My stomach fluttered. I could text him back. A text was safe, non-committal. A text didn’t mean anything. Before I could reply though, another message came through.
Are you okay?
I hit reply and started typing.
I’m fine.
Liar.
So you’re calling me in the middle of night to tell me you’re fine? I may have a pretty face, but I’m not stupid, Cait.
Gosh, the way he called me Cait. As if we were friends. Intimate. As if we’d known each other forever.
That single word wrapped around my heart and didn’t let go.
I had a nightmare.
Can I call you?
No, please… I can’t…
Okay, no phone call. But we can text? This is okay?
I chewed my lip again.
I guess so…
Did you wake Luis?
I didn’t want to disturb him. I’m a grown woman. I should be able to handle a bad dream.
We all get scared of the dark sometimes, Cait.
Was he trying to wear me down? Because there, in the dark of night, it was working.
He beat me to a reply again.
How do you like the cabin?
It’s very peaceful. I found a two-thousand-piece puzzle to keep me occupied
A puzzle you say? Sounds… riveting.
A faint smile traced my lips as I got comfortable and settled in to text him back. This was safe, reassuring in a strange way.
It wasn’t supposed to be, but there was no denying Matteo made it easy.
He had that night all those months ago, and he was doing it again now.
Caitlin?
He texted back when I didn’t reply.
I’m still here…
Good. I thought maybe you’d fallen asleep on me.
Not yet.
Oh, it’s like that, huh?
I’m sorry I woke you.
Don’t be. I was lying here awake anyway.
You were? It’s late.
Yeah, I have a lot of things on my mind.
The knot in my stomach tightened, guilt trickling through me.
Well, I feel better about not waking you now.
I’m glad you texted.
Me too.
It was the truth, I already felt better.
I meant what I said. You can text me anytime and I’ll answer.
I know.
Nervous energy vibrated inside me. I’d never had this. Genuine conversation with a guy. There was always something: the expectation of more, veiled threats, or the feeling of something owed. I wasn’t used to being… an equal.
In fact, I’d long given up on the idea. In my life, sex and attraction were weapons. Ones that had been used against me too many times.
And then Matteo texted me nine little words that told me exactly how different he was to every man I’d known before him.
DiMarco will pay, Caitlin. I promise you, he’ll pay.
I woke up with my phone on the pillow beside me. Matteo and I had texted late into the night. After he’d made his promise to make Zander pay, he’d turned the conversation to safe topics until I’d fallen asleep.
Grabbing my cell, I unlocked the screen and smiled at the message from him.
Good morning. I hope you managed to get some sleep.
I did, thanks to you.
Not exactly how I want to be remembered—for making women fall asleep—but I guess I’ll take it.
Laughter bubbled in my chest, but it was quickly dampened by another wave of guilt. He was flirting… and flirting was skirting a line I wasn’t sure I wanted to cross.
Not now.
Not ever.
I need coffee then a shower. Thanks again for keeping me company last night.
Things felt different in the harsh light of day. I’d been scared last night. Alone and vulnerable. But I didn’t need Matteo to chase off the monsters in my sleep now the sun was up.
“Coffee’s brewing,” Luis called from the hall. He must have heard me shuffling about.
I grabbed a hoodie and pulled it on over my pajamas and padded into the hall.
“Morning,” I said, joining him in the kitchen.
“Sleep well?”
“I… yeah, okay.”
“I thought I heard something—”
“I got up to get some water.”
“Sorry, I should have checked on you.”
I snorted. “I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”
“Noted.” He smiled, pushing a mug of coffee toward me. “What do you want to do today?”
“You mean, I have options?”
“You’re not a prisoner here, Caitlin.”
“No, I know that. I just… sorry,” I shook my head softly, “I’m being rude.”
“There’s some pretty neat trails in the forest, we could check those out.”
“You want to take me trekking through the forest?”
That seemed… weird.
“It sounds stranger than it is. Arianne thought you might like—”
“Ah, Arianne put you up to this.” I didn’t know why but disappointment welled in my chest.
It was silly. Of course she’d suggested it to him. Or ordered him to ask me. I wasn’t entirely sure of the nature of their relationship and how it worked.
They seemed friendly, but what did I know about these things.
Nothing, you know nothing.
I ran my thumb around the edge of my mug, not meeting his heavy gaze.
“She just doesn’t want you going stir crazy,” he said.
“It’s only been a day. I’m sure I’m good for a while yet.”
“You do have that epic puzzle to complete.”
“Exactly.”
I’d only picked it off the shelf on a whim, but it was fast becoming a metaphor for my situation.
“Well, I’m going to take a shower. If you want to venture out, just say the word. I’ll be around.” He tapped the counter, drained his coffee and then disappeared down the hall.
I considered his suggestion again. It was only a walk. What was the worst that could happen?
Besides, I had to leave here eventually.
Chapter 10
Matteo
“Expecting a call?” Enzo asked me with a frown.
“No. Just scrolling.” I pocketed my cell and tapped my fingers against the counter.
“Seriously, what’s up with you?”
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
“You seem—”
My cell vibrated and I whipped it out of my pocket, disappointed when I saw Arabella’s name.
“Okay, spit it out.”
I hesitated, unsure I wanted to put myself out there like that. But it was Enzo, my cousin, one of my best friends.