Page 41 of A Twisted Arrangement

“Hey. Where did your mind go?” he says softly, his chest rumbling against mine. “Come back.”

The ache forming in my chest is the exact reason I need to break apart from him.

“Where’s Oliver?” I take a deep breath and straighten my shoulders, pulling away from him. My teeth chatter as his heat leaves me.

“He couldn’t make it.”

I look Matthias over and have to stop myself from curling back into him. He’s wearing a dark hoodie that looks like it would engulf me whole and freaking gray sweatpants. Why is it that a man who spends his days in suits and looks like he can kill you at any second can also show up looking like the warmest, safest place on the planet?

“W…why would he c…call you?” My words come out choppy. I’m shivering so bad.

“Come here.” Ignoring my attempts to keep distance between us, he pulls me to his side, clamping me in place with his arm wrapped around my hip. The heat of his front pressed to my side warms me immediately. He dips his mouth close to my ear.

“Let me take you home,” he murmurs.

I force myself to pull back again, not liking how much control he has over me. “I just want to go home.” Before he can say anything, I add, “To my house.”

His brows pull together as if he’s trying to figure out how I knew to clarify, but his intentions were written all over his face.

Long, thick fingers curl around my arm as he tugs me with him toward his SUV. He opens the door for me, careful to keep the umbrella covering us. “Get in.”

“You don’t have to be pushy,” I say, getting into the passenger seat. The second the door closes, I’m wrapped in warmth. Hot air is pouring out of my vents at full blast, and the seat underneath me has been pre-warmed, like Matthias knew I’d be a popsicle by the time I got in here. Even with the umbrella, it was inevitable to get wet, but at least I’m not soaked through. I rub my hands together, trying to get some feeling back into them when he climbs into the driver’s side, tossing the umbrella into the back.

His entire body bristles as a shudder rolls through him, and it’s so adorable I can’t look away. He’s such a big guy it’s easy to believe he’s impervious.

“How long were you waiting out there?” I ask.

“Few minutes.” He glances at his rearview mirror, giving me the distinct impression he’s avoiding eye contact.

My fingers wrap around his without a thought, and they’re like ice. “Exactly how many minutes?”

“You worrying about me, Scarlet?”

His head’s tipped forward, so his hair falls into his eyes. It’s not fair how hot he is when I must look exhausted.

I yank my hand back and frantically wipe under my eyes, trying to remove the inevitable dark smudges. He covers my hands, lowering them so he can do it instead. It’s so shockingly sweet that I lean into his touch without a thought.

His thumb sweeps up to my temple, catching a wet strand and tucking it behind my ear. “You’re so fucking cute right now.”

Rain covers the windows, making it impossible to look out while the drumming sound blocks out the world. I swallow hard, my fingers gripping the center console, my mind whirling so fast I can’t make out my thoughts. He shifts closer, taking up the space between us, his mouth descending toward mine, and I don’t think I can stop him from kissing me. I don’t think I want to.

I suck in a breath, closing my eyes, but the touch of his mouth never comes. Instead, he reaches around me, pulling my seat belt across my chest and buckling me in place. “Safety first.”

I groan low in my throat, my fingers curling in a mix of embarrassment and frustration.

“Just go.” I lean forward and turn on the music, surprised to hear my favorite song. I let it drown out any possible conversation and turn my face toward the window.

Matthias doesn’t push me any further, as if sensing I’m at the end of my rope, and flips on the windshield wipers before pulling out into the dark street. The reflection from the streetlights makes the road practically glow as we make our way through the city. I curl to the side, putting as much distance as possible between us, trying to escape whatever insanity just took over me.

Matthias hand slides down my thigh, ending just above my knee, where his fingers wrap from one side to the other. His thumb sweeps back and forth in slow strokes that have all my thoughts evaporating and every molecule of my being focusedon the way his touch sends electricity between my thighs. I’d be naive to believe he doesn’t know exactly what he’s doing to me, but the slight pink flush in his cheeks is what stops me from doing anything.

It’s like time morphs sucking up the time it takes to pull up to my place. Matthias puts the car in park and grabs my arm when I go to step out. The rain’s slowed to a trickle, and I’m sure I can make it inside without too much damage.

His fingers squeeze. “Just wait. I’ll go in first.”

“Fine.” It’s not like I don’t do this with Oliver each time we come home. It just somehow feels more...intimate? with Matthias.

He gets out, rounding the car before opening the door. Raindrops collect together on his cheeks as he waits for me to snap out of it.

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