Exposed (Let Me Love You #3)

Chapter 11

11

THE “FUCK IT” MOMENT

MATT

A few hours later, another successful engagement session is in the books, and I’m ready to be back home.

When I open the door, Pepper is sitting on the couch with my dad and mom while the baby monitor rests on the coffee table.

“Welcome home, dear,” my mom greets me.

“Thanks, Mom. How was Simon for you guys?” I ask as I lay my camera equipment down. I’ll put it back in my office after they leave.

“He’s an angel,” my mom beams, clearly in love with Simon already.

I notice Pepper’s silence, and she seems uncomfortable from her stiff posture sitting on the couch.

“Thanks again for watching Simon, you guys. ”

“Of course, son,” my dad stands.

He knows I don’t like them driving at night. Grace died in a car wreck at night, and I’m paranoid about my family driving in the dark now.

“I’m sorry it’s late,” I apologize.

“We’re fine. Rush hour is over, and we’ll take our time,” my dad assures me.

“You need us to watch Simon tomorrow evening while you work, right?” My mom asks.

“Yeah. And Saturday and Sunday I work all day and evening.” I grab the back of my neck. Damn, that is asking a lot of my parents. “I realize that’s a huge time commitment.”

“This is the first week you’re a father. We’ll help until you figure out a nanny,” my dad supplies.

Finding a nanny sounds daunting, but they’re right. My parents have a life. I can’t expect them to watch Simon every time I work, especially not when I work long hours Saturdays and Sundays.

“You’re right. I’ll find a nanny.” I feign a confidence I don’t feel. I haven’t the slightest clue where to find a trustworthy nanny who will look after Simon the way my parents and I care for him.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Galloway. Thank you for dinner,” Pepper says quietly.

“Don’t mention it, dear, and it’s Madilyn and Henry,” my mom smiles and hugs Pepper. “We’ll see you all tomorrow.”

I hug my parents, then lock the door behind them. When I turn around, Pepper is sneaking to her room.

“Everything alright?” I ask.

She freezes but doesn’t turn around to face me. “No.”

“At least, you’re honest.”

“I’m going to bed,” she sniffs. Is she crying?

“Pepper, what’s wrong?” I ask, walking toward her.

She whirls around, her shoulders turned inward in a protective gesture.

“What did you tell your parents about me?” She asks.

Shit. What did they say? I put my hands out in a surrendering gesture. “Did they say or do something that made you uncomfortable? I told them you’re my friend. They know you’re going through a rough spot, and you’re crashing with me for a bit. It’s not a big deal.”

“It’s a big freaking deal, Matt. They were nice to me. Plus, they didn’t judge my piece of shit car sitting outside. And yes, your dad told me about his 1957 aqua blue Chevy, so I know he noticed my piece of junk.”

My dad loves that car. It was my grandpa’s, and my dad restored it.

“You’re mad that my parents were nice to you,” I gather.

“I’m not mad.”

“You seem angry.”

“Ugh.” She stomps her foot and balls her little hands into fists.

“You’re adorable when you’re angry,” I smirk.

“I’m not angry,” she says louder this time, then thinks better of it. “Sorry. I don’t want to wake Simon.”

“Did my parents upset you?” I ask.

“Your parents are perfect. Neither one of them grilled me with questions about my personal life. Your mom brought a homemade, fancy French chicken casserole. And…she sang to Simon.” Her voice breaks as if she’s about to cry, and I want to make her smile.

“Let me guess: Higher Love and Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go ? She sang those to me as a kid.”

“Yep. Then, your dad told me all about the gyms he owns in the Miami area and how he is the only one to ever successfully run a gym on Aveline Island.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, he loves telling that story.”

“Your mom told me fun stories about being a personal stylist for wealthy clients. Your family is perfect,” she huffs, then flings her hand out toward me. “You’re perfect.”

Why does that frustrate her? Also, my chest puffs up with her compliment.

“You think I'm perfect?” I quirk an eyebrow and grin.

“Don’t act like you don’t know how awesome you are. You’re this good-looking, successful family man with a big heart, a cute baby and the perfect dog.”

“Where is Shani?” I look around. She always comes to greet me when I get home.

“She believes it’s her job to guard Simon. The second you left, she glued herself to Simon’s side. She’s sleeping next to his crib.”

Wow. That’s adorable.

“I knew I liked that dog,” I note.

“Yeah. I always wanted a dog growing up. Shani is the best,” she agrees.

“Yeah, she is.”

After a beat of silence, Pepper speaks again.

“I don’t feel like I belong in the middle of your perfect life.”

Feeling like you’re on the outside looking in is never fun. I want her to feel like she fits in here.

“You belong here. My life is far from perfect. Did you miss the part where a baby was left on my doorstep?” I point at my front door for reference.

“No. But you and your family are handling it like you want Simon.”

“He is wanted,” I confirm.

You’re wanted, Pepper.

“You know what? Forget it. I’m on my period and hormonal. I need sleep,” she concedes.

I want her, but I don’t know how to communicate that with words without scaring her off. She needs more than sleep.

Fuck it.

“A kiss would help,” I suggest.

“Excuse me?” She pops a hand on her hip.

“You heard me. A kiss would help. So would an orgasm.”

“Thanks. I’ll get on that.” She says sarcastically and turns to go to my guest bedroom.

“Let me give you one.” Hell, I may scare her off with that statement, but I’ve been dying to know what it’d be like to make her come.

“Um,” she stutters and turns around to face me.

“Not sex, just an orgasm for you. Don’t worry about me.”

“Said no man ever,” she scoffs.

I smile. Maybe she’s never been with a pleasure Dom like me. Getting her off gives me loads of satisfaction.

“Trust me. I’ll get plenty of pleasure from seeing you blissed out,” I share.

She cocks her head in disbelief.

I run a thumb over my bottom lip, and her eyes trace the movement. “You want to shower first?” I ask.

“Are you telling me I smell?” She fires back.

“No, Pepper. A shower to help you relax after working all day. Then, meet me in the guest bedroom.”

“Okay,” she agrees with a small smile.

My hand glides across her lower back as I pass her. I can't wait to put my hands all over her.