“Meaning, before I left, he told me he’ll think about it and get back to me,” he says, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.“You seem to have struck a chord.I know Harold; it’s very rare for him to rethink a position.”
“So there’s still a chance,” I breathe, the excitement making me feel light-headed.“Maybe I didn’t totally blow it.”
“You didn’t blow it.”Matthew chuckles and closes the small distance between us, pulling me into his arms.
Elated, I throw my arms around his neck in a tight, joyous hug.“Thank you, Matt,” I whisper, my words heavy with a sincerity so deep it comes from my very soul.
He hugs me back just as fiercely, his whole body vibrating with warm laughter against mine.
He eases back, his hands coming to rest on my shoulders, his gaze full of admiration.“All I did was get you in the room, love.The rest was all you.”
“It was a team effort,” I correct, a grateful, beaming smile stretching my lips.“To thank you properly, I’m making you dinner tonight.”
“A croissant sandwich doesn’t count,” he teases, earning himself another playful smack.
“I’ll have you know I’m a great cook,” I declare with mock indignation.“When I want to be.”
He throws his head back in a full, hearty laugh.
He tightens his arms around my waist again, his face close to mine.“It’s a date then,” he smiles, that slow, sensuous curve of his lips that always makes me melt.
“It’s a date,” I echo, sealing the promise with a kiss that he returns with eager heat.
Our kiss deepens, a heady mixture of relief, triumph, and pure affection.For a long moment, the cold, concrete reality of the parking lot melts away, leaving only the warmth of his lips on mine and the secure strength of his arms around me.
Matthew is the first to very reluctantly pull away, his breathing a little uneven.“You’re a dangerous distraction during work hours,” he whispers, a happy surprise in his voice.
An uncontrollable laugh tumbles out of me.I feel like I could stand here with him forever.But then he glances at his watch, a subtle signal that our bubble is about to burst.
“Shit.I need to get to the courthouse.I’m due in front of a judge in less than an hour.”
“I’ll call a cab.You go,” I reassure him.
“Don’t be silly,” he counters, pressing an adoring kiss to my forehead.“Get in the car.I’ll drop you off at the café on my way.”
The drive is the complete opposite of the one this morning.A comfortable quiet replaces the anxious silence.The city is bustling with the energy of a Monday morning, but inside this car, there is only a profound sense of peace.I lean my head back against the seat and let out a soft, contented sigh.Matthew glances at me, a warm smile touching his lips.He reaches across the center console and takes my hand, lacing his fingers through mine, resting our joined hands on my thigh.
“You did great, love,” he compliments me tenderly.“You should be proud.I’ve seen grown men cower in that office.”
Beaming, I turn my head to look at him, at his strong profile, at the way the sunlight lightens his dark brown hair.“I can honestly say I gave it my all.And then some,” I confess, giggling to myself.“You were pretty clever yourself, Counselor.Pretending you couldn’t be bothered with my pesky issue, as you put it.Siding with Bancroft.Smart.”
“What if I was being honest?”he teases.
“Please.”I give him a side glance.“You can’t fool me anymore, Matthew Warren.”I wiggle my eyebrows at him.“I know you well.”
He lifts my hand for a quick kiss to my knuckles.The adoring, reverent smile he gives me makes my heart swell to the point of bursting.
When Matthew pulls up in front of the café, it looks the same.But I feel like I’m seeing it for the first time.
It’s no longer just a place I’m fighting for.
It’s a place I have a real chance of saving.
He puts the car in park and turns to me, his gaze dropping to my lips.“I’ll pick you up at seven?”
“You better,” I tease, my heart doing a happy little flip.
“Count on it,” he says, leaning in for a kiss that is slow, deep, and full of the promise of tonight.“Now go run your empire, Miss Beckett.”
