“Well, we better be going,” Matteo tossed over his shoulder. “Such adispleasureto see you.”
And just like that, Matteo guided us away.
I let myself be led away, half in a daze, unsure if any of that had actually happened or if the vodka sodas were finally catching up to me. Because if I was hallucinating, damn—my subconscious had a mean flair for drama.
“Did you say displeasure?” I asked once Matteo had guided us back to the bar and ordered two fresh drinks.
“Yup.” He popped the P like it was a performance, then took a slow sip. Sliding the second glass across the counter to me, he added, “Alcohol helps with the aftereffects of seeing a shitty ex. Trust me.”
“Oh, you have experience in this department?” I arched my brow. I’d never once seen Matteo in anything resembling a serious relationship. Week-long flings, maybe a couple of weeks if someone was lucky, but that was the extent of it. Matteo was a flirt, a man who flashed those dimples and got whatever he wanted. Infuriating didn’t even cover it.
“Wouldn’t you like to know.” I was met with a taunting spirk, grading on my nerves..
“Yes. That’s why I asked,” I deadpanned before huffing into my glass. “Also,Baby? Really?”
“Thought it was a nice touch. Not your thing? Maybe Darling. My love. Sweetness. Oh, I know. My Duchess.”
“Do you have a fucking off switch?” I glared, but he only leaned in farther.
“Want to search for one?” His dimple cut deep as the chaos glinted bright in his eyes.
“You’re the worst.”
“Hmm,” he hummed, eyes never leaving mine. “Keep being mean to me. I fucking love it.”
“I loathe you.” The words slid out sharp, my voice low as I pushed closer to him without realizing. The alcohol hummed in my veins, hot and restless, and judging by the flush at his throat, it was doing the same to him. I was drawn to Matteo like a moth to a flame. I should walk away. I shouldreallywalk away.
“Keep going,Baby.” His voice rasped low, rough, scratching over my skin like static.
“Fuck off,” I muttered and turned on my heel, walking away before he could see what that voice actually did to me.
Of course, he followed like a persistent dog. “Okay, okay, sorry. I’ll lay off.” The words tumbled out, quick and unconvincing.
I stopped and turned, catching him too close. Matteo’s cologne was soft and warm, and it wrapped around me. I could see the flecks of gold in the center of his irises, distracting, irritating, dangerous. His smile had slipped into something softer. I was gravitating to his light again, something low in my stomach humming at me. His lips looked soft, stretching into a thin line, eyebrows scrunching an imperceptible amount. But it didn’t get past my visual analysis of him.
“He really got to you?” His voice was quiet now, annoyingly gentle, cutting right through the shield of my annoyance and landing straight in the place I didn’t want him to see.
The perceptive bastard.
“It’s fine.” I waved it off and took a long swig of my drink. The icy burn slid down my throat, instantly making me feel better. Healthy coping mechanism? Absolutely not. But that was a problem for my therapist, not this drunk version of myself that felt like her skin was flushed and hot, and focusing too hard on the beautiful man in front of me.
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned from having a sister,” Matteo said, giving me a pointed look, “it’s that ‘I’m fine’ actually means you’re one thousand percentnotfine.”
“Iamfine. Just great, actually.”
“Hey…” He reached out, eyes soft again?—
“Nic!” His sister swooped in, tipsy and glowing, breaking the moment. “This event is stunning. Literally perfect. I made Alexander bid on the yacht!” She dissolved into a giggle as Alexander steadied her from behind, his hand at her elbow, watching her with an indulgent glint in his eye.
“We should go check the auction table, see what the highest bids are!” Lucia announced, grabbing my hand before I could respond.
“Your timing is impeccable,” I told her as she tugged me away.
“Saving you from my brother is a full-time job at this point,” she laughed, then tilted her head. “So…did you see Nathaniel yet?”
“Yeah. He came over and talked to me.”
Her gasp was scandalized. “No!”
