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He straightened up to his full height and his presence seemed to get larger. “No, I wasn’t scared. I’m saying this all wrong. It was disconcerting,” he said again.

Lainey struggled to keep a straight face.

“Is it because you’re a scientist? Did you need to maybe take some time and analyze what was happening?”

At first, he frowned, then she watched as a slow grin spread across his face.

“Yes, that’s it. And you’re right, I needed time to think about what was happening.”

“Did you figure it out?”

“I did. I realized I liked you more than other women. I realized I really wanted to date you again. But then I realized I had totally fucked up. So, I talked to my friend Kostya’s wife. She suggested I send you flowers.”

Lainey bit her lip. “Flowers, huh?”

Matt nodded.

“A bouquet?”

“She said, based on my level of fuck-up, I should send a big bouquet. So, I figured big and more would be best.”

Lainey rolled her eyes. “When I studied to be a banker, I had to take a lot of math classes. Did you know that?”

“No, but that makes sense.”

“Do you know who else takes math classes?” Lainey asked.

“Bankers?”

Lainey could barely keep a straight face.

“Engineers. I think scientists and engineers are a lot alike. You’re going to have to loosen up, Matt.” She pushed away from the island and took the four steps necessary to stand in front of him. “I think you need a hug.”

“God, yes. I could really use a hug about now.”

How in the hell was he channeling his brother Luis so well? Mateo was laid back. He was not a stick-up-his-ass engineer/scientist type of guy. He was a take risks kind of guy—well, that wasn’t totally true. He would follow a plan down to the letter if necessary.

This whole thing was just plain weird.

But he sure as hell would take a hug. Especially from Lainey. When she didn’t make a move toward him, his blood heated. He liked the idea of taking charge. He really liked that.

He reached out and lightly touched her waist. She stood still, then he stroked down until his hand curled around her hip, and his other hand moved around her back and he took a step forward, so that his leg was between hers.

He pulled her in and brought her chest to breast.

God, she was soft, in all the right places.

Then she did something wonderful. Lainey wrapped her arms around him, then rested her cheek against his chest and sighed. He could read so many things into that sigh, and he did. Enjoyment, relaxation, but as she snuggled closer, he felt a wave of contentment coming from her that settled back to him. How long had it been since he had felt the beauty and comfort of a genuine hug?

Too long.

His arms spasmed and she let out a whimper. He immediately relaxed his hold, worried that he had held her too tight.

“No,” she breathed out the word. “Don’t let me go.”

Where was this coming from?

He didn’t care. All he knew was he needed this. Long moments went by. Then Lainey tipped her head back, and he looked into blue eyes that now seemed navy. Her lips were parted, and now he wanted that kiss they’d talked about the other night. He needed that kiss.