“I like to watch baking competitions.”
“Put on whatever you want.” His fingers sifted through her hair, as his gaze roamed over her face. He did not look like a man who intended to pay attention to the screen. The warmth in his gaze said he was far more interested inher. A blush bloomed on her cheeks. She could count on one hand the number of times guys had been honestly interested in her. And for once, it was mutual.
She pulled up her favorite baking competition’s most recent season and selected the episode she’d left off at last. Somewhere between the bonus challenge and the main baking, Matt slipped his arm down around her shoulders. Rosie snuggled into his warmth. His fingers stroked her upper arm. The challenge for this episode was muffins.
“I bet you could win this. Did I ever tell you those were the best blueberry muffins I’ve ever had?”
She turned her head to face him, so close that she could feel his warm breath on her cheek. “Really?”
“Yup. Best thing I ever tasted, until recently.”
She stuck her lower lip out in a small pout. “What pushed them back to second place?”
His hand reached up and cupped her cheek. Then he smiled and blushed as he whispered, “You.”
Rosie didn’t know for sure who kissed who. But their mouths drifted together as Matt’s arms enveloped her, her hands pressed to his thick chest. His tongue slid along her lips, asking for entry, and her stomach did somersaults. The kiss quickly turned from sweet to sizzling as their tongues tangled, exploring the other’s mouth. She couldn’t hear the television anymore. His big, thick hands slid up and down her back, then he stroked her side. The kiss was so good, she lost track of time. But when his hand gently cupped her breast, she jumped, breaking the kiss with a gasp.
His hand fell away. “Sorry. I — I should have asked first.” They were both panting. Good to know she wasn’t the only one affected.
“I just … I wasn’t expecting it.” Rosie felt her whole-body flush as she realized Matt probably had more experience than her. Stupid v-card. This was so embarrassing. But she justhadto know. “Matt, how — how far have you gone with a girl?”
His eyes widened, and redness rose to his cheeks. “Um, I’ve fooled around. Hands and … and mouths.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I’ve never gone all the way, though.”
She was right. “I’d only been kissed once up until you kissed me the other night.”
His jaw dropped open. “R-really?” She nodded. “Damn. Not that that’s a bad thing. It’s fine either way. But that explains …” He closed his eyes and shook his head as if gathering himself together. Then he opened those beautiful baby blues and looked directly at her face.
“Are you waiting?”
“Waiting?”
“For marriage.”
“Not … anymore.” She couldn’t look at him while they had this conversation. He lifted the remote and paused the show they weren’t watching anyway. Then his hands pulled hers into them, and he waited patiently.
“My parents were still in high school when they had me. They died in a car crash when I was still a baby, so my grandparents raised me. After their daughter didn’t follow their teachings, they were even stricter with me when it came to abstinence. I couldn’t have boys up to my room, even when I was little. They were really strict about my clothing, too. When it came down to it, boys weren’t interested in dating me. I got my first kiss because someone dared him to kiss the class prude.”
Matt’s brows furrowed, even as his thumbs stroked the back of her hands, soothing her. It drew more out of her than she probably should say on a first date.
“Then in college, I had my nose in my books so no one paid me any attention. Believe it or not, a lot of guys don’t want to sleep with a virgin who has no idea what she’s doing. Especially a plus-size girl who covers everything up.”
Matt shook his head and gathered her into his arms. “Rosie, you’re beautiful. Whether you show a lot of skin or cover up head to toe, it’s true. They were idiots.”
Rosie shrugged. “I resigned myself to being the unsexy one.”
He sighed and released her. “You arenotthe unsexy one, and if I pulled you into my lap right now you would feel the proof of that.” Rosie felt her cheeks heat. He was hard forher?
Matt propped his elbow up on the back of the couch and gazed down at her. “You’re not the only one with … issues.”
She cocked her head to the side, curious. But she waited patiently for him to continue.
“I was the fat kid growing up, too. And my mom is obsessed with me losing weight, especially after Dad’s heart attack. I had to stop hiding snacks in my room senior year because she went through my room and found my stash. She flew off the handle at me. It wasn’t worth the hassle.”
Thinking back, Rosie realized she’d never seen him with his shirt off, even at his parents’ pool. Wow, Mrs. Lundholm must have really done a number on him. She clasped his hand in hers.
“I like you just the way you are, Matt.”
His smile stunned her, and he leaned in closer as if he was going to kiss her. “Let’s start this part over. What are you comfortable with?”
