After waking up early, Christina slipped into her coat and tied her hair back. She made her way to the hospital, anxious to see her dad. The sooner she got there, the more time she’d have to spend with him before breakfast. Besides, she was used to getting up early for work.

Work.

If she didn't get back to London soon, there may be no work left. Mr. Spencer had paid for her dad, which meant less pressure, but she was still worried. She’d definitely need to get more clients soon, or she’d end up relying on others again, something she wanted to avoid. But she couldn't bring herself to leave for London until her dad was better.

She drove to the hospital and walked past the desk. The place was cold and smelled like Clorox. She knocked on her dad’s door as she entered, then walked over to his bed.

She hugged him. “You look better today. I was pretty worried yesterday.”

He nodded. “I always look worse in the afternoon. Don't worry so much.”

“Can't help it.”

“I just feel bad that you’re spending money on me. Damn insurance should’ve covered this. You worked too hard on your savings.”

“Actually, I didn't have to use any of it.”

“What? The insurance people said they wouldn’t cover anything. Bastards better not be trying to get us with more fees.” He furrowed his brow.

Christina shook her head. “A friend of mine paid the balance.”

Her dad’s eyes widened. “All of them?”

She nodded. “All of them.”

“That is a lot of money.” He stared blankly. He’d never liked relying on others either. “We need to make a plan to pay her back somehow.”

Her? She left it alone. She couldn't let her father know about Matty Spencer just yet. He was fiercely protective of her, and if he thought she was being taken advantage of by some British guy he didn't even know, he might go off the deep end. That was the last thing he needed right then. “I’ll make sure.”

“She must be rich as hell.”

“Umm, yeah. She’s very kind to do this for us.”

“Don't lose that friend. She sounds like a good one.”

Christina stifled a soft laugh. “Oh yeah.” Yes, he was. He was chaotic and spoiled and confusing at times. But he was a good one, for sure.

“Did you bring the mail?” Her dad looked around for a bag.

“Shit. I forgot. Sorry, Daddy.”

“Will you make sure to grab it on the next trip? The mail makes me anxious,” he said. “And speaking of the mail, do you have any idea what this is?”

She took it from him. At first glance, it just looked like a picture of Lexington. But then she realized it was a postcard.

A postcard? Why the hell would someone send her a postcard from Lexington? To her Dad’s hospital room?

Maybe it was some tourist thing. She turned it around and noticed it had the hospital's address with her and her father's names at the top. There was a key taped to it.

All it had written on it besides the address was “for your house” with an arrow pointing to the key.

She stared at the card for a few seconds, and then it all clicked at once. She made eye contact with her father. “Is this a joke?”

He shook his head. “That's what I thought. But it had both our names on it.”

The house. It was the key to the house she’d been saving for. The one her mom had fallen in love with, that she wanted to buy for her dad. Christina collapsed in the chair beside her dad's bed. “I’m not sure I can take much more of this.”

“Is it the same friend?”

“The postcard was sent from Lexington. I don’t see how.”

He shrugged. “Maybe she got someone else to send it?”

It was possible. This was all weird, hard to believe. Had he gone and bought her family a house? It wasn't a lot of money for him, but how could he have even known? And why would he bother? He was terrified of commitment.

“I have to check this out before we get excited.”

She drove as fast as she could. This had to be some sort of a cruel joke, right? The place wasn't far out of town, but the drive felt like it took forever. It’d been a long time since she’d been there, but she managed to find it without any problems.

Her mother had always wanted the place. Always. Ever since she was a little girl, she remembered her mom asking for it. It was perfect. Memories all flooded in at once. It reminded her of where she’d been raised. Now, she could fix it up for her dad and they could make it their own. They’d never had the money to do it, and when her mom had passed away and her dad had developed cancer, Christina had committed herself to saving up and buying the place. It had meant so much to her mother, and she wanted her memory to live on. Even now, she felt like her mom was there with her.

Walking up to the door, she was too scared to try the lock. She’d got her hopes up too much.

Just then, a red rental car pulled up. It looked expensive, and she could barely make out the outline of the driver. She eyed it cautiously, even though she knew who it would be. How had he even managed to drive on the other side of the road? She laughed at the thought.

