(58) Matthew

Matthew kept his hands on the steering wheel. He takes in a deep breath to calm his nerves and focus on the road ahead. He started ticking off his checklist he had memorized for weeks. Who knew planning was the easy part and actually popping the question was the hardest?

He had it all planned out. He'll take Jessica to the cabin in the guise of their cabin getaway weekend. Audrey and Vren will be there because Jessica made it a double date.

In the passenger seat, Jessica had the window rolled halfway down. Warm air breezes in and Combes through the strands of her auburn hair. From between the trees, the sun was peeking in and kissing her cheeks.

Jessica looked over at him with that playgul grin. "Penny for your thoughts?"

Oh, crap.

Matthew gulped. "I don't have much."

She scoots closer and rests her head on his shoulder. "But you've been having a lot of them these past few weeks. I know you do but you just don't want to tell me."

He tensed. "It's just business stuff. Nothing to worry about."

"Okay," she mumbles although she doesn't sound convinced at all.

His hands tightened on the steering wheel. He has to get over his nerves. He knows she's been sensing that there's something off no matter how much he tries to make it seem normal. However, he couldn't get over the fact that he had a ring in his pocket. It's resting in its tiny box and at the same time weighing a ton on his chest.

He had to admit, he's been restless. He took a deep breath, but as soon as the cabin came into view, his nerves were back at it again.

"Are you okay?" Jessica asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.

He pulled up into the driveway, almost scraping the side of his Vren's car. Jessica let out a horrified gasp. She looked at him with her green eyes wide as saucers. "Matthew, did we almost take out Vren's side mirror?"

Matthew killed the engine, cursing under his breath. "I know. I'm sorry. I didn't see it."

"Oh, you mean the only car parked in this wide-ass driveway?" Jessica still had the panicked look on her face. She then shook her head and sighed. It was a really long one. "What's really up with you?"

"I'm really sorry. I swear, it's nothing." Matthew took off his seatbelt and reached over to her, but Jessica already had her arms crossed over her chest and a frown on her face.

Crapppppp.

"Matthew, I know it's not nothing. I'm not that dense. You've been so distant. Sometimes, I think you want to be somewhere else than be with me." Jessica stepped out of the car and slammed the car door behind her.

Crap, crap, crap.

Jessica marched toward the cabin and stormed inside without looking back.

He ran after her but Vren was at the door giving him a look like he was a fugitive. "Matty, what the hell happened? Jessica just stormed right in not looking happily in love with you."

Frustrated, he scratched the back of his neck. "I know. I'm screwing it up."

Vren gave him a reprimanding look. "Uh, yeah, you are. You should be making her swoon so she'll likely say no when you pop the question later."

"You think she'll say no?" Matthew questioned anxiously.

His brother sighed. "You know what? Just be the sweet guy you always are and Jessica would be swooning."

Matthew stared at his brother, confused.

"Just apologize. Jessica can't resist that adorable little dimple of yours." Vren wriggles his brows at him.

He could only shake his head. He jogged up the stairs and ran into Audrey who was just coming out of his and Jessica's room.

She smoothed a hand over her platinum blonde bun like it wasn't neat enough. She was always prim and composed all the time, but her poker face softened when she saw him.

Her lips curved into a small smile. "There's nothing to worry about. Everything's going to be fine. You still have the ring, right?"

He nodded, his hand going over to his pocket.

"Good. How are you feeling?" Her brown eyes swept over him like she was reading him. "It's okay to be nervous. It's pretty normal. Besides, Jess loves you."

Matthew let out a calming breath. "Thank you. So, on a scale of one to ten, how much does she hate me right now?"

Audrey looked over her shoulder toward the closed door. "Hate is a strong word. She's just a little upset. Nothing carbs can't fix. I already gave her a couple of salted caramel cupcakes."

With that, Matthew sighed in relief. He put one foot forward and then another until he was standing at the door. He slowly twisted the knob open and pushed the door open.

Jessica was sitting on the couch by the window. Some afternoon sun was still streaming in that made her hair glow bright red and freckles stood out. She still had a half eaten cupcake on a ceramic saucer which she set aside.

When he walked into their bedroom, the floorboard creaked a little, but the room was so silent it might as well have sounded like a gong. Jessica swung a glance over her shoulder and then went back to staring at the window and nibbling on her cupcake.

Matthew made his way toward her until he was right in front of her. Slowly, he bent to his knees so he was on her eye-level. His heart was beating out of his chest.

The room was silent like they were both holding their breath. However, Jessica splattered the silence with a sigh. "I'm sorry," she murmured.

"Huh?" Matthew heard himself

Jessica took out another sigh, her green eyes finding his. "Look, I'm sorry I walked out on you like that. I know there's a lot going on with you business-wise and I'm making it a lot harder for you by breathing down your neck. I'll give you some space if you need it."

He shakes his head, his heart swelling. "Jessica, no. I should be the one who's sorry. I know I've been distant. I don't mean to, but please let me make it up to you."

She stared at him for a moment. Her cheeks were tinted pink, her freckles even more visible now. Then, slowly, her mouth curved into a playful grin. "So, how are you going to make it up to me? I have some ideas."

Just like that, he was off the hook. She was back to being vibrant and fun and sweet. Matthew couldn't help but smile. "What do you have in mind?"

Jessica grinned and pretended to think about it. "I'm thinking of a massage and a dip in the hot tub. You know, somewhere along those lines."

"Well, then, I'm your servant for the entire weekend," he responded with a teasing smile.

She giggled. "Really?"

"I have a lot to make up for. I think it's just fair." He winked at her, grinning as wide as she was.

Jessica let out a delighted squeal and threw her arms around his neck. She peppered kisses on his cheeks and then all over his face before stopping and holding his face in her palms.

"Let's not fight again. I hate it," Jessica says with a little pout.

Matthew kisses the inside of her palm. "It sucks. I'm sorry."

Her green eyes softened. She leaned for a kiss and he met her halfway. It started out as tender salted caramel kisses, but like a fiend, he couldn't help himself but demand more. Still, he moves slowly, his hands moving gently to her hips. He explores her in sweet, demanding kisses, hoping she knows how she drives him crazy.

Jessica winded her arms back around his neck and responded with the same drugging kisses. And when his tongue finally slipped between her lips, he heard her moan.

"Lock the door," Jessica whispers breathlessly in between kisses.

Although intoxicated by her kisses, he managed to walk the few steps toward the door and lock it. When he turned back around, Jessica was already sitting on the foot of the bed, her dress unbuttoned, and her beautiful red hair over her shoulder.

Matthew sucked in a breath. In the back of his mind, he had this little boat ride around the lake (just before sunset!) planned out, and 'everything should go smoothly as planned' as Cade constantly reminded him. In fact, he hears every single voice of every single person who helped him plan out this weekend, which is practically everybody.

Jessica looks at him with a glint of mischief in her eyes. Her mouth curved into a slow, naughty smile. As if it didn't drown out the voices enough, she hooked her finger in his direction and made a come hither motion.

He swallowed hard, cursing under his breath. Screw it. It's not like they're going to take the wholeeee afternoon.

This woman has so much control over him, it's not funny, but then someone like her owning every piece of his heart and soul feels like a euphoric dream he never wants to wake up from.

Matthew unsurprisingly found himself rushing over to him like a teenager with zero self-control.

Hey, ladies! Hope you're all having a great weekend. Gosh, I guess this is it. Well, almost. The next chapter is probably going to be the last chapter, BUUTTT I may have something up my sleeve *wink wink* so be on the look out for an IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT. Anyways, enjoyyyyy!