“Matteo!”
“And instead of fucking her brains out, I could just tell her that I think I’m falling for her.”
Francesca smiled up at me, her eyes soft as her hands wrapped around my neck and pulled me down, and then…
We were kissing again.
Chapter 27
Present
Upper-East Side, New York City
I WANTED TO SURPRISE MATTEO.
The bass thudded low through the empty club – lights dimmed, a haze of dust still floating where sunbeams from the back door cut in. It still smelled of fresh paint, despite the whiskey, and cash. I liked it.
I climbed the metal stairs toward the VIP balcony, heels soft against steel, excitement buzzing under my ribs. The place wasn’t open yet – but I knew Matteo would be here finalizing details.
Maybe I’d drag him out for coffee. Maybe I’d win another round of our stupid game, remind him who was in control.
Halfway up, voices drifted down – laughing.
His.
And hers.
My body froze midway up the steps, fingers tightening around the railing. From where I stood, I saw them only in stolen pieces between the railing bars – Matteo leaning against the DJ booth, sleeves rolled to his elbows, dark eyes warm with amusement. And the woman –that gorgeous woman– from months ago.
She laughed at something he said, threw her hair back, looking at him like she wanted to devour him whole.
He didn’t move away.
Didn’t shut it down.
Just kept talking.
My stomach dropped – sharp and ugly. Heat shot through me, rising like fire up my throat.
It was irrational. It was insane.
We weren’t in love. We weren’t real. This marriage was business, a game – convenience wrapped in rings and paperwork.
But watching her look at him likethatmade something vicious coil inside my ribs.
Before either of them could notice, I turned. Fast. My heels hit the stairs too loud, too hard – panic drowned in fury. I pushed through the back door into cold morning air, lungs burning.
I wasn’t jealous. No. Just… Annoyed. I didn’t care.
My heart didn’t get the memo.
Anger tasted like blood on my tongue. My pulse hammered so hard I felt it in my teeth. I walked faster, practically jogging across the empty lot, jaw clenched so tight it ached.
I hated the wash of heat behind my eyes.
I hated that I felt everything.
I never had to deal with anything like this before meeting Matteo.
