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“It’s worse than that.”
“How can it be worse than that?”
Mateo could hear the judgment in his friend’s voice, and he didn’t want to. He’d been hearing it in his own head for the last ten days.
“Ah fuck.”
Mateo’s head dropped, and he looked at his shoes.
“It was just like I said. She was perfect for you, and you’ve fallen for her.”
“Don’t say it like that,” Mateo whispered. “Don’t say it like a bad thing. Falling in love with Lainey is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. She’s… She’s… She’s joy. I can’t explain her any other way. To be around her, you’re flooded with joy and happiness. You can’t help but smile. Even Jonah, the contrary bastard, would smile after five minutes with Lainey. That’s how good of a person she is.”
“Mateo, you realize she could—”
“Stop it! Just fucking stop it! There is no way that she is involved with anything wrong. I’m going to find out about the gold and the bank transfer and get the proof that Kostya and Gideon need, but I don’t need it. She’s golden to the core.”
Mateo felt Braxton’s hand on his back. He could feel his support.
“If you say so, then I believe you. How can I help?”
19
“You’re early.”
“That was the plan,” Mateo said softly. He’d been hoping to catch her in her robe, and he had.
“I don’t have my clothes or make-up on,” she breathed out as she looked up at him.
“Let me in, Lainey.”
“Okay.” She stepped back, and he walked into her home and closed the door behind him. Lainey stepped backward. It was as if she could sense he was on the hunt, and he was.
“I th-th-thought you said the reservation was at seven.”
“I did. I got off work early and realized I was hungry.”
Her eyes got wide.
“You mean you want to?”
His smile was slow, his eyes at half-mast. “Yes, I want to. Take off the robe, Lainey.”
She looked around the room. He’d already scoped it out. Her curtains and blinds were all closed, but she still bit her lip. “Lainey, take off your robe.”
She plucked at the belt with nervous fingers.
“Now, Corazón. I need you. I need you right now.”
It seemed like hours before her robe dropped to the floor and revealed tangerine panties and bra. So pretty. He watched as her nipples tightened, and her breath bellowed in and out, like she couldn’t take in enough air.
His gaze traveled further down, and he thought about all the time he would spend there, bringing her to orgasm. Before dinner. After dinner. Before breakfast. After breakfast.
“You’re staring at me,” she whispered.
“I’m looking at what’s mine.” He couldn’t help that feeling of possession. It might not be politically correct, but the other night she’d given herself to him, and now she was his.
“Yours?” Her body was trembling.
