When Joss Met Matt by Ellie Cahill Read Free Book Online Page B

rummaging on the floor.
    He returned with a condom and I kicked myself for considering going without. After putting it on, he looked at me. “Are you sure?” he repeated.
    â€œOh my God, stop asking! I’m sure.” He had to stop. I was as sure about such an obviously shaky plan as I was ever going to be. He laughed. When he kissed me, I let the last bit of doubt melt away. He was a damn good kisser. He was damn good at everything.
    When it was over, Matt leaned on his forearms and propped his forehead against mine, breathing heavily into my face. I scrunched up my nose, knowing my breath probably wasn’t any cooler or sweeter than his. After a moment, he seemed to have his wind back enough to lift his head.
    â€œYou okay?” he asked.
    â€œYeah. You?”
    He chuckled, the sound abbreviated by his panted breaths. “I’m exhausted,” he confessed. “I should get up.”
    When he got out of bed, my skin stiffened with goose bumps. He’d left cold in his wake, cold that didn’t stop at the surface. I gnawed on the inside of my cheek while I watched him move around the dim room, putting on boxer shorts and messing with some of his belongings on the floor. I figured he would get dressed and leave me alone for the rest of the night. A night which seemed very long and quiet to face alone. I’d known what was at risk by asking for a one-night stand—even if it was with a friend. But Matt returned to the bed and slid in with me. My heart rate slowed instantly. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my face all over.
    â€œAre you okay?” he asked again.
    I was, I realized on consideration. “Yeah,” I said. An itch in my nose made me think I might let my relief spill down my cheeks. I stifled the tears with a pinch.
    â€œDo you feel better?” he asked. “Palate clear?”
    â€œYes.” It really was.
    â€œGood.”
    â€œThank you,” I said into his chest.
    â€œThank you .”
    â€œFor what?” I asked, looking up.
    â€œYou don’t seriously have to ask, do you?”
    â€œThat wasn’t your first time, was it?” I hadn’t considered the possibility before.
    He laughed. “Uh, no, sorry.”
    â€œNo it’s—I don’t know, I figured I should ask.”
    â€œNo, that questionable honor went to a girl named Sarah a few years ago.”
    â€œA few?”
    â€œDon’t make me do math, Joss, I’m too tired.”
    I didn’t answer, turning to fit our bodies together like spoons. Matt’s arm rested along my thigh, hip to elbow. He squeezed my leg lightly and squirmed into a comfortable position.
    â€œGood night.”
    I woke up stiff and uncomfortable. Matt had sprawled onto his stomach, pushing me toward the wall. My right arm was pinned beneath me and my legs were cold from pressing against the cinder-block wall. I grunted and pushed back against Matt. He gasped into consciousness and rolled away from me, nearly falling off the bed. Tangled in the sheets as we were, he didn’t fall, but we both slid closer to the edge.
    â€œMatt, wake up!” I hissed.
    â€œOh shit,” he gasped. “Shit.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” I turned toward him. “Are you all right?”
    He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Sorry.” He blinked at me like an owl. “Sorry. I was having this dream …”
    â€œIt’s okay,” I repeated.
    â€œSorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
    â€œThat’s okay.” I pressed one hand to the side of his face, trying to center him. “What were you dreaming about?”
    â€œI don’t remember it all. Something about a cliff. God.”
    â€œYou almost fell out of bed,” I told him.
    â€œYeah.” He rubbed his eyes and blinked at me for a few more minutes. “We slept together last night.”
    I couldn’t help a small laugh. “Uh,