Page 67 of Twisted Beauty

She caught her breath and felt tingly all over. God, that was all it took to make her want him again. She just needed one more night with him. Two, max.

His eyes darkened, and the way he stared at her made her pulse quicken. He had to be feeling the exact same way.

“Well, I suppose I owe you for all you’ve done here,” he finally said.

Liv glanced over to Tito and back again. The repayment she had in mind was not something she could mention in front of Matt’s grandfather, that was for sure.

Matt grinned. Damned mind reader. Or was it written all over her face? “There’s a famous place nearby you shouldn’t miss while you’re here in PV. Somewhere you’ll want to bring your camera. I’ll take you there this weekend if you’re up for it.”

She twisted the pendant on her neck and took a deep breath. She didn’t want either one of them to feel obligated to give her things, or to spend time with her. “You don’t have to do that. I enjoyed being here today, and I’m happy to come back and finish. Honestly, neither of you need to thank me. You certainly don’t need to give me gifts or take me places.”

“So, Friday then?” he said.

What would it be like to be that confident? He’d probably never been turned down by a woman in his life. “Sure, I guess.”

“You wear necklace there,” Tito said from behind the counter.

Matt grunted and Liv had to laugh. “Okay, I will, but it’s a loan. And a very generous one too, so thank you. I’ll return it after this weekend.” She hoped that was a compromise that would keep both generations of Reyes men from freaking out. Apparently, no matter how old they were, men never got less complicated. Or less exasperating.

“You keep it while in Mexico, sí?” Tito said. “Give back when you leave.”

“Okay. I’ll guard it with my life.” She looked at Matt and shrugged.

He smiled, so clearly he wasn’t going to argue. Liv breathed a sigh of relief.

“Now that everything’s settled here, why don’t you come back with me to pick up your camera,” Matt said. “And then I’ll drive you back to Katie’s.”

Before Liv could reply, her phone dinged. She pulled it out to look at the text.

So??? Is he big all over? Are there any condoms left in the pack?

Liv shoved the phone in her back pocket. “Speak of the devil,” she muttered, trying to sound unaffected.

“You’re beet red, Liv. Something wrong?” Matt’s smirk made her feel like he’d actually seen the text. He dropped his gaze from her eyes to her lips. “Let’s go. I’ll take you back to Katie’s after—”

He left the word hanging, and it sent all kinds of delicious ideas rushing through Liv’s mind. She nodded. When he turned to speak to Tito, she pulled out her phone again to text Katie so she wouldn’t worry. And to give her a little something to freak out about until she got there.

Still a few left in the pack. Be back when it’s empty.

She pressed send and it buzzed almost instantly with Katie’s reply. A slew of emojis filled her screen and she shoved the phone in her pocket, trying not to laugh. As it was, she had no idea how she’d say goodbye to Tito without letting on just how eager she was to leave. To…get her camera.

16

Liv

The sky was a dusky orange by the time Liv made it back to Katie’s condo. She pushed open the front door to an empty room. “Hello?”

“You’re back! Oh my gosh.” Katie came rushing down the hallway and threw her arms around Liv. “I was starting to wonder if you were gone for good. I mean, if he’s really that big and all.”

Liv laughed, but the rumble of Matt’s car as he drove off sent a wave of disappointment through her. She was so sore she could barely walk, but she wouldn’t have turned down one more round before he took her home.

Katie grabbed her shoulders and held her at arm’s length to look at her. “So?”

Liv couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across her face.

Katie clapped and jumped up and down. “I knew it. He’s huge! Come on, time for Tequila Therapy. I want details.”

“I never kiss and tell.”