Page 88 of Ice To Meet You

I took a second to process his words, pulling away and finding his eyes. “Is that meant to be funny?”

His eyes grew. “No. Why?”

“I’ve said this before. If there’s even a hint your grandfather is investing in me, everyone will think I seduced you for his money.”

Matteo pulled back, holding me at arm’s length. “That’s crazy. Esmé. Everyone who came tonight knows how good you are at what you do. They’d know that wasn’t true.”

I swept my arm toward the empty space. “Then where are they? Where are my super fans? My supposed new investors?”

He didn’t answer, because we both knew. They were gone.

“How could you not tell me about the video?” I asked, my voice tight and quiet.

“I told you. I didn’t watch it. But if I had, you would’ve only worried.”

“For good reason, it turns out. I can’t believe you thought zip lining was a good idea.”

He rolled his eyes. “Fine, I messed up, but I wasn’t expecting cameras, rain, or misbehaving shorts.”

When I didn’t smile, he blinked slowly.

“You must know I didn’t set out to hurt you. I’d never want to hurt you,” he reached out and touched my arm. “I wanted to share a part of my world with you. To let you see the real me, outside of art and galleries, and … my grandfather.” He took my hand and ran his thumb over my wrist. “I admit, I could’ve taken you somewhere less risky, but I wanted you to feel the same thrill thatIlove.”

I shook my head, searching his eyes. “Are you serious?”

He huffed a wry laugh. “Apparently not. Not enough for my grandfather, anyway.” He linked his fingers through mine. “I wanted to share a rush with you, if only in a small way. But if I’d known any of this would happen … I’d have never asked you to come with me to the forest.”

I sorted through his words in my head. I loved that he wanted to show me some of his world, but tonight, it’d back-fired spectacularly.

True, if I hadn’t gone with him, we wouldn’t be here now—not like this. He wouldn’t have tended to my post-zip-line burn or spent the weekend in my bed.

But I couldn’t say I wouldn’t have given in to my desire under different circumstances. And that was the problem. Matteo was a magnet, and right now, I needed to be free of any external forces while I figured out Rome—and my future.

I reached out, resting my hand on his arm. The warmth of him, steady and real, was almost enough to break me. But not quite.

I took a breath, my heart screaming against what my brain was forcing me to say. “I think you should go.”

His eyes widened and the apple at his throat bobbed.

“Your being here—it’s only going to make things worse.”

“I don’t want you to be on your own.”

“I know. But I think it’s for the best. You were heading to the snow this weekend, anyway, weren’t you?” He’d told me he was taking a trip with friends.

“Tomorrow morning.”

“Then maybe go early? It’ll give you a chance to clear your head, too. We’ll talk when you get back.”

Matteo pulled me into a hug, his arms strong and sure around me. He pressed his lips to my forehead, his breath quick against my hair. “Are we okay?” he murmured.

I lifted my chin, brushing my lips against his. Soft. Warm.

But I didn’t answer. I didn’t know what lay ahead. Right now, I was adrift.

“I’ll see you on Monday, Matteo.”

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