Exposed (Let Me Love You #3)

Chapter 6

6

SHOPPING SPREES AND LIES

LUCY “PEPPER”

S itting in my car with the window rolled down, I stare at Matt’s front door. I‘ve driven past his house and around his block four times. Each time, I’ve tried to convince myself to go back to the YMCA parking lot, yet I’m still sitting in his driveway with my car in park.

I haven’t a clue how far the people who destroyed my life will go. I don’t want to put Matt or his baby in danger.

That settles it. I can’t stay here. The moment I decide I’m leaving, Matt walks out of his house holding his son.

“You’re shirtless.” Why am I so breathless? And how am I supposed to resist him?

“You said skin-to-skin contact is good for him,” Matt replies casually with a lift of one sexy shoulder.

Damn. Skin-to-skin contact with Matt would be beneficial for me, too.

The tiny baby snuggles against Matt’s bare chest, and Matt’s broad shoulders are on full display as he stands in his bare feet on the crisp green grass. Gray sweatpants cling to his hips the same way I would if my legs were wrapped around his waist.

Everything about Matt calls to me. He’s oddly vulnerable right now, yet infinitely strong and protective. My mouth waters, and my ovaries shoot out a thousand eggs.

Come to me, Daddy Matt .

The fact that I can think about him this way while my life is in peril is a testament to how devastatingly charming he is. Fatherhood is freaking sexy on him.

Focus . I roll down my window and point a thumb behind me. “I was just leaving.”

“You meditating while you circle the neighborhood?” He asks. “I doubt your car will make it much longer.”

“How do you know I’ve been driving around the neighborhood?” I tilt my head to the side.

“Call me crazy, but when someone drops a baby off at my doorstep, I open my eyes to what’s going on outside. Don’t want any more surprises today,” he explains.

“You think your other hook up is going to drop a baby off?”

“Damn, I hope not. Come on. You pulled into the driveway. You want to be here. Time to go inside.” He motions with his head towards his home while he gently rubs circles with his fingers on Baby Galloway’s back. He nuzzles on Matt’s chest, shifting his little head back and forth before resting it again on his dad.

“ Wanting to be here and needing to leave are both my reality,” I sigh deeply.

I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place. And gosh if I don’t wish to be stuck with Matt’s hard rock inside me.

Crap. The sleep deprivation is getting to me. I can’t think this way. Matt is an unnecessary distraction.

“Come on, Pepper. Miami doesn’t need you and your self-defense spray loose on the city tonight.”

I open my car door. “I shouldn’t stay.”

“You should. And you need to unpack your reasons why you think you shouldn’t.”

He wants me . He sways back and forth tenderly with his son like he’s been doing it forever. He’s too much. This man is my kryptonite.

“Come tell me what you like, and I’ll order us takeout.” He turns and goes into his house, confident I’ll follow him.

Why is his confidence such a turn on? He makes me feel like a feral cat in heat.

After grabbing my backpack, I follow him inside. I’ve only spent one night here, but it already feels more like my home than any home ever has.

When I walk through the front door and slip off my shoes, it looks like the contents of a baby store was dumped in the living room.

Shani is prancing around, busily sniffing all the new merchandise.

“What do you like to eat?” His voice trails off at the end when he sees me staring at his living room.

He chuckles. “I had the longest, most expensive shopping trip of my life today.”

Baby clothes, a toy dump truck, a light blue stuffed dog, a stuffed panda bear, wipes, diapers, diaper cream, a sink bath, rattles, teething toys, towels, burp clothes, bottles, formula, insanely soft looking blankets, a bouncer, a walker and a tummy time mat litter the kitchen table, sofa and coffee table.

“Did you buy the entire baby section?” I giggle.

“Smart ass,” he smirks. “No. I left some for other parents.”

“How generous of you.”

“You have no idea the limitless generosity I possess,” he winks. “When can you potty train babies?”

“Two years old usually,” I respond casually.

“No fucking way. I’ve got to change poopy diapers for two years ?”

“I’ve heard boys take longer,” I shrug, and Matt groans. “Welcome to parenthood,” I give him a thumbs up.

He sighs. “I’m gonna teach him sooner. I’ll find a way.”

“You do that. Let me know how it works out,” I grin.

“Wait and see. It’ll happen. So, I had zero time to cook today. What do you like to eat?” He asks.

“I don’t need anything. I’m the homeless girl taking advantage of you.”

“You are welcome to take advantage of me,” he flirts.

