Exposed (Let Me Love You #3)

Chapter 15

15

ARM WRESTLING

PEPPER

“ O kay, Simon. Ready for this?” Matt rolls his son to his tummy on a blanket in his exercise room.

We’ve finished our workout, which consisted of Matt taking me through a weight lifting circuit.

I caught him checking me out a few times in the large, wide mirror he has on the wall, but it seemed more like he was checking my form than lusting after me. I guess that’s from the years he spent working at his dad’s gym.

I’ve got no room to talk, though. While Matt was lifting, my eyes drank him in like a starved man in a pizza parlor. And I wasn’t looking to see if he was using proper form. He banged out set after set of pull ups while I was supposed to be doing assisted push ups.

Instead, I was mesmerized by the way the muscles in his arms and back rippled every time he dipped down and pulled up. He’s too yummy to ignore. Did I mention he did those pull ups with Simon strapped to his chest in his carrier?

Matt’s personality gets to me. I’ve never met a man so protective and caring. Seeing him with Simon makes my ovaries almost explode. My childhood was hard, but I still want kids. I want to raise little people to know they’re loved and cherished.

Several times, Simon got fussy. Matt didn’t get frustrated. He simply scooped him up, cuddled him, then laid him back down on his blanket with a toy with a, “You’ve got this, little man.”

Matt is a natural at parenting, maybe because he saw it modeled so well from his parents. A couple of times, I picked up Simon when he fussed so Matt could get another set in. I’m happy to dance around with Simon to Matt’s playlist while Matt lifts. Simon is too cute for words, and cuddling him is way more fun than lifting a barbell. I love when he snuggles his nose against me and babbles.

Post-workout, Matt made us both some kind of recovery drink. Not that I need one. I didn’t work out nearly as hard as he did. Matt worked out shirtless, and now he’s laying on his stomach next to Simon.

Matt tickles Simon’s palm, and Simon’s tiny fingers grip tightly onto one of Matt’s long fingers. They’re both laying on their bellies, and I wish I had Matt’s camera to take a photo of them.

“One day, you will beat me at arm wrestling,” Matt rumbles in his sexy deep voice while he pretends to arm wrestle with his newborn. “But not today.” He gently pushes Simon’s hand to the ground. “I win.”

“You want to work out with me again, Pepper?” He looks up at me with a smile.

“Sure. It was fun.”

“Nice. We’ve got a workout buddy, Simon.” Simon looks at Matt and toots.

“Good push, little dude,” he chuckles and lifts his son’s hand to high five him. Gosh, they’re stinking cute together.

I’m not going to turn down an opportunity to be with Matt and Simon. He’s the total package: smart, established with a solid career, helpful, protective and caring. I’ve never met anyone who would take in a stranger with zero expectations in return. Now, he’s dropped everything to become a dad. I don’t even have to mention how talented he is at making me come.

I shiver at that thought, and Matt gives me a grin. Plus, ogling him while he lifts heavy things isn’t a hardship. There’ll be an expiration date in the near future, but I’m going to ride this roommates with benefits train as far as I can.

I’ve had enough hard knocks in life to know that when you’ve got a good thing going, you don’t give it up. And Matt is a good guy, one million times better than any guy I’ve known. There’s no way I’m giving him up until he asks me to leave.

“I can buy you workout clothes,” he suggests.

Every penny I make is going to something more important than a sports bra.

“Yeah, yeah. You don’t want to owe me. One outfit isn’t going to break me. Pay it forward when you can,” he says quickly.

I hate the thought of owing Matt. Sadly, I’ve been in this position before. One where a guy says I owe him something because he gave me a place to stay. I’m not proud of it, but I did what I had to do my last couple of years of high school.

My eyes grow wet with tears, both from seeing Matt be so patient and tender with his son and thinking about how different my experience as a child was.

I realize what it’s like to not have much. I’m not ashamed of it, because I’m used to it.

A few months ago, I’d finally gotten to a place where I was financially stable, and it was amazing. Now, I’m back to square one. Well, not exactly. Matt has been a huge help, even though I feel bad eating his food and staying in his house.

When I get everything sorted out, I’ll pay him back. He seriously is the kindest guy.

“Pepper.” Matt’s voice interrupts my thoughts. “Simon needs a hug.”

I was too busy in my head to notice that Matt is standing now, holding Simon.

“Come here,” Matt says. His voice is soft yet commanding at the same time, and I obey him.

He holds Simon in one arm and outstretches Simon’s arm to touch me. I step into them, and Matt holds me tight with his free arm.

“Whatever it is, Pepper, I’m here. You can talk to me,” he whispers into my hair.

Damn. I can’t bawl right here.

“Stupid freaking hormones,” I mumble. “I’ve got to get ready for that fundraiser now.”