With Me In Seattle: Bundle Two (50 page)

“Was Matt quiet as a kid?” I ask, enjoying the men’s banter immensely.

“Yeah.” Caleb nods. “He’s always been quiet. Somber.”

“I was making up for Will’s crazy ass.”

“What about Caleb?” Brynna asks Matt. “Was he always the strong silent type?”

“No,” Matt replies, watching his brother thoughtfully. “That happened after the first year or so with the SEALs.”

“You were a SEAL?” I ask, my eyes wide. Holy shit, that explains his hot body.

“Yeah.” Caleb concentrates on his beer bottle.

“Thank you for your service,” I reply softly and smile when his eyes find mine. “My dad was Army. He was in Viet Nam.”

Caleb nods and meets Matt’s gaze. Something unsaid passes between them, and then Matt’s phone rings.

“Fuck, it’s Asher.” He puts the phone to his ear. “Yeah.”

“I hope he doesn’t have to leave,” Brynna murmurs.

“This can’t wait until tomorrow morning? He’s not going anywhere,” Matt mutters and then curses and pushes his hand through his hair, a sure sign of frustration. “Okay, I’ll be there in a bit.”

He clicks off and shoves his phone in his pocket, then looks at me apologetically. “I guess it’s good we brought separate cars. I have to go in to work.”

“Okay.” I lift a shoulder, as though it’s no big deal and try not to be disappointed. This is his job.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s your job, Matt. It’s fine.”

“Give us a moment,” Matt murmurs to Caleb and Bryn, kissing Bryn’s cheek before he takes my hand, leading me into the house. “Thanks for dinner. I’ll call you tomorrow, man.”

Once in the kitchen, Matt pulls me into his arms and kisses me senseless. His fingers dive into my hair, and he holds on almost desperately as he devours my mouth, as though he’s branding me.

Finally, he pulls away, breathless. His blue eyes are bright with lust.

“This is not how I planned to spend the night,” he informs me. “I was very much looking forward to taking you home and losing myself in you for a few hours.”

I swallow hard and then smile bravely. “Rain check.”

“I’m sorry,” he repeats.

“Matt, this is just how it is. You’re a cop. I’m proud of you. Go do your job.”

He sighs and hugs me close, rocking back and forth for a moment before planting his lips on my forehead and taking a deep breath.

“I’ll call you later,” he murmurs.

“Sounds good.”

He kisses me once more and then heads out to his car.

“I should probably go, too,” I announce when I walk back out onto the deck.

“Can I have a word with you before you go?” Brynna asks.

“Of course,” I reply and reclaim my chair.

“Do you mind if I stay?” Caleb asks.

I look between their faces, both sober and serious, and I start to feel very nervous. This is where they tell me I’m not good enough for him.

“I don’t mind,” I reply softly.

“I just have to offer you a little advice,” Brynna informs me. “I was married to a cop. The twins’ biological dad,” she adds at my look of surprise. “It’s not easy, Nic. Don’t ask him to choose between you and his job. Neither choice would make him happy.”

“I would never do that,” I reply with a scowl. “And the fact that you’d say that says that you don’t think very highly of me.”

“That’s not true,” Brynna disagrees with a shake of her head. “I’m just warning you that cops aren’t easy to be involved with. And, honestly, I’m not trying to sound like a bitch, which I just realized, I kind of am. Matt is one of the best men I’ve ever known. He’s done a lot for my family, Nic. Including knocking some sense into this one.” She points at Caleb with her thumb and offers me a small smile. “I love him. I just don’t want him to get hurt.”

“He’ll never make you think that you take a back seat to the job,” Caleb adds.

“I have no complaints about Matt’s job,” I reply honestly. “I’m proud of him. He’s a good cop. I know it’s demanding, and I’m sure there will be times that it’s damn inconvenient, but it is what it is.”

I shrug, and both Brynna and Caleb seem to visibly relax.

“I like you,” Caleb comments. “I think you’re very good for my brother.”

“Thank you,” I whisper. “I hope you’re right.”

***

I can’t stop thinking about him. I lay my e-reader on the end table and rub my eyes with the pads of my fingers.

I have no idea how long I’ve been staring at the same paragraph, thinking about Matt. I haven’t heard from him yet, but that doesn’t surprise me. If he got called in, he’s busy.

