“I should… it’s late and I…”
He leaned in, dropping his mouth to my ear and whispered. “Breathe, Tink. Just breathe.” His warm breath tickled my skin, sending a shiver through me.
I felt his lips curve as he said, “Although it’s nice to know I affect you too.”
Trouble.
I was in so much trouble.
“Goodnight, Matteo.” I met his gaze, smiling. “And thank you.”
I might not have wanted him to come here, but the truth was…
It was exactly what I needed.
The smell of coffee and bacon lured me from a peaceful sleep. My eyes fluttered open as my stomach rumbled and I smiled.
Until the events of the night before hit me and embarrassment washed over me.
I had a nightmare. A bad one. Luis had eventually shaken me awake, but not before he’d witnessed me lashing out at invisible monsters, screaming and sweating as if they were right there in front of me.
And Matteo…
Oh God. Matteo was here.
It was too early to process what that meant, so I opted for coffee first.
After freshening up in the bathroom, I pulled on some leggings and an off-the-shoulder sweater, tamed my unruly curls into a low pony and went in search of breakfast.
“Morning,” Matteo said from his position at the cooktop. “I wondered if the smell would wake you.”
“You cook?” I asked, surprised.
“Don’t get too excited, it’s bacon and eggs. Hardly à la carte cuisine. Coffee?”
“Sure. Cream, two sugars.”
“Two, huh?” He smiled, and my heart fluttered.
“What?”
“Nothing.” His smile morphed to a smirk. “I was just thinking you’re already sweet enough.”
“Matteo.” I rolled my eyes, feeling my cheeks heat under his intense regard. “Where’s Luis?” I changed the subject, needing to break the simmering connection between us.
“He’s around. Don’t worry, you’re safe with me.”
“I know.”
His brow lifted but he didn’t comment. “Did you manage to get some sleep?”
“Surprisingly, I did.”
“Does that happen a lot… with the nightmares?”
“They come and go. There isn’t really a pattern.”
“What you said before…”
“Please, don’t.” I sighed, averting my gaze. I shouldn’t have said that last night. But Matteo made it too easy. He made me want things—things I could never have.
“Sorry.” He continued cooking the bacon, not looking at me again. My stomach twisted, hating the sudden tension lingering between us.
Matteo plated up the bacon and eggs in silence, pushing a plate toward me.
“Thank you,” I said, my stomach growling again.
He fought a smile. “You’re hungry.”
“Starved, actually.”
“Glad I could help.”
Matteo didn’t eat. He just stood there, watching me devour my breakfast. My body hummed with awareness, his gaze caressing my skin.
“So, about that puzzle,” he said. “Are you almost done?”
“You’re kidding right? It’s like two-thousand pieces.”
“Eat up and I’ll help you for an hour before I have to get back.”
“Why?” I blurted out.
“Do I need a reason other than I want to?”
Pressing my lips together, I shook my head.
“I’m going to make a call. I’ll be right back.”
“Oh God, your sister,” I said, remembering he was supposed to be babysitting her last night.
“Relax. Bella is fine. I left her at my place with our cousin and her bodyguard.”
My eyes widened to saucers as I spluttered, “Y-you did what?”
He chuckled. “You’re cute when you care.”
“I… you didn’t have to do that. I would never have—”
“I wanted to come, Cait. I can call you Cait, right?”
“Y-yeah.” My chest tightened.
A faint smile traced his lips. Warm. Inviting. Like sunshine on a stormy day.
Matteo was gorgeous and having one hundred percent of his attention was completely disarming.
“Finish your breakfast. I’ll be back.” He tapped the counter and walked off, and suddenly, I didn’t feel so hungry anymore.
“Yes!” Matteo whooped, fist punching the air as he slid in another piece of the puzzle.
He was good. Almost as good as Luis. I’d been too mesmerized watching him to really contribute. He caught me watching him more than once but didn’t comment, merely flashed me a knowing smile and went back to the puzzle.
“Are you sure you don’t need to go?”
“Do you want me to go?”
“No, I just…”
“Caitlin, I meant what I said before. I don’t expect anything. This isn’t a transaction where I do you a favor and then you owe me. I came because I care. Because ever since that night, I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind.”
“Matteo—”
“I know,” he let out a heavy sigh, “you don’t want to talk about it, and that’s okay. I can respect that. But I can’t ignore the fact that I thought I’d never see you again, and then here you are, under my family’s protection. It might not mean anything to you… but it means something to me.”
Without thinking, I leaned over and kissed him. Matteo went rigid beneath my touch. My fingers curled into his t-shirt, but then his hands cupped my face, and he took control.
And I let him.
His tongue gently nudged my lips apart, sliding against my own and coaxing a whimper up my throat. He tasted exquisite, his lips firm yet soft, demanding yet patient as he licked my mouth in slow lazy strokes, as if he was familiarizing himself with the shape of my lips and savoring their taste.
My heart galloped in my chest, my toes curling inside the fluffy slippers Arianne had gifted me.
“Fuck, Tink,” he rasped, touching his head to mine and inhaling a ragged breath. “That was…”
“Unexpected.”
Our laughter mingled together, finding its own harmony.
“You made a fatal mistake,” he said.
My brows furrowed. “I did?”
“Yeah, now whenever I see you, all I’ll be able to think about is kissing you again.”
My stomach dipped, heat coursing through my veins. Matteo brushed his nose along mine, stealing another kiss. This one was more playful, even a little clumsy. But it was still one of the best kisses I’ve ever had.
I let out a contented sigh as he pulled away.
“You liked that?”
“It wasn’t awful.” I smiled.
“Good to know.” A faint smirk traced his lips.
His phone began vibrating, but he glanced at the screen and ignored it.
“Don’t you need to take that?” I asked.
“It can wait.”
It stopped vibrating but two seconds later started again.
“I think somebody wants to get a hold of you.”
He muttered something in Italian under his breath and clambered to his feet. “I’ll be right back.”