14. Matty
Chapter 14
Matty
I WAKE UP to Killer licking my face, Kitty barking at something only he can see, and my cats yowling in protest.
It’s another day in paradise.
Except I need a minute to process what happened. Did I really do all those things last night with a woman whose face I still haven’t seen?
What is wrong with me?
It’s only now, in the light of day, that things feel much more real…and I feel much more off-kilter. This was a bad idea.
Maybe.
Was it?
Shit.
My phone dings. Maybe it’s Dawn. I reach over to grab it, but it’s Willa.
WILLA
Where are you? It’s yoga and pier walk day. We’re about to start. Are you sulking bc you can’t bring Killer?
I run a hand over my face. There is no way I can do this today. None.
Sorry Wills, I can’t pull it off today. Had a late night and overslept.
?? What’d you get up to last night?
Yeah, no way am I telling her. I’m still not sure that Reid’s keeping his mouth shut, but her text makes it seem like maybe he is. Still…
Nothing. Just couldn’t get to sleep.
I don’t know if I believe you but okay. Call me later!
I let the phone drop to my chest. Killer decides now is a great time to get the zoomies on my bed, and proceeds to dart around the mattress like a dog possessed. A little maniac, but a cute little maniac.
He stops, looks at me, then does this adorable little bark-and-backward-scoot thing that definitely means he needs to go out.
I pull up the Blinding Love app and stare at the text chain with Dawn. Killer barks again. Finally, I type.
JAMES
Good morning
I’m an ass. Good morning? Is that all I have?
I don’t get an answer immediately, but I’m not surprised. I’m not sure I’d respond to me if all I saw was “good morning.” Groaning, I throw the covers off and get out of bed, with Killer zooming off the stairs leading down from the bed and scampering to the door to be let out.
I’m even less surprised when Reid shows up hours later, well after our normal yoga and pier walk would have happened. He bangs on the door like the cop that he is, causing way more of a ruckus than anyone needs to. “Open up! Police!”
I shush the dogs, then yank the door open and scowl at him. “Really?”
He smirks. “Works every time.”
“You’re an asshole.”
“You’re lucky I didn’t bring Ox. Let me in.”
I peek around him and see the squad car on the street. “You really want to get my neighbors’ imaginations going with the car, don’t you?”
“Do I need to radio Ox?”
“Does the chief of police work on Sundays?”
He shrugs. “Maybe, maybe not.”
I sigh and step aside. “Come on in. Want some coffee?”
He smiles broadly. “Why thank you. Yes I would. Can I let Midnight down?” He gestures at the sling across his bulletproof vest.
“If I said no, you’d do it anyway.”
He shoulder-checks me as he walks in. “That’s true.”
“If my pets lose their shit, I’m not taking responsibility,” I warn, then lead the way to my kitchen.
Once he has his cup of coffee, he leans against the counter and studies me. “So?”
“So…what?”
He snorts. “Don’t be obtuse. How did it go?”
“That’s an awfully big word for a cop,” I tease, hoping to keep him at bay and knowing perfectly well that it isn’t going to work.
It doesn’t.
“It was…incredible.”
Reid smiles. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I confirm, my own smile growing. “It really was. She’s amazing. Funny, and gorgeous?—”
“You saw her face?”
My neck heats. “I saw enough.”
“What’s with the weirdness?”
“I’m not being weird.”
He tilts his head. “You’re definitely being weird.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
“Am not.”
“Are too.”
“I’m not, and even if I were, I don’t want to talk about it yet. But I’m not, so there’s nothing to say.”
Reid’s eyes narrow as he takes a long, loud slurp of his coffee. “I don’t like this.” He gestures at me. “You, that is. The coffee’s great. But something is off and you’re not telling me.”
I push off the counter. “Listen. The night was amazing. Really. We danced, we talked, we laughed, we had a great time.”
“Can I tell Willa?”
“No!”
He shakes his head. “See? Something’s weird. If you’re not going to tell me, you should at least tell your best friend.”
Yeah, that is not happening. I can only imagine how that would go.
Hey, Willa, funny story. I’ve been talking to someone over an app, but I don’t really know who she is. She and I finally met at a masquerade ball, and we made out in a dark room, and it was hot as fuck. Then we went to our own homes, logged on to a video chat, and watched each other get off. Oh, and I still don’t know what she looks like. And I’m positive her name isn’t Dawn, because she also told me she lives in Lucky and I don’t know any Dawns. And maybe it’s your baby sister, but it can’t possibly be, but what if it is and I saw her orgasm. Anyway, yeah. Cool?
No way. “Thanks for your insight, Officer.”
“Fine. Have it your way.”
I smile, relieved.
“But I’m drinking all your coffee.” He stalks to the coffee pot.
I pull my phone out and open the app. Still nothing.
I’ve definitely messed this up.