Darnit!
I could see his shadow looming over me. His fully erect shadow. Damn, my mouth watered. He was one impressive, godlike man, even in the dark. I could understand why women would want him to spread his seed.
He was magnificent!
“Holy Mary Mother of God, what in the name of Saint Monica be ye doing in me bathroom?” he finally spoke, apparently praying for Monica’s patience.
“Sorry, um, I was sleepwalking?” I laughed nervously over my question-like response. “I think they call it nesting.”
“Chapter Eighteen.” He nodded, inhaling a few deep breaths. “I think it best if ye clean yer own nest next time, preferably in nighties that aren’t see-through, or I can’t be held accountable fer what might happen.”
“What if I want to nest in your bed?” I bit my bottom lip hopefully. “I mean, not like birds that mate for life, or anything. I just want to mate.” I laughed over how ridiculous I sounded even to my own ears. “Second trimester still, remember?”
“Aye, how in the hell could I forget?” He scrubbed a hand over his wet hair. “Not tonight, love,” he said firmly, obviously in no mood for games. “Not tonight. It’s been a helluva couple of weeks. All I want is to sleep for a week. Can ye grant me that, lass?”
“Only if ye come clean with me over what yer about on the morrow, savvy?” I blinked. Sleep deprivation and its effect on the brain was no joke.
“What accent, pray tell, is that?”
“An Irish pirate?” I laughed. “I have no clue. But what I do know is that you’ve been keeping something from me for a couple of weeks now. Where have you been going?”
“I’ll fill ye in on everything, I promise. In the meantime, take care of me bairns and get some sleep…savvy?” I could just make out his smile.
“Deal.”
He leaned down like he always did when he kissed me on the forehead. Only, this time his lips landed on mine, and I forgot to breathe. He didn’t touch me anywhere else. Just his full lips moving sensually over my mouth, but then he slipped his thick tongue inside to dance with mine.
Stars swam behind my eyes, and liquid heat pooled between my legs.
He tasted like Guinness, thyme, and bay leaves, with a touch of something uniquely Matt. I was drowning and loving every minute of it. Who was I fooling? I didn’t want to just mate. I wanted this man to be my mate, but that scared the hell out of me. I had to have been giving him so many mixed signals.
We’d done everything backwards.
He pulled slowly away, his shadow more magnificently erect than ever. “Goodnight, love.”
I swallowed hard, unable to speak. All I knew for certain was that I was in a whole lot of trouble.
Chapter Seventeen
The next morning—late morning—Matt finally woke up. He walked into the kitchen, scrubbing a hand through his hair, his eyes still a little puffy from sleep. “Wow, I slept like the dead. Everything is a blur.”
I paused a beat. “Everything?”
His gaze met mine. “Well, not everything, love.” He winked.
“About that,” I stared him down and pointed a wooden spoon at him. “What about the no-romance agreement?”
“I could ask ye the same thing. Ye jumped me in the shower in the middle of the night…” he leaned forward, “…while I was naked.”
“I was nesting, remember?” I blinked rapidly and felt a bead of sweat trickle down between my breasts.
His gaze heated as he followed its path, his voice growing husky. “I remember ye wanted to nest in me bed.”
“So, are you hungry?” I blurted, desperate to change the subject.
His lips formed a slow, sexy smile. “I’m starved, love.”
My face flamed red. “Er, for food, I mean. I cooked.” I pointed at the pile of scrambled eggs. “It might not look pretty, but I tried a bite, and I think it’s actually edible.”
“Thanks. I haven’t had an actual meal in weeks.” He sat down at the table as if that dangerously delicious conversation hadn’t just happened and dug into the plate of eggs, toast, and bacon. “This is great, lass.”
Damn stage two.
Maybe my active imagination was making me read into things. I shook off my wayward thoughts and focused on the real reason I’d made him breakfast. I cleared my throat before responding.
“You’re welcome.” I sat down next to him, having already eaten mine because I couldn’t wait. “So, why exactly haven’t you had a meal in weeks?” He’d promised to come clean the next day, and that day was today.
His gaze met mine. He didn’t speak until he finished chewing and wiped his mouth. He took a sip of orange juice, as if stalling to find the right words. Letting out a big sigh, he finally said, “I’ve been following yer ex.”
“Bud?”
Matt arched a thick blond brow high. “How many exes do ye have?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Very funny…not. Mind telling me why you were following my ex-husband?”
He hoisted one massive shoulder. “To make him stop harassing ye.”
I threw up my hands. “If you get into a fight with him, he’s going to sue you. The last thing I need is for the father of my children to get arrested.”
