Page 120 of Matteo

My gaze stays locked on hers as I move closer. She draws in a breath, her chest rising and falling, and I can see her fighting to stay relaxed. Every emotion she's feeling plays across her face.

“Look at me,” I murmur.

She does.

The connection between us is almost overwhelming.

She swallows and lets out a slow breath, as I slide into her. She lets out a low, sexy, breathless moan. I watch her as I fill her completely.

“You feel fucking amazing,” I tell her, setting up a rhythm as I move against her. Her eyes flutter shut for a moment before meeting mine again. Another soft sound falls from her lips, and I grip her a little tighter, my thrusts turning more urgent, as desire and relief course through me.

I slam into her, harder and harder still. Every reaction she gives me only fuels the need burning through my veins.

I lower my head and press a kiss to her shoulder, fighting for control even as it slips a little more with every passing second. Then her mouth falls open and her chest and neck turn red. She’s so expressive, so loud, so sexy, as she unravels before my eyes. I watch her intently, waiting for her to finish writhing. Waiting for her to ride it out and her body to go limp.

I love watching her come.

And soon after, I thrust in a few times, and stay still inside her, getting my own release.

I pull out after a few moments, then dispose of the condom and lie beside her. “Morning, babe.”

“Morning.”

It’s going to be an amazing weekend. I can feel it already.

We hold hands, staring up at the ceiling silently.

“Hey.” I nudge her, after a while.

“Hey.” She turns to me.

I don’t want there to be any obstacles or friction between us. No lies or secrets. I’ve seen the damage my old man caused and I never want to be like him. “I don’t care about your past,” I tell her.

A chilly silence frosts over.

She sits up. Properly sits up, her brow creasing. “W-what do you mean?”

I sit up, eager to reassure her. ““It's no big deal. Whatever happened between you and Vlad, it’s okay.”

She blinks, waiting for me to go on.

“If you were together once, it doesn't matter to me. I don't care about your past, Elizabeth.”

“You don't care about my past?” Her voice is hard, and it startles me. “That's very big of you, Matteo.”

What the fuck just happened? Are we having our first row? I don't understand her reaction.

“It feels like you're getting all defensive every time I mention him, and I ... I …” I decide to shut my mouth because the conversation has taken a turn I wasn’t expecting. “I don't want to argue with you, Elizabeth.” I climb off the bed because I have no idea what the hell just happened. “I’m taking a shower.”

***

ELIZABETH

Tension hangs in the air like prickly old mistletoe. I overreacted, and after everything Matteo told me last night, how he opened up and was vulnerable, telling me about his family dynamics and his childhood, my reaction just now was uncalled for.

I don’t mean to get defensive, but I can’t help it.

Matteo thinks Vlad is a past lover. Nothing could be further from the truth. He’s not even accusing me of anything, but he’s right, I am defensive and vague—for other reasons. He was just trying to be nice and I reacted in the wrong way.