The Eyes That Own Me (Timing is Everything Book 1)

by Rebecca Fischer

  True to my word, my dreams are filled with more fantasies of Matt.

  Apparently, Matt's date idea for the night was playing pool with his friends. He wanted me to get to know them as quickly as possible to help my feelings of comfort. He said his roommate was bugging him about wanting to apologize for what happened at the Chris Young concert. I didn't think he could get any sweeter, but he keeps proving me wrong at every corner.

  I admit that I'm a little disappointed it won't be just us. I like being in our new bubble. On the other hand, I'm touched he wanted to include me and make me feel better. I got to see him at school most nights of the week, but we didn't have too much time to talk alone. He finally confessed that he paid for my hot chocolates until the weather gets warmer and then he wants to know my spring/summer go-to drink order. I know I should put up more of a fight over paying for my own drinks, but if it makes him happy, there is no point in fighting him over something so small as a frozen drink. Don't get me wrong; I do plan on being sneaky with buying lunch and dinner on campus, but that will stay a secret for now.

  The nerves are building up in my stomach. To me, getting along with Matt’s friends is very important. It can make or break any sort of relationship. I've wanted to punch some of the guys that my friends have brought around. Needless to say, they didn't last long after the meetings. We all made a pact a long time ago that no man would ever come first if the other doesn't like him. How a guy treats your friends can be a long-term factor on how he will treat you.

  Two exes still stand out the most. Kylie really did not like Jared. But then again, I found out most people didn't care for him either. She and Grant were always cordial. He was always quiet and formal with her, not making much of an effort to include her. My friends always come first because they are my family. I want to make the effort with Matt's friends because it means a lot to both of us.

  I really want to meet Jeremy. Matt implied they are practically brothers and with them living together, I want to get to know him. If things work out with Matt, I don't want to hate his best friend.

  I drove myself since I just finished an unexpected extended day shift. Rob had family suddenly come into town from Mexico and needed me to stay until seven while he got them settled. I will definitely use it against him when I want extra time off for my vacation approval and hey, it's more money for my savings.

  I'm not going to lie; the apprehension is turning into a mild panic. I've gotten better about not pulling on my earlobe, but it's a hard habit to break. Thankfully, Bob's Billiards isn't such a bad place. It's a 2,000 square foot room with about seven tables inside lined on the left as you walk in and a small snack area to the right. For a college town like Aiken, it's perfect for hanging out between classes and on the weekends.

  Luckily, Bob's pretty strict on smoking inside the hall versus other places where it's allowed. He lets people as young as fifteen inside to play. I've gone a bunch times since high school since it was only a twenty-minute bike ride. Plus, he buys a crap-load of the café's cookies every week to sell at the hall and has already offered to buy goods from me once I open my restaurant.

  As I'm walking in, I wave at Bob and his wife Patty who are passing out food before walking over to Matt's table. There are a few guys standing and talking near Matt. Crap on a cracker, it’s like a magazine cover. I've asked once, and I'll ask again, doesn't he have any ugly friends? He looks over at me and a huge smile breaks out on his face. He sets his beer down on the cocktail table along the wall and power walks over to me.

  I meet him halfway and try to avoid the PDA in front of his friends by giving him a small hug. It seems Matt has other plans and grabs my waist, pulling me to him as he leans down to give me a deep kiss. Taking my hair from the ponytail I had at work, he runs his fingers through my scalp. Oh that feels good. I try to avoid opening my mouth during our kiss because I know the minute his tongue and mine collide, we will need privacy. All week we've had to avoid going overboard in public places. I swear he gets a rise out of me trying to hide behind him. He keeps trying new ways to get me to be more relaxed with him no matter where we are. This time, he's bending me backward, trying to dip me, but failing miserably. God, he's adorable.

  I'm actually starting to come out of my shell a bit more with Matt in a lot of ways. In such a short amount of time, he makes me feel like I can be myself without being judged for it. I missed the old me. The one didn't question people's intentions and grabbed life by the lemons.

