Free A Royal's Love (Unit Matched #1) by Mary Smith Page A

“Where’s yours?”
    “In the car. Can you take a break?”
    “For you?” I looked at him as if I was thinking hard about it. “I guess.”
    “You know,” he leaned close to me, “I have to say I like seeing this side of you.”
    I felt myself blushing as I packed up my bag, and we headed outside. The heat was heavy today. It felt like I had an extra layer of skin on.
    When sat in Thaddeus’ car with the air conditioner on full blast. He told me about his day and that a big client would be coming into the city for a meeting. He’s hoping that he’ll get the lead on this project, and everything was pointing in that direction that he would be.
    “That’s great. All that hard work you’ve been putting in; I’m sure you’ll get it,” I said encouragingly.
    “Thank you, Xaviera.” He rubbed the back of my hand. “How much longer do you have to study?”
    “I think I’m done. I’m burnt out right now, anyway.”
    “Hey, why don’t we get back to Unit, change and hang out? Maybe a movie?” He squeezed my hand.
    I smiled brightly. “I think that’s a great idea.”
    “Where’s your car?”
    I told him I was parked on the other side of campus, and he drove me over there. “Meet me at my house,” he said as he helped me out of his car.
    I followed him back to Unit, and then headed to my house. When I got in, I raced upstairs. I pinned my hair back, freshened up makeup, and changed my clothes. I slipped into light color purple jeans with a white blouse that tied on the side of my hips. Of course, I wore my white heel booties and was ready to go to Thaddeus’ house.
    When I pulled up to his house, I realized that no one else seemed to be there. Yes, I’d been alone with him, but in public, never alone in a house with him. I hoped that someone was there.
    Thaddeus had opened the door in a pair of black cargo pants and a dark gray t-shirt. “Hey, come in.”
    He took my hand and led me to the back of the house. I had been here many times in my life I knew exactly where he was taking me. The TV room. Mr. Edwards always had the biggest TVs.
    Thaddeus had a large bowl of popcorn and a couple of glasses of soda on the coffee table. I wasn’t sure where to sit until he sat on the couch, guiding me to sit down next to him. My insides were trembling, not from fear, but being this close to Thaddeus, alone.
    “I didn’t figure that you liked horror, so I thought that a comedy would be a good choice,” he explained turning on the TV & DVD player.
    I nodded unable to say anything. He let go of my hand and reached for the popcorn. The movie started, but it was a blur to me. I couldn’t focus on it.
    “Xaviera?”
    “Yes,” my voice squeaked as I answered him.
    He took the remote turning off the TV, and then turned to face me. “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing,” I lied.
    “I know better than that. You’re making it thunder outside and it was sunny when we arrived home. Tell me.”
    I fiddled with my hands in my lap. “We’re alone.” I was nervous. I calmed myself the best I could, and I commanded the thunder away.
    “Yes, we are. Does that bother you? Are you uncomfortable? I mean, we’ve been alone before.”
    “No, we haven’t, not like this.” I waved my hand in between us.
    “Wait, you mean alone in a house.” He nodded understanding what I meant. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I thought it would be nice to relax tonight. I’ve had a long week and didn’t really feel like going out. I should have asked first.”
    I softly sighed. “I’m sorry, Thaddeus. Maybe it’s different for you, but I’m still trying to adjust to us even being Matched. This is all new to me.”
    “Hey.” He touched my chin to bring my attention to him. “It’s new to me too.” His thumb lightly brushed my lips. His expression was hard to read, but he kept looking from my eyes to my lips. “You asked me a question a while ago, about how things were going with us, you