It was like he suddenly realized that I hadn’t left the apartment at all apart from with him, and none of those times had exactly been good.
“I don’t mean to keep you prisoner, Sophia,” he said softly.
“It’s okay.” It wasn’t okay, but this was not an argument I wanted to have right now.
“No, it’s not.”
“I know you have to trust me before…”
Matteo’s lips found mine, brushing softly against mine. Strong hands pulled me to the edge of the counter and ground into me.
Tightening my legs around him, I groaned.
“Oh no, you don’t.” Chuckling, he pulled away an inch. “No distracting me.” His laughter grew.
“What do you mean?” I asked innocently, and the look he gave me told me he wasn’t buying it at all.
“No distracting me,” he said again. “I have work to do and you,” ablack credit card appeared between two fingers tight in front of my face, “you have some money to spend.”
I stared at him blankly. “What do you mean?”
“You will need a dress for tonight.”
“I have a room full of clothes, Matteo. I don’t need anymore.” I rolled my eyes.
“Then get your hair and makeup done. Go for a massage and a manicure. Hell, I don’t care what you do, just go out and spend some of my money.”
“Matteo…”
“Do I need you to order you to do it??” Cocking his head to the side, he studied me. Laughing, I shook my head, plucking the card out of his hands. “I can’t even remember the last time I got a manicure.”
“Then go crazy.” His lips found the tip of my nose and kissed it. “There will be a car and driver waiting for you. Not because I don’t trust you,” he added quickly. “But because I don’t want anything to happen to you. You won’t even know he’s there. I promise.” Another kiss, this time on my lips, before he stepped back completely. “But be back and ready before eight. I don’t want to have to come looking for you.”
Five hours later, I was officially the most relaxed I had been in years. The massage had been amazing, the manicure and pedicure had been divine, but more than anything, just being free and out of the apartment was the best medicine for my soul I could have wished for.
The only thing that was missing was my daughter and my best friend. It would have been perfect if they had been with me. I’d had to stop myself from strolling into a toy shop and spoiling her silly on her father’s dime.
I didn’t. That really would make Matteo suspicious, but it was tempting. Especially when Lily had never been really spoiled in her entire young life.
“So.” The woman standing behind me snapped me out of my daydream with a bump. “Now that your makeup is done, I was thinking of…”
I cut her off. Not rudely but with a smile. “Wow,” I grinned. “Youreally are magic.” Leaning forward out of my chair, I stared at my reflection. It was weird because I didn’t look like me at all.
Sure, the face staring back at me was mine, but this Sophia was more polished. Her skin was flawless, and her eyes wide, and smoky. And her lips. Were they even my lips? Because they looked spectacular.
“He’s not even going to recognize me,” I muttered before I could help myself. And the woman behind me grinned in delight.
“I knew there was a man involved.” She giggled as she twisted my freshly washed and dried hair up and pinned it into place. “Is this a new man?” She winked. “Or an old love?”
I paused, watching her as she worked. How much could I tell her? She clearly didn’t know who I was, so I was hoping she wouldn’t know Matteo, either. It was one of the reasons I had come in here.
Using the mirror, I looked around at the swanky salon. It was all glass, white furniture, and delicate pink flowered walls. It was girly and, well, new.
And the complete opposite of the place I had grown up going to for my hair. I had to believe they didn’t know each other.
“Is he married?” Her eyes widened, and she dropped her voice to a whisper.
“No, nothing like that,” I said in a rush. “It’s complicated, though. He’s an old…” My lips twisted. “Well, an old boyfriend, who I’ve recently reconnected with. We are going to a club opening tonight, and he wanted me to look nice.”
