Page 16 of The Playboy’s Playbook

Chapter Twelve

LAILA

LAILA: Sorry to do this so late, but I won’t be at the fireworks show

MATTHEW: Is everything okay?

LAILA: I don’t want Nola to be alone tonight with the fireworks going off, so I’m gonna stay in. I’m really sorry

MATTHEW: I’ll come to you

MATTHEW: If you want me to

J ust as I finished taking pictures of Nola to send to my mom, the doorbell rings. I put Nola in her kennel so she won’t bolt out the front door and check the security camera to see Matthew standing on the front porch.

I run to open the door and smile when I’m standing in front of him. He looks like he just hopped out of the shower, his blond hair a little damp and his black t-shirt clinging to his muscled frame.

A dimpled smile spreads across his face and he pulls a bouquet of pink carnations with baby’s breath mixed in from behind his back.

“Oh, thank you! What’re these for?”

He kisses my forehead as he steps into the entryway and shrugs his shoulders.

“I didn’t get you flowers on our first two dates, so I figured I’d make up for it on our third,” he says, his smile unwavering.

“Who said this was a date?” I chuckle, walking to the kitchen and placing the flowers in a fresh vase with water. Matthew leans forward on the island in the kitchen, his biceps bulging from underneath his shirt.

“You look beautiful,” he says, mischief in his eyes.

“Well, I aim to please in my jeans and t-shirt.”

His blue eyes darken and he leans in closer. Needing to put more space between us, I lean away and walk to the refrigerator.

“Do you want something to drink? I think there’s a case of beer in here somewhere.” I lean down and inspect the drink options I have.

“No, I’m alright,” Matthew says, his voice strained. I stand up and look over at him to see that he’s at war with himself, but I can’t make out why.

He brings his gaze back to me and we stand in silence looking at each other until Nola begins to whine. I tear my eyes away from Matthew and see that the fireworks show is about to begin.

I wave him over. “Come on, the balcony is perfect for watching the show.”

I get Nola from her kennel and carry her upstairs. Matthew follows behind me carrying one of her dog beds and helps me secure her leash so she won’t try to jump through the railings. I turn on the Bluetooth speaker and Luke Combs begins to play softly in the background.

We sit down on the chairs and look at the fireworks lighting up the night sky. We sit in comfortable silence and enjoy the different patterns that illuminate the sky.

“I don’t think we would’ve gotten this view had we been up close,” I say, my eyes tracing the sky.

“Yeah, it’s way better here. I can’t remember the last time I watched a fireworks show.” Matthew’s voice low, as if he’s reliving a memory. He bends down and picks up Nola to place her in his lap so she can watch parts of the show.

“Dance with me,” Matthew says, his voice low.

I give him a funny look. “Like, right now? On the balcony?”

He chuckles, sliding off the chair, and setting Nola on it in his place. “Yeah, right now. Come on.”

Matthew tugs at my hands pulling me up with him as we begin slow dancing to the song in the background. My mom’s balcony isn’t that big, so we’re basically just swaying from side to side in each other’s arms.

“Well, who would’ve thought that you liked to slow dance,” I tease.

“I’m full of surprises,” he says, a gentle smile on his face. We continue swaying to the music, Nola’s soft snores mixing in with the lyrics, when Matthew says something that I’d never thought I’d hear.

“I really want to kiss you.”

I freeze and stop swaying. “Matthew…”

“Laila, I will never force you to do something you don’t feel comfortable with. Please know that.”

I almost melt at his words. I’m finding it hard to believe he’s real right now. He’s not afraid to wear his emotions on his sleeve and that makes him ten times more attractive.

I nod and smile softly as he brushes a stray piece of hair out of my face and leans in closer, our mouths almost touching.

He closes his eyes and his chest rises and falls rapidly, a mix of nervousness and anticipation radiating off of him.

The fireworks are still lighting up behind us and I can tell by the cadence that they’re getting closer to the end of the show.

“Laila,” he says, his voice strained, as if it pains him not to touch me in the way he wants to.

In the way I want him to.

“Matt,” I whisper. His eyes pop open and he smiles, his dimples on full display.

“You called me Matt,” he says, his voice soft.

I smile and nod. “Kiss me.”

He smiles back. “With pleasure.”

He holds steady for a second before crashing his lips to mine. His hands cradle the side of my face and he pulls me closer, our lips molding together perfectly.

The way Matt’s kissing me, it’s as if he’s hungry, like he’s been starved and is getting all he needs from me to be replenished.

He’s rough, but soft at the same time. I can tell he’s holding himself back for me, but I want him to push the envelope.

I pull away from him and we both release a series of shaky breaths.

“Stop pulling your punches,” I plead. He smiles and leans down to kiss me again with the sounds of the fireworks in the distance.

As far as first kisses go, I’d like to think this is a pretty damn good one.