“Shush. You know what I mean. I’m already overstaying my welcome. You don’t need to feed me.”

“I told you I’m lonely and want a roommate. You’re doing me a favor,” he replies.

I circle my finger in the air at him. “How did you spin that to sound like I’m helping you?”

“I do the occasional spin class, but I’m not spinning anything right now. It’s the truth,” he quips.

Guilt gnaws at me that I feel like I can’t take care of myself.

“You don’t have to get me food. I ate on my way home from work,” I lie.

His bouncing motion with his son halts, and he tilts his head at me. “Didn’t see an empty food bag in your front seat.”

“I…” Why do I suck at lying? “I threw it out. Don’t like a messy car.” I don’t like being messy, but I also don’t own anything to put in my car.

“I noticed. There’s nothing in your car except your backpack.”

His feet eat the distance between us until his toes touch mine. “You don’t want to share with me why you’re hiding, but don’t lie to me again. Dinner’s on me.”

I look down in embarrassment. “I don’t need to burden you.”

With one finger crooked under my chin, he lifts my face to look at him. “You’re not a burden.”

I look at him silently, not believing his words. I heard the opposite too much growing up. My childhood wasn’t filled with love or affection, but I still believe in fairytales. I’m a romantic at heart, and I’ve got faith that I’ll find love someday. Love, family, kids. I want it all.

I’ve given my heart and body to several boyfriends along the way, believing they’d love me back. Just because it hasn’t worked out yet doesn’t mean it won’t someday. The alternative mindset would be to give up on love and the good in the world, and I don’t want to do that.

“Say it, Pepper. Tell me you’re not a burden,” he says as he cradles his infant with one arm.

“I’m…” I nervously lick my lips, not believing the sentence I’m about to say. I want to believe it though, and I guess that’s half the battle.

“That’s it. Go on.” He nods in encouragement.

“I’m not a burden.”

“Good girl.” He grins and lets go of my chin. “Now. What do you want to eat?”

“Anything sounds good.” Anything other than a dollar fast food hamburger would be divine.

“Thai it is,” he grabs his cell phone with one hand while he holds his son. “I’ll see if they deliver.”

“Sounds good. Never had it.”

“Oh, you’re about to be blessed. I’ll order extra noodles. They’re the best,” he grins.

After he ends the call, his son stirs in his arms.

“Ready to wake up, Simon?” He asks him.

“You named him?” I ask.

“Yep. Simon is my grandpa’s name.” Matt rubs his finger on Simon’s palm, and Simon grips onto it with his tiny fingers.

“Have you told your grandpa yet?” I ask.

“No,” he sighs. “I need to call my family. Wanted to give Simon a chance to get used to his new digs before my parents and grandparents descend on him. He’ll be the first grandkid and the first great grandkid.”

His family must be close.

“I’ll show you his crib.” He waves me towards the hallway.

“You’ve got a crib put together already?” I ask.

“Come on,” he says with a grin and a tilt of his head for me to follow. He flips on the light in his master bedroom .

His black king bed frame is pushed against the wall, and a black wooden crib rests against the opposite wall.

“You’ve been busy today,” I comment.

“True story. Black feels masculine for the little guy.” He walks over and lays his sleepy son on the mattress. “Splurged on the mattress. It’s supposed to be good for babies’ spines.”

His self-satisfied grin is brimming with pride.

“You’ve totally embraced fatherhood,” I remark as his son fusses on the bed.

Matt picks up Simon. “Yeah. This isn’t how I imagined becoming a father, but it’s kind of magical. He’s sweet. And he looks like me.”

Matt holds Simon up so their faces are next to each other. They’ve both got dimpled chins and their eyes are the same shade of mesmerizing blue-green.

“He’s a mini you, Matt,” I agree.

Matt smiles at me, then looks at his watch. “Time to eat, little dude.”

I want to take full advantage of showering while I’m here. Plus, I need to dye my light roots. “I’m going to shower while we’re waiting for dinner.”

“Go for it. See you in the kitchen.”

“Hey, Matt?” I ask softly.

He’s almost outside the door, but spins around to face me. “Yeah?”

I’ve already imposed so much. What’s one more thing? “Can I do a load of laundry here?” I bite my lip nervously at my request.

“You don’t have to ask. Anything in my home, you’re welcome to. Soap is in the cabinet above the washing machine.”

“You really are a gracious host,” I breathe a sigh of relief at his kindness.

“You and Simon are my favorite roommates.”