“What made you want to bring him then?”
Becky sighed. She hadn’t yet told Jade about running into Matt last night. Or about him walking her to her car on Friday evening. “He wanted to get together on Friday. I just don’t think I can be alone with him though, so a party seemed like a safe bet.”
“Hmmm. Can’t be alone because you’ll argue with him? Or can’t be alone because you’ll jump his bones?”
“Jade!” Becky burst out, her face turning red. Thank God they were having this conversation over the phone. “I just need more people around us. Sort of as a buffer or something.”
“Right. Just bring him already. I’ve gotta go, but we’ll talk soon?”
“Yeah, have a fun trip. Call me later this week.”
The girls said their goodbyes and hung up. Now all she had to do was what? Call Matt back? Even though Friday night was his suggestion, she felt like she was asking him out on a date or something by inviting him to Jade’s party. She sighed. This moving on thing was a lot harder than she thought.
Chapter 10
Matt pulled up to the brick Colonial tucked away in a quiet neighborhood on Friday night, admiring the recently-built home. Becky had said her sister was a realtor, and apparently she did pretty well for herself based on this. His own apartment seemed downright miniscule compared to her large house. But what would he do with a home when he was deployed half the time and didn’t have a family to fill it? Hell, he didn’t even have a girlfriend. A place like this would be awfully big for a guy like him. Someday when he got out of the military he’d buy a house. He’d been saving up for a few years, but for now his possessions were few and far between. He’d always liked it that way in the past, but as of late, life had been feeling pretty empty.
He eyed himself in the rearview mirror, wondering why he felt so fucking nervous. He’d led men into battle, shot at insurgents hell-bent on killing any American they came across, jumped out of airplanes. But driving up to a woman’s house had him quaking in his boots? Hell. Becky had taken her sweet time calling him back earlier this week, too. He’d left her a message on Sunday morning and run into her that evening, but Becky had been perfectly content waiting until Tuesday night to return his call. He’d been thinking she’d had a change of heart about wanting to see him. And when they finally had spoken, instead of saying Friday didn’t work because of her friend’s party, she’d invited him along.
If this didn’t feel like a date, he wasn’t sure what did. It was probably for the best that they’d be around other people, because he didn’t trust himself to be alone with her. He’d held back before when she was with his best friend, but now? It was damn near impossible to keep from pulling her into his arms and never letting go. Hell, if Brody couldn’t hold her again, then why not him? She’d just end up in some other man’s arms if he stepped aside. Not that Becky wanted to be with him anyway, but hell. The idea of another man kissing her, taking her home with him, making love to her, had Matt seeing red.
He rang the doorbell, and a stunning redhead answered. Melissa, he thought. Why the hell her ex-fiancé Michael had broken up with her mystified him. She was completely stunning. Jason had briefly told him the story that afternoon about the cancelled wedding when Matt had gotten back to base after his trip to Norfolk. It was hard to see any man turning her down. He caught sight of Becky walking down the stairs just then and knew he had gotten the better end of the bargain with the younger sister. Becky was breathtaking. Her brown hair was pulled back, showing off her beautiful face, and she wore a pretty green dress that highlighted all of her curves. It was low enough to just show off some cleavage, and he struggled to keep his eyes on her face.
“Hi Matt,” she said, “Thanks for picking me up. This is my sister Amy.”
The two shook hands, and Matt noticed Amy smiling slyly at them as they said their goodbyes. Looks like she’d gotten the wrong idea about their evening. He was escorting Becky to her friend’s party and they’d talk. That was all. So why did her feel like he was picking up his damn prom date or something?
