Those words and that explanation would've sounded trite from most anyone else, but Matt.... When Matt said it, not only did it sound true and honest and sincere, it also sounded like it was the only reasonable thing for him to say.
And, she realized, it was. Matt was that guy. The one who put himself between others and the thing that threatens them. She loved that about him. Her hand slid to his chest and rested over his heart."God, I --"
But before she could blurt it out, she pressed her lips against his. There wasn't anything gentle about it. This time, the kiss was filled with need. If she couldn't manage to tell him with words, she could try other ways to make it clear what he did to her.