“Don’t worry. I’ll make this quick. I’m not sure why he wants me there. He wouldn’t say, only that it’s important.” Becky grabbed her sweater and her purse, and turned the doorknob.
“Don’t worry about anything. Drive carefully. If you need to stay late, then it’s fine. You can always sleep in the car since I’ll be driving us there.”
“Okay. Love ya. Bye.” The doorknob jiggled from the other side as Becky made sure she locked the door. Little did she know that she was going to a have a huge surprise.
Chapter 27
Becky
Why Matthew needed me at this late hour was beyond me. He knew I had a long day tomorrow and so did he. What is so urgent? I texted. I walked down the familiar boardwalk to his parent’s yacht. I had only walked several feet when I spotted a man leaning on the lamppost. He was tall with a muscular build. When he turned around, he stole my breath away, and at the very same time I realized it was Matthew. He was sucking on a lollipop, gazing at me with a wicked grin.
“Want a taste, Becca?” he mumbled with the lollipop in his mouth.
“I want to taste something else,” I teased, placing my hand inside his jeans pocket. I angled my index finger just right to where I could almost touch his balls.
Matthew jerked back and wrapped his arms around me. “If you’re good, I might even let you taste what you’re trying to touch.”
“Sweet.” I twitched my brows.
“It’ll be more than sweet.”
I laughed lightly, loving his playfulness. “Why am I here? I’ll see you tomorrow in San Diego.”
Matthew placed his arms around my shoulders and started walking down the boardwalk. “We’ll be surrounded by people when we’re in San Diego. I wanted you by yourself. I actually have a question to ask you.”
“You could’ve texted me or called me. You made me drive all the way to Long Beach just to ask a question? Where is the common sense in that?” I scolded. “You...Matthew!” Matthew dropped his hands and something soft suddenly covered my eyes. “What are you doing? I can’t see.” Then I realize it was a blindfold.
Matthew pressed his body next to mine and led me to our destination. “I’ve got you. Don’t be stubborn.”
Even though I knew there was nothing in the way in front of me and Matthew was holding me, I was still a bit hesitant. Walking in the complete darkness at night was not my idea of fun, but I played along. Whatever it was, it was important to him. When the blindfold came off, I saw many blurry bright spots. I blinked rapidly and rubbed my eyes. It was strange to see so many of them. When my vision cleared, I was blown away.
“Matthew.” His name flowed out of my mouth in a whisper as I slipped my hand into his. Countless fake candles were everywhere on the top and second level deck of the yacht, where we were standing. “It’s amazing, Matthew. You did this all by yourself?”
“Surprise, Becca. Well...I had a little help.” He kissed my forehead tenderly and brought me up to the third level deck. He took my purse and placed it down. “You don’t need this right now.” Then he pulled the finished lollipop from his mouth and put the stick in his front pocket. Matthew shrugged sheepishly. “I don’t want to litter, even on my own boat.”
I laughed at his words because that was exactly what I would have done. “Is Carlos around?” I asked, thinking about the things we had done the last time I was there.
“No. It’s just you, me, and the universe.” When he looked up at the sky, I did the same. The full moon glistened and splashed the color of yellow against the ocean. The tiny countless stars were much more apparent tonight. It was as if Matthew and I were in our own universe. It was so beautiful up here that my whole body quivered with happiness and the soft cool breeze that brushed against my face.
“You’re amazing,” I said, gazing into his eyes, which sparkled against the candlelight that completely surrounded us.
“I know.” He gave me a mischievous smirk, and then placed his hands inside the back of my jeans pocket.
“You’re also arrogant.”
“I know, but you’re worse. You’re very stubborn.” Matthew pressed his cheek on mine.
“That I am. However, you can also be very sweet and romantic.”
“Very true. And you are a big tease, but I love that you are.”
I gave him a kiss on the lips. “You make it easy for me to be that way. And yes, I do love to tease you.”
“Don’t ever stop.” He leaned his forehead on mine.
“I won’t.”
“I need you to promise me that if you think your life is in danger, you come first. I can’t lose you, Becca.” Matthew tangled his fingers through mine. “Promise me,” he asked when I didn’t answer.