Chapter 38
Matt
I lay in bed with Scarlett still wrapped in my arms. I stroke her arm, happy she stayed close to me after trying to leave. Having her anywhere but with me feels wrong.
Yesterday was a wake-up call. I don’t want to lose her or be without her; I want to move forward with her. The next step is for her to meet my family. I think if she meets them in Texas, she’ll come with me once I leave Washington. That’s my plan, anyway.
I’d never thought I’d want to hand over my balls to a woman, but I’d rather be without them than without her. It’s new territory.
Scarlett is different than anyone I’ve ever met. There are too many signs pointing to her. Her independence, her sassiness, those blue fucking eyes that can read your soul—it’s all making me fall for her, fast.
Opening up to anyone is new. I’ve never brought a girl home, but getting Scarlett to fall in love with Texas and my family is the first step in my new plan of keeping her mine.
I mean, Texas, no brainer. Who doesn’t love Texas? Then she’ll meet my parents and sister. My mom will win her over.
Getting her to move might be a little harder to figure out, especially since she hasn’t agreed to it. Yet.
Baby steps.
All the possibilities with Scarlett run through my mind. I breathe in the scent of her hair—my new favorite smell. She still hasn’t stirred after thirty minutes. If we don’t get on with our day soon, there won’t be much daylight left. Coffee. I’ll just get up and get the coffee started.
I move to shuffle out of bed, but then I realize I’d have to leave her. I freeze with my arm still underneath her neck. I don’t want to leave her. I’m going to wake her up.
“Scarlett.” I nudge her with my nose then kiss her shoulder. “Scarlett, we have to get up, sweetheart.”
“Why at this ungodly hour?” her voice rasps.
“It’s almost eight in the morning.”
“Like I said—early. Why are you awake?”
I chuckle. This is ridiculous. At home I would’ve worked out, showered, and started work by now. She has slept in this whole vacation, which is usually when I’d do my work, but today is different—I don’t want to leave her for a second.
“Come on, sweetheart, let’s go get some coffee.”
“Youuuu go get some coffee. I’ll stay here and check the comfort level of the bed.” She snuggles into her pillow.
“I have plans and we have to get going, before daylight runs out. Let’s get coffee, and then you’ll probably need clothes. San Diego frowns upon nakedness out in public, as do I.”
“Why are you still talking?”
“Let’s rise and grind!”
“I’ll grind you into something right now.”
“That’s no way to talk to your host. You’re asking for trouble.” I slap her ass for good measure. She doesn’t stir, but I can’t leave her in bed. I also can’t let her out of my sight.
When did I become so clingy?
Fuck.
I remove the covers from her body in a swift lift, pick her up, and carry her over my shoulder. I’ll just take her out to the kitchen so I can have eyes on her.
“Matt! What the hell?” she screams.
We head into the kitchen where I plop her on the couch. I ignore her death stare and make coffee. She has her head leaning on the edge of the cushion with her eyes closed. She’s going to fall asleep on me.
I hand her the vanilla latte she loves. “Wake up, Scarlett. Smell the coffee.”
She opens her eyes and takes the mug. “Since when is it necessary to wake up before the vacationer is ready? We just went to bed.”
I go to brew my own cup of coffee. “No girlfriend of mine is complaining, especially when there are numerous fun activities instore for her today.”
Before she can hide her reaction, she gives a goofy smile at the sound of “girlfriend.” This is going to be fun. I’ll play my own little game: how many times will Scarlett smile when I call her my girlfriend?
I sit next to her once my coffee is done, putting her legs over mine as we sip from our mugs. Once my coffee is empty, I get things going.
“Come on, sweetheart, let’s get ready for the day.” I tap her legs. “We’ll start with breakfast.”
“It’s not right to be so cheerful in the morning.”
“How can I be anything but cheerful around my girlfriend.” I wink .
She blushes and rewards me with another goofy smile. It’s too easy. She doesn’t stand a chance.
I pick her up bridal-style and start towards the bedroom to get dressed.
“Matt! You can’t just manhandle me whenever you want because you want to do something.”
“I just did.”
“You’re absurd! I’m an adult, you know.”
“Oh, I hadn’t gathered that. Thanks for clarifying.”
After I plop her on the bed I choose an actual bikini. Nothing like whatever she had on the other day. Then I pick some shorts and a tank top, which I throw at her as a cue to get dressed. She does with a series of humphs and ughs.
“Keep making noises and see what ends up in your mouth,” I tease.
“That would waste more time.”
“Smartass,” I mumble.
She smiles, looking triumphant.
I push her towards the garage once she’s dressed, then drive us towards a little town with a few options to eat.
I parallel park and pull up to a small breakfast place with vegetarian options galore. The patio is on a deck overlooking the ocean.
“Okay, breakfast first.” I take her hand to help her out of the car and lead her towards the restaurant, Breaking Eggs. The potato pancakes are my favorite. Each table has a checkered tablecloth and a flower in the middle.
A waitress with blonde hair pulled back in a low bun comes over once we sit. She’s wearing the standard uniform here—black pants and a white shirt. “Good morning! What can I get started for you?”
Scarlett is still looking over the menu. I’m about to piss her off right now, but I’m sure she’ll thank me later.
“We would like a coffee, a vanilla latte, an order of the potato pancakes for my girlfriend, and an order of bacon and eggs plus a side of potato pancakes for me, please.”
Yep, dagger eyes are pointed right at me. The girlfriend comment didn’t work this time. Shit. This woman has to argue with me about everything. I love it.
I thank the waitress as Scarlett reluctantly hands over her menu.
“I can’t choose to stay in bed or order for myself now?” Scarlett asks through gritted teeth.
“You’re going to love what I ordered you.”
“Well, I don’t love the lack of choice for myself. I can do things on my own.”
“I know, but it’s so much more fun if I do it.” I smirk at her.
“It’s not fun for me.”
“That’s why it’s so fun, though.”
“Ugh! You’re exhausting! No wonder you’ve never been in a relationship! You want to control everything.”
“I’ll make a deal with you. If you don’t like what I ordered for you, I’ll never do it again. But if you like it, then no more attitude. I’ll only do things like this when I’m confident you’ll enjoy it.”
She looks away from me, considering her options while crossing her arms over her chest. “You’re impossible!”
“Is that a yes?” I squint my eyes with a small tilt to my head.
“Fine. Only because I’m too tired to argue with you about it.”
I hold back the chuckle stuck in my throat and sip some water to hide my smile. The waitress comes back with our drinks as part one of my plan begins.