growing up.
We sit in silence for a few minutes, both watching the city move and the water glisten below us. “So, what is it you wanted to discuss?” I ask.
“Oh, yes,” she replies, sitting up and setting her bottle on the small table between us. “I know I mentioned this to you a few weeks back and you were unable to commit. I understand if you’re still unable to, but I’d like to see if you can attend the Fur-ever Home Charity Gala with me.”
“The one the shelter is doing?” I ask. Not because we’ve discussed it before, but because I saw a poster promoting it hanging up at the animal shelter on Sunday.
“Yes,” she confirms. “It’s two weeks from this Saturday. I’ll be working from time to time, but I’d love for you to come as my date.”
I mentally run down the schedule my brother left me, and the gala wasn’t on it. Probably because he had every intention of me doing his dirty work and breaking up with her last weekend.
“Saturday, right?” I ask, seeking confirmation. Matthew comes home that following day, on Sunday, and then my duty is fulfilled. I’ll have posed as my brother for the three required weeks and will, hopefully, be on the first flight out of Boston to head west come Sunday morning.
“Yes.”
My eyes meet hers. They’re eager and excited, and I can tell she truly wants me to go. Or at least, wants Matthew to go. That thought is sobering.
I clear my throat and try to picture what my brother would do. Not commit, I’m sure. He’d probably work too late and miss most of the event, the one she has been working so hard on. So instead of brushing her off with a noncommitted response, I stun even myself by saying, “I think I can make that work.”
Those hazel eyes dance with delight as she beams at me. “That’s wonderful. There’ll be many business associates there, I’m sure. You’ll have plenty of people to talk to. It’ll be just like you’re at work, but in a tuxedo,” she quips with a giggle.
I don’t tell her all I need is to talk to her.
“Can’t wait.”
Chapter Ten
Kyla
We sit out on the balcony for another hour. I tell him all about the gala, and surprisingly, he seems truly interested. He doesn’t share much, just listens intently and asks a few questions every now and again. It’s weird. I’ve never been so open and talkative before. Neither one of us even seems to realize our drinks are empty until I yawn and look at my watch.
“I should probably go,” he says, standing up and stretching his back.
I can’t help but sneak a peek at how well the button-down molds to his arms and chest. When he stretches, the shirt rides up just enough that I catch a glimpse of a strip of dark hair below his belly button. Suddenly, my body is humming, my mouth dry. I’m staring, even after he drops his arms, covering his lower belly with his shirt. All I can think about is exploring that strip of dark hair, discovering where it leads.
Oh, I know exactly where it leads…
“You okay?” he asks, breaking through the sudden dirty thoughts filtering through my brain.
When my eyes meet his, I find his full of concern, which makes me blush again. If only he knew where my mind just went.
“I’m good,” I assure him, grabbing the empty beer bottles to keep my hands busy.
Matthew opens the door and allows me to enter first. I hear him shut and secure the sliding glass door lock before his heavy boots echo across the hardwood floor. I quickly toss the bottles into the recycling bin and glance at the small stack of dishes from earlier. Those’ll wait until tomorrow morning to move to the dishwasher.
Turning around, I find him leaning against the counter directly behind me, watching my every move. His hands are shoved in his pockets, one ankle crossed over the other. He looks casual and so…edible.
My breathing hitches at the thought, and his eyes seem to darken, as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking about. I’m not sure who moves first, but I’m quickly wrapped in his arms, his lips devouring mine. My hands thread into his hair, the strands a touch too long and feel so good between my fingers.
Matthew grips the back of my blouse and pulls me flush against his body. It’s hard—so hard—and makes me want to climb him like a