“It is,” I agree, slowly nodding. I tilt my head to the side, lifting my eyebrows at him in warning, and say in the best impression of a stern tone I can muster, “You’d better not disappear on me, Ford.”
A ghost of a smile dances across his mouth. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
Sheepishly, I duck my head and pierce a few noodles again. I can practically feel the heat of Matteo’s gaze lingering on the side of my face before he digs into his own food. After a moment in silence, both of us mulling over the fantasy, we switch back to safer topics, hockey and writing.
It feels like he’s only been here for a half an hour, but before we know it, two hours have come and gone, and it’s time for me to kick him out before he gets any other ideas. Matteo doesn’t argue. Instead, he helps me clean up and then we’re on the elevator together again.
He stands beside me, arm to arm, not bothering to move away as our limbs press against each other. He stares at me through our distorted reflections in the doors. “When do I get to know what you’re writing about?”
“Why do you want to know so badly?”
“I am your muse, no?” He glances at me from the corner of his eye. “It only feels fair.”
My throat bobs as I swallow hard. “I don’t normally talk about books before they’re done.” It’s different from anything else I’ve ever written. It still feels so new, I’m afraid if I say it outloud, the entire story will blow up in my face.
“Can I read it when it’s done? Before anyone else does?”
My heart beats a bit harder. “You actually want to read it?”
The corners of his mouth twitch. “Of course, I do. I’m fully invested in this now.”
The elevator dings as we reach the first floor. The doors slide open and Matteo motions for me to go ahead of him. “After it’s edited, I’ll make sure you get a copy before publication.”
“You’ll sign it, right?”
A soft laugh escapes me. “Yes. I’ll even personalize it for you.”
A slow and steady smile creeps across his lips. “Goodnight, Sunny. I’ll see you Saturday?”
My chin dips as I nod. “I’ll see you then. Goodnight.”
Matteo lingers for a moment longer before he slips through the door, stepping out into the night. I stare after him as he walks down the street, heading toward his car. A part of me wants to go after him, to take him up on that offer to disappear together.
Away from the monotony of daily life. Away from the stressors and the constant decisions.
It’s such a tempting, yet conflicting offer. Maybe in a different life Matteo and I could have been more than just a physical attraction.
He reaches the side of his car and glances back at me with that same sultry smile forming on his mouth. The physical attraction is undeniable… and I’m beginning to wonder if I’m not the only one feeling it.
Heat spreads through my body and I lift my hand to wave at him before he drops down into the front seat of his car. Turning from the door, I let it fall shut as I step away. My mind replays the entire night, every word that was said, over and over as I ride the elevator back to my floor..
As soon as my apartment door is shut, I press my back against it, tipping my head up and letting my eyelids fall shut. My chest expands as I inhale deeply. His woodsy scent lingers in the air around me. A stupid grin tugs on the corners of my lips.
Matteo Ford is under my skin and I think that’s exactly where I want him to be.
CHAPTER TWELVE
MATTEO
“I couldn’t get her out of my head.” - Julian Hart, Painted Inferno
Coming here was a bad idea.
I should have just lied and told my sisters and mother I couldn’t make it. There must have been some kind of bullshit excuse I could have fed them instead.
Shifting my weight, I roll my shoulders back, mentally preparing myself before reaching for the doorknob and giving it a turn. It opens effortlessly, and I let myself into the home I spent most of my teenage years in.
The first half of my life was spent in Aston, a little under two hours north of Hillford. When my father retired from playing for the Aston Archers, he and my mother decided they wanted a change of scenery.
