Love Is... (3.5) Read Online Free PDF Page B

my phone ringing from the kitchen and my heart leaps into my throat. I rush to the kitchen to answer, and hope I don’t sound too flustered.
    “Hey,” I answer, hopefully coolly!
    “Hi…Sorry it’s late, I slept in.” The sound of his voice and the deep thoughtful breath he took before his apology has my stomach doing somersaults.
    “Oh, its ok, it’s not late really. I’m just cleaning!” Rafe…shut up! I cringe at my awkwardness! I’m always the cool confident one!
    “Oh ok, I’m just going for a run and I was wondering if you were busy? Your café is sort of on my route. I thought I could run there and come for a coffee, that’s if you don’t mind me being a big sweaty mess?”
    I can’t resist it… “You know full well that’s exactly how I want you!”
    Matthew laughs, the kind of laugh that curls my toes it was so full of promise.
    “Then I’ll see you soon I guess?”
    “Oh, Matthew sorry, the café is closed on Sundays, but come round the back, my flat’s upstairs.”
    “Oh, are you sure that’s ok?”
    “Of course, buzz when you’re here.”
    “Ok great, I’m looking forward to it Rafe,”
    “Me too. See you soon.”
    Matthew hangs up first and I spin on my heels to double check the flat. It’s immaculate, I however am not. I expected him to call today, not visit. I need a shower, so head towards the en suite with my stomach in knots.
     
    I hear the buzz of the door and head over to the intercom,
    “Hey, it’s open. Come on up.”
    I open my door and I’m speechless as Matthew makes his way up the stairs.
    Oh. My. God!
    He is smiling up towards me, that god like smile that turns me into a jabbering idiot. His blonde hair is pushed back and wet with sweat, as is his t-shirt, causing it to cling obscenely to every perfectly defined muscle in his upper body. His amazingly muscular arms flex deliciously as he grips the banister on both sides to propel himself up the top step, the full sleeve tattoo on his left arm that was hidden by his shirt the night before now almost completely on display and making me pant.
    “Hi,” I say, biting my lip.
    “Hey,”
    Matthew steps forward and without hesitation grips the back of my neck and pulls me in to meet his kiss. My hands instinctively come to rest on his sides and I can’t hide my arousal as I run my fingers over his abs and gasp against his lips.
    “It took too long to get here!” Matthew whispers against my mouth and I struggle to catch my breath, “I’m sorry to catch you off guard, but I couldn’t help myself!”
    I smile. I really didn’t mind the greeting.
    “Oh don’t apologise, I’m certainly not nervous anymore!” I smile and Matthew leans back and laughs,
    “Ditto,” He blows out a deep breath, “I believe you were going to make me a coffee?”
    I back into the flat holding Matthew’s hands, guiding him inside,
    “Anything you want!” I wink, and head into the kitchen as he kicks the door closed behind him.
     
    Matthew and I sat at opposite ends of my sofa, turned in and mirroring each other’s relaxed position as we drank coffee, listened to music and talked. I learned more about his business and his eyes lit up as he talked about how he’d built it up from nothing and all the plans that he had for the future.
    I talked about the café and the gym where I teach. We discussed football and rugby, martial arts and films and before I realised it, we’d been talking for four hours.
    “Shit!” I say quietly as I notice the time.
    “What’s wrong?” Matthew sounds concerned and I realise that I don’t want him to worry,
    “Oh it’s nothing, sorry. I just need to bake some cakes and things for tomorrow. I didn’t realise the time, that’s all. You can come and talk to me in the kitchen while I get started if you like?”
    “Oh. I can help if you want?” Matthew’s eyes are wide and genuine and I can’t help but smile.
    “Yeah, I’d like that.”
    We walk into the kitchen and I lean down to turn on