The door opened, and Matty stepped out, grinning ear-to-ear. He had bags under his eyes, five o'clock stubble, and was wearing a crumpled t-shirt.

“You look weird,” he said. “Are you sure you're not Christina's cute little sister?”

She blushed bright pink and smiled. “I dress like this at home. At least I don't do it at work.”

“Aren't you going to unlock the door?”

“Is this some kind of joke?” She raised an eyebrow. “Are you here to laugh at me?”

“Why the fuck would I come to Kentucky to play a joke? I could do that much cheaper in the U.K. Has nobody ever been nice to you before?” He walked up to the door beside her.

“No, not really.” Her words were muttered, like a whisper.

“Here.” He snagged the key from her hand, put it in the lock, and opened the door. “Your house.”

She stared, wide-eyed, as the door slowly swung open. It smelled musty inside and the wallpaper looked like it was designed by hippies, but that didn't matter. “Is it really for my family?”

“Yeah, if it means so much to you. I can get you a nicer place, though, if you'd prefer. Somewhere a bit cleaner, a bit plainer.”

She shook her head. “This is perfect. Seriously. It’s perfect.” She stepped inside, overwhelmed with joy and sadness all at once. This was the house her mother had always wanted. The house where her father could retire and relax as soon as his chemo was finished. He could live there in her mom’s presence. “How did you even find me? Or know about this house?”

He told her about his previous twenty-four hours. Went through everything.

He watched all her reactions, seemingly amused, as Christina walked around the house. She inspected everything. They both walked outside, and she stared up at the place once more. It was actually hers. After all these years. But she hadn't done it on her own.

“Why are you doing this?” She gulped and stared Matty in the eye. “I don't want to depend on you.”

“I just wanted to give you a present. It feels good to give you things. I don't require anything in return, truly. Just take the gift.” His eyes seared into her once more, like they always did.

“But why?”

Matty inched closer to her face, and her heartbeat kicked into overdrive. “Because I think I'm falling in love with you, and roses wouldn't cut it.”

“I think I’m falling for you too.” Her eyes stayed locked on his. “I thought you didn’t want to get married, or do any of that stuff?”

“Oh, I don’t. But, that doesn't mean I can't commit to you.” He towered over her when she wasn’t in heels.

She didn’t take her eyes off him, though. She tried to look through and see if she could find the truth somewhere in his stare.

He leaned down and kissed her. Her breath hitched, and she noticed paint marks on his hands and face. She lifted her hand and gently stroked one on his neck. Mess and chaos. And it was wonderful. It was amazing to let go and be wild in the hands of a man as passionate and awesome as Matty.

He picked her up and sat her gently on the hood of the rental. For a moment, it felt wrong. They were outside. She was on top of a car. But she expected nothing less from Matty. He had that look in his eye again. Like he was hungry for her. This time it was different, though. He didn’t look like she was a conquest. This time it was full of emotion.

“Why, Miss Smith, I do believe you want to get fucked on the hood of this car. Don’t you?” He smiled.

“I knew your filthy mouth couldn’t resist coming out to play at some point.”

“It’s in my nature. Hope you don’t mind.”

“I actually love it, to tell you the truth.”

“That’s good. Not that it would’ve mattered. If you’re a good girl, maybe I’ll spank that tight little ass of yours again.” He pushed her skirt up as they kissed, bunching it around her waist, exposing her panties.

Her head shot around to make sure nobody was watching. “Matty Spencer.” She smacked him on the shoulder. “Sorry I’m not wearing the stockings and lingerie you enjoyed so much last time.”

He stared down at her Wonder Woman underwear. “I like you better like this.” He smirked. “It suits you more.”

“I rock everything I wear. And I’m not going to stop wearing business clothes because you like me like this.”

“I think you forget one thing, love.”

“What’s that?”

He leaned over next to her ear. “You do whatever I say when we’re about to fuck.”

She gasped while he sucked down her neck. “Sorry, Sir. I forgot.”

He yanked her panties aside and ran his fingers through her slick folds. “So fucking wet for me already.”

She gasped and pushed back against his hand, her body practically begging for more of the delicious friction.

