Force of Forever (All In #0.5)

She noticed a pink robe folded on the end of the bed and had to fight a whimper. Was there a thing he didn’t anticipate or handle? That ability was probably what made him so successful in business.

“I swear to God, if he made me coffee, I am going to jump his damn bones.”

Matt had showed her time and again that he could be trusted. Maybe she could take that trust one step further, a step she’d never taken with a man.

Pia leapt out of his warm bed and slipped on the frilly robe that hit at her knee. She visited the bathroom first. He’d moved her suitcase in there, so she was able to brush her teeth and tame her hair.

Freshened up, she left to hunt down the man who had given her the best day—and night—of her life, simply because he could.

She followed the breeze to the open doors of the terrace. Apparently, he used that amenity after all.

Greenery climbed the wrought-iron railing that ringed the patio. Ornate façades and the spire of some Gothic church spilled into the background. Paris rooftops went on for miles, as far as Pia could see, but her attention snagged on the man in front of her.

She paused in the doorway to observe him unnoticed. Matt had donned a silky gray robe and pants, but hadn’t bothered with a shirt. His thick hair was sticking up all over the place, and though his laptop was open, he was reading an actual newspaper. She couldn’t hold back a grin. Then she noticed the rest of the table. There were two coffee mugs, both steaming, and more croissants.

“You’re killing me, Romeo.”

Matt looked up, and the smile that suffused his face almost stopped her heart. He looked so happy to see her. Genuinely delighted. She silently thanked God for Seat Two.

She strolled onto the terrace with bare feet, pausing to drop a kiss on his forehead like they were an old married couple instead of two near-strangers who’d met the day before.

“Bonjour,” he murmured, halting her progress toward the empty seat with an arm around her waist. “And I’m going to need more than that.”

Smiling, she settled onto his thigh. A happy noise rumbled out of his chest. Pia cupped his face in her hands, noticing that his cheeks were significantly scruffier than the day before. “If you insist.”

She meant to tease him, to offer a little taste before she dove into coffee and croissants. She planned on saving Matt for a very special, indulgent dessert. But her little tease of a kiss turned fierce as his tongue met hers then kept taking. His hands gripped her waist, and she felt him grow harder against her hip the longer they spent tasting the other.

“Good morning to you, too,” she said, lighter than she felt. Desire weighed her down. She was barely able to move from his lap to the open seat next to him.

He adjusted himself in the cushioned chair so they were facing. “Yours,” he said, nodding to a delicate blue-and-white striped cup in a saucer. The mug wasn’t large and chunky like hers at home. There were no loud-ass brothers around to steal it for the sole purpose of driving him insane. They were so different, the two of them.

She sipped the coffee and moaned.

Matt smiled, almost in relief, it looked like. “My first attempt at an Americano. I’m glad it’s drinkable.”

Pia plunked the cup back into the saucer. “It’ll do,” she replied, winking. She picked up a croissant and tore it in half. “I’ll share this time.” She offered him half, and he took it with a smile.

Matt seemed relaxed this morning. Happy. Disheveled, even. The intensity of the night before seemed to have disappeared with the dawn. Last night, Matt had shifted effortlessly between Prince Charming and Sex God. Pia shivered, remembering the way he’d handled her body like she’d always belonged to him.

“I didn’t realize breakfast and laundry services were part of our agreement to see Paris. I mean, youironed my uniform. You know what I’m going to say, right?” she asked.

The butterflies swarmed to life in her belly as his sincere ocean eyes met hers.

“I do. And you know my answer. It’s my pleasure.” Clearing his throat, he pulled her chair a bit closer. “I’d rather talk about your pleasure. The way you taste, the way you sound, when you shatter, Pia…merde. How am I supposed to concentrate on the news or work when my brain is full of nothing but you?”

She almost choked on the pastry in her mouth. The Sex God had returned. “Easy to find pleasure with you around,” she replied, swallowing. She flicked the crumbs off her fingertips and met his gaze.

Square with her body, his hands crept under the pink robe. He brushed against the skin of her knees and kept moving up her thighs, featherlight. “How long do I have you for?”

“Not long enough.”

Matt moved her onto his lap. He nuzzled into her neck, leaving a trail of kisses that were more tongue than lips. “Then we need to make our remaining time count.”

Pia exhaled in agreement. She leaned into his mouth as her hand traveled up his bare torso, raked through the hair on his chest, and up onto his shoulder. God, his hard body was incredible. His scruff felt like sin against her neck. Her fingers traced over thin, rough ridges on his shoulders, linear marks that hadn’t been there yesterday.

On her feet in a blink, Pia yanked down the top of his robe and stared, mortified. She’d marked him. Made himbleed. “Oh my God,” she breathed. “Look what I did to you! Crap, I’m so, so sorry.” She pulled the robe off his arms to get a better look. All down his back were claw marks, proof of how lost she’d been at his hands.

“Is that not typical for you?” That sounded like amusement in his voice, but she was too afraid to look at his face.