Page 85 of Matteo

Babe. It sends a shiver down my spine.

“Yeah?” I look up at him. “Will it be like unwrapping presents on Christmas Day?”

“Hell, you can unwrap me any time you want. Don’t have to wait until Christmas Day.”

I blush, with heat creeping up my neck. Not from embarrassment. Not from my hot water bottle. From the feelings stirring inside my belly, the throbbing sensation between my legs. “We’re not in a cold server room,” I remind him.

“We’re not.” But he doesn’t do anything.

“We also won’t have any interruptions.” I smile at him. His eyes fall to my lips, and I know he wants to kiss me, and I so badly want him to.

“You want me to kiss you here now?” he asks, as if reading my mind.

I tilt my face upwards in answer. He moves his head closer to mine and I brace myself in anticipation, but at the last minute, he moves away. “I don’t want to take advantage of you, not in this condition.”

I’m about to protest when we hear a knock at the door. My heart sinks, because I already know who it is. So much for not being interrupted.

Bless him. But also, Arthur, why now?

I open the door and he sees Matteo over my shoulder. “Are you okay, Lizzie?” he asks.

I laugh. “Relax, Arthur, it's fine. He's my...” I trail off, suddenly unsure what to call Matteo.

My boss?

My friend?

The guy who almost kissed me at work and then came to see me at home with a care package?

Matteo steps forward and offers his hand. “I’m Matteo.”

Arthur ignores the hand completely, his gaze going instead to his tattoos and bracelets. “Shouldn't you be at work?” he asks. “What is it that you do?”

I’m horrified. “Arthur!”

“What?” He looks genuinely offended. “I'm doing due diligence.”

Matteo laughs. “I ... uh ... I work with computers.”

I groan and cover my face. “Arthur, please stop interrogating my guests.”

Arthur points a finger at Matteo. “Just remember, son. This floor has very thin walls and a surprisingly efficient neighbourhood watch.”

Matteo's mouth twitches. “Noted.”

Arthur studies him for another second, then nods once. “Alright. You seem less suspicious than the last boyfriend.”

“I've never had a boyfriend here,” I protest.

“Exactly,” Arthur says. “Which is why the bar is currently very low.”

Before I can die of embarrassment, he pats my shoulder. “Feel better, Lizzie.”

Then he wanders back toward his apartment. I close the door and lean my forehead against it. Behind me, Matteo is laughing and I turn around and start laughing, too.

Chapter 21

MATTEO