I giggle as I put my clothes back on. “Who knew that a simple apron could be used in kinky sex?” I examine the apron before tossing it in the hamper.

“You’d be surprised what we’ll end up using as restraints,” Matt replies with a grin. “I can tie you up with just about anything.”

“Good.”

“Good?” he asks.

I nod and then shrug. “I seem to have a newfound affection for being tied up.”

He growls and yanks me to him again. “Say shit like that and we’ll go upstairs now where I can tie you up for the night, little one.” He nuzzles my temple. “I love that you’ve come to trust me this much so soon.”

“Let’s go upstairs.” Did I just say that?

He chuckles and shakes his head. “I promised I’d have dinner with Will and Meg tonight, and I want you to go with me. That’s what I came over here for.”

“Oh,” I reply with a frown. “Are you sure you want me to go? It’s okay if you want to go and I’ll see you another time…”

“Stop.”

My eyes find his in surprise.

“Why wouldn’t I want you to come have dinner with me and my brother?”

I frown and fidget. “Well, I guess I’m confused.”

“About?”

I swallow and look down, but he tips my chin back with his finger. “What are you confused about?”

“What are we doing, Matt? Is this just a sex thing? Because taking me to spend time with your family kind of pushes whatever we have going on into a different area.”

“This is not a just a sex thing.” He frowns deeply, watching my face. “I’m sorry if that’s what you thought. The sex is amazing, but I want to pursue a relationship with you, Nic. Wherever that takes us. I thought that’s what you wanted, too.”

I nod, feeling foolish. “I do.”

“So, are we on the same page here?” He looks sincerely concerned, and it softens me even more. I lean in and kiss his chest before smiling up at him.

“Same page.” I pull away and stack my boxes of cupcakes. “You carry these out to the car while I wipe down the countertop and run up and change.”

“Where are we taking them?” Matt asks with a laugh. “Meg and Will can’t eat all these. Well, yeah, Will probably could.”

“We will take one box to them and the rest to the homeless shelter down the street. That’s where I take all the leftovers every day.”

His jaw drops as I pass him the last box.

“What?”

“You continue to surprise me, that’s all.”

“Giving cake to the homeless is surprising?”

“Most people wouldn’t think of it. They’d just toss them out.”

I shake my head adamantly. “I don’t waste food. It’s too expensive. Besides, I worked hard on those. Someone should enjoy them.”

“Okay, let’s go make someone’s day and then go to dinner.”

“It’s a date.”

Chapter Seven

~Matt~

“Why are you nervous?” I ask as we pull up to Will’s house.

“I thought we were going out to eat.” She fidgets in her seat, looking out at the big, stone house.

“Meg likes to cook,” I reply and take her hand in mine, holding it firmly. “Look at me.”

She turns those wide green eyes on mine, and my heart stutters. How can she have this effect on me after just a few weeks of knowing her?

“You’ve already met these people.”

She nods and bites her lip. “I’m being stupid. I’m just not great with people.”

I laugh loudly and shake my head. “Are you kidding me?”

“No.”

“You’re awesome with people. You talk to every customer who walks into your shop without hesitation.”

“That’s different,” she whispers. “That’s work. I’m kind of shy.”

My eyes narrow on her. I never would have guessed that she’s shy, based on how outgoing and talkative she is when she’s in work mode.

“You’ll be great. Meg and Will are fun, and you’ll be Will’s newest favorite person, thanks to the cupcakes.” I wink at her and step out of the car, open her door and take her hand, pulling her up next to me. “Trust me.”

“I do,” she replies softly and gazes up to me. “And that surprises me, too.”

“We’re going to talk about this later,” I whisper to her, my stomach still in knots from hearing her say that she trusts me.

This relationship won’t work unless we trust each other implicitly.

“You brought me cupcakes!” Will exclaims when he opens the door for us.

My brother is a cocky pain in the ass much of the time, but I can’t help but love the douche bag.

“Cupcakes?!” Samantha squeals from inside.

“Sam and Leo are here?” I ask as I lead Nic inside Will’s house.

“Yeah, Meg figured we’d have them over, too, since they’re in town.” He eyes me over the white cupcake box in his hands before leaning in and whispering in my ear, “You and I will talk about this later.”

I shrug and grin and take Nic’s hand in my own, lacing our fingers.

“You know Nic,” I gesture to the small dark-haired woman at my side.

Will nods and grins. “Thanks for bringing these.”

“My pleasure. It was either bring them here or take them to the homeless.”

“We still dropped three more boxes that size at the shelter,” I add with a laugh.

“Thank God,” Sam exclaims as she runs into the room, her blue eyes shining.

“Uh, we already had some today, sunshine,” Leo reminds her as he joins us. “Hi, Nic.”

“Hey.” She smiles and grips my hand in a death grip.

It seems Nic has a crush on Leo.

As long as that’s all it is, we’ll be fine.

“Where did everyone go?” Meg exclaims from the kitchen.

“In here!” Will calls back. “Matt’s here with Nic, and she brought me cupcakes!”

“What?” Meg exclaims and comes running from the kitchen. Her eyes widen when she sees that I’m holding Nic’s hand, and then she grins widely. “Hey! Welcome!”

“Hi again.” Nic grins and reaches out to shake Meg’s hand but is scooped up in a big hug, much to her surprise.

“I’m so glad Matt brought you,” Meg assures her.