MATT WAS ECSTATIC ABOUT SPENDING time with his sister, but I could tell he was nervous about mine and Gabriella’s altercation when I explained to him what happened. For the rest of the afternoon, I watched him train on his own with Carter so he could get ready for the fight this weekend. I used that time to document the kind of workouts he did to prepare his body because every athlete I interviewed for the magazine had different workout regimes. Each sport demanded something different, and it was always interesting to learn what those differences were.
After we finished our time at the gym, he dropped me off at my house and went back home to be with his sister. It just so happened that it was perfect timing. Jace was going to be my date for the night, and as we were about to sit down and eat dinner he received a call saying he got the lead role in the movie he auditioned for. The only stipulation was that he was expected to be on a plane the next morning, heading to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to begin filming.
Our quiet night of eating dinner and watching movies turned into an all-night celebration out on the town. I was going to call Matt and tell him, but I didn’t want to interrupt the time he had with his sister. Surely, he would understand our need to celebrate. When we got in first thing this morning, it was already time to take Jace to the airport. We were both exhausted and I knew the moment he sat on the plane he would pass out, just like I was going to do the moment I got back home.
The second my head hit the pillow, I was asleep.
I didn’t know how long I had been sleeping when my phone rang, but when I answered it I couldn’t even understand the words that came out of my mouth. Matt obviously didn’t either because I heard him laughing over the phone.
“Okay, it sounds like somebody had too much fun last night. I didn’t realize you and Jace were going to party it up without me,” he teased.
Loudly, I yawned and snuggled under my covers. “Correction … he was the one who partied it up. I just went along for the ride. He got a call last night saying he made the lead role in a movie he auditioned for. He had to leave for North Carolina this morning.”
“That’s great,” he said, “but doesn’t that mean you’re going to be alone at your house? How long will he be gone?”
“I’m not sure. I don’t even think he knows the answer to that question. Did you and Gabriella have fun last night? What are you two doing today?” I asked, hoping to get his mind off of me being alone. I didn’t want him worrying about me when he needed to focus on other things.
“Yeah, we had fun. We stayed around the house and watched movies in the theater room. Today, we’re going to go out for a ride on the bike and visit our mom at her shop. Did I tell you she owns her own hair salon?”
“No, you didn’t,” I squealed. “That’s amazing. I bet you’re really proud of her.” His mom had gone from job to job when he was younger, working in various hair salons and not earning enough to pay all the bills of the household. That was why Matt had to find odd jobs as a kid to help bring in more money.
“I’m very proud of her. I helped her with the funds to get it started, but once she got it up and running she’s been managing it on her own. I’m sure she’d like to see you. If you want, you can come with me sometime.”
“I’d like that,” I said, secretly hoping I wouldn’t get a cold greeting like I did with Gabriella.
“Okay, so back to my original concern. I know you don’t want to hear this, but I don’t like you being alone right now. Do you want to stay with me tonight? Gabriella will be gone after the fight tomorrow, so we won’t have to worry about her.”
Rolling my eyes, I shook my head even though he couldn’t see me. “Matt, I’ll be fine,” I assured him. “I’ve stayed by myself for weeks at a time. You don’t have to worry about me. I think I’m a big girl.”
He sighed, his voice low and husky. “I know, angel, but I missed waking up with you in my arms. I miss the feel of your skin and the way your nipples pucker when I tease them with my tongue. I can’t stand being apart, especially when all I can think about is wrapping your legs around my waist and fucking you until you scream.”
If I was sleepy before, I wasn’t any longer … he had just woke me up. “It sounds like you’re a little wound up, babe,” I breathed.
He chuckled darkly. “Just a little, but I know of a way you can help.”
“Oh, really? How is that?”
The rumble of his moan vibrated all the way down to my clit, and I could feel myself growing wetter with every single word that came out of his mouth. “I want you to touch yourself for me, angel. Pretend it’s me rolling your nipples between my fingers and squeezing your breasts. Mmm … they taste so good when I suck on them, too. Do you feel me touching you?”
Closing my eyes, I slid my T-shirt above my breasts and pretended it was him beside me, touching me. I squeezed my breasts as hard as I could and rolled my nipples in between my fingers just like he always did. They were so tender that I gasped. “Yes, I can feel you, and I know you love it when I arch my back to your touch. Can you feel me stroking your cock? I want it to feel like I’m riding you, hard and deep. ”
“Yes, angel. My hands are on your hips and I’m guiding you up and down. You’re so wet, you slide so nicely. Put your hands down there … do you feel wet?”
I slid my hand down my stomach, inside my underwear, and over my clit to my opening. “Mm-hmm,” I answered with a moan. “I’m so wet for you, Matt.”
“Good, baby, that’s what I want to hear. Now slide a finger inside of yourself and rub your clit with your thumb.” Doing as he said, I slid a finger in, moving it in and out, over and over. “Now add another finger, angel, and move faster. I want to hear you moan and pant with how good it feels. Does it feel good when I fuck you?”
“Oh, God, yes,” I cried.
“I’m pushing harder, baby. Holy fuck, you feel so damn good.”
“Matt,” I groaned, squeezing my nipples harder. Panting, I was so close to losing control and the sound of his growling moans only made it harder to hold on. “I’m so close, Matt. Oh my God, I’m so close.”
“Shelby,” he growled low, “let it go. I’m going to come so hard inside of you right now.”
The sound of his breathing grew faster and deeper, and I knew he was about to lose it. Harder and faster, I pushed my fingers inside of me and screamed out my release just as he let go of his. I had never done anything like that before. It was crazy how with Matt I could forget all of my insecurities and be comfortable with myself. I missed being able to feel like that.
“Did it feel good?” Matt murmured lazily.
“Mm-hmm,” I answered, too relaxed to form a coherent word.
“Yeah, it was pretty hot hearing you moan over the phone. I would’ve given anything to be there watching you. Hopefully, this will keep you satiated until tomorrow night after the fight. Gabriella is driving separately to the arena, so I’ll come pick you up and you can ride with me. Is that okay?”
“You can, but the fight is in Oakland tomorrow. You’ll be backtracking if you come out my way. I can meet you there,” I insisted. I didn’t want him driving all over California to pick me up when it would put him at least forty minutes behind.
Matt scoffed incredulously. “Shelby, I don’t care about that shit. Now this way you can ride with me to my house after the fight and we won’t have to worry about your car. Make sure you bring a bag with your stuff ... and your bathing suit.”
“Fine,” I gave in, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
We said our good-byes and I laid my head back on the pillow. The clock on my phone said it was eight-thirty in the morning. Crap, I only slept for an hour. After the interlude with Matt, my eyes started to drift close. I didn’t have plans for the day, so it didn’t matter if I slept it away or not. Pulling the covers over my shoulders, I closed my eyes and slowly drifted off into a deep, peaceful sleep.