Page 33 of Matched

I choke out a laugh and head to the garage to grab the decorations, glad for a few moments to chill out. When I get back, I plop the box down in the living room before I head into the kitchen to help Tony get the food ready. I start slivering onions and some jalapeño.

Tony reaches into one of the produce bowls, grabs a clove of garlic, and hands it to me. “You’ll want to add this too.”

“I know to add garlic. Jesús. I do it after I cut the other stuff up.” I jerk my head toward the slow cooker where he’s got food sautéing. “You better start breaking up that chorizo or else you’ll have a sore shoulder trying to pry it to bits.”

He nudges me with his shoulder. “Aye, you just keep your eyes on your stuff.”

My body is extremely aware of his presence as we maneuver around each other. I’m genuinely impressed by how he moves while preparing food. There’s no denying it—the way Tony handles himself in the kitchen is downright sexy. The way he works the knife as he finely chops tomatoes. The motion and rhythm lead me to dangerous thoughts. Like how much raw potential is there, and how enjoyable it would be to lead him back to the bedroom right now and tap into that sensual energy. I shake myself when my sex starts to pulsate.

We have things to get done. Nonsexual things.

Once everything is prepped, I rush to my room and get ready. Taya’s heading over early to help set up. Hopefully, Tony will have a talk with Jim about easing up on Trevor—at least for today. I mean, he doesn’t have to love the guy, but it’s so sad that Trevor was going to spend his birthday alone.

I shove clothes in my closet aside and try to find something that says homemaker, wife, and seductress all at once. A part of me wants to give sex with Tony another go tonight, but another part of me just wants him to hold me. If only he weren’t so dead set on making our relationship temporary. Because all this party-planning business and cooking really shows Tony and I work well together. Which brings me right back to my outfit dilemma. Maybe I can make some headway into charming my new husband into changing his mind.

“Ah, yes.” I grab a pair of high-waisted shorts and an orchid button-down crop top that ties just above the belly button. It’s the perfect balance of cute and sexy once I add a pair of jeweled sandals.

The doorbell rings and I walk into the foyer just as Tony shuts the door. I’m rewarded for the extra few minutes I dedicated to my outfit when his eyes move slowly, trailing from my wedge sandals up the span of my legs. He lingers on the exposed skin of my abs, which even I have to say are toned and tanned. His Adam’s apple bobs and he turns his head away. A smile pulls at the corners of my mouth in response to his reaction. I can’t deny that I enjoy having this effect on my husband.

Taya walks over and gives me a hug. “You look so cute.”

“Thanks.” I turn to Jim and Tony before they head off to God knows where. “Can you guys set up the decorations while Taya and I get the plates ready?”

The two men nod and grunt. Jim’s not much for words, but this is the first time Tony’s been so quiet. Cat must have gotten his tongue. I snort and grab Taya’s hand, pulling her into the kitchen.

“I can’t believe the guys didn’t know it was Trevor’s birthday?” Taya slams the forks down onto the countertop and huffs. “Though maybe they did.”

I set the stack of plates next to her and place a hand on her shoulder. “From the shy way he was acting, I doubt they knew.”

Taya laughs. “At least neither of our guys is Bear. God only knows what Marge did to the man after I texted her about the party.”

Marge is a petite woman with the personality of an M-80 firecracker. The men are scared of her. Hell, at times, so am I. But I love her, just the same. And watching her with Bear always makes me believe love exists. The two are opposites in so many ways, yet were made for each other.

The doorbell rings and a moment later Lucas Craiger walks in, along with Bear and Marge. I hug Marge. “Where’s Leslie?”

“Hayden’s home. Nothing like a built-in babysitter,” Marge says.

Bear grumbles a greeting just as Jim walks over, looking as if someone just inserted a stick up his ass. I scowl at him before catching Tony’s eye and jerking my chin in Jim’s direction. Someone better talk to the guy because I’m not looking for a fight to occur in my house.

Tony takes my hint. He claps his teammate on the shoulder and gives him a firm squeeze. “Better check the attitude at the door.”

Jim presses his lips into a tight line but doesn’t say a word.

Tony withdraws his hand and shoves it into the pocket of his jeans, but doesn’t back down. “Look, the kid purchased a stupid frozen pie and movie that he planned on eating and watching alone. You know it’s not how we do things. Not in our line of work. So, get your shit together.”

Something flares in my chest as my husband scolds Jim and stands up for the newbie. Before I can examine the emotion, the storm door slams closed and everyone spins around. The guest of honor has arrived. We all rush into the foyer and scream, “Happy birthday!”

“Thanks again for doing this.” Trevor is all bashful head ducks and smiles. I never noticed before how white his teeth are.

Tony walks over and pulls him in as if he’s about to wrestle him. “No worries.”

Bear sidles in behind the duo and pulls something from his pocket. It looks like a twenty-dollar bill when he slaps it into Trevor’s hand. “Here, kid, get yourself the latest Disney princess movie on me.”

Trevor scoffs and shakes his head as laughter rings out around him. Some of my tension dissolves when even Jim laughs. Thankfully for Trevor, the spotlight moment is fleeting and we all dissipate soon after.

I move toward the side table by the door and stare at it for several long seconds before I realize what’s wrong. My vase is missing. What the hell? My gaze jerks to Tony, who exchanges a wide-eyed glance with Lucas before looking back at me. He leans in and places his rough hand against the exposed skin of my back. “About that. I’ll tell you later, and I’m sorry in advance.” Then he winks and saunters off to get Trevor a beer.

I can’t help but shake my head and laugh as he departs. God only knows what happened, and it wasn’t even a real vase, just an old mayonnaise jar that I glued beads to. But Tony doesn’t need to know that, or the fact that the typical husband-wife snapshot that just played out was oddly appealing.

After I make sure everyone has a plate of snacks, and Tony hands out drinks all around, I plop myself on the couch. Now that the party is in full swing and appears to be going well, I can finally relax a little. Tony sits next to me and rests his hand on my knee. I must be buzzing off of everyone’s happy energy. And I can’t stop myself from leaning into my husband. He smells as good as his palm on my bare skin feels. My body is urging me to head into the ring for round two, while my wary heart reminds me to take care.

He leans closer, his breath hot against my cheek. “I think we did good here.”

“Yeah, I think you’re right. But I have to say, most of my meatballs are gone and your slow cooker of queso is still halfway full.”

Tony throws his head back and laughs from deep in his belly, a sound that, despite my heart’s cautious approach, still somehow manages to turn my insides to mush. “Well, I made a double batch, and you underestimated.”

I give him a light slap on the thigh and laugh along with him, and I’m oddly content sitting here by his side. I take the next few minutes to enjoy the moment—the party, our friends, and simply sitting here without arguing—and then notice Tony’s captivated expression and follow his gaze. Bear and Marge across the room, hands laced together, Bear leaning over her, Marge’s face tipped up in adoration. Not a bad thing to aspire to. And I have to admit, the Issued Partner Program must be onto something because Tony and I do make a good team. Maybe science hasn’t let me down yet.

I sneak a sideways glance at Tony. Now, if only I can get my husband to get on board.

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