Page 36 of Blindsided

“Okay, I can get behind that idea. But we come clean when there’s something to tell.”

“Deal.” I try my best not to hang my hopes on the fact that he just saidwheninstead ofif.

Matthew leans in to kiss me, sealing the agreement and solidifying how addicting this man could easily become.

A meow has both of us lifting our heads toward Sergio. He’s licking his paw as he sits on the floor. His face is very clearly judging the two of us.

“Fuck, I have to go to work. And I’m pretty sure Sergio is planning on slicing my junk if I don’t get my hands off you.” Matthew keeps pecking my lips, making it clear he has no desire to get out of bed. Nor is he afraid of my cat. Not that there’s something to be afraid of… I don’t think.

I push away from him. “Go. I promise to be here when you get home.”

“Right here?” Matthew lifts an eyebrow.

“Okay, maybe not here exactly, unless that’s where you want me?”

He groans. “I’m not going to get a single thing done today with the image of you in my bed burned in my brain.”

“Sorry, not sorry.” I jump out of bed before Matthew can grab me.

“Brat!”

CHAPTER16

Matthew

“We should stop at the store,” Tilly says, walking into the garage to get in my car.

“Why?” I open her door, and she gets in before responding. When I’m sitting in the driver’s seat, she continues.

“It’s polite to bring a gift when you’ve been invited to someone’s house.”

“But we’re only going to my parents’ house.”

“So? I could still bring some flowers or something.”

“Are you going to be mad at me if we don’t go to the store?”

Tilly grins. “Yes.”

I huff out a dramatic sigh. “Fine, we’ll go.”

“Thank you!”

My smile breaks through, and I lean in to kiss her. Being able to kiss her whenever I want to has been the most freeing thing I’ve experienced. After our talk this morning, I no longer feel like I have to hide how I feel about her. When I got home from work today, I wrapped my arms around her and kissed the hell out of her.

I wanted to do more, but my mom called on my way home and asked everyone to come over for dinner. She said she was missing us, but I’m pretty sure she just wanted me to bring Tilly over. She made it a point to tell me I needed to bring her with me.

The biggest surprise is everyone else being free tonight, too. We normally have to plan these things out at least a week in advance.

“Are you sure you’re okay with hanging out with my family tonight?”

“Of course, why?”

“I’m sort of realizing the likelihood of this being a spontaneous dinner is low. I’m beginning to wonder if they didn’t plan this to get you to come over.”

“Ah, so you’re thinking this is a setup?”

“Yeah.”

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