“Thanks, Xander.”
“Anytime, man. Look, I gotta get back inside, but call me later. Let me know how it goes.”
* * *
“This is fucking stupid,”I grumble to nobody but myself.
Truthfully, I don’t know how I found myself here, outside of Mateo’s front door with a bag of takeout in my hand, contemplating whether or not I’m going to knock on the door or turn and go into my own house instead.
After my chat with Xander, I felt terrible for shutting Mateo down so quickly and wanted to figure out a way to say I’m sorry, and food was what I came up with, but now I’m not so sure. It feels awfully like admitting defeat, like he’s going to answer the door, gloat, and laugh in my face about being right.
“Fuck, I can’t do this.”
Just as I’m about to turn and unlock my door, his opens, my eyes shooting up to meet his. “You do know I have a Ring cam, right?”
It’s at that moment my eyes snap over to the tiny black camera right beside his door before dragging back to his amused expression. I refuse to fold or be embarrassed. Instead, I square my shoulders, lifting the bag full of food, and say, “I brought dinner if you’re hungry. I wanted to apologize about yesterday.”
Mateo’s not quick enough to hide the surprise, but as quickly as it’s there, it’s gone again as he steps to the side. “Come on in,cariño.As a matter of fact, I’m starving.”
The air smells faintly like marijuana, mixed in with the vanilla candle he has burning on the kitchen counter. He’s in a pair of comfy looking black sweats and nothing else, looking like he just got out of the shower. Maybe right before I knocked.
We both dish up, taking a seat at the dining room table in silence. It’s nothing fancy, just some teriyaki from down the street. About halfway through eating, he clears his throat, my heart stuttering in my chest.
“So, you wanted to say sorry?”
Glancing up, I fight not to roll my eyes at the smug as fuck look on his face. I knew he’d fucking gloat.
I nod, taking a sip of my Coke. “Yes, I could’ve reacted better to what you said after we had sex yesterday. It was uncalled for, and I’m sorry.”
“Well, well, well.” Mateo plops a piece of chicken into his mouth, studying me as he chews and swallows it. “This is a first.”
“Don’t be such a dick,” I grate. “I didn’t have to come over here, but I did.”
“No, you’re right,cariño,” he admits, shocking the fuck out of me. “And while I appreciate the effort and the apology, there really isn’t anything for you to apologize for.”
“I do,” I insist. “Because it’s not just about yesterday. It’s about all the assumptions I made leading up to me turning you down. I never gave you any room to tell your side, and I based my whole opinion of you on judgements. I am sorry for that.”
“Well,” Mateo starts, a mischievous grin tugging on his lips as he leans back in his chair, hand clasping behind his head. “If you’re feeling apologetic, I think there’s another way we can go about relieving your conscious and earning my absolute forgiveness.”
Oh, for fuck’s sake.What can of worms did I just open up?“And how’s that?” I deadpan.
“Well, forgiveness should be earned… yes?”
In an attempt to fly out of my chest, my heart hammers against my ribs, a cold sweat breaking out along my hairline.This cannot be going anywhere good. I absolutely should not be entertaining whatever this is.
Except I want to.“How so?”
His grin is blinding. “I’m so glad you asked. Follow me.”
Abandoning the rest of his meal, he stands from the table, not even bothering to see if I’m following as he heads farther into his apartment. I stand, scurrying after him, but it becomes abundantly clear very quickly where he’s leading me.
The spare bedroom. AKA his sex dungeon.
Mateo opens the door, stepping inside. I’m not far behind. Similar to last time, when he flicks on the lights, the room is shadowed in a red glow. The white walls turn crimson, and everything is covered in a sensual, yet sinister feel. Chills roll down my spine as I close the door, shutting us away from sanity, standing with my back against the tall, heavy wood, waiting for instruction.
There’s so much in this room I’ve wanted to try since seeing it for the first time. The swing was just the tip of the iceberg. My body still remembers exactly how it felt to be suspended in that swing as he fucked into me with purpose.God,that was fucking good.
Mateo turns to face me, probably ten feet away, the usual bright mint green of his irises looking nearly black amongst the red glow.
