Page 113 of The Home Game

His mouth went dry at the sight of two of the main characters making out desperately against a door, buttons flying as one guy ripped the other’s shirt open and bit at his neck.

There had been a buildup of heat and tension between them for weeks and the dam had finally broken. They clutched at each other, grappling as they kissed, making heat pool in Antoni’s belly.

Antoni could hear the click of Matty's throat as he swallowed. “Wow. That's, uhh…”

“Yeah.” Antoni shifted. “It's… damn.”

He took a fortifying sip of the bubbly wine, gaze still locked on the screen. “Matty, I…”

I want you, he thought but the words felt stuck. I want that for us.

Because he hadn’t wanted to push or presume or any of that. But if Matty wanted him, if Matty was offering …

Matty kneaded his shoulder. “Antoni …”

In unison, they looked at each other and when their gazes met, heat sizzled between them.

Antoni licked his lips. “This … sex … it’s the one thing we didn’t talk about,” he said softly. “About what the expectations were. We agreed to share a bed but I didn’t want to assume anything.”

“I didn’t either,” Matty admitted. He brushed his thumb against Antoni’s neck, sending a tingle through his body. “I didn’t want to assume you wanted me. Or the complications that came with sex. But I kinda hoped, you know?”

“Of course I want you.” Antoni shook his head in disbelief. “You’re incredible. I didn’t know if you wanted me. I didn’t want you to feel like you had to, just because you were nice enough to agree to this marriage for the kids.”

God, they were bad at talking about shit like this. They needed to get better.

Antoni shifted, setting his glass on the coffee table, along with the one he plucked from Matty’s hand and the box of chocolates.

He turned to face Matty, giving him his full attention. “So you want this? Sex as part of the marriage, even though we’re not … we’re not in love in or anything.”

“Yes,” Matty said firmly, reaching out to take his hand. “You’re kind and an amazing dad and funny and honest and handsome and … everything I could want in a fake husband.”

Antoni laughed softly, leaning in as butterflies of anticipation fluttered in his stomach. “Wow. I had no idea you felt all that.”

“Of course I do.”

Antoni looked into Matty’s eyes. “You’re amazing too. What you’ve done for us … it blows me away. But more than that, you’re just—you’re such a genuinely good, kind person, Matty. And I really …” He blinked, surprised by the sudden wetness in his eyes. “I enjoy spending time with you. I—I care about you. And I was only holding back before to try to protect the kids.”

He looked down, struck by the sudden sight of their clasped hands, ring circling both their fingers. They’d made promises to each other today. He should be honest with Matty about how he was feeling. “And maybe myself,” he whispered. “Because …”

He couldn’t finish the thought but Matty seemed to understand, because he wrapped his hand around the back of Antoni’s neck, using his thumb to gently tilt Antoni’s head so he could look him in the eye. “I can’t promise you that nothing terrible will ever happen to me. But I can promise that I’ll fight to be here with you and the kids. No matter what. You have my word on that.”

Antoni nodded. “I know. And that means a lot to me. It means everything, really.”

Matty squeezed his neck, a warm, gentle pressure that anchored Antoni. “So if you’re ready, I am too.”

“I’m ready,” Antoni said firmly. But still, as he leaned in, he hesitated a moment, licking his lips and watching Matty’s gaze dart to the motion.

“You seem nervous,” Matty whispered.

“Little bit,” Antoni admitted.

“Why? It's just me.”

Because I married you four hours ago, Antoni thought. Because I've known you for a month, I live with you, and my kids love you already. If I fuck this up, there's more than my heart on the line.

But rather than say that aloud, he grabbed the front of Matty’s hoodie, pulling him in a little closer.

“Because I'm overthinking,” he admitted, mouth inches from Matty's. “And I want you to kiss me and make me stop thinking at all.”

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