Page 110

Chapter 24

Pulling into Katherine’s driveway, Matthew put the truck into park and turned off the engine. He was relieved that dinner with both families had gone so well. But he was even more relieved they were back at Katherine’s house and headed inside to spend another night together.

After running into his parents at the diner, having Justin drop the Chandler files into his lap, learning there was a secret investigation about Julia and Grant’s accident, and then meeting the entire Bennett family for dinner, Matthew was more than ready for the day to end.

It wasn’t until they jumped back into her truck to come home that he felt the all-day rush of adrenaline start to subside. From start to finish, the day had been like riding a rollercoaster. All the twists, turns, and ups and downs, had made the day fly by in a blur. But now, all he wanted to do was go into the house, shut out the world, and go to sleep with Katherine by his side.

Seeing her slide across the bench seat to follow him out the driver’s side door made Matthew smile. Sometimes, the little things she did to show she wanted to be next to him warmed hisheart. It was nice being with someone who liked being with you. Something Matthew had gradually forgotten as his relationship with Julia began to deteriorate.

Now, with this second chance at love, he’d do everything he could to protect it. Even if that meant protecting Katherine from the pain she’d inevitably feel when she learned the truth about Max and Beth Ann.

But for tonight, he wanted to push those thoughts aside and concentrate on Katherine and being close to her.

As they walked to the porch and up the stairs, hand in hand and side by side, it felt as if they’d done it a thousand times before and not the start of the thousands of times yet to come.

Once they were inside, Matthew couldn’t wait any longer, and he kissed Katherine as soon as the door closed. Holding her against his chest, he knew she could feel his heart pounding from beneath his shirt. And while his lips remained soft and searching, the urgent grip of his hands on her hips said more about how he really felt.

“I’ve been wanting to kiss you all night.”

Katherine held his gaze as she started to unbutton his shirt. “I’ve been wanting to dothisall night.”

Feeling her fingers move from one button to the next, Matthew knew Katherine had something in mind, and he couldn’t wait to find out what it was.

“What exactly are you doing?” he teased.

“Nothing,” she said, even though excitement had added a warm pink color to her cheeks.

“It doesn’t feel like nothing.”

“Okay… then I am doing something.”

Matthew chuckled, stopping her when she reached his stomach.

“Please, Matthew.”

“Please, what?”

“Please let me look at you and touch you,” she said, bolder and more determined than she’d ever been before. “I promise I’ll behave.”

“I don’t know, Miss Bennett. You’ve got that look in your eye.”

“Is it anything like the look in yours?” Katherine teased back, tugging on her bottom lip with her teeth as she stared into Matthew’s passion-filled gaze. Moving his hands out of the way, she went back to work on the buttons of his shirt, then pulled the ends of fabric free from where he had it tucked into the waistband of his jeans. When she finished, she opened the shirt, slid it over his shoulders, and let it drop to the floor. “Are you worried I’ll do something naughty?”

“Naughty?” he questioned, helpless against her advances, flinching when her fingers moved down his chest, past the lines of his stomach, and to the waistband of his pants. “What do you mean by naughty?”

“You know, something I’m not supposed to do,” she said, then leaned in and used her mouth to focus on the rounded curve of his bottom lip. She kissed and licked and sucked until he tingled with anticipation. “Mmm… delicious.”

“Katie…” Matthew’s grip tightened on her hips. “Not that I’m complaining, but what’s gotten into you tonight?”

“Shh,” she silenced him, placing a single finger over his lips. Then she grabbed his overnight bag off the couch to lead him upstairs. “Now it’s my turn.”

Entering the bedroom, Katherine let go of Matthew’s hand and left him standing by the door with the bag sitting next to him. Then she crossed the room to the closet, stepped out of her sandals, slipped the peasant blouse she was wearing over her head, and unclasped her bra.

Matthew watched, unaware that his hands were clenched into tight fists. Instead, he was studying Katherine’s every move. Enjoying how her skin looked soft, even in the dim light. And theway her long dark curls fell down around her shoulders and over her bare back. When she reached for a clean nightgown from the closet, Matthew saw the slight curve of her bare breast.

“Oh my goodness,” he sighed, unable to believe what he was seeing. “If you only knew how much I want you.”

“Shh,” she replied with a soft, throaty laugh. “Be patient.”