“Don’t worry about it,” Iris said. A wry grin split her lips and her eyebrows raised as she said, “But I’m not so sure you’re leaving tomorrow."
“Why not?”
Iris stepped closer. “Well, you’re welcome here as long as you want to stay.”
Annika waited, getting the sense there was more.
A moment later, Iris went on. “Plus, I’m not sure Matteo will let you go. I’m don’t mean in a creepy way. I’m just saying… he’scrazy about you. He knows you’re his babygirl. I don’t think he’ll let you walk out of here if he can keep you from it.”
Annika gasped. What on earth was Iris talking about?
It was true that she’d felt a spark earlier when she’d landed in Matteo’s arms. Just that brief interaction had sent her imagination spinning wildly.
But it was all just the fantasies of a lonely girl. Right? Just because she literally fell into his arms didn’t mean that he was her Daddy.
Or did it?
She felt so calm around him. All the fear vanished. Years of life on the streets and the hardships she’d faced seemed so insignificant when in Matteo’s presence.
“Well… I don’t want to impose,” she protested.
In truth, she didn’t really know what else to say. She had lots of conflicting emotions at the moment.
“Seriously. It’s not a big deal.”
Annika watched as Iris stepped closer. There seemed to be something else she wanted to say.
It took a few seconds, but finally the other woman spoke. “I had a really tough time before I met Jack. Things were… hard… to put it mildly. But I realized Jack really cared about me. So do the other people in this house. That’s not why I’m here.” Her whole face lit up. “I’m here because I’m madly in love with my Daddy. But as a bonus, I found a family.” She scrunched up her nose, then added, “It can be hard to let go and let people care for you. But I promise it’s worthwhile. For whatever that’s worth.”
She turned to walk away but stopped just before she was out the door. Casting a glance over her shoulder, Iris added, “Dinner’s almost ready. But take your time in here. And we have a very special surprise for you. I think they said the ETA on it was about ten minutes.”
“Thank you, Iris,” Annika said softly.
Once she was alone, she sank deeper into the bubbles and pondered the conversation.
Surprise? What did they have planned?
But more importantly, what was all that Iris had said about Matteo? Did she know all that to be true or was she just speculating?
Annika had caught some of his glimpses. She’d noticed the affection in his eyes. But she’d chalked it all up to her imagination. There couldn’t be any way a hottie like him wanted a poor girl from the streets like her.
Right?
She didn’t have the answers right then. Something told her time would tell, though. Maybe she’d know soon enough.
The thought excited her more as she sank just a little deeper and enjoyed the sensation of the warm water for another moment.
She’d get out in a minute, towel off, and go see what her surprise was.
But until then, she’d close her eyes and dream of being held by Matteo.
It would feel even better than the heavenly bath.
Chapter Twelve
Matteo had to restrain himself as sweet Annika stepped outside onto the patio.
Damn. She was too cute. Iris’s clothes were a little baggy on her. That wouldn’t last long, though. He’d make sure his precious girl got plenty to eat.