  I know that sometimes I will still care what people think about me, and that's something that may never go away. It's been conditioned into me since I was eighteen that even those you trust could turn against you in the blink of an eye.

  His friends start catcalling, so I bury my face into Matt's broad chest. I love his chest. It’s like a strong yet comfy pillow. Hence, I've named it Chest Pillow in my head. Matt seems to love it too because he always cradles my head into it when we hug.

  A little while later, I've perched myself on a stool next to the cocktail table by their reserved table. The guys were playing best three out of five before I got there, and I’ve had fun watching their games. I've gotten a chance to people watch and somewhat guess their personalities.

  They are now on their third game. Jeremy and Matt won the first game and their friends, Tyler and David, won the second. I'm excited to play with Matt. I'm a little competitive, so this should be interesting. I'm no pool shark, but I've practiced a thing or two in my time. His friends are actually pretty funny, and I've been quite entertained by their antics.

  Jeremy has also been deemed "man-pretty". Those golden eyes on that cocoa skin are a lethal combination. I have a classmate that would probably jump him the second she saw him based on how "yummy" she says Matt is when she sees us on campus. Tyler and David both have that classic southern preppy look, which easily tells me they are local. David said he graduated the same year as my brother and they played baseball together. I thought he had looked familiar. At least I can ask my brother if they are good guys. Tyler was telling me about his wife Shay who owns my favorite salon near campus. At least I know Tyler has good taste.

  I can't stop staring at all of them. They still look like they walked out of Hot Guys Weekly.

  I'm just enjoying the atmosphere when I smell the wonderful aroma of what I know is Matt's cologne behind me. His strong hands start massaging my neck, kneading into the abused muscles. Oh hot dang that feels incredible. I lean forward groaning out, "My lord, that feels good." I exhale, letting the day's stress leave me.

  Matt laughs a bit behind me then he leans down to my ear and says, "If that's all I have to do to make you relax, it just shows me you need to be pampered and taken care of all the time."

  Unfortunately, my past experiences don't prove that to be true, and I hate to get my hopes up. I lean back into him and tilt my head up to where my forehead is under his chin. I speak what's on my mind, "Easier said than done I'm afraid."

  He gets a look of anguish on his gorgeous face. Luckily, the guys are on the other side of the tables, unable to see his face or hear this conversation.

  A muscle twitches in his sharp jaw. "Hearing you say that just about ripped me in two. On one end, I'm happy no guy has ever treated you that way so I can show you what it really means to be with someone who cares about you. On the other end, I'm pissed no guy has ever treasured you the way you deserve."

  I take a deep breath then look back up into those bright green eyes. I didn't mean to upset him. I love that I can be honest with him.

  He puts his hands on my shoulders, spins the chair around, and leans down to look me in the eye. "Angel, it'll be my goal in my life to make you smile. You matter to me. Plain and simple."

  I close my eyes and drop my forehead to his chest. He rubs up and down my shoulders, which makes me feel more relaxed. He seems to be having some sort of internal battle, and I leave him to his thoughts while I collect my own. At one point, he pokes me in the side to get my attention.


  While looking back up at him, he asks, "Would you go dancing with me? I promise not to recruit your brother this time. Just you and me."

  I feel my cheeks heat thinking about the last time we danced together. A brief moment of lust pools in his eyes, and I can see the lust in mine looking back. We both know the other is thinking something extremely naughty right now.

  I reach down for my dirty bird side. I pull his head down closer, enjoying the feel of skin under my fingertips, grazing his short and soft hair. I whisper into his ear, "You never know. If you play your cards right, you just might get a private one." Sitting back and look him in the face etched with lust and a whole lot of hotness makes it completely worth bringing out my naughty side.

  Crap on a cracker, my heart is about to jump out of my chest waiting for his response.

  I hear a small growl before a loud whispered, "I love that my girl loves to dance. I look forward to that private dance."

