Page 79 of Ice To Meet You

She turned her lips to mine, her breath at my mouth. “Definitely,” she whispered before running her hand across my buttocks with a grin.

My body jumped to attention. “Sweet lord,” I groaned, my growing hardness pressing at my fly. “Can’t you just put me out of my misery? I don’t want to hide away like this.”

She brought her lips to my ear. “Like what?”

I swallowed. “Like you’re ashamed of us—of me. Trying to hide.”

Esmé sighed and stepped away, running her palms down my arms. “We’ve talked about this. I’m not ashamed of anything, but in our situation, timing is important.”

I hung my head, clasping her hands. “But I want to dothiswith you—out in the open.” I took her hand and brushed my lips over the back of her knuckles. “I want to touch you. To hold you. I want people to know we’re together.”

Her eyes searched mine. “I know, and I want that, too. Just give me this weekend. After that, I swear, you can hold me anywhere you want—as long as it doesn’t get us arrested.”

Something warm flickered in my chest. Last time we’d talked, she’d asked for more time—for my grandfather to formally invest in her new gallery. Now, all she wanted was the weekend. Until Luc’s exhibition was over.

“Si.” I nodded, pressing a kiss to her nose.

A knock at the door made us both jump.

“Matteo. Are you still in there? I have a question about one of the paintings.”

My gut sank. Lola. She’d been an almost constant presence these last few days. Esmé still had her and me working together. She’d been slightly distant, and I’d become more and more creative about my regular disappearances to check in with Esmé. This time, I’d told her there was a problem with the boiler.

“Matteo,” she said, knocking again.

Esmé widened her eyes, shaking her head.

“I’ll be out in a minute!” I called. Esmé and I had been in here for at least twenty. Who knew what Lola thought I was doing.

After a long beat, the door handle rattled—twice—and I rolled my eyes. Lola was like a dog with a bone. Ever since her birthday, I’d catch her watching me. Not with desire, but as if she were studying me, tracking my every move.

“But what are you doing?” she asked. “It can’t take that long to check pipes.”

I looked at Esmé, a smirk on my face, wiggling my brows. If only Lola knew.

Esmé wagged her head at me like I was a naughty child. The door handle rattled again, and I raised my hands at my sides.

“I’ll deal with her,” she hissed, smoothing down her dress.

She moved to the door, and I followed, fighting a smile. After a brief pause, she took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and unlocked it.

Her eyes stayed locked on mine—completely ignoring Lola, who stood right outside, her mouth hanging open when she saw our boss.

“And that’s the problem with limescale buildup in these old boilers …” Esmé said smoothly. “Oh! Lola. Have you come to check on the heating, too? I’ve done my best, but I may have to call a plumber.”

“Get back to work, Matteo,”she said with a flick of her eyebrow.

My body fizzed with longing as I watched her walk away. Esmé was incredible—brave, unapologetic, and completely captivating. I couldn’t wait for the day we could be together without hiding.

“What were you doing in there?” Lola asked, her eyes narrowing.

I winked at her. “Limescale buildup. It’s a thing. Google it.”

27

ESMÉ

Ileft the storeroom, crossing the gallery to my desk. When I reached my chair, I let out the breath I’d held since Matteo and I bumped into Lola at the door. Talk about a close call. Honestly, I had no idea if limescale build up was even a thing.

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