“Actually…” I clear my throat and brace myself for her reaction. In hindsight, I should have probably figured this out earlier, but I was always more of a do-it-and-see-what-happens kind of guy. “I’m back for good.”
CHAPTER THREE
JESSICA
“So then, if you divide this, you should get the answer you need,” I explain, pointing at the equation in question before peeking up at him only to find those chocolate eyes zeroed in on me. His face is unreadable, but the silent intensity hiding in his dark eyes sends a shiver down my spine.
“Matthew?” His name comes out as a soft whisper, but he’s still quiet as he watches me. Unmoving. Unblinking. His sharp gaze holding me hostage.
I graze my teeth over my lower lip, unsure of what to do.
Butterflies swarm inside my belly, wild and free, matching the beat of my pounding heart.
Slowly, his eyes lower to my mouth. I bite the inside of my cheek, sucking in a breath as I wait. I’m not even sure for what.
Time seems to have slowed.
Matthew’s gaze is locked on me, silently observing. The intensity in his eyes burns my skin, and no matter what, I can’t escape his hold. I’m not even sure I want to.
And then he touches me.
He lifts his arm, the back of his hand caressing my cheek. A zap of electricity courses through me at the connection, tingles prickling under my skin. As his fingers move lower, skimming the side of my neck, a trail of goosebumps appears in their wake. Those dark, dark irises lift to mine, and his voice comes out gruff. “Trouble?—”
“Nothing quite like a lover’s quarrel, huh?”
The muttered words have me jumping in surprise. My heartbeat is erratic as I look up to find Aiden standing next to me. He quirks one dark brow, a small smile playing on his lips.
“Easy there, tiger.” He chuckles, his head tilting to the side as he takes me in. “Did you fall asleep on your feet or what?”
I place my hands on the counter, gripping it tightly as I shake my head to clear my mind. “No, I just got distracted for a little bit. What happened?”
“The couple that just came in. The guy had a gash on his forehead the size of Texas that was bleeding all over the place. He said, and I quote, ‘that crazy bitch,’ which I assume is his wife, was the one who smashed him over his head with a pan. Apparently, he was hungry but didn’t know what he wanted to eat, so…” Aiden’s expression turns serious. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I—”
Matthew’s surprised face pops into my head again. My fingertips tingle, and I swear I can feel the warmth of his hands on my shoulders even now.
A handful of seconds.
I was only around him for just a handful of seconds, and it was like I was that seventeen-year-old girl all over again, daydreaming about the bad boy she’s crushing on.
You’re not that girl anymore, Jessica.
“Jessy?” A warm hand covers mine, giving it a squeeze, just as my phone starts buzzing on the counter. Damien’s picture pops onto the screen, making my whole body freeze.
Shit.
I just stare at the phone for a few seconds, my ears buzzing. I’ve lost count of the number of times he’s tried to call me since I hung up on him and the messages he’s sent that have grown increasingly angrier, making my anxiety grow bigger. Angry Damien is unpredictable, and I don’t need that on top of everything else now.
“You’re not going to answer that?” Aiden’s question breaks through my hazy brain.
“No.”
Quickly, I grab my phone and hang up, turning it off for good measure.
Just that little thing makes my shoulders sag in relief.
Letting out a long breath, I turn around to find Aiden watching me with curiosity. He tilts his head, his brow rising. “Trouble in paradise?”
