Page 77 of Ice To Meet You

“Really? Maurice knows what your shower gel smells like?”

I rolled my eyes. “No, but I’m serious. You usually look so put together. Right now, you look like you’ve been here all weekend working in the cellar.”

He huffed a laugh. “Little known secret … I'm scared of spiders. But so what if they think I’ve been here, corrupting the boss? They’ll find out soon enough.”

My gut churned. “No. They can’t know. Nobody can.”

Matteo blinked three times before his face fell. He hung on to the handle of the door leading to the gallery. “Why?” His voice was quiet, and I longed to kiss away the crease between his brows.

“We need to keep the two of us a secret for the moment.” His scowl deepened and my chest tugged.

“Because?” he ground out.

I stood up, my chair squeaking against the floor. With a shake of my head, I joined him, pulling him back inside my apartment. “Because I don’t think now would be the best time for us to go public. It’s only been two days, and you know how people love to gossip.”

He dragged his feet as I pulled him back through the door and my heart broke at the downturn of his lips. “I think it would be best if we didn’t mention you and I until after the exhibition.”

At my suggestion, he widened his eyes. “Are you ashamed of me?” His voice was deathly quiet, and my stomach flipped.

“No,” I said, taking him by the hands. “But I don’t want the gallery or the exhibition opening to be overshadowed by anything. I want it to be about Luc, and …”

“And about my grandfather’s investment?”

Matteo hit the nail on the head full-on and my face flushed with heat.

“Yes,” I whispered. I took his hand, threading my fingers through his. “It’s not that I’m ashamed of you, I promise. I’vehad the most incredible weekend. But what if people found out about us? When they hear about Gio’s support, they could assume I’ve used you. The Paris art scene is so gossipy. If they knew we’d even met outside the gallery, they’d think I was only with you because of your grandfather.”

Emotions ran across his face, and none of them were good. My reasons had been honest, but they weren’t my only concern. If people knew we were seeing each other, they’d also find out he was younger than me. I didn’t want anyone passing judgement on the two of us for that reason, either.

His dark lashes trembled, and he opened his mouth to speak.

Before he could, though, I kissed the back of his knuckles. “Matteo. I’ve worked long and hard to build my reputation here in Paris. One wrong move could bring everything down around me. Rome would be a distant pipe dream, and I’d be back at square one.”

His dark eyes bounced around my face, almost tearing my guts out with their intensity. “You’re serious?”

I let out a long, uneven breath. “I have to be. I know I’m asking a lot, and perhaps being selfish, but I really like you, and I don’t want anything to rail-road us before we’ve had a chance to start.”

He studied me for the longest time, and my heart thundered in my chest. I desperately wanted to keep seeing Matteo, but I had to be practical.

After a time, he shook his head, leaning against the counter. He eyed me steadily. “If boss and employee are how you want things, I’ll comply. But I need a few ground rules myself.”

“You need ground rules?”

He nodded, running his hand down Claudette’s back. She was trying everything in her power to distract him, rubbing against his arm like she’d never see him again.

“Yes,” he said. “I’m turning over a new leaf. I’ve decided toenter my responsible adult era. But if I’m going to abide by your rules, I have some questions—and a few clarifications.”

My shoulders softened. “Okay then. Fire away.”

“Can I talk to you in front of other people?”

I smiled. “Don’t be silly, of course you can.”

“I mean, without a chaperone present. I wouldn’t want people getting the wrong idea.” His eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Of course, Matteo.”

“What happens if I accidentally touch you?” he asked, stepping a little closer. “Will you have my suits hot-wired to deliver an electric shock if our skin brushes?”

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