Chapter 49

Matt

A smile spread across my face as I slipped out of bed the next morning and walked to the kitchen. My heart was full in so many ways. Nothing could tear me down from the high I was on. The woman of my dreams was in my bed, covered in my scent, adorned with my kisses and greedy touches.

My father accepted me for who I was, and scary enough, he always had. It was me that needed to get over my difference to him and Damon. It was me who was trying to live in the shadow of my brother, and it wasn't needed anymore.

I could simply be me, and that was enough. Erica loved me and treasured what we had. She was all I needed to confirm my security in simply being me.

After padding around the kitchen for a few minutes, I decided to make breakfast for her. I was almost done frying the bacon when she stopped at the edge of the kitchen in one of my t-shirts. Her hair was a mess and her lips a little swollen from our kisses.

I stopped what I was doing to take her in. My pulse spiked a little, and I couldn't help but wonder if she would always have such a strong hold on me.

"I smell bacon." Her smile was sweet and youthful. I could almost see what our little girl would look like when we finally got married and had babies.

"Well, looks like someone's nose is working this morning." I walked over and pulled her into my arms, leaning down to kiss the tip of her cute button nose. "Did you sleep okay?"

"I think so." She wrapped her arms around me and pressed her cheek against my chest. "I had a few nightmares, but what else is new?"

"About what?" I pulled back and reached up to brush my hands down the side of her hair. Leaning in, I kissed her lips softly and enjoyed the taste of cinnamon on her tongue. She'd have me back in the bed in no time if I weren't careful.

"About someone coming after me." She let out a soft sigh and pulled away from me. "You want some coffee?"

"Yeah. I knew I forgot something." I turned and crossed my arms over my chest as I checked out the perfect swell of her ass in my t-shirt. It cupped her as she bent over, and my cock pulsed, promising to grow long and thick if he could get some attention. I rolled my eyes at the thought. The bastard had a mind of his own. "Who was after you in the dreams, Erica?"

"I don't know." She glanced over her shoulder, her expression solemn. "I couldn't see his face, but I relived the mugging and then the fender bender I just went through."

"Hmm..." Concern filled me. "You think that someone did those things on purpose or what?"

"I hope not." She turned back and worked on the coffee pot.

I moved back to the stove and finished up cooking breakfast. Something deep inside of me roared to life as I stood there thinking about someone having the balls to come after my girl. Certainly not. We lived pretty simple lives in most respects. Why would anyone want to hurt her?

"I don't like it," I mumbled more to myself than her.

She wrapped her arms around me and pressed her soft tits to my back, her hands sliding down to cup me as she squeezed softly. "You don't like what? This?"

"Oh, no. I like that very much. I don't like the idea of someone messing with you." I fixed our plates and turned as she backed up. "Who do you think it is? Not Mitch, right?"

After taking her plate, she averted her eyes down to the ground and shrugged. "I don't know."

"You don't know?" My voice hardened. "If you think he's the one behind this random shit happening to you, then we need to find out. Period."

"Let it go, okay?" She glanced up and gave me the biggest fake smile I'd seen from her before. "It was just a dream."

"It was just a dream last night, but someone did mug you, and someone else hit your car." I stopped short as she turned and walked toward the door with her shoulders rolled in. What the fuck was happening? "Erica."

"Leave it alone, Matt. Please?" She walked out onto the front porch and sat down. "Thank you for making breakfast."

I wanted to push her for more information, to force her to explain herself fully, but the emotion sitting on her shoulders left me biting my tongue instead. I'd figure out what was up on my own. There was no need to upset her any more than she already was.

"Sure." I put my plate down. "I'll grab the coffee. You want anything else, baby?"

"Just you." She glanced up, and I paused to reach down and touch her cheek.

"You know I'm here for you, right? If something is going on-"

"It's nothing. Just a fucked up dream." She cupped her hand over mine and kissed my palm softly. "I promise."

"Okay." I leaned down and kissed the top of her head before going back into the house for our coffee. She wasn't being honest, but I was alright with that to some degree. As long as she wasn't in danger, and our relationship was solid, we'd work through it.

Whatever the fuck it was.