Page 45 of Big Girl Panties

"I am, after my coffee."

He laughed.

"I thought you left." The words tumbled out, raw and unfiltered. I immediately wanted to snatch them back, to hide the vulnerability they exposed.

His gaze flicked back to what he was doing. "No, I went out for my morning run."

"You went running? It's not even light out!"

"I usually run at four, then hit the gym. But running along the bay was incredible. Way better than my usual treadmill torture session."

I stepped closer, inhaling his post-workout scent, which should have been gross but somehow made me want to lick his collarbone. The air between us crackled with an invisible energy. My skin prickled, hyper-aware of every inch that separated us. I found myself leaning towards him, my body betraying my attempts at casual indifference. "So you're heading to the gym now?"

"Nope." He turned, cupping my face with hands that were surprisingly gentle for someone who could probably bench press a small car. "I'm making you breakfast, driving you to work, and then pretending to be a productive member of society at a meeting with my agent."

"But don't you always go to the gym after running?"

"Not today." He leaned down to brush his lips against mine in a kiss that made my knees wobble. "Today I'm yours until eight. Do you like omelets?"

"I love omelets," I managed, though honestly, he could have suggested tree bark and I would have been enthusiastic.

"Then go shower, get ready for work, and breakfast will be served when you are done."

"Do you need a shower?" His eyes locked onto mine, darkening slightly, and I realized that my question sounded more like an invitation than just an innocent question. Time seemed to stretch, each second an eternity, as I waited for his response. The corner of his lips twitched, a ghost of a smile that sent my heart racing. "I mean," I stammered, heat creeping up my neck. "You're all sweaty and…" I trailed off.

"So…" His voice dropped low, a dangerous rumble that sent shivers racing down my spine. "That wasn't an invite to join you?" The air between us felt charged, electric. One wrong move, and I'd burst into flames. Or worse… I’d want to. He chuckled, the sound both teasing and tempting.

"I…"

He laughed. "If it's okay with you, I'll grab a quick one while you eat, and then we can head to the café."

"Yeah," I smiled, my shoulders relaxing. "Your clothes from yesterday should be in the dryer."

"Perfect."

"Okay," I smiled. "I guess I'll go jump in the shower."

Spinning on my heels, I strolled away, disappearing down the hallway and walking into the bathroom, closing the door behind me.

I met my gaze in the mirror, barely recognizing the woman staring back at me. My fingers trembled as they found the hem of my shirt, lifting it slowly. The fabric brushed against my skin, and suddenly I was back in last night's memories, his hands replacing mine, his breath hot on my neck. Goosebumps erupted across my flesh, a visible wave that started at my arms and raced across my body, and I shivered.

My gaze trailed over my curves. The way Matt looked at me made me feel beautiful. I couldn't remember a time someone had looked at me like that.

And it terrified me.

That look was like a drug I could easily become addicted to, a heady mixture of desire and appreciation that made me feel simultaneously powerful and vulnerable. Hell, I was already craving another hit, even as a part of me recoiled in fear. The intensity of my own feelings terrified me, how quickly I was falling, how easily I could shatter if everything went wrong.

My gaze shifted to the door as I nervously chewed on my lip. Putting myself out there after being burned was so hard. The fear of rejection was always present, a constant whisper in the back of my mind. It reminded me of all those nights I spent wondering why I wasn't enough for my ex, why my father seemed to doubt that I would find love on my own. But the way Matt looked at me and the way he kissed me made me want to silence those doubts, even if just for a moment.

I jerked a large, white, fluffy towel from the rack, wrapping it around myself like armor. My heart thundered in my chest, a mix of excitement and fear making my hands tremble. This might be the craziest thing I've ever done, putting myself out there so boldly. But beneath the fear, a newfound courage pulsed. I wanted him, wanted to feel that connection again, that sense of being truly seen. The desire thrummed through me, drowning out the whispers of doubt.

I squared my shoulders, hand hovering over the doorknob. One deep breath. Two. On the third, I twisted the handle and stepped into the hallway. Each step down the dark, narrow hall felt like a mile, my heart thundering louder with every foot that brought me closer to the kitchen… to him. I paused at the threshold, gathering every ounce of courage I possessed. Then, steeling myself for whatever came next, I stepped into view.

"Everything oka…" His words faded out as he sucked in a harsh breath. His heated gaze trailed over every inch of me, and even though he looked at me like he wanted me, I suddenly lost my confidence because of that stupid fear of rejection.

"Uh," I stammered. "Yeah, it's just…"

He dropped the fork he was holding in the sink. "What is it, Brooke?" His voice dropped to a low, husky whisper.