His lips pressed up against hers again and he unzipped his jeans, releasing his swollen cock she remembered all too well.

He looked around in both directions. “We’ll have to be quick out here. I’ll take my time with you later.” Matty slid the head over the top of her clit, which coaxed a moan out of her. Then he smacked it a few times on top of her.

“Fuck.” This time she cooed even louder. He felt amazing.

He knew how to tease her just right, like he’d studied her damn body his entire life. How did he do that?

He leaned back upright, and yanked her by the legs, spreading her simultaneously. It was rough and powerful, and she could see in his face how fiercely he wanted her.

He teased her once more, pressing the head of his cock right up to her pussy.

“God, give me that dick already.”

He pressed her legs back toward her shoulders with both hands, seemingly lifting her ass from the hood of the car. Then he let go with one hand and popped her right on the ass cheek.

“When I’m good and fucking ready, love.”

“Jesus.” Her head flew back onto the car, and she relished the stinging pleasure that radiated through her hips and legs. Maybe she should talk more shit to him? Get him really nice and fired up. There’d be a lifetime for her to test out that scenario, though. Right now, she just needed his hard dick inside her.

She lifted her hips as he guided himself in and hooked her legs behind his back. She dug her heels into his ass, trying to pull him deeper, but it really wasn’t necessary. His hips quickly sped up until he was pounding into her, and she was screaming his name toward the forest off in the distance.

He was everything she wanted.

It didn't matter that this wasn't the right way to do things. It didn't matter that it was so soon, or so sudden. It worked for them, so why fight it? She’d always tried to plan her life out and it’d never worked out well. Maybe this spontaneity was what she needed?

His hand slid down, and he circled her clit while his cock pistoned in and out of her. She threw her arms up over her head and let go. Nothing but pleasure burst through her body. She tingled all over, and little sparks of electricity shot through her hips, and up her back, then out through all her limbs. She shuddered, convulsing, as her pussy clamped down on his cock.

He groaned and thrust one last time. She moaned when his cock twitched inside her, and he filled her full of hot come.

She ran her hands through his hair as he sucked her nipple lightly through her shirt. She could tell he was in love with her.

Before she knew what had happened, his cock was hard again, and fucking her just as relentlessly.

“Dear God, I’ve never had that happen before.” He stared into her eyes. “Can’t stop fucking this pussy, it seems.” He grinned.

She pulled his hair, drawing him back up into a passionate kiss, and was once again on the verge herself. Jesus, she’d never had a man like this before. She clawed at his shoulders as she came on his cock for the second time in minutes.

He pushed deep into her one last time, her tight pussy gripping him, driving him over the edge. He moaned as he filled her up again. Feeling him explode inside her, she pushed down harder, desperate for every last drop. She came again—shivers running down her spine, while sparks danced behind her eyelids.

Regaining awareness of her surroundings, she realized his gaze was fixed on her, a smug grin on his lips. His body trembled a little, still supporting himself despite his exhaustion as he towered above her.

“How was that?” He waggled his eyebrows at her.

“That was the most irresponsible thing I’ve ever done in my life.” She smiled.

“Was that an actual joke?” His grin widened. He pointed down at freshly fucked Christina with her skirt still hiked around her waist, and then stared around as if there were a crowd. “Hear that, ladies and gents? Christina Smith made a joke here today.”

“Stop!” She smacked him in the chest, in a playful way.

“We shall have to memorialize the ground here.”

She shook her head at him and smiled.

He leaned back down for a kiss. “I like making bad decisions with you.”

As they kissed, she knew she was in the worst kind of trouble with Matty Spencer. It was all so sudden, all so fast—she barely knew this guy. But somehow, he was exactly what she needed. He was full of youthful energy, passionate, and spontaneous. They were complete opposites. He was the little spark she needed to embrace her feminine side. He was the motivation she needed to put up a fight, and the inspiration she needed to be herself. He was the primitive man that called her own cavewoman out to play. And she loved it.

It wasn't what she had ever truly imagined. It wasn't a childhood dream, or a carefully planned relationship. It was just what it was. And it worked.

Fuck the rules. Fuck order. They were meant to be.