  My inner naughty vixen is ecstatic. My cheeks warm again as he pulls me back into his arms. We're enjoying the friendly atmosphere. A few minutes later, he asks me to have dinner tomorrow night. I had plans to get a start on some projects for class, but I really do want to see him. I can always do it on Sunday after work and give Matt a yes to another date.

  I feel like I haven't seen my brother in forever. His schedule is fairly easy to work around, but since I've been in my learning Matt world, I've become a bad sister. The foot traffic at work was fairly slow so once Rob showed up, so I left a little early to come home and cook. Aaron can't cook to save his life, so I end up cooking twice as much food as necessary and leave it in his fridge when he's on patrols. I'm finishing boxing up a week's worth of my famous baked mac 'n cheese with bacon, pork chops, green bean casserole, and black cherry cheesecake. I don't question my brother's eating habits. His brain is a scary place to be, especially if it's on the Kylie channel 24/7, much less the food channel.

  For once, he's actually home even though he's taking forever to answer the door. His lifted charcoal truck and patrol car are both in the lot. Seriously, what is taking so long? I really don't want to know what he's doing in there or else I might throw up.

  Yelling through the door, "ACE! My hands are full. Open the dang door already or Ruckus will eat all of this food and poop on your front mat for days."

  Finally opening the door and laughing at me, "Munchie. You do realize your dog likes me better? He would never poop on my stuff. Now give me the food." He widens the door, letting me duck under, and intercepts the box from my hand before taking it into the kitchen. At least he's a neat freak and we never had to pick up his clothes for him or do his dishes. Plus, he's a good test dummy.

  While unloading the Tupperware into his fridge, he says, "To what do I owe the visit, little sister? Is everything okay?"

  Hopping up onto the counter, I reply, "Do I really need a reason to see my big brother?"

  "I know I've been working extra shifts lately, but you don't need to check on me. I already have a mother, you nerd."

  I shoot him a mocking glare. "Well considering you live in the same neighborhood as me and can barely feed yourself, I had to make sure you didn't buy out a donut shop to stay alive."

  He walks by me and grabs my leg to make me fall off the counter. "Always with the donut jokes. Need I remind you I go to the gym every day?"

  I walk into his living room and flopping backward onto his couch. "Haha yes. Girls flock to your abs when we're at the lake and your flyboy stories. If I have to hear one more Top Gun reference, I will punch you. Not them. You."

  He has the nerve to sit on me and smack me with the throw pillow I bought for him!

  "Don't worry. None of them are my type, so that's why I make up half the stories about flying. Then they see the local cop uniform and realize I don't plan on leaving here, dashing their hopes of a fast-paced life outside of Aiken."

  Shoving his head to the arm of the couch, I retort, "You love me, the parents, and the Mitchells too much to leave again."

  "You've replaced me as the main man in your life I hear. How are things going with what’s-his-face?" He mock pouts, his deep ocean blue eyes watering as his pokes out his lip.

  "What’s-his-face has a name, Aaron. Matt and I are still getting to know each other. We hung out last night and have dinner plans tonight. You'll be happy to know that I kicked his ass in pool."

  He gives me a noogie, and I slap him in the chest. "I thank you and Bryce for having taught me the tricks of the trade in my younger years. One of your old baseball teammates was there. David Graham?"

  "I'm trying to place the face with the name and if it's who I think it is then Matt has good taste in friends. I'll have to check the yearbooks at Mom's. Most of the team was solid and didn't really cause any drama. Then again, some people let loose after high school and turn into douchebags once there's good access to beer on campus."

  Fluffing the pillow he threw at me, I pluck off fake lint. "Aaron? What if I'm moving too fast with him? I really like him, and he's been making a lot of effort the last few weeks."

  "Char, moving slowly in a relationship doesn't mean you can't move forward. Society thinks that people can't fall in love at first sight or in a short period of time. Screw society's rules. That's the beauty of life. We do what's right for us no matter what anyone else says. Sometimes, we become so focused on moving slow that our true feelings take a back burner. I know life hasn't been easy for you since high school with your dick boss and some of the douches you've dated, but you're fighting hard. You'll come out on top."

