Page 54 of Exposed

“Honest to God. He fucking shattered the mold when he created you.”

She licks her lips, then swallows before sharing, “I know I’m worthy of love. I know what I want in life: to be a mom and have a family. I want to findmy person. Someone who sees and loves me, and we can love and appreciate each other.” She gives a cute little shrug.

It breaks my heart that she doesn’t feel loved.

“I notice how special you are, Pep. I see you. And tonight, I want to see what you’re like when you let go. I want to be the one to see you totally in the moment when your orgasm hits you like a tidal wave.”

Her eyes are watery, and she ducks her face away from me. She sniffs, wipes a tear away, then gives me a teasing grin. “Holy crap. If that’s what you said to your one-night stand, no wonder she trusts you with her kid.”

She’s deflecting with her quirky sense of humor.

“I’ve never said any of that to another woman before,” I admit, sharing my cards with her and feeling exposed.

“Well, you convinced me to let you in my pants,” she quips.

Pepper is different. I can feel it. She’s going to leave a lasting impression on me. I don’t just want in her pants. I want in her heart.

“I’m serious, Pep. You’re different than any woman I’ve been with before.”

I’m not sure how she’s done it, but she’s unknowingly burrowed her way into my heart. I like this girl, and I’m realizing I’m not sure there’s an end to how much.

“Wow,” she says, eyes wide. “Okay, I don’t know what tosay. I, um, I believe you. I’m crap at saying how I feel…I’ve never met anyone like you, Matt. Thanks for inviting me into your home and spending time with me.”

I love that she’s being open with me.

“Of course.” I let my hands travel from her cheeks down to her neck, then to her collarbones. “I have no idea when Simon is going to wake up next, but I want to make sure you come at least twice before he cries.”

21

ICE, ICE, BABY

PEPPER

You can call me love starved, and I’ll be the first to admit that’s true. I want love, but doesn’t everyone? If you’re starving for food, you eat. I’m starving for love, so I’m not going to stop until I find it.

People say you sometimes have to kiss a few frogs before you find your Prince Charming. I don’t know if Matt and I are destined to be together or not, but I wouldn’t be upset if we were. Whenever I’m with him, I feel like he’s my Prince Charming.

He just offered to give me at least two orgasms, and I’m going to soak up every minute of it.

“Yeah, let’s do that. We can be slow another time.” I nod excitedly, feverishly licking my lips while my eyes rake over Matt. His hair is disheveled from running his hands through it all day, and I can’t wait to tug on it myself.

I never thought talking about sex beforehand could be erotic, but the anticipation has me wet already. He’s night and day different from any lover I’ve had, and it’s been a long time since I’ve gotten to sleep with someone.

Plus, he’s even hotter when he’s open emotionally. He’s the first emotionally intelligent guy I’ve been with, and it’s refreshing. I never learned how to communicate my emotions, but he’s fantastic at doing it.

“Get naked for me, princess.”

Damn, I love how he can be emotionally available one minute, then talk dirty to me the next. I think I’m obsessed with him.

His eyes hungrily take in my body as I strip, and I feel drunk from his undivided attention on me.

He quickly sheds his clothes, and my jaw nearly drops to the floor with how phenomenal he looks naked. His dick is hard and stands to salute me. He’s muscular, but not too hard. His physique screams balance, like he eats healthy but also knows not to be overly strict with himself. Muscular and fit but not starved-looking.

“Tampon?” He asks.

“Already took it out,” I grin with my hands clasped behind my back. He makes me feel beautiful, and I want to show off for him.

“Fuck, you’re perfect. Such a good girl for me.” He grabs a towel from the guest bathroom and puts it on the bed.

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