Mats rises. I’ll help you.
Becks raises a hand. Don’t worry. We’ll finish up the food and then clean up. You two lovebirds can go up to Nellie’s room and… chill. Correction: strangle Becks painfully.
He lifts a questioning eyebrow.
We can just watch something, I reassure him. We go into my room, and I shut the door. Thankfully, instead of eavesdropping from the next room, Becks is now downstairs. Now I really regret the way I’ve tortured her over the years.
Mats looks around my room.
I’m not really into decorating, I apologize.
I didn’t expect you would be. While I could take that as an insult, I’m pleased that he already understands this part of me.
When he goes to sit in my desk chair, I put a hand out to stop him.
It’s broken. I was leaning back and it kind of cracked. Right now, it’s held together by duct tape.
He gives me a look, which I interpret as why do you keep useless furniture around?
I just haven’t gotten around to getting a new chair, I explain. Plus, if I sit in a certain way, it’s fine.
He stretches out on my bed, arms behind his head. His boyish grin is adorable and melts me. Ohhh, maybe it’s a trick. You just wanted me here instead.
I laugh as I slide in next to him. I wish I was that smart.
He snakes his arm underneath me. More like sneaky.
I’m sorry about tonight. All the interruptions, I mean.
Mats gives me a squeeze. It’s fine. They tease because they care. You guys are like a big, happy family.
Do they like me? Or just like to torture me?
You’re very likeable, he says, then buries his head in my neck and plants a series of wet kisses along the base of my throat. Mmmhmm.
Likeable, or lickable? I run a hand over his upper arm and squeeze the bicep that I’ve been fantasizing about. It’s firm, pumped, and so much bigger than mine.
Both. Mats’s breath is hot as he licks along the lobe of my ear and tugs at my hoop earring with his teeth. A zing of electricity runs through me and I groan. He moves to my mouth, kissing me and parting my lips so I can feel his warm breath.
I groan aloud and sit up. Just a sec. I pull off my sweater and lie back down. Okay, proceed.
He chuckles. Mats finds me funny, even when I don’t mean to be, but I like that.
No, wait. How about you take your shirt off too? I purr.
He sits up, unbuttons his shirt, and reveals his fitted grey T-shirt. What is it with this guy and layers? But I’m not complaining about the way his chest stretches the thin cotton.
I fan myself. Is it just me, or is it hot in here? Maybe you should take off that T-shirt too.
Mats’s smile widens. That wouldn’t be fair. You’re still wearing your T-shirt. He runs a calloused fingertip under the hem of my top, electrifying the bare skin of my stomach.
Oh, wow, I breathe. I’m happy to take off all my clothes if he’ll do the same.
I wriggle away and whip off my T-shirt. His gaze immediately falls to my bra and stays there.
Hmm. Pink. Was not expecting that. He reaches over and traces one satiny cup with a warm hand. I’m jolted with need. I want to live in a world where Mats keeps his hands on me at all times.
So, I start babbling. Yeah, I’m not really a girly-girl. But it was on sale. I manage to shut up before I can tell him the price, the store, and the fact that I bought it two weeks ago when I first started hoping for this exact moment.
