Page 54 of Lilacs and Leather
Mateo breathes out sharply through his nose. “She’s worried enough about you being jealous—”
My head snaps to Mateo’s face, my brow pulled down in concern. “I’m not jealous. I’m really not—”
Mateo’s deadpan stare cuts my protest short, and I chuckle.
“All right. I’m not jealous anymore. Lucas and I talked, and he’s on board and is considering approaching her. Are you good with all that?” I say, dropping my voice so it doesn’t carry.
Mateo smirks and nods. “The more the merrier. You going to be good with her and me? Because I’m… yeah, I’m in.”
I smile and nod. Mateo’s heart has a permanent residence on his tattooed sleeves, and I can see how his soft brown eyes shine with affection, even if he doesn’t put the feelings to words just yet.
“Can’t say that I’d be thrilled to see her date outside the pack, but…” Mateo says after a moment, trailing off.
I can’t stop the growl that fights its way out of my throat. Okay, so maybe I did have a little more of the possessive alpha in me than I’d like. But I can trust my pack to do right by Lydia. Even the thought of someone other than my beta or my best friend touching her is enough to make my skin crawl. Mateo looks at me as my growl reaches him, and I have to swallow my chuckle at the gleam of protective anger in his eyes. Glad to know I’m not alone in my feelings.
Mateo is about to say something else, but a shout from behind him draws both of our attention.
“Mateo, where the fuck are my underwear?”
I shake my head and blink at the profanity and tone of Lydia’s voice. Mateo looks at me like the cat that got the cream as he pulls a scrap of purple lace from his pocket.
“Not a clue, baby. Have you checked under the bed?” he calls back, doing his best not to laugh.
“I had them with the rest of my clothes when I got in the shower, and then they were gone when I got out. What did you do with them, you fucking creep?” she retorts with more venom.
“Well, you know what they say. Finders, keepers.” Mateo trails off into a fit of laughter as he shoves her panties back into his pocket.
“Give them back, Mat.” I sigh.
“I want to see if she’ll come out and make me,” Mateo says, still smirking.
I roll my eyes and rock back onto my heels, putting my phone in my pocket. “So, I take it you had a good time?” I question flatly.
“Oh yeah. Lydia loved the show. Though…” Mateo trails off, glancing over his shoulder toward the bedroom doors. He crosses to me and drops his voice. “I get what you meant, when you said that she can get lost in her head.”
“What happened? Is she okay?” I ask quickly, straightening and looking toward the hall.
“I’m not sure what set her off exactly, but one minute we were dancing and then the next she’s practically begging me to get her out of the club, and out of her head. I offered to take her home, but she didn’t want to be alone, so I brought her here,” Mateo explains, his voice low.
I sigh heavily and nod. “Sorry about earlier. Just wasn’t expecting...”
“Wasn’t expecting her to be here, with me. No worries, man. And just a head’s up, she’s down to letting me watch, and letting me join y’all whenever you finally decide to stop being a gentleman,” Mateo whispers, clapping a hand on my shoulder.
I step out from his grip, eyes wide and mouth hanging open. The image of Lydia between me and Mateo, his hands roaming over her soft skin in tandem with my own, both of us working to drive her to new heights of pleasure flashes through my head. I nearly stumble as I go lightheaded, knees shaking as my cock comes to rapid attention. But the smirk on Mateo’s face has me second guessing the truth of his words.
“What—”
“So, have you ordered breakfast yet, or am I going to have to fend for myself?”
Mateo and I both look over to see Lydia toweling her hair dry as she pads barefoot down the hall toward us. She tosses her still damp hair back as she stands up straight and then freezes. My chest swells, a smile blooming across my face automatically, my heart skipping a beat with one simple look at her gorgeous face. Her one-shoulder top is a little wrinkled along with the skinny jeans, but her face is bare of makeup, and she’s never looked more beautiful. I notice the tension in her shoulders, the way her eyes widen slightly. There’s a shift in the room, a trace of burning sugar drifting toward me. Mateo stiffens, but he’s letting me take the lead.
“Good morning, love. Have a good time last night?” I ask lightly, a smile pulling at my lips.
“Yeah. Um... I—this isn’t—I’m sorry,” Lydia mumbles, her gaze flicking between Mateo and me.
“I’m going to shower, baby,” Mateo says softly, moving back toward his room.
Mateo stops for a moment, pressing a kiss to her damp hair before continuing back to his room. Lydia’s flinch at the gesture doesn’t escape my notice, and it takes more effort than I’d care to admit to swallow my growl. Once I hear Mateo’s door close, I leave my suitcase near the elevator and close the distance between us. She stiffens as I pull her into a tight embrace, burying my face in her hair. I can smell a bit of Mateo’s shampoo, but without her usual scent-blocking products, Lydia’s lilac and lavender scent is front and center, making my mouth water.