We side hug, collecting a couple of things from the kitchen before I whistle for Bella and Edward. Matteo stands back as I harness them up, and I appreciate the gesture, his small sign they are my responsibility but also his respect for my decision to have them.
“Are you armed?” he asks as he goes to push the button to the elevator.
Instead of answering, I turn around and beeline back to the kitchen, where I disarmed when we got back earlier. Not the safest practice, and I was relying on these three to be responsible when it comes to gun safety, which makes sense but is a bit disrespectful too.
Hoisting my top up, I make quick work of the shoulder holster, adjusting it to fit better with the oversized hoodie. Since I’m wearing shorts, I elect not to wear the thigh strap for the knife.
Returning to Matteo, I find him already inside the elevator, and I take the leads for the dogs out of his hands.
“Looking forward to getting out for a walk?” he asks as soon as the elevator starts to descend.
“Fresh air will do me good.”
“But you do know we want to know about the phone call when we get back.” He’s careful in his insistence.
“Yeah.”
Before I can say anything else, the doors open, and Matteo grabs my hand. “For now, though, it’s me and you. And about ten other people shadowing us.”
I pull a face, and he winks. “It’s not really in response to anything that has happened today. More of how things are in this world.”
“You’re not worried about why Dante is out? I mean, I heard at the restaurant.”
“Like I said, it is our world, and this is how things are every day. New threats coming at you, old ones still needing to be resolved, and we both know power makes people dangerous. If they have it, they want more of it, and if they don’t, they will do anything to take it.”
“You could say that about most situations.”
“Correct. No more talking shop. I just want to hang out with my sweet savior.” He winks before we really do just walk and be together.
The dogs don’t get stressed by anything; they act almost like regular dogs, happy to be out for a walk in the sunshine. The park Matteo takes us to is big enough to have walking paths meandering around and through trees and large grassy areas. It also has secluded areas perfect for letting them off their leads while we lie in the sun.
Matteo’s eyes are closed, and I watch him snoozing. The sunlight hits his face, making his eyelashes seem even longer and his skin glow, showcasing his Mediterranean heritage.
“You keep watching me like that, and I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”
I roll up to sitting. Jesus, honestly, I have to, so I’ll remember we’re in the middle of a park. With a couple of words, he has my thoughts racing back to the way he commanded my body very recently. Shaking my head, I swipe my hands over my face, but it doesn’t help.
I sigh, once I stop hiding behind my hands. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“How so?”
“You look at me, and I light up like a firecracker. A couple of words, and I’m wondering if there’s anywhere around here we can sneak off to for a few minutes.”
His eyes are hooded, and the way he rearranges himself, stretching one arm behind his head, has him throwing even more fuel on the fire.
“Is it me that makes you feel that way, or is it you being off suppressors?”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’ve never been with a Beta, so I don’t know.”
“Which means it’s me that turns you on.” He smirks, stretching out like a cat in the sunshine, looking very pleased with himself. “Get over here.”
Without the influence of designation, my free will isn’t dragged out of me, so when I straddle his hips, the look of triumph on Matteo’s lush lips only becomes even more evident. He points to his mouth, his intentions obvious, and as I draw closer, he bends his knees up and drops a hand on my waist.
“I love this thing of ours. It’s so fucking volatile because it is one of those once-in-a-lifetime connections. Don’t question it, Layne. Just know I feel exactly the same for you.”
He buries his fingers into my hair as he takes a fist of it, holding me close. And then he rewires my brain, kissing the absolute bejesus out of me. Eventually pulling us apart, he gives me the chance to actually get some air into my lungs.
“I want to feel your cunt pulsing around my cock right here for anyone to watch,” he groans as he returns to licking his tongue into my mouth, leaving me moaning and writhing on his lap. “And considering it’s our honeymoon, I should flip you over and fill your pretty pussy until you can’t take any more. But not right now.”