  Dang, I forgot how good his speeches were. Mom taught him well. After Bryce had died, Aaron sort of became like me where he only let a select group of people into his personal life. They were blood brothers, even when Aaron left for the Air Force.

  I check the time on his DVD player and realize I only have forty-five minutes until Matt is supposed to pick me up.

  I lift myself off the couch. "Alright my crazy protective big brother, I have a date to get ready for and a kitchen to clean first because someone didn't pay attention to Mom's cooking lessons and burns cereal."

  "Hey, I can make breakfast foods and grill a mean steak. Just because I don't make my own handmade five-cheese pasta doesn't mean I can't cook. Now get on outta here and don't give me details or else I’ll have to beat the shit out of him. I can't arrest him without cause, but if he hurts you, that'll be reason enough."

  Stepping into my big brother's arms, I say, "You're the best, and I promise he won't come bug you again to hunt me down. He's the perfect gentlemen."

  I walk back to my place still thinking about where my life has led me in just a few short weeks. Matt and I have actually spent time talking in both classes and texting that official dates really don't matter anymore. Like I told my brother, Matt has made the effort to show me I matter to him, but he also gives me the space I need to be my own person. It's refreshing and beyond scary.

  Damn, that woman is full of great surprises. There is not one thing about her that isn't keeping me on the edge.

  I'm quickly bringing her out of her shell. The more she gets comfortable with me, the naughtier she seems to be when we're alone. A lady on the outside and a vixen on the inside is definitely my kind of woman. It may have been cheesy when I said it, but it's true. When she and I get together, it's going to be explosive. The fuse was lit the first time we laid eyes on each other, and it's been slowly crackling for weeks. I've always had a bossy side sexually, and I can't wait to experience everything with Charlotte. She is the complete package.

  I plan on asking her tonight if she would feel comfortable coming to the house so I can cook her dinner and give her a night off from life. Hearing her talk about not being treated like a queen gave me mixed emotions. She works too hard and barely takes care of herself. Everything she does is for others to make sure they are happy. She'll lend her notes to a classmate she doesn't know or go into work for a coworker even on her days off. I know if she and I were alone at th
e house, that I would have trouble controlling myself. I want to show her that I respect her and will cherish her. Anything sex related is on her timeline.

  My hand and I have gotten well acquainted. That is something I haven't done since my early twenties. Her telling me I might get a private show is definitely not helping the desire to rip her clothes off the next time I see her. My brain is coming up with all sorts of scenarios. Daisy Dukes and bikini top giving me a lap dance. Blackhawks jersey and nothing underneath. One of my button-downs over lacey lingerie. The list is endless.

  I've been hiding out in my room all morning trying to control my raging hard-on from last night. I haven't been this hard, for this long, since I was a teenager. Every time I tried to finish, something would stop me, and then I gave up only to get hard minutes later. I'm trying to think of something gross to get my dick to go limp.

  Piles of road kill. Eating yellow snow. Nike eating his own poop.

  Well, that helped.

  I throw on some sweatpants and a hoodie before I go into the kitchen to grab a water bottle for my run. I need to get rid of all this pent-up energy and fast. With the aromas coming from the kitchen, my stomach begs for nourishment before I take off on the trails.

  Jeremy is already in there making eggs and bacon.

  Fuck, that smells good.

  I steal a piece of bacon and take a drink of water. Jeremy doesn't take his eyes off the stove when he asks, "How many miles are you thinking of today?"

  Leaning against the counter, I consider briefly before replying, "Probably only four or five, but I just checked the weather, and it's a little overcast today. Would rather not get rained on. I might just go to the gym with you. I gotta do something to get this energy to buzz off, man."

  Giving me a sideways glance, he questions, "No plans with Charlie today?"