The ride to Jade’s house was quiet, each of them lost in their own thoughts. He glanced over at Becky once, seeing her delicate profile, and let his eyes wander lower just for a moment. The swell of her breasts above that dress had his heart rate accelerating faster than if he’d been skydiving out of a damn airplane. The dress she had on hit at mid-thigh, and just looking at the creamy, exposed skin beneath that silky green fabric had him growing hard. What would it feel like to slide his hands over all that smooth skin? Just the thought of his fingers tracing up her inner thighs until he reached her damp center had him playing out all sorts of fantasies in his mind. What would it feel like touching and tasting her? Sinking into her molten core? She probably hadn’t been with many men aside from Brody, and what he wouldn’t do to pleasure her in every way he could imagine.
She turned toward him and he quickly glanced back at the road, hoping he hadn’t been busted staring at her legs. Imaging them tossed over his shoulders as he took her slow and deep, listening to her moan. Hell. He was growing so hard he could barely concentrate on his driving, but it’s not like he could adjust his pants with her sitting beside him. Thank God it was dark out, otherwise Becky would see how aroused he’d gotten just from gazing at her. And that vanilla perfume she had on again was filling the confined space of the car and driving him insane. He snuck a glance her way again, not saying a word, and found her studying him in the dark. The air between them felt thick, charged, and he tried to tell himself that he was simply imagining things.
“So how was your trip to Norfolk?” Becky asked, seeming determined to ignore the sexual energy pulsing through the air between them.
“It was good. Lots of briefings and long days, but I didn’t mind.”
“Do you like it here in Virginia?”
“It’s a hell of a lot better than being deployed to the Middle East,” Matt said, hoping like hell he wasn’t dredging up bad memories. For either of them. “But I miss California sometimes.”
“Me too, and I’m from Virginia.”
He laughed and looked her way again. “It can do that do you—sunshine, sand, beaches. Some pretty awesome Mexican food.”
“There’s the best Mexican place right around the corner from campus,” Becky said. “I go there at least once a week. I’m going to miss it when I graduate.”
“So you must be almost done with your Ph.D. by now, right?”
“Only one semester left,” Becky agreed. “I’ve got my dissertation to finish and then I’m a free woman.”
Somehow Matt didn’t like the sound of that, even though he knew she meant she’d be free of collegiate life. He wondered where she’d end up after graduating. He’d always seen her as an inevitable part of his life before, when she’d been engaged to Brody, but now? After their evening together and possibly seeing her once more while she was in town, she’d be moving on with her life. He lived here now; she was on the west coast. Even if Matt wanted to be with her, it sure as hell wouldn’t work.
“You’re awfully quiet tonight,” Becky hedged, when neither of them had spoken for a few minutes.
“Just thinking.”
“About anything in particular?”
Matt shrugged as he pulled onto the street Becky had directed him to earlier. He eased into a parking space in the apartment complex, turning off the engine. “It’s just strange how life works out sometimes, you know?” He glanced over at her again. If someone had told him a year ago that he’d be taking Becky to a party, he’d have thought they’d lost their mind. She met his gaze, and his groin tightened as they watched one another in the darkness.
“Life is full of surprises I guess,” she said lightly.
Matt nodded. “I guess we should go inside.”
“Right, the party,” Becky said, seeming flustered.
Well, that was interesting, Matt thought as he walked around the front of the Charger to open her door. He reached out his hand to h
elp her step out of the car. As Becky’s slender fingers slid into his own, she stood up, the vanilla scent around her assaulting his senses again. She looked up at him hesitantly, and before he could help himself, he dipped his head down, capturing her mouth in a kiss.
***
Becky gasped as Matt’s lips met hers. They were soft, gentle, and hot against her mouth. Heat surged through her, warming her from the center and spreading out so that her entire body pulsed with awareness of him. A moment later his large hands were cupping her face, tilting her head back further. She opened herself to him, letting his tongue slide into her mouth as she gasped for breath. The warmth from his body radiated off of him and the scent of his cologne surrounded her. She felt stunned, in shock that Matt would kiss her, and at the same time more alive than she’d been in an entire year. Kissing Matt felt like she was flying, finally free of the all the grief and loneliness that had filled her life for the past twelve months. Kissing Matt was like being brought back to life.
