So Good

“I was just gonna walk you to the front door. Looks like no one’s home, and it’s late as fuck. I’d feel like a real asshole if I didn’t make sure you got in safely instead of sitting my ass in the car and not being a gentleman.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle, and didn’t bother telling him he really didn’t have to go to the trouble. “Thank you.”

We headed up to the porch, and when I stood by the front door I faced him. “Thanks for everything, Marcus. It was really nice of you.”

“No trouble.” He shifted, looking a little uncomfortable, and I felt confusion fill me.

“You okay?”

He’d averted his gaze for a moment, but now looked at me. The expression he wore spoke volumes.

Oh.

He was going to try and kiss me.

“Um,” I said and turned to face the front door, getting ready to unlock it. A kiss from Marcus wasn’t what I wanted or needed, even if he was a nice guy. “I better get inside.”

Before I could open the door, I felt him move a step closer. I looked at him and saw him smile.

“I see you a lot at school, but we don’t talk very much,” he said.

I swallowed, feeling his desire for me pretty intense at the moment.

“I like you, Ivy. I’d like to get to know you a lot better. Maybe we can go out sometime?”

He reached out to maybe touch my arm, or pull me in close for that kiss, but before I could stop him, and before he made contact, the porch light turned on, and the front door swung open almost violently.

I snapped my head in that direction, feeling my eyes widen as I saw Matthew standing there. His big body took up the entire entryway, the shadows from inside the house, coupled with the muted light from overhead, making him seem almost ominous.

And his focus was right on Marcus.

“Whoa,” Marcus said and took a step back, chuckling a little awkwardly. “You’re a big guy.” He looked between me and Matthew, and I could see the discomfort on his face.

Matthew took a step out, his body so massive he commanded everything. He was shirtless, and the tattoos that covered his chest and arms, creeping up his neck, made him look even more dangerous.

And still his focus was on Marcus.

“It’s time for you to come inside, Ivy,” Matthew said without taking his gaze off of Marcus. “And it’s time for you to go home, son.”

I glanced at Marcus, feeling uncomfortable with how tense the situation had become. Matthew was pissed, that was clear, and the dominance he threw off right now, as if he were trying to show Marcus that he was the alpha, was tangible.

“Um,” Marcus said and glanced at me a little nervously. “I guess I’ll see you at school?” He gave me an awkward smile, glanced at Matthew once more, and then walked away.

I stood there for a moment just watching him, saw him get into his car, and then pull away. I could feel Matthew’s gaze on me, like this heavy hand on my shoulder. I faced him, tipping my head back so I could look into his face. The shadows still concealed him, and the expression he wore was one I’d never seen before.

He seemed upset, but I also saw … need.

I didn’t say anything as I took a step forward. He moved to the side to allow me entrance, and when he shut the front door, we were submerged in darkness.

There was a lot I wanted to say, but right now probably wasn’t the best time.

With one lingering look over my shoulder at him, barely making out his presence because of how dark the interior of the house was, I faced forward again. As I went up the stairs, I felt his gaze on me, following me, watching me the entire time. And when I was in my room with the door shut, I leaned against it and just breathed.

But all I wanted to do was go right back down there and throw myself into his arms.

* * *

Matthew

Possessiveness.

Jealousy.

Deep.

Unrequited rage.

I’d felt all of those things tenfold as I watched the little asshole walk Ivy up to the front door, as I heard him make his move on her, as I knew he’d try and kiss her.

I wasn’t having any of that. No, fuck that.

And so I’d acted like some kind of spurned lover, some jealous boyfriend.

If anybody was going to have Ivy in all ways, it was going to be me. If anybody was going to know what she tasted like, felt like, sounded like as she moaned out pleasure, it would be me.

Only me.

I watched her walk up the stairs, could tell she was nervous, unsure of the situation. Hell, I was unsure of the situation. Because in that moment, as I saw her with another guy, the thoughts and images of them being together slamming in my head, the very idea that Ivy wouldn’t be mine had totally thrown every fucking bit of self-control and rational thought I had out the window.