Fighting for Love (Second Chances #4)(33)

“Shelby, they were your favorites. It’s kind of hard to forget that stuff considering I bought them for you every year.”

Yes, he did, even when I knew he shouldn’t have spent his money on them. The thought alone made me want to break down in tears. He was always selfless and giving even when he had nothing to give. I don’t see how anyone couldn’t fall in love with him.

“I bet your date didn’t like having to watch you walk away, did he? How did that go, by the way? I’m not going to lie, it took every single ounce of control I had not to show up at the restaurant and take you away.”

Setting my strawberries on the dresser, I reached over and closed my door. With my back turned, I took a deep breath and whispered, “I hated every minute of it, too.”

Matt chuckled. “That bad, huh?” Worse than that, I thought.

Licking my lips, I turned around and sat down beside him on the bed, finally meeting his gaze. His smile slowly disappeared and his muscles tensed. He could always tell when something bad was coming; he grew up with constant bad news.

“There’s a reason why Jace said it was a good thing he picked you up, isn’t there? Go ahead and tell me, Shelby. Either way, I know it’s not going to be something I want to hear,” he remarked dejectedly, sliding off of the bed.

Stalking across the room, he ran his fingers through his hair before stopping at the bay window. Maybe I should’ve blurted it out and gotten it over with.

“What happened?” he demanded, his voice a low growl.

Here I go.

Regretting having to tell him, I took a deep breath and let it out quickly, rushing the words out as fast as I could, “Kyle Andrews happened, Matt. He lied to me and said his name was Caleb. He’s the guy I’d been seeing.”

Immediately, his back stiffened and he turned around, his gaze full of fire and rage. “Are you f*cking kidding me? What did he do to you,” he stormed angrily. “Please tell me he didn’t hurt you or touch you in any way.”

With each second I stalled I could see him getting angrier. I didn’t want to tell him that Kyle had touched me and kissed me, and most of all I didn’t want to tell him what he did tonight. It would only add more fuel to the fire.

Matt stalked closer and when I got to my feet, he gripped my arms and held me tight as if I’d run away. “Tell me,” he demanded. “Did he put his hands on you?”

Now is the time to be smart. If I told him yes, then he’d lose it; I couldn’t tell him yes.

“He didn’t hurt me,” I told him. “Kyle knew better than to do that. Look, I know you’re mad, and trust me it pisses me off, too. However, he only did it to get a rise out of you. He didn’t expect me and you to cross paths again, so his goal was to flaunt me in front of your face. I didn’t even know he was a fighter. He told me he was a personal trainer and a volunteer fireman.”

Breathing hard, Matt just stood there, glaring at me with his hands still gripping my upper arms. Clearing my throat, I licked my dry lips and continued, “The one thing I don’t understand is how he found out about us in the first place. My first thought was Hayley, but I never told her anything about our past, and I know Lexi didn’t. Jace already told me he didn’t tell anyone. Who out of the people you know would be involved with Kyle?”

Closing his eyes, Matt scoffed and clenched his jaw. “This is unreal. No one I know would get involved with that f*cker. Where’s this party at, Shelby? I’m going out there … now.” He brushed past me toward the door, but I jumped in his way and blocked his path by spreading my arms across the door.

“No, you’re not,” I warned him. “If you go after him you’re just giving him what he wants. Why would you do that? You’re better than he is, Matt. Show him that he doesn’t get to you.”

“How can I do that when he’s messing with the only thing I care about?” he shouted. “He knows he can’t fight me fair, so he’s doing this to screw with my head.”

“Then don’t let him,” I whispered softly.

Rising up on my toes, I caressed his cheeks, which were now rough with the hint of stubble; it was sexy and I loved it. I gently kissed his lips; at first he was tense, but then his arms snaked around my waist and he gave in.

“We can’t let him win,” I told him. “Whatever he throws our way we have to let it go. Can you do that? For me?”

Matt sighed and lowered his forehead to mine. “I don’t see how without wanting to rip off his f*cking head, but if that’s what you want I’ll certainly try. I can’t make any promises.”

I kissed him again. “That’s all I ask.”

When he pulled away, his gaze landed on the box of strawberries and a slow smirk tilted the corner of his lips even though deep down I knew he was still angry. “I have an idea. If you want me to forget about Kyle, let’s say we try out these chocolate strawberries a different way. You up for that?”

“Are you?” I teased back, biting my lip.

Grabbing me by the waist, his hands lowered to my ass and he pressed me up against the hardness between his legs. His deep chuckle sent shivers down my body, especially when he nipped the tender flesh on my neck and breathed in my ear. “Baby, I believe you already have the answer to that question.”

Pushing him toward the bed, I unbuttoned his jeans and slid them down to the floor slowly, squeezing his cock through his boxers. He groaned and willingly lounged back onto the bed with hooded, heat-filled eyes. It was time to take his mind off of everything and let him enjoy the ride.