Page 32 of Breaking Matt

It wasn't a reason to be deceptive but I knew it wasn't something he would understand.

Letting out a frustrated sigh I sat down on my bed.

"I can't let your work dictate my every move," I told my father. "I want to lead a life of my own."

"I take your safety very seriously," he said. "With the promotion the threats I've been receiving have increased."

I bit my lip. "I know that, but if you'd needed to put a bodyguard on me to watch over me you should have said something. I might not have liked the idea but I would have understood."

He was silent because he knew I was right. I couldn't help the nagging voice in the back of my mind telling me there was more going on than he was telling me.

"You're right." That was unexpected coming from my father. "In the future I'll be more honest with you about my concerns."

It wasn't an apology but it was the most I was going to get out of him.

"Did Mom know about Matthew?" I asked.

"No."

I felt relieved that my mother hadn't known. Betrayal from her would have been harder to swallow.

I left my room, still thinking about my conversation with my father, as sounds coming from the kitchen led me there. Matthew was dressed and making coffee. I stood in the doorway watching him. It was hard to keep my hands off him after our last romp but I was determined to have him on my terms.

As if sensing me, he looked over his shoulder at me. I smiled as his eyes swept over me. There was no doubt he liked what he saw, but he pulled his eyes away from me and turned back to the task he was busy with.

"You really think that is appropriate for class?" he asked softly, and I folded my arms.

"What's wrong with it?" I asked, wanting him to tell me it made him want to tear my clothes off.

"It doesn't leave a lot to the imagination," he said as he busied himself with making coffee.

He stopped and turned to hand me a cup of coffee. I took it from him and tried to hide my smile. I could taste the victory of breaking him.

I set my coffee down on the counter as I took a step closer to him. I was the hunter and he was the prey.

"You don't need an imagination," I reminded him seductively. "You know exactly what I look like underneath this."

His features were masked. He took a sip of his coffee as his eyes fixed on me. I took another step closer and I took his coffee cup from his hands and put it down on the counter. He dropped his hands to his sides as my eyes fixed on his lips while I ran my tongue against my bottom lip.

"You know you want me," I whispered as I leaned closer, looking up at him again. "Why fight what you know you can have?"

Silence, but he kept his eyes on me.

"You want me," I reminded him. I was so close—but not enough for us to touch. "Take what you want."

He studied me for a moment, masking his emotions so well I had no idea what was going through his mind. I wanted him to reach for me and kiss me, but he stood still, not moving.

Then he leaned forward, and I smiled, knowing I'd won.

"No," he whispered softly and so close to my lips that I felt his breath.

I frowned and pulled away. I had not been expecting that.

"Why are you being so stubborn?" I asked, throwing my hands up in the air. It was so frustrating he wouldn't do what I wanted.

"I told you what I wanted," he said, and I glared at him. "My terms are non-negotiable."

His rejection hurt even though it was because he wanted more of me than I was willing to give.