She’d been attracted to Matt, no doubt, ever since she’d bumped into him at the bar a week ago. The way her body had pushed up against his solid frame had left her imaging more scenarios in which their bodies perfectly aligned with one another. Namely beneath the sheets, with him moving over her. He’d practically kissed her a week ago as they’d stood by her car, saying goodnight. It had been on her mind the entire week. And now, as if unwilling to let a second chance slip away, he’d reached out and claimed her.
Her hands slid to his chest, running over the rock-hard muscles of his broad pectorals. He was solid, and alive, and so real, right here in front of her. He was also Brody’s best friend, and she couldn’t betray her former love this way. She slowly pulled away from Matt’s heated kisses, gently pushed against his muscular chest, until he stepped slightly back, gazing down at her with arousal filling his dark eyes.
“I’m sorry, I just can’t—I can’t do this,” Becky said hurriedly, sidestepping around him.
“Becky, wait,” he ground out, shutting the car door and easily catching up. Her heels clicked along the sidewalk as she hurried toward Jade’s apartment building, and she wished she’d worn more sensible shoes. He bit out a curse behind her and then was right at her side. “I’m sorry,” he said, capturing one of her hands in his own, tugging her around so she faced him. His thumb traced light circles over her skin, and she longed to feel more of his touch.
“We can’t do this, Matt.”
“Are you attracted to me?” he asked, his voice gruff.
“What?”
“I asked if you were attracted to me. Because I think you are, and I sure as hell can’t get you out of my mind.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Becky sputtered, tears coming to her eyes. “You know exactly what the problem is, why we could never be together.”
“He’s gone, Becky,” Matt said in a low voice, catching her eye in the moonlight. “He’s never coming back.”
“I can’t do this right now,” she said, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall. “Let’s just go inside.” She pulled away her hand, immediately sorry at the loss of his touch, and strode toward the building once more. Matt didn’t argue this time, just followed silently behind her.
Chapter 11
“You made it,” Jade said happily as Becky pushed open the front door to the apartment. Music pounded through the air and people were gathered in the living room, spilling out onto the balcony, despite the cold night. Some of Jade’s friends stood around a table full of appetizers and snacks, drinks in hand, while a few more danced in the center of the room. Jade had pushed all of the furniture against the walls, attempting to provide more space for all the people she’d invited. The place was already packed though, pulsing with life as Jade’s friends, coworkers, and neighbors filled the room.
“Drinks are in the kitchen,” Jade said. “Matt, so glad you could come with Becky tonight. Food’s over there,” she added, pointing across the living room. “I’ll catch up with you in a few minutes,” she said to Becky, whirling around and dashing off to greet other guests.
Becky walked straight into the kitchen, not bothering to say hello to anyone she knew first. Matt was hot on her heels, anger radiating off of him. She pulled a beer from a cooler, spinning around as Matt gently plucked it from her hand. “We need to talk,” he said, voice deep.
“I told you, this can’t happen. Maybe you should just go.”
“I’m not leaving until we talk about what just happened.”
“What just happened? Why didn’t you ever talk to me before?” she sputtered. “I’ve known you for years, and you always acted like you couldn’t stand to be in the same room as me. Now I’m just supposed to forget about that while you kiss me in the parking lot? Just pretend everything’s okay?”
“I don’t know!” he angrily snapped, eyes blazing.
Tears welled in her eyes, as shock registered across her face. She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Well, you don’t have to be such a jerk about it,” she said, the tremble in her voice betraying her as she turned away.
“Becky, wait,” he said, catching hold of her arm.
She stopped, trapped against the counter, as Matt stepped closer, his other hand coming to rest on her hip. He was invading her space in the best way possible, and now that he was finally this close, she couldn’t stop the tremble coursing through her body.
“Just forget it,” she said, hastily wiping tears from her cheeks.
