Page 149 of Heartless

His breath mixed with mine, and I shut my eyes.Our lips touched.There were no shivers, no racing heartbeat, and my throat tightened.I pressed closer into the soft kiss, but it wasn’t...

Damn freaking Jake Rhodes.My hands glided down to his waist, and I dropped my forehead on his chest.

Matt curved his hands around my face.“Hey, hey, Sienna.What’s going on?”

I shook my head.“I can’t,” I whispered.“I...I’m sorry, Matt.I can’t.”

He pulled me fully against him, and his tone was gentle.“Breaking up with him didn’t make things simpler, huh?”

During dinner, Matt had asked me rather playfully if my situation had simplified, to which I’d replied with great conviction that my relationship with Jake was over and done.

“Does he know that?”Matt had teased.And again, I’d vehemently confirmed.

After all, that torrid kiss had led to nothing.No text, no showing up at my door.Nothing.

So maybe he’d come to the same conclusion I had.We had no future as a couple.It was for the best.I was going to keep repeating that to myself until my heart got the message.Now, I realized I’d been lying to myself, and inadvertently to Matt.

Matt’s gaze was soft, and my heart pinched further.“I’m so sorry, I thought being away from him would make things less confusing, but—”

“Damn, you’re one of those women who cries pretty.”Still holding me, he smiled.“Want to write about it?”

I gaped at him.“What?”

“Let’s write about it.Me having blue balls.And you navigating your relationship with Mr.Complicated.”

I couldn’t help my chuckle.“Seriously?You want us to...write?Together?Now?”

He pecked my head.“Get me a pen and a notebook and grab your laptop while I take care of drinks and dessert.”

When I kept staring, he grabbed my shoulders and twisted me toward the living room.“Go.”

So, I did.

****

Later.Much later,I peeked at the bottom right corner of the screen.It was twelve past three.Matt and I were settled head to feet on the sofa.I was seated cross-legged, at one end while he’d laid down on his back with his head propped up on a couple of cushions.

He lowered the black, brand-new notebook I’d given him.“I’m hungry.”Uncurling in a seating position, he combed his fingers through his tousled hair.“Do you have bread, eggs, cheese, and bacon?I’m going to make us a sandwich.”

My mouth watered with approval.“Can I have sliced tomatoes in mine?”

“You got it.”

I returned to my keyboard while he busied himself in the kitchen.

A couple of paragraphs later, Matt was back with two plates.“Sustenance, my cutie muse.”

Giggling, I placed my laptop by my hip.After shaking the stiffness off my legs, I set my toes on the rug and lunged for the plate on the coffee table.I took a bite and hummed.Oh my God, that was almost better than sex.

When Matt half-coughed, half-choked, I realized I’d spoken out loud.

He gulped down the last of his wine and wiped the back of his hand on his mouth.“Fuck, Sienna.Give a man some warning next time.”

I winked at him.“Kay.”

He shook his head, and we went back to our sandwiches.After Matt had eaten the leftover desserts, we wrote some more.

It was brilliant.It was safe.I loved every minute of it.