Page 48 of Twisted Beauty

Matt nodded. “She’s eighty-six. Lives in the building next door. She lost her husband last year and she’s all alone over there. She also broke a hip not that long ago and still has trouble getting around.”

“You help her out often?”

“As often as I can. Jana brings the rescue dogs by sometimes to keep her spirits up. And Zach brings her donuts every week. It’s a group effort. I want to make sure she has food and supplies in case the electricity goes out tonight.”

“That’s so—”

“Don’t say it.” He knew damn well “sweet” would be the next word out of her mouth.

Liv smiled and tilted her head. “I was about to say gallant. Or maybe manly. How about, it’s very macho of you to take care of her like that, you he-man you.”

“Cute.” Matt stood and went to the kitchen where he’d left his phone.

The truth was, Matt’s neighbor reminded him of his own grandmother. Lita would have been about that same age if she were still alive. He hoped Tito had friends helping him care for her when she’d gotten sick, and that he wasn’t dealing with it all alone. Matt, of course, was in Los Angeles at the time. Kept “protected” from the family in Mexico by his own, self-absorbed mother. He hadn’t been there for Lita himself, hadn’t even known she was sick. But he could be here for Alma now.

It made his blood boil that he’d missed out on the last years of his father’s life too, all because of some grudge his mother held. Against his dad, or Mexicans in general, or whatever the fuck her problem was. She’d said something about the US being a better place for Matt to grow up after his father left. But Matt knew the truth.

His father had gone to help out Tito in the shop when Lita got sick. And his mother simply didn’t want to go. Just like Sadie. Peas in a goddamn pod. No wonder he’d fallen for such a self-absorbed woman. It was exactly what he’d had modeled for him all his life. No chance he was going down that road again.

He called Tito first, and the stubborn old man practically hung up on him.

“I tell you, I don’t need babysitter,” was all he said. “You take care of Liv.”

Matt sighed and dialed Alma’s number next. Of course, he hoped she was fine. But part of him wanted a reason to stop by. Just to distract himself for a bit.

Alma answered on the first ring. “Matt, dear, don’t you dare come here in this weather.”

He smiled. Not hello, not thanks for checking on me, just a stern talking-to. Good old Alma.

“You’re okay for tonight, then? You don’t need anything? You know it’s not that far.” No more than a few yards separated their buildings. He’d hardly get swept away.

“I’m perfectly fine. But you won’t be if you show up at my door,” she said in that strict, quivering voice of hers.

Matt had no doubt that was true. She was a firecracker, that one. All sixty pounds of her. “Okay. Promise you’ll call me if you need anything.”

“Of course, dear.”

Matt shook his head in frustration. So much for being gallant.

He headed back toward the living room, but stopped to lean against the island that divided the two rooms, trying to figure out how to handle tonight.

Liv was still seated on the couch, watching the storm and nursing her wine. How the hell would he entertain her for the rest of the evening? It was barely dusk out and they’d already eaten way too much for one day, so cooking was out of the question. Watching a movie together was not an option. If he sat with her on the couch, he’d have her body beneath his in a matter of minutes.

Liv looked up at him and their eyes met. His breathing accelerated but he ignored it. “So—”

“Do you mind if I turn in early?” she asked. “I’m suddenly really tired. Must be all that delicious food at Tito’s.”

This would relieve him of any obligation to entertain her. So why did he feel so damned disappointed? “Sure. I was thinking the same thing.”

She stood up with her wine, still half full. “I think I’m done. Should I take it to the kitchen?”

“I’ll finish it for you.” Matt held out his hand. “Can’t let it go to waste.”

Liv smiled. “Thanks. For everything.” She handed him her wineglass. “For the wine. For lunch at Tito's. For letting me stay. I owe you.” She stepped closer to him, raised up onto her toes, and planted a light kiss on his cheek.

The urge to wrap his arms around her and haul her against him was overwhelming, but he left his hands at his sides.

He watched Liv’s hips sway in those leggings as she disappeared down the hall toward the guest room, and wondered how the hell he would get any sleep at all.