Page 24

Margot

The days start to blur together. A routine has formed. One I didn’t agree to, didn’t plan on, but somehow have fallen into anyway.

Every morning, I wake up on Matty’s side of the bed.

Some mornings, I wake to coffee in bed. He makes it exactly the way I like it.

Other mornings, I wake to the weight of him on me, pressing me into the mattress, solid and immovable. His warmth lulls me into a sense of comfort that’s getting harder to fight. Those mornings, I feel his arousal pressing against me, and I try desperately to ignore the wetness that follows.

It’s been a constant battle. A war between my body and my mind.

With lingering touches, scalding stares, and far-from-innocent comments, he knows exactly what he’s doing to me. And I’m starting to fall into them .

At this point, the only thing keeping me grounded is my pride. I refuse to beg a man for pleasure.

But his touch would make the bruises to your ego so worth it .

It’s getting harder to quiet the wanton voice in my head.

Because you agree.

After coffee, we part ways. I go downstairs and join Dotty in the kitchen for breakfast. I’ve come to appreciate her. Yes, she idolizes Matty, but it’s because she loves him. And I can’t fault her for that.

I’ve stopped probing for information on the brothers. What’s the use?

While I eat, Matty works. Some days he works from home. Other days, he leaves for the office, wherever that is. Even though when he works from home I don’t see him much, the house still feels emptier when he’s gone.

Occasionally, he’ll join me for lunch. I usually eat outside on the terrace. The weather has been too nice to waste.

Benny enjoys it too. We go on at least one walk a day. We play outside until we’re exhausted. Then we wander around the house, exploring new rooms.

The library is my favorite place. It contains a full wall of books, the classic rolling ladder, and a fireplace I can’t wait to use in the winter. It’s the kind of place I could get lost in and forget the real world.

The house has a home theater full of big reclining seats, which have enough room for Benny to take up an entire chair. It also has a fully stocked snack bar, a massive screen, surround sound, and every streaming platform imaginable.

There’s a gym that I don’t frequent. Sweating isn’t my thing. However, Matty sure enjoys it. Every afternoon, he leaves covered in sweat .

On my favorite days, he’s shirtless.

I’m not proud of how much I enjoy those days.

In the evenings, Dotty collects me for dinner. It’s always delicious, but the best part is the company.

Matty genuinely cares about my day. He asks what I’ve been up to. He tells me about his business successes and shortcomings.

And every evening, the same little ritual unfolds.

My place is set next to him. I move. He follows.

I don’t even do it to get away from him anymore. Now, it’s a game. Our inside joke. And I love it.

He hasn’t come onto me as boldly as he did that first dinner, but he does touch me every chance he gets.

Tucking my hair behind my ear. Kissing my forehead. Holding my hand. Resting a palm on my thigh. Whispering in my ear. Nibbling my lobe. Knocking shoulders. Brushing thighs.

And I’m not fooling anyone.

My breath catching in my throat. Sharp inhales. Full-body shivers. Goosebumps down my arms. Wiggling in the chair. Clenching thighs. Sighs. Gasps. Moans.

I know he notices.

But he never takes it further. He’s the perfect gentleman.

It’s hell.

I tell myself it’s what I want.

But I can’t deny the disappointment each time he pulls back. The problem is, it’s not just physical anymore.

I miss him throughout the day. I count down the hours until dinner. I look forward to his jokes. I even plan ways to make him smile. It isn’t difficult. He seems happy around me.

And that realization terrifies me .

Some evenings, we go our separate ways. Others, we take Benny on a walk around the property. Occasionally, I’ll read in the den while he works on his laptop. Those are my favorite.

We always get ready for bed together.

I don’t know how I’m always ready for bed when he is.

You stay up until he’s ready.

We brush our teeth and wash our faces in synchrony. He still only wears his boxer briefs to bed, something I’ve had to get used to.

You love it.

I, thankfully, now have panties, but don’t wear them at night to conserve them, leaving me in his boxers as well.

Bullshit. You have several pairs, and Dotty does your laundry at your request. You don’t wear them because he told you not to, you obedient girl.

I also have my own clothes now, but I don’t have any sleepwear, which is why I continue to wear his sweats to bed.

So now you can’t wear yoga pants and T-shirts to bed?

Every night, I go to sleep on my side of the bed.

And every morning, I wake up on his.

My body knows what it wants.

And it’s starting to convince my mind.