Page 46 of Commit

“That was completely different. I was young and not ready to make big life decisions. I barely knew who I was back then.”

“And do you know who you are now?”

“I know that my career isn’t everything. I know that I want to spend my life with someone I love who makes me feel alive. I know that I want a family and all the ups and downs that come with it.” He reaches out, skimming along my jaw. “Is what you want so different from that?”

“No.” I close my eyes and lean into Matt’s touch.

I’m beginning to think trusting him might be easier than trying to push him away.

The speaker switches from tropical beats to something slow and soft. Matt drops his hand, and I open my eyes, looking around. Reece’s and Jana’s parents are sitting in the corner, laughing about something. Maggie, Sarah, Dalton, and Peter are taking selfies with the sunset. Lissy is sitting on Cobie’s lap, stroking his hair, and Reece has his arms around Jana at the other end of the balcony.

“Dance with me,” Matt says.

My chin drops. “Right now?”

“Yeah.” He takes my champagne glass and sets it down. I smooth my hair back and tug on my jumper as butterflies stir inside my stomach. You’d think I’ve never been asked to dance before.

Matt grabs my hand and pulls me to him. My body falls against his chest, and his arms wrap around my waist. I slowly lift my hands, placing them on his shoulders, fearing that if I move too fast, he’ll somehow disappear. Our cheeks fall in line, and I feel the warmth of his breath on my neck and shoulders. I close my eyes, focusing on his touch—the way his fingers dig into my waist, the way his strong arms close me in. My heart accelerates. Who needs exercise? I can reach my maximum heart rate just by being close to Matt.

Our bodies sway together to the music, and my hands tighten around his back. I’m full of excitement and nerves as if it were our first dance all over again. His nose skims the side of my cheek, to my ear, and down my neck until it finally lands in my hair. I feel him breathe in my scent, and he sighs like my smell alone has just revived him.

He pulls his head back, looking into my eyes. The tips of our noses touch, and his fingers roam up my back into my hair. I forget that we’re at a hotel with our friends, in the middle of Key West. For all I know, it’s just Matt and me.

I lift my chin, brushing my lips against his slightly. His grip around me tightens, and I do it again, dragging my lips across his. His breath goes ragged, and his eyes close. There’s no more restraint left. I go to my tippy-toes and pull his mouth down to mine. The dance moves from our bodies to our lips. Anyone watching us right now would never believe we’re broken up. If anything, they’d think we’re the ones set to get married tomorrow morning.

We spin around and around, getting lost in the moment. There are probably a thousand things we need to say to each other, a thousand things we need to figure out, but I don’t care.

Right now, it’s just me and Matt and the feeling that connects us.

CHAPTER 28

MATT

Remi and I walk hand in hand down the hall to our hotel room. There’s something so simple yet so satisfying about holding the hand of the woman you love.

“Maybe we don’t need to go right to bed,” I say, pulling her into my arms. She feels so small inside my hug.

“What else are we going to do?”

“I have a few ideas.” I walk us back to the wall, pressing Remi against it. I lean down, kissing her cheek, jaw, neck, and collarbone. Pretty much anywhere I see bare skin.

“Matt,” she laughs, tilting her head back. “We need to get up early tomorrow for the wedding.”

“I don’t need much sleep,” I whisper between my kisses.

She tickles my side, right where she knows I’m defenseless. “Matthew Johnson,” she says in her stern voice.

“All right. All right.” I back up from her and put the key in the card reader.

Remi hangs on my arm as I push the door open to the hotel room. “Normally, you’d kiss me at my door and then go home. But how am I going to get rid of you now? It’s not like I can kick you out of your room.”

I pull her into another bear hug, resting my chin on her head. “Don’t worry. You don’t have to kick me out. I’ll go without a fight.”

She tilts her head up, and I kiss her one more time, just because I can. Remi tugs on my shirt as the kiss deepens, reminding me that I said I would go without a fight.

“I know!” I moan. “I’m going.” I let out a deep breath and walk to my bedroom door. “Goodnight, Remi.”

She turns over her shoulder, flashing me a killer smile. “Goodnight, Matt.”

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