His lips brushed against her hair. His large body was caging her in—she had no place to run, and at the same time, she’d never felt quite as safe as she did right now. Why she simultaneously wanted to run from him in a full-blown sprint and throw herself into his arms was unnerving. What was it about Matt that always got to her?
“I can’t forget it,” he said gruffly, as her heart pounded wildly in her chest. “I think about you all day long. All night,” he added, his voice deep and gravelly.
“You don’t even like me,” she protested.
“You’re wrong. I like you more than I should…. I’ve always wanted you.”
He turned her around, the need hot in his brown eyes. His thumb traced circles on her hip where his hand rested, sending hot shivers straight through her. His other hand slipped in her hair, tangled in her tresses, and he tilted her head back, bending down slowly, gauging her reaction, until his hot mouth at last met hers. He smelled of soap and his clean cologne. All male. All fantastic. He kissed her softly at first before the heat began to grow between them, sparking something deep inside of her. His tongue sought entrance to her mouth, thrusting in and out, and she clutched at his shirt, suddenly desperate for more contact. His hard body pressed closer to her—all solid walls of muscle and male perfection. She felt his arousal as he kissed her more deeply. How was she supposed to concentrate on anything at all with his erection pushing against her belly? She could feel him through the thin fabric of her dress and wanted nothing more to rub her aching center over his male hardness. To feel him deep inside her as their bodies joined.
“We should go,” Matt said, looking fevered, as he broke their kiss.
“Where?” Becky asked breathlessly.
“Anywhere. My place,” he decided.
“Okay,” she agreed shakily. “Let’s go.”
Matt held her hand, lacing his fingers through her own as they rushed back the way they’d come moments ago. Becky frantically glanced around for Jade, wanting to tell her goodbye, but was too lost in a haze of lust to spend much time worrying about it. She’d call her tomorrow and explain. They stepped out the front door, back into the cool night, and Matt helped her into his car, practically running around to the driver’s side before starting the engine. “I only live about ten minutes away,” he said, his voice tight.
Becky nodded anxiously in the dark interior, and Matt’s large hand found her leg as she sat beside him. His fingers trailed up her thigh, teasing her with a light caress as he maneuvered out of the parking lot and
headed down the road. She could feel arousal pooling at her center, dampening the lacy panties that she wore. Her breathing grew ragged as he moved his fingers higher, just slipping them beneath the hemline of her dress. “I want you so badly,” he said gruffly. “I’ve always wanted you.” Becky grabbed his hand to keep him from moving any farther beneath her dress while they were driving. He continued lightly touching her inner thigh with his fingertips though, tracing small circles in her skin and driving her absolutely crazy with lust and desire.
After what felt like forever, they finally pulled into Matt’s apartment complex. Becky got out of the car quickly, not bothering to wait for Matt’s help. He pinned her against the vehicle, dropping his head down for another searing kiss as he ground his erection against her. “Matt,” she gasped between kisses. “I need you now. Please.”
He pulled back and nodded, and she could see his erection straining against his pants. Roughly, he grabbed her hand, tugging her toward his apartment. He fumbled with his keys and then finally got the door open, closing it behind them and helping her out of her coat. Without another word he bent and lifted her into his arms, carrying her down the hall to his bedroom.
“I want to taste you.” His whisper caressed her ear, sending shivers down her spine.
“Yes,” she breathed, and in the next moment he was laying her down on his bed, his large hands pushing her dress up to her hips and sliding beneath the lacy fabric of her panties, gently pulling them down. He knelt down before her, his broad shoulders edging her thighs further apart, so that she was completely open to him. Becky trembled as she met his gaze—his eyes all dark danger and seduction. Did she really want to surrender herself to Matt? When surely it would lead to nothing more than this one amazing night together? But oh, to feel his mouth upon her—surely it would be worth any regret she had in the morning.
Her Forbidden Marine (Hearts Ablaze: Men in Uniform Book 2) Page 6