“You don’t need to lie to me, Beatrice.”
“I’m…” I search for the right word. “…handling things. It’s been a lot, but I’m handling it.”
We continue walking in silence. The New York atmosphere fills the space between us, softening the awkwardness with background noise.
He doesn’t try to speak again. He simply walks beside me silently, taking everything in.
I see my building come into view, the very same one where we first met.
“Thank you for walking me,” I say, turning to face him and bringing us to a halt. “I can walk the rest of the way on my own.”
“I said I would walk you home. We’re not there yet, are we?”
I shake my head. “No. But this is as far as you go.”
One side of his mouth tilts upward into a smirk, dangerous and knowing. “What’s wrong,bella? Afraid I’ll visit you in the night?”
“Possibly.”
And I’m telling the truth. There is something about him that is brooding and… mysterious. He moves with an air of intimidation.
“Anyway. Thank you again.”
I go to step away, but his hand shoots out and catches my wrist. I look down at his hand, then back up into his eyes.
“What are you doing?”
“What I’ve been wanting to do for weeks.”
He pulls me toward him.His eyes darken with a mixture of anticipation and hunger.
“Matteo—”
His hand drops from my wrist and lifts to cup my cheek. The contact alone sends a shiver down my spine. My lips part, and I am completely consumed by his presence.
Gently, he brushes a strand of hair from my face. His fingers linger, just barely touching my skin. The motion is so sweet, so unexpectedly tender, that it shocks me. This man with such a commanding presence is so… soft.
Everything stops. My breath. The world. Time.
I look at him, and his expression is unreadable. What I wouldn’t give to know what he’s thinking in this moment. His eyes are telling me a thousand things, but I need his lips to confirm them.
The space between us evaporates, and suddenly we’re only a breath apart. I can feel his warm breath on my face. I smell his intoxicating scent, and I’m hooked.
People move around us, but they fade into nothing as my focus narrows to him, only him. Sparks crackle in the charged space between us.
I want to kiss him.
Ishouldn’t—butevery cell in my body urges me to.
All I need to do is lean in just a little bit and I would?—
You are mine now, cara.Giacomo’s thick voice echoes through my skull.
My hand presses to Matteo’s chest, and I shove him back hard. His eyes go wide at my sudden rejection. The coffee slips from my hand and crashes to the pavement, splattering everywhere.
“I’m engaged,” I say. “This… whatever this is, cannot happen. Allowing you to walk me home was a mistake. I’m sorry.”
“Bella—”
