“Yeah…”
“I think I’m addicted to it,” she confessed. “I’m addicted to firsts.”
“Seconds can be just a good,” he pointed out.
“Sure, but eventually the thrill goes away. So that’s when I go away.”
Matt opened his mouth to ask her if that’s what would happen with them—would she simply go away? But before he could speak, a male voice interrupted their discussion.
“Savannah?”
A thirty-something guy with messy blond hair had stopped by the railing separating the patio from the sidewalk. He wore a pair of long orange shorts and a white muscle shirt, and he was staring at Savannah as if she were his long-lost love.
“Hank,” she said in surprise. “It’s good to see you again.”
At her casual, impersonal words, Hank’s entire face fell. “Where’ve you been?” he asked, a plaintive note entering his voice. “I haven’t seen you in months.”
She shrugged. “I told you, I’m busy with the store.”
Hank’s dark eyes shifted to Matt, and a suspicious cloud floated across his face. “You don’t look busy.”
Savannah held up her legal pad. “This is a working lunch.”
“Oh.” The guy seemed to brighten slightly. “Do you have time for dinner this week?”
“Sorry, I can’t. I’m doing the flowers for a huge wedding and will be working non-stop until then.”
That got her another “Oh”. Hank fidgeted with his hands. “Okay, then. Give me a call when you’re done with the job?”
“Sure.”
The noncommittal tone of her voice was unmistakable. Despite himself, Matt felt a pang of sympathy for the dude. He also experienced a wave of unease, watching the expression on Hank’s face. Was that how he looked when he was around Savannah? All lovelorn and pathetic?
Jeez, who was this woman? It was like a scene out of There’s Something About Mary. Did every man who met her fall head over heels for her?
“Well…I gotta go,” Hank mumbled. With an awkward wave, he strode off.
Matt fixed a rueful look at Savannah. “You could have let him down more gently.”
Irritation flickered in her gray eyes. “I did let him down gently. Four months ago. We went out a few times, and sure, he’s cute, but he’s not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed. Holding a conversation with the guy was painful.”
“Did you sleep with him?” Matt couldn’t help but ask, then cringed at the possessive twinge to his voice.
“Yeah, I did.” She studied his face. “Oh brother. You’re jealous.”
“I’m not jealous,” he protested instantly.
She laughed. “Oh yes you are.” Her irritation returned, only this time, it was directed at him. “Don’t go all crazy on me, Matt. I’m sure you’ve slept with dozens of women, and I’m not the least bit jealous about it.”
Which bothered him almost as much as his sudden encounter with the green-eyed monster. He got the feeling Savannah wouldn’t even bat an eyelash if he ended things between them right here and now. He wasn’t sure if her borderline-scary casual attitude was legit, or simply a cover for serious commitment issues she refused to admit to. He decided to believe the latter—only way to preserve his ego, after all.
Still, the jealousy coursing through his blood at the appearance of Hank only grew stronger as he imagined Savannah in bed with the guy. Damn it.
“Let’s get out of here,” he said gruffly, reaching into his back pocket for his wallet.
Savannah must have seen the look in his eyes, because her eyes widened slightly, and then a slow smile curved her mouth. Matt dropped a few bills on the table, reached for her hand, and practically dragged her back to the flower shop. At the sight of her scrawny assistant behind the counter, he hooked a thumb at the door and barked, “Take a break, Chad.”
The kid gulped, nodded and took off.
“I’m thinking I might like jealous Matt,” Savannah laughed as he flipped the sign on the door from “open” to “closed”, locked up and moved toward her with predatory strides.
He took her hand again and pulled her behind the curtain into the back room. Before she could say another word, he covered her mouth with his and kissed the hell out of her.
Savannah gasped against his lips, her hands reaching up to twine around his neck. Matt had no idea what had come over him. Something hot and primal spiraled down his body and grabbed hold of his cock, hardening it to a level he hadn’t thought possible. It was almost painful, the throbbing erection straining against his zipper.
Coming up for air, Savannah bent close to his ear and murmured, “He really didn’t mean anything to me. You don’t need to go all caveman, Superman.”
“Let’s not talk about Hank,” he ordered, his hand seeking the hem of her skirt and bunching it between his fingers.
He shoved the material up to her hips, tore off her bikini panties, and placed his palm on her pussy, rubbing it slowly.