How is it that I miss having him here in my bed with me and we’ve only been seeing each other for such a short time? Maybe he’d read to me, or watch a movie.

Or make love.

My body flares at the thought, and I shift my hips, rubbing my legs together, trying to ease the ache between them.

I want him.

Finally, I pick up my phone and send him a text.

Please get out of my head. I’m trying to sleep.

I watch the phone intently for several minutes, and finally he responds.

You’re always in my head. Are you okay?

I grin and begin to type.

Yes, I’m fine. Miss u. Wish u were here. I’m naked.

I giggle and roll onto my belly, waiting impatiently for his response.

Killing me. Are you wet?

Been thinking of u, so YES!

I bite my lip, watching my phone. After a few minutes, it rings.

“Hello?”

“You’re killing me, baby.”

“I thought we were going to have fun text sex,” I reply with a giggle.

“I needed to hear your voice.” He sounds tired. Frustrated.

“Tough night?”

“Yeah, and it’s going to be a long one. Asher and I will be working through the day tomorrow, too.”

“Do you still want the cupcakes you mentioned this morning?” I ask and roll back over, staring at the ceiling.

“Definitely. That might be the only time I get to see you tomorrow.”

“I’ll have them ready for you,” I promise him.

“Back to the subject at hand.”

I hear his grin, and I can’t help but smile back and clutch the phone a little tighter.

“You say you’re wet?”

“And horny as hell,” I reply.

“What are you doing about that?” His voice has gone soft as velvet, but it’s also taken on that edge it gets when he slips into his bedroom Dom mode, and heat immediately floods my body.

“I wasn’t doing anything about it yet,” I reply, my voice harsh now.

“I want you to spread those soft thighs of yours and plunge two fingers inside yourself. Now.”

I follow his direction and groan at the erotic feeling of having his voice in my ear and my own fingers deep inside me.

“Matt,” I groan.

“Now rub the ball of your hand over your clit. Hard, baby.”

I moan and rub my clit vigorously as I move my fingers in and out of me quickly. Fuck me, just the sound of his voice sends me out of my mind.

“Babe, I’m gonna come,” I moan.

“I need you to come fast for me, little one, and I’ll finish the job myself tomorrow night. That’s a promise.”

“Oh God.”

“I’m going to tie you up and lick you from head to toe, Nic. Would you like that?”

“Holy shit,” I moan and come apart at the seams, thrashing, my legs rubbing against each other, draining every ounce of pleasure from my clit I possibly can.

“That’s my girl,” he croons in my ear. “Good girl.”

“I miss you,” I choke out.
I love you!

“Tomorrow night, I promise.”

“Okay.” I take a deep breath and then laugh. “That was fun.”

“For you. I’m going to have to take a minute before I go back into the office so Asher doesn’t get a look at the wood I’m sporting.”

I giggle and roll onto my side. “If I was there, I could take care of that for you.”

“God, stop talking like that, baby.”

“Are you alone?”

“Yes.”

“Does the door lock?”

“Are you suggesting I jack off in a storage closet?” he asks in surprise.

“I would love to hear you come,” I whisper.

“I’ll come for you all night tomorrow night, sweetheart.”

I grin. “I can’t wait.”

“Good night, love.”

“Good night.”
Love.

Chapter Fourteen

“There’s someone at the door,” Anastasia announces as she walks into the kitchen. “We still have twenty minutes before we open, but he says he knows you and to check your phone.”

I pull my phone out of my pocket and see two texts.

Asher and I will be at the shop in 30.

We are at the front door. Your faithful employee doesn’t trust that I know you.

I run out to unlock the door for them, grinning when I see Matt leaning his ass on the glass, dressed in jeans and a blue button-down that I know matches his eyes.

His ass looks amazing in jeans.

He turns and smiles at me as I unlock the door, step back to let him and Asher in, and then lock the deadbolt again.

“Sorry we’re early,” Asher says as he saunters over to the glass case to ogle the treats inside.

“You’re fine,” I reply. “Anastasia, this is Matt and Asher.”

“Sorry.” She blushes and shrugs. “I just don’t feel comfortable opening the door early to people I don’t recognize.”

“You did the right thing,” Asher assures her.

“How are you?” Matt asks softly and cups my cheek in his hand.

“Happy to see you,” I reply and turn my face to press a kiss to his warm palm. God, I’m so mushy.

