Matt placed a finger on my chin and lifted my head until my eyes met his, then he cupped my tear soaked cheek in his hand. His eyes looked glassy, and I knew it had to have been traumatic for him to tell me his story as he had.
“We’re going to be ok, Livy. We’re going to find our happy ending.” He said firmly, those dark eyes locked on mine.
“I already have, as long as I have you guys.” I sighed, then before I thought too much and talked myself out of it, I leant into him until my lips met his.
The kiss was gentle at first, a few small closed mouth kisses. The scent of his wonderfully masculine body wash surrounded me, as his hands moved up, one holding the back of my neck, and the other lower on my back. He had a firm hold on me, but he left me to control the kiss entirely, only returning what I started.
The longer our lips touched though, the more my body was awoken, butterflies going crazy in my stomach and a tingling beginning in the pit and rising up. Consumed by need to feel just a little more of the powerful man before me, I daringly ran my tongue along his bottom lip, and it was all the invite Matt needed to take a little control. The kiss went deeper, our tongues duelling and sending my stomach into near spasms of tingling and excitement. Matt didn’t kiss like I expected. I thought he’d be gentle and calm, but he was actually very firm and commanding, taking control the second I handed it to him, and running with it until I was nothing but a pool of goo in his lap by the time we pulled apart, hot and breathless.
“Wow.” I whispered as I fought to gather myself a little. “That was…..”
“Amazing? Spectacular? Mind blowing?” Matt laughed, his cocky smile back in place.
“Yeah….all of the above.” I agreed, still feeling dazed. I looked up, and couldn't help but smile when I saw his beaming grin. “I love you Matteo Garcia.” I couldn't have stopped the words if I had tried, not that I wanted to.
“I love you too, Mi Vida.”
“What does that mean?” I asked. It sounded so passionate the two times I heard him say it.
“Mi Vida, it means, ‘my life’. That’s what you are Livy and what you have given me back, life. You make me want to move forward more than anything ever has before.”
“We give it to each other. You and the guys, you make me feel safe enough, and brave enough to keep moving forward too.” I agreed, as I leant in and kissed him again, this time shorter, but no less exciting.
“I hate to say it, but we should head down. The others will be waiting for us, and no doubt worrying.” Matt sighed as he pulled away.
“I guess so, but will you come and stay with me in here tonight, please?” I needed him close after hearing what he had been through. I needed to know he was alright after having to relive his own horror. It wasn’t that odd. The guys were still taking it in turn to be with me every night, since my nightmares had returned with a vengeance after TTK near killing me.
“Of course, Cariña.” He leant forward and chastely kissed my lips once more, before he stood and swept me up in his arms.
As soon as we got into the hallway my stomach rumbled loud enough for us both to hear, making us erupt into giggles.
“I hope Kyle found that ice cream he promised me.” I laughed.
“It’s ok. I made you cookies and madeleines earlier. There’s plenty to tame the beast you have hidden in there.” He joked, nodding to my stomach as he started down the stairs.
When we got to the bottom he put me on my feet and passed me my crutches one at a time. I knew it annoyed them all that I insisted on the crutches, and wouldn’t let them all just carry me around, but it was bad enough I had been forced to relent on them taking me up and down the stairs. I was determined to manage the rest of the time.
I had only taken one hop when Grant breezed in from the kitchen, a stack of files under his arm. He was dressed in black sweatpants and a dark green muscle tee, either on his way to, or just finished in the gym.
“Ah, Olivia. There you are.” He smiled as he stopped opposite me. “How are you feeling, Sweetheart? Did you have a good day?”
“I’m good. We ventured out, and I think I did ok.” I looked to Matt for an agreement, and he smiled.
“We went for lunch at Ricci’s, and she did great.” He agreed, sounding almost proud.
“Good. I’m glad to hear it. Just make sure you’re getting enough rest too though, ok? You still have plenty of healing to do.”
“We’ve got her Dad.” Matt assured him.
“Good. I have some work to do, then I’ll be in the gym if you need me. Keira’s working late, and Evie is sleeping at her friend’s for the night.”
“We’re all heading to the media room.”
“Ok. Have fun.” And with that Grant continued his stalking steps toward the office, like a man on a mission.
“You go and find the others and I’ll grab the treats I made, ok?” Matt suggested. I nodded, and smiled as he leant in and kissed me once again. As he walked away and I began to hop between the crutches, I could not remove the goofy grin from my face. I felt as though I were floating on the happiness surrounding me. It had been a tough afternoon, but to come back to a place that had become home, surrounded by the four men who I loved and who loved me, and by
