.

  He rocked his hips, jolting her eyes to his and spurring her body into action. She kissed his chest, her fingers drifting over his hard nipples. He smelled fresh and virile, and as she moved lower, laving her tongue over each hard nipple, down his stomach, and following the treasure trail south, his scent changed to one of love and affection, safety and passion.

  She teased him with feathery kisses all around the tuft of dark hair at the base of his cock and along his inner thighs, which flexed beneath her lips. She felt his penetrating gaze eating its way through her, making her wet and hungry as she wrapped her fingers around his length and pressed a kiss to the tip. She slicked her tongue over the slit and lifted her eyes to his.

  “Watch,” she said, as he’d once said to her so demandingly. The control was addicting. She wanted to see him untethered, to have all the heat in his gaze, all in the tension in his body, unleashed upon her.

  As she took him to the back of her throat, his hands dropped to his sides, fisting in the sheets. She drew him out of her mouth and in deep again, punishingly slow, earning a heady groan.

  “Ah, my man likes that,” she teased, loving it when he cracked a smile through all that passion. “Mine?” she whispered tentatively. She wanted to roar it out to the world from the rooftops.

  “All yours, baby.”

  Oh, how she loved hearing those words, and knowing he was staying at the Cape made them even more real. She loved him with her mouth and hands, stroking and licking, then taking him deep until she felt him swell in her hand. His head craned back, the veins in his neck pulsed through his tanned skin, and his knuckles blanched against the sheets. Oh yeah, she loved seeing all that fire roaring for her. She moved lower, slicking her tongue over his tight sac.

  “Holy hell, baby.” He grabbed her head, holding her mouth exactly where they both wanted it as she teased and sucked him into a tightly wound bundle
of need.

  “Fuck,” he ground out, surprising her. He rarely cursed, and hearing it turned her on, because she knew she’d taken him to the brink of his control.

  In the next breath she was beneath him, her arms pinned over her head, Matt’s big body perfectly aligned with hers. His face was a mask of pure rapture as he drove into her until she felt all of him—his love, his sex, his greed. She reached up and removed his glasses with a shaky hand.

  Matt stilled, breathing hard, his body trembling as much as hers was.

  “Feel that, baby?” he said with heated breath. “That’s the moon and the stars and the sun all coming together. That’s us. How did we miss out on love like this for so long? Why couldn’t I have found you ten years ago?” Before she could respond, he said, “No, not ten years ago. Six years ago.”

  His words cut straight to her heart. He didn’t want to change Hagen’s lineage, he just wished he’d have been there for her during that difficult time. When he gathered her in his arms, their bodies moving in perfect harmony, she whispered, “The moon and the sun and the stars were waiting for all the pieces of our lives to align. They trusted us to know when that time came.”

  They made love for hours, fast and frantic, then slow and passionate. Mira lay in Matt’s arms long after they were done, reveling in the feel of his legs twined with hers, his heart beating against her cheek, and his fingers trailing through her hair. She needed to return to her own bedroom in case Hagen woke up, but she loved being in his arms too much to move. Matt kissed the top of her head.

  She tipped her face up, taking in his sated gaze. “I have to go back to my own bed.”

  He kissed her again and rose to his feet, bringing her up beside him, and lovingly helped her put her nightie and kimono on. “I’ll walk you to your door.”

  “Mm. Sexy and a gentleman. Aren’t I the lucky one?”

  “I want to spend every second I can with you.”

  He kissed her again, then tucked her beneath his arm. Her favorite place—when she was vertical.