His eyes flare with happiness, then darken when I skim my teeth over the base of his thumb.

“Keep that up and I’ll have you tied up in that apron and against the wall of your kitchen in one minute,” he whispers into my ear before kissing my cheek and pulling back, grinning wolfishly.

“Promises, promises,” I tease. “I have your cupcakes ready to go.” Keeping his hand in mine, I lead him to the kitchen, where his boxes are waiting for him. “I hope everyone likes them.”

“They’ll love them. The guys are becoming addicted to these. You just might put the doughnut industry out of business yet.” He winks, and I glow under his praise.

“From your lips to God’s ears.” I nod. “Leo’s article will hopefully draw more people in, too.”

“Leo’s article?” he asks with a raised brow.

“Yeah, he said that he mentioned my shop in an interview. Shocked the hell out of me.”

“Huh.” Matt nods approvingly. “That’s cool.”

“You look tired.” I push my fingers through his soft hair and rub the muscles at the base of his neck. “Did you catch any sleep?”

“Not really.” He sighs and rubs his hand over his face and then studies me for a moment. “I’m sorry about last night.”

“Stop apologizing. Seriously, it’s okay, babe. I missed you, but you have a kick-ass job where you fight crime and defend the American dream.” I grin up at him as he smirks.

“Uh, something like that.” He pulls me into his arms for a big hug.

There’s nothing sexual about this, aside from the sparks of awareness that shoot through me whenever he touches me. Instead, he seems to be soothing both of us. His hands glide down my back and rest at my waist, holding me tightly against him. He buries his nose in my neck and breathes deep. “I’d like to come to your place when I’m done tonight.”

“I’d like that, too,” I agree without hesitation. “I’ll make you dinner and everything.”

He chuckles and kisses the top of my head. “That’s the best offer I’ve had in months. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me until you’ve had my mediocre cooking,” I warn him. “I can bake like a champ, but cooking isn’t really my strong suit.”

“I can cook.” Matt shrugs, but I shake my head adamantly no.

“No way, detective. You’ll have worked a twenty-four-hour shift. I’ll feed you.”

I pass his boxes to him and lead him out of the kitchen just as Asher hangs up his phone with a curse.

“Abby canceled on me for today. What the fuck?”

“Who’s Abby?” I ask, looking between both men in confusion.

“My babysitter,” Asher replies and swears again, combing through his phone. “She has a family emergency and can’t watch Casey today.”

I frown at Matt, but he shakes his head discreetly, as though he’ll fill me in later.

“You don’t have anyone else to watch him?” I ask.

“Her,” Asher corrects me absentmindedly. “Casey is my daughter. And no, I don’t have anyone else.”

“I can watch her,” I offer.

“You’re working,” Asher replies, frowning as his head whips up.

“Well, the last time I checked, I own the joint, so I can invite anyone I wish.” I offer him a big smile and wink at Anastasia, who nods in agreement. “How old is Casey?”

“Nine,” he replies. “She’s a good kid. She’ll probably just bury her nose in her iPod and stay out of your hair.”

“We’d love to have her. Can Abby drop her off here?”

Matt grins and leans his hip against my counter, crosses his arms, watching us both.

“I’ll text and ask her,” Asher replies, relieved. “Are you sure about this?”

“Of course.” I wave him off and walk to the door to unlock it. It’s time to open for the day. “She’ll be fine here.”

“Abby says she’ll have her here in about ten minutes. Thanks, Nic. Really.”

“My pleasure. I could use the extra help.” I chuckle and am shocked to find myself caught up in a bear hug from a very strong, handsome Asher. “Whoa!”

“Watch your hands, partner,” Matt warns him.

“You’re the best.” Asher sets me back on my feet and kisses my cheek. “Dump that asshole and marry me.”

Matt’s eyes narrow and darken and his lips firm, but he stays where he is, watching.

“Sorry, handsome.” I pat his cheek and back out of his embrace. “I’m content with what I have.”

“Damn.” He smiles ruefully.

***

“You’ll love the strawberry ones,” Casey assures a customer, carefully placing four of the cupcakes in a white box, her tongue held between her pink lips in concentration. Casey is adorable. Where her father has dark hair and eyes, Casey has long, curly red hair, green eyes and freckles all over her perky little nose. Her skin is perfect, soft and pink.