RANCHER BEAR’S BABY(32)

My heart leapt. Matt. He’d come, and he looked amazingly hot. I dropped the spatula I was holding and ran to him, unable to contain my excitement. I jumped into his arms and grinned down at his handsome face. Without a care in the world about who was watching us, I knocked his cowboy hat off of his head and kissed him with everything I had.

Matt wrapped his arms around me and kissed me back with just as much heat. His hands roamed to my ass and then farther down, to slip under my dress.

A throat cleared beside us and I pulled away, suddenly remembering where we were. My blush deepened and I forced Matt to put me down. Sure enough, everyone in the room was watching us with wide eyes.

Carolyn had a huge grin on her face. She wiped her hands and then walked towards us. Her eyes filled with tears and she stared at Matt. “Matt, honey. I’m so glad you’re here.”

I stepped out of the way and watched with a knot in my throat as she grabbed Matt and hugged him tight to her body. Bailey was right behind her, throwing her little body at him.

I met Matt’s eyes over their heads and mouthed a ‘thank you’ to him. It meant everything to me that he’d come, but I could see that it meant just as much to his family. He raised an eyebrow at me and then nodded to the cake. Instead of answering him, I just grinned. I had lots of secret talents that he was going to find out about eventually.

“Damn, Leila. You know what? Maybe I was wrong about you.”

I scowled at Alex. “Of course, you were, asshole.”

Matt disengaged from his mother and sister and shoved his brother’s shoulder. “You heard the lady. You were wrong. Don’t let it happen again.”

I stiffened as Alex stood up taller and puffed out his chest. The last thing they needed was a fist fight.

Alex shoved Matt back. “How was I supposed to know that she wasn’t taking advantage of you? You’ve been depressed and locked away for so long, we were starting to forget what you looked like. You can’t blame me for being suspicious. Who would have thought that such a fine woman would fall for a sullen, salty prick like you?”

Matt shoved him back and then locked Alex’s head under his arm. “Don’t forget that you’re still the little brother, Alex.”

Alex sent a rib shot to Matt and then slipped out of his grip. “Yeah, I remember that you’re an old man.”

I waited with my breath frozen in my lungs to see what Matt was going to do. I wasn’t stupid enough to get between the two of them. I liked all of my teeth where they were, thank you.

Matt suddenly laughed and shrugged. “Be nice to my mate. Or, I will make you remember how hard I used to kick your ass.”

His smile sent tingles straight to my core and I couldn’t help wrapping myself around him. I pressed my face into his chest and grinned. This man impressed the hell out of me, right and left.

“It was a mistake. Won’t happen again. Everyone knows she’s yours now.”

I raised my head. “I’m my own. But, that’s nice of you, anyway.”

Matt stole a kiss. “You’re mine, but we can phrase it however you like.”

I gave him a growl of my own and then grinned. “I’m glad you came.”

He nipped my ear and grunted. “Keep that in mind later, baby.”

I laughed as Bailey faked a gag. I secretly brushed my hand over Matt’s already hard dick and winked at him. “Got it covered.”

*

The party lasted for several hours. Bailey was having too much fun for anyone to cut out early. Having Matt back seemed to make everyone feel festive. He, himself, seemed to be lighter. He laughed more and every look he sent my way was a grin or a heated one that took my breath away. As much as I was enjoying myself, I was eager to get back home with him.

By the time we were able to sneak away, it was nearly midnight. I was exhausted, but all I could think about was getting Matt out of his clothes and into bed. I wanted to wrap myself around him and stay that way for weeks.

Seeing him with his family, coming out of his shell, made me realize just how much I already cared for him. I’d never been in love before, but I damned well was now. It was scary that it happened so fast, but the feelings were there. No use ignoring them to fit some pre-conceived idea that I had in my head about the speed at which relationships should progress.

The entire drive back to the cabin, Matt had his free hand all over me. He’d tried to get up my dress, but my tights were in the way. I laughed at the growl he sent my way when he’d realized it.

I slipped my hand into his lap and tried to work at the button while he drove. One sharp tug at the wheel, though, and I stopped that. Turned out that touching Matt’s dick directly affected his ability to keep the truck on the road. Who knew?