Page 28 of Love in Unexpected Places

“I’m still sorry that you had to go through all of that.I wish you hadn’t had to.”

“And I’m glad that you won’t have to.”Matty had been vulnerable on the streets, but Sabrina?As a woman, it would’ve been even worse for her.Matty had seen how people treated the women he considered sisters over the years.He never wanted that for them or for Sabrina.

He pressed a kiss on top of her head and got up.She smelled like peaches.“I know it’s hard to stop thinking about everything, but it’s all in the past.You have a brilliant future ahead of you, and I want you to focus on that rather than on the pain.”

Sabrina smiled.“I’ll do that.”

Matty would try to do the same.He was still anxious because of the coven and what might happen, but worrying about something he couldn’t do anything about wouldn’t help.He wanted to enjoy his life as it was now.

And he would.

His phone vibrated on the bed, and he snatched it up before Sabrina could.She snickered and rolled off the bed, winking at him when he glanced up to tell her that Sullivan was parked in front of the house.“Have fun, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she said.

“Sabrina!”

Her laughter followed him as he made his way downstairs.He grabbed his jacket, checked that he had everything in his pockets, and opened the door to find Sullivan waiting for him, leaning on the porch railing.The smile Sullivan gave Matty made Matty’s stomach churn in the best of ways.He was still nervous, but he could do this.

“Hey,” he said, closing the door and moving toward Sullivan.

He was surprised when Sullivan hooked an arm around his waist and pulled him close, but maybe he shouldn’t be.After all, Sullivan was the one who’d introduced himself to his parents as his boyfriend.

The kiss was soft and quick, but it was only the first they would exchange tonight.Matty was sure of it.

“Ready?”Sullivan asked.

“I am.”Matty was ready for anything Sullivan could give him.

* * * *

Sullivan guided Mattytoward the car even though he didn’t need to.He just wanted to touch Matty, and Matty didn’t seem to mind Sullivan’s hand on the small of his back.There was a small smile playing on his lips that made Sullivan want to kiss him again.If he did that, though, he didn’t think they’d ever leave pack territory, and he had plans.

From what he knew of Matty’s past, Sullivan couldn’t imagine he’d gone on many dates.He might be wrong, but either way, he wanted to take care of Matty.He wanted to spoil him and make him feel loved because that was what Sullivan felt.

Well, he wasn’t in love quite yet, but he definitely had a crush, and it wouldn’t take much for him to fall for Matty.He wanted to spend all his time with him.The only reason he wasn’t was that the coven leaders would hunt him down.

He didn’t want to think about them.It wasn’t easy because he kept wondering if Meredith had been the only one to notice he’d left, but it was only for a few hours.He’d be back at the house later tonight, and if anyone had noticed he was gone, he could just say he’d been on a date without explaining who it had been with.It wasn’t like he and the other mages were forbidden from dating outside of the coven.It wasn’t encouraged because the coven leaders preferred their mages to date and marry other mages, but with no contact with any other coven beyond fighting them, the coven had to make do with humans who lived in the area.

Or, in Sullivan’s case, with a cute bear shifter he wanted to spoil.

He opened the passenger seat door for Matty, who looked both flustered and pleased.Matty smiled before sliding into the seat, and Sullivan quickly closed the door and rushed around the car.He couldn’t wait to spend time alone with Matty, and even though most pack members seemed to tolerate Sullivan, he felt like someone was watching them.

He was right.Someonewaswatching them.He noticed that the curtain of one of the downstairs windows had been pulled aside when he looked up after closing his door.Sabrina was standing there, staring at them, and Sullivan hesitated.Should he wave?

Matty groaned.“This is so embarrassing.”

“What is?”

“There’s no reason for her to keep watch like that.”

“She’s probably worried about you.”

“Why would she be?She knows you.She knows you’re a good person.”

“Does she?I mean, I came with you when you picked her up, but that’s all she knows about me.”They’d talked in the car, but that hadn’t been enough to get to know each other in any kind of profound way.Even Matty didn’t know much about Sullivan.That was why they were going on dates.

“Fair, but it’s not like she can do anything.Watching us from the window isn’t going to help anything.”

Sullivan grinned and waved at Sabrina.She smiled back and waved, too, making Matty groan.

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