“Focaccia and wine is really all I need to survive actually.”
He tipped his head with a dimpled smile. “Noted.”
We ordered grilled calamari, truffle pasta, and wine. By the time the food arrived, the sun had fully set, replaced by the soft hum of string lights above our heads and distant waves below.
Matteo forked a piece of his pasta and reached across the table. “Try this.”
“I have my own food.”
“It’s better.”
“DeLuca—”
“Sayah, Moretti.”
He was smirking. Teasing. And for some reason, I let him feed me. Because I was fucking weak. And the pasta melted on my tongue, rich and earthy and unfairly good.
“Well?”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine. You win. It’s amazing.”
“I always win,” he said, eyes darkening slightly as he watched me chew.
That look sent heat pooling low in my stomach. I took a long sip of wine.
The breeze picked up again, tugging at a loose strand of hair, and he reached out before I could stop him, brushing it back behind my ear. His fingers trailed for a second too long across my cheek.
I cleared my throat and looked away. “You said something about no pressure.”
He leaned in, voice low and smooth. “No pressure at all, Princess. I’m just sitting here. Existing.”
“You exist very annoyingly.”
He grinned. “And yet you’re still here.”
I was halfway through pretending I was unaffected when music drifted from inside the restaurant—a slow, lilting tune played by a small trio in the corner courtyard.
Matteo stood and held out his hand.
“No,” I said immediately.
“Come on. Just one dance.”
“I don’t dance.”
“You danced at the gala.”
“That was different. There was tequila involved.”
He wiggled his fingers. “I’ll buy you tequila after.”
I didn’t know why I took his hand. Maybe it was the wine. Or the wind. Or the fact that I was so tired of fighting whatever this was.
He pulled me into the courtyard, just one of a handful of couples slow-dancing under the stars. The music was soft, dreamy. Matteo moved easily, one hand at my waist, the other holding mine.
“You’re terrible at letting go,” he murmured.
“I’m dancing with you, aren’t I?”
