Page 29 of Cavaliere

“No.” I wince. “I’m sorry. I really am. I promise I’ll let you know if anything else randomly flashes back through.”

“Alright, tesoro. I trust you.”

My breath catches in my throat. I know a guy like him, especially in the line of work that he’s in, doesn't trust easily. It sounds so stupid, but I feel like he just gave me the world. A girl could easily give her heart away to a man like him. He’s so easy to get wrapped up in, and that’s so fucking scary. The last thing I need is to be left putting the pieces back together after he moves on to his next fixation.

“Thank you,” I murmur, unable to meet his gaze.

“You’re welcome,” Matteo answers just as softly. “Let’s go to bed. I want you to take some of the pills Aldo left you too. You need to rest.”

“Alright.” I’m too tired to argue with him now. I don’t miss the shock that flashes through his eyes at my agreement. “Can I shower really quick? I always feel greasy after my shifts.”

“You can do whatever you want,” Matteo replies as he stands up and starts unbuttoning his shirt. “My home is your home.”

I quickly avert my gaze, focusing on anything but him, as I jump up, grabbing my suitcase and beelining it to the bathroom. My cheeks are on fire at the thought of a shirtless Matteo. I need to take a cold shower—a very cold shower.

The hot water of the shower made me realize how exhausted I really am. I’ve been running on fumes and adrenaline for the last few weeks, and I didn’t even realize it until now. I imagine Matteo’s bed is going to feel like I’m sleeping at a five-star hotel. The pillows look like those huge fluffy ones that just cradle your head. Is it bad that I’m secretly hoping I’ll get to sleep with his arms around me?

With my suitcase in tow, I exit the bathroom to find a shirtless Matteo in only a pair of dark gray boxer briefs sitting on the edge of his side of the bed.

Jesus.

Does every piece of clothing this man owns mold to him? The dark gray color of the fabric emphasizes his thick cock even more than his tailored slacks.

“See something you like, tesoro?” My gaze shoots up to his face to see his cocky smirk.

Busted.

“No,” I rush out, face on fire. I wheel my suitcase over to what I’m assuming is my side of the bed and push it up against the wall.

“Here.” A cotton T-shirt is thrown at me, landing on the bed. Meeting his stare, I raise my eyebrow in question. “To sleep in” is his simple response.

“I already have something to sleep in.” I move my hands up and down my body. “I packed a bag, remember?” I know I didn’t dream of him demanding and barking orders at me only a few hours prior.

“I know. And now I’m telling you to put that on.”

“Why?”

“Because when you’re in my bed, Wren, you wear my shirt,” he says in a tone that leaves no room for arguments.

Ugh, I’m too tired to deal with these mood swings. “Fine,” I snap, grabbing the shirt off the bed and heading back to the bathroom to change. I hate that he’s picked up on the little detail that I like to sleep in baggy shirts. I thought guys weren’t supposed to notice shit like that.

The cotton feels incredibly soft against my skin. Inhaling deeply, I take in Matteo’s warm and spicy scent. It’s a smell that instantly makes me want to take him for a ride.

A rumbling noise is coming from Matteo as he takes me as I cut the short distance between the bathroom and the bed.

“I love seeing you in my shirt. This is what you’ll wear every night.” He growls.

“I’ll think about it.” I yawn, crawling under the fluffy duvet.

I’m not left waiting more than a few seconds after I’m settled before Mateo slings his arm around me, pulling me in close.

“Go to sleep, tesoro,” he mumbles against my head. I wait until I hear his breathing even out before I finally ask the question I’ve been meaning to ask him for a while now.

“Matteo?” I whisper, half hoping he’s asleep.

“Yeah?” he whispers back.

“What does tesoro mean?”