Page 26

Matthias

We’re enjoying a pleasant dinner, until Margot suddenly jerks upright in her chair.

I freeze.

“What’s wrong?” My voice betrays my panic. My heart slams against my ribs. My chair scrapes against the floor as I shoot to my feet.

I’m on her in seconds, hands gripping her arms, checking for injuries.

“Are you hurt?” My hands skim her body, searching for blood, bruises, anything.

She swats me away. Then to my complete horror, she starts giggling.

Giggling.

The giggles turn into full-blown laughter. She’s clutching her stomach, shaking.

Is she going into hysterics?

What the fuck is happening ?

“Sweetheart,” I say carefully, trying to keep the desperation out of my voice. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

She wipes a tear from her cheek, still laughing. A fucking tear.

“I’m so sorry, Matty,” she gasps between giggles. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

My entire body deflates. “Sweet girl, you just took years off of my life.” And gave me a minor heart attack. I should call Dr. Richard, the Syndicate doctor, and have an EKG done.

She giggles again.

Now that I’m not in a state of all-consuming panic, I can appreciate the sound. Her laughter is angelic. Addicting. I’ll never get enough.

Then she says something that stops my heart for the second time tonight.

“I’m sorry, babe.”

Babe.

She called me babe .

First, Matty. Always Matty.

Once, in the alley, Mr. Montclair. I wouldn’t mind hearing that one again.

But now, babe .

She didn’t even notice. It slipped out naturally.

But I noticed.

It’s the closest thing to affection I’ve gotten so far. And it feels euphoric.

She suddenly brightens, like a lightbulb went off in her head.

“Let’s watch a movie!”

I blink, still stuck on the babe thing.

“Huh?”

“A movie! That was my idea! We have the theater, and I’ve watched some things in there. I thought it’d be fun. I think it’s Friday, so I figured you didn’t have work. But if you do, that’s totally okay. And I get it if you don’t want to–”

“That sounds great, sweetheart,” I cut in, smiling.

She talks so fast when she’s excited. It’s adorable.

But something bothers me.

She was nervous to ask.

I frown. Why?

Are we not at a point where she should feel comfortable inviting me to do things? I need to do better.

Then it clicks.

Dinner and a movie .

Is my sweet girl asking me out on a date?

I feel lightheaded.

Or she just wants to watch a movie.

Nope. I reject that idea.

She could always watch a movie alone. She’s inviting me to join her.

That makes this a date. Or at least, in my book it does.

Her smile widens. “What do you want to watch?”

She’s bouncing in her seat, and I can’t remember ever feeling this happy.

“How about the one Benny’s named after?”

Her face lights up.

“ How To Lose a Guy In 10 Days ! That’s one of my favorites. You’re going to love it.”

She’s already skipping out of the room, the rest of her dinner forgotten.

***

An hour later, I regret everything.

“ This is the asshole you named Benny after?” I grumble, dumbfounded.

Margot sighs. “Yes. He’s so dreamy. ”

I scowl at the screen.

Dreamy?

I’m way hotter. She cannot seriously think this jackass has better abs than I do. She wakes up against my chest every morning. What the fuck?

Before I can fume further, she gasps and starts explaining the plot to me. I’m following along, but I let her talk anyways. Because she’s adorable when she’s passionate.

And I’d listen to her ramble about anything.

Then the music starts.

And my entire world shifts.

Margot starts singing along.

No, not just singing.

Performing.

She’s bouncing in her seat, grinding her hips, like she’s riding my cock .

She lifts her shirt, seductive as sin.

I think my brain short circuits.

If it moves an inch higher, I’ll come in my pants.

Then, the music stops.

Margot sits back down like nothing happened.

I stare.

Still hard as steel.

Still struggling to process what the hell just happened.

I discretely adjust myself. I’ve never seen anything sexier.

The movie continues, but my eyes keep drifting to her.

She’s engrossed. She mouths the words, knowing the movie by heart.

Her lips part slightly when the male lead takes control with a kiss.

She leans forwards, captivated. A faint blush dusts her cheeks.

She wants a man to take control. I already knew that. But seeing it play out on her face?

I clench my fists.

One day, I’ll give her that. And she’ll never want for anything, because I’ll give her everything.

She yawns and I smile. She’s trying so hard to stay awake.

I don’t think she just wants to finish the movie.

She wants to see my reactions. She’s been watching me, sneaking glances when she thinks I don’t notice.

I exaggerated a few reactions for her sake.

I don’t think I’ve ever been so charmed by a person before. I want to give her the world.

By the time they leave the city, she’s asleep. I lift her effortlessly and settle her on top of me. The sigh I let out is pure relief. Finally, I can touch her again.

I let the movie play. Not because I care about it, but because I know she’ll ask me about the ending tomorrow. And I want to have an answer to make her happy.

The movie makes me think of her family. She’s close to her parents, but they’ve been traveling for months. When was the last time she saw them? Spoke to them? Their lack of cell service made keeping her here more convenient, but I bet she misses them.

She should meet my family. My mother will welcome her immediately. Hell, Mom will probably start planning our wedding before dinner’s over.

That might actually be a good idea.

By the time the credits roll I already know what I’ll tell Margot.

I enjoyed the movie. Because she does. Because anything she loves, I love.

I carry her to our bed and tuck her into my side. For a moment, I debate stripping her down. She’s been in these clothes all day, and I don’t want her uncomfortable. But I decide against it.

We’re not there yet.

But we will be soon.