Page 117 of Wedlocked

“I did not. That boy knows how big my house is,” Gram said, offended that Kruger thought she could fit half her house inside just a few bags.

I shook my head, pushed the AirPods deeper into my ears, and started off to help.

“Matt.”

I glanced around. Gram stretched up onto her toes to hug me. The way she patted my shoulder was familiar, and my throat closed. “I’m here if you need to talk, honey. I love you.”

“Love you too, Gram.” My voice was gravelly, and I hurried off to load up with suitcases.

Turned out he wasn’t being dramatic for once. There were not just a few bags. There were six. And she was only going to be here for two and a half days.

“Why couldn’t she be like every other normal person and bring her emotional baggage, not fifteen pairs of shoes?” Kruger wanted to know.

I laughed.

Kruger glanced at me. “You like that one, P?”

I shook my head. “Better than the decaf joke.”

“Aww, that’s a classic.”

“That’s my Gram.”

“I hate to break it to you, P. But she’s a MILF,” he cracked.

Horror must have completely taken over my face because Kruger held up his hands. “Not to me! That’s just inappropriate. I’m a married man!” He leaned in and gestured around the crowd. “I’m just saying… I’ve seen the bros in suits looking.”

I leveled him with a look. “You aren’t married yet.”

“All right, I get it. No more MILF jokes.”

I grabbed one of the suitcases to stack it on top of another, larger one as Kruger did the same. “How do you think she got all this into the airport on her way here?” Kruger wondered. “Probably used some of that MILF mojo—shit.I did it again,” he lamented. “Sorry, bro. You know I’m like a one-man show.”

I shook my head and pointed to the suitcases, preparing to heft the stack and another on the side.

“Not so fast,” Arsen said, appearing around a group of people standing in wait.

Gram was right beside him, a white paper cup with a cardboard sleeve around it in her hand. The large square diamond on her index finger sparkled under the light.

“I’ll get it,” Arsen said, stepping right into my personal space.

I relaxed instantly, the neurons in my body recognizing him instantly and soothing my tattered nerves. It never ceased to amaze me the effect this man had. It was like no one else. Even when I was anxious and worried about him being upset, my body still reacted in relief.

“You take this,” he said, holding out a cup that looked a lot like Gram’s but larger. “Mocha latte with extra whip. Extra chocolate drizzle.”

“Too much sugar,” I grumped. He always got me this. I always liked it. I guess I felt like being difficult today.

“That means you can share some with me,” he said, curling an arm around my side to tug me in.

My chin fell back to look up at him. It was something I didn’t really need to do. The three inches he stood taller didn’t require me to crane my neck, but I always did this. His large presence always made me feel dwarfed and protected.

He hummed low in his throat. So low I doubted anyone else heard.

“You gonna kiss me in this airport, Matthew?” he asked, the words on his lips a mere whisper. My scalp rippled and tightened as tingles raced along my nerves. My fingers tightened on the warm cup, and my lashes fluttered like butterfly wings.

He dipped his face, capturing my lips softly, pressing deep but not aggressively. Just enough to make me feel owned. To quiet everything inside me for long, blissful moments. It was over too soon, and he lifted his head. I whined, and he collared the back of my neck with his palm.

“Not even out of my sight for ten minutes and it was just too long.”

---