Page 86 of My Undead Heart

Fucking finally, her apartment number. Taking a deep breath, I type out a reply. I’d love nothing more than to rush over there now. Take her in my arms and channel every bit of my aggression into bringing her pleasure. But that’s not on the table. I need to go see Xavier’s mother first.

Matt: I’ll be really late.

Her response is immediate.

Mia: I’ll be up. Come over.

As I close up the gym, hopping on my bike to stop by the hospital, I can’t help but give in to a smile. There’s nothing joyful about where I’m headed, but knowing Mia’s waiting for me on the other side ... It’s everything.

Hospital life hasn’t changed. There’s a crap ton of waiting around while your loved one suffers. Not that it’s the fault of any of the staff; it’s the nature of illness. Something inside eating away at both the good and bad, and trying to find that precious edge of comfort and strength in the process. I head down to the cafeteria with Ricky, where he flirts with the worker to convince her to make a meal somewhat in line with his eating plan. I order a second for Xavier and pay for them both with what little I have in my pocket. This fight in nine days can’t come soon enough.

Feeling better once they’re fed and settled for the night with Xavier’s mom, I kiss Chantel on the cheek before I go.

“Watch out for my boy,” she whispers in my ear.

Emotion clogs my throat and I nod. “I will, but you keep fighting.”

“You know I am. I will ’til I can’t.”

“Thanks for coming by, Coach,” Xavier says.

I nod because I don’t think I can manage any other reply. Before I leave, I turn to Ricky. “You need a ride?”

“Nah, I’ll stick around.” I’m sure Mrs. Johnson is as much family as his own mother, the way these two boys have grown up together.

“Call me if you need anything. Got that?”

“Yes, Coach.”

The hospital walls are exactly the same as I remember. They close in on you with each step, and instead of taking the elevator I push open the door to the stairwell, running until I hit the cold air outside. Finally, I can fucking breathe. I should go back to the gym, pull out my makeshift bed in my office, and get a few hours’ sleep before work tomorrow. That would be the smart choice. But Aiden is already scheduled to teach the early classes and there’s nothing I need more right now then to feel alive. Ironically, the only person who does that for me is a woman obsessed with the dead.

It only takes a few minutes at this late hour to drive to her apartment, longer just to find a parking spot. Once I do, I’m on my way up to her floor, striding with purpose and drive.

416. I knock at the door and she opens within a few seconds.

“Matt.”

I claim her lips with mine before she can argue or say another word. Pushing her back inside her apartment, my hands wrap around her waist and I spin us around, closing the door and pressing her back against it. It’s selfish of me, what I’m doing right now, but I need comfort. Everything with Xavier’s mom resurfaces painful memories I’d rather forget.

Shaking my head, I back up a step to give her some space. I practically mauled her with my greeting. “Sorry, I—” The words get stuck in my throat.

Her hands run along the scruff of my beard. “This is not a date,” she declares and before I can process what that means, her lips are on mine and her fingers are running down the front of my shirt. She reaches underneath the fabric and runs her hands back up my abs.

Our lips battle it out in that familiar push and pull that only Mia seems to bring out in me. My mouth moves with the same forceful movements of my hands. Everywhere, but not nearly close enough.

Her fingers thread into my hair and she pulls my lips back to hers. We make out like a couple of horny teens until I’m so worked up I can’t imagine waiting another moment before sinking inside her.

Lifting Mia off the ground, I break our kiss to ask the question, “Where?”

She hesitates a moment before pointing to the open doorway. “My bedroom.”

That’s the only invitation I need.