Page 98 of Matteo

I open my mouth then close it again. What is he asking? He wants me to go to Italy with him, or to visit his mom? Either way, we’re moving too fast. And yet the idea is exciting. This is good. He wants to spend more time with me. Away from work and our usual surroundings.

But doubt sets in. What will people at work say when we're both away from the office at the same time? What will his father think?

Go, my heart whispers. It's not too soon. My heart battles with my mind. Everything about us getting together has been so strange and serendipitous. If I take up his offer, we'll get to spend precious time alone, and I'm curious about his world. I'm even more curious about his family, and his mom. His voice softened when he mentioned her, and I feel relieved that he has a parent he seems to care about.

The idea of discovering more about where he comes from, and his family, the things that mean so much to me because I don't have them, tug at me, and I start to entertain his proposal.

“I have to go to Croatia,” I blurt out, then hesitate for a second. “For … for a friend’s wedding.”

“Croatia?” He sounds surprised.

“I have friends there.”

“I don't doubt that.” He laces his fingers in mine and turns to face me, his head still resting against the headrest. “We could travel together. You go to your friend's wedding, and I'll visit my mom. Think about it.”

I blink a few times, unsure if he's being serious or if he means it.

“Think about it,” he says, like I needed to hear it again. This time his hungry gaze falls to my lips and suddenly I know he’s going to kiss me.

I don’t move or shift away.

I wait.

He reaches for me slowly, his head inching slowly closer to me. His hand frames my face just as his lips press to mine. My body reacts, instantly, heat rushing through me, every nerve ending jangling at his touch. I melt into the kiss before I can stop myself, my hands sliding to his chest, then his shoulders, then his biceps. I'm eager to explore and touch as we kiss, deep and hungry, like it's the first time we're making out.

The noises he makes, low and dirty in the back of his throat, speak to the most intimate parts of my body. It’s the kind of kiss that signals a point of no return. No pretending. No dancing around. He palms my breast, over my clothes, and my breasts turn heavy. I long to feel his mouth on them. I'm already so wet and so horny for him that I could so easily ...

“Matteo,” I whisper, in between kisses.

He pulls away quickly, lips moist, eyes shining. “Moving too fast?”

“N-no ...it's just that ... I'm still on my—”

He nods. “Got it. Okay. We can wait.”

I look away, feeling embarrassed but he slips his finger under my chin, tilts my head up.

“It's okay, Elizabeth. We don't have to move so fast.”

“I can make up the couch for you,” I offer.

“Thanks. If you give me a pillow and a blanket, I’ll be fine.”

I'm about to get up and fetch these things when he grabs my wrist. “But I’m not about to fall asleep just yet. Takes me a while sometimes.”

I slip back onto the couch, but he arranges himself. Kicks off his sneakers and asks if he can lay his head on my lap.

Who am I to say no?

Chapter 24

MATTEO

I wake up and for a moment I don’t know where I am. The ceiling looks unfamiliar, the room small, the air smells like coffee and laundry detergent.

Then it all comes back.

Elizabeth. Central Park. The kiss, the pedicab, the hotdogs. I'm in her apartment, and I must have fallen asleep with my head on her lap. She was stroking my hair, my face, and I felt the most relaxed I've felt in a long time.