I frowned when he pulled away to slap my ass.
“Up,” He growled, suddenly all serious and a little mad.
I lifted my hips on instinct, only for him to pull my drenched panties down my thighs.
“Matteo–”
“These are mine now.”
“But–”
“Payment for making me come in my pants.”
He guided me out of my thong, fisting the ruined fabric and throwing it somewhere behind us before settling his hands on my waist.
I blushed, glancing down to see the wet stain we’d left on his ten-thousand-dollar suit. Biting my lip, I looked back at him only for my lips to meet his within the split of a second. And not breaking apart for what felt like forever.
Our lips broke apart at last, leaving the air between us molten and trembling. My lungs burned; I hadn’t realized how hard I’d been breathing until the quiet rushed in. Matteo’s hands stayed on my waist for a moment, anchoring me in the heated, breathless space we’d created. His chest rose and fell beneath my palms, his heartbeat a steady drum against the wild rhythm of mine.
He leaned forward, closing the space again, and our mouths found each other one last time. This kiss was different – slower, deeper, as if we both knew it was the curtain fall. His fingers slid into my hair, holding me close but not demanding, just savoring. I melted into it, tasting the sweetness beneath all the fire.
Then, carefully, I pulled away. My hands slipped from his shoulders, and I swung a leg over, stepping down from his lap. The sudden cool of the penthouse air against my flushed skin made me shiver. Matteo’s eyes followed me, puzzled, a faint furrow forming between his brows. He looked devastating like that – shirt half open, hair mussed from my fingers, desire still simmering in his gaze.
I straightened my dress, smoothed my hair, and shot him a playful smile. “Thank you,” I said softly, my voice still a little breathless but sure. “For the best week. And the happy ending.”
A soft laugh. “You’re leaving?”
I nodded, a content smile tugging at my lips. “I have to. But I’ll see you around, Matteo. Thanks again. For everything.”
I walked back to him and leaned down, kissing his cheek one last time before pulling away for good.
We both knew I wouldn’t be seeing him around anymore once he relocated to Miami.
He didn’t argue; didn’t even try to stop me. He just sat there, as if he wasn’t used to being the one left wanting more.
I turned and walked toward the elevator, each step steadier than the last. Outside the hotel, the night Vegas air greeted me like a rush of clarity, warm and alive. For the first time in a long while, a different kind of power thrummed through me.
My lips still tasted like his, pulse still racing – and I’d never felt more in control.
Strong. Independent. Sensual.
Walking away that night, I felt like awoman.
PART TWO
Chapter 17
ONE MONTH LATER
Present
Upper East Side, New York City
I OPENED MY EYES TO a hundred-million-dollar view of New York, feeling the morning summer sun warm my skin against the satin bed sheets. Took a deep breath. Made my bed. Washed my face. Brushed me teeth. Had my coffee in the salon, in my robe by the window, like I did every morning. Went over emails and stocks. Got dressed in my armor – a Dolce dress and Louboutin heels. Took the private elevator to the lobby, stepped through the doors opened for me and got into the Hammer Limousine already waiting for me in front of the DeMone Residential Building, and made my way to the DeMone Tower, my family’s business headquarters.
The same routine and rituals I practiced every morning.
But today, something felt different.
