Page 166 of My Italian Love Affair

"I was going to say ‘sack of potatoes’, actually."

I feel his laughter vibrate through me, deep and warm, and before I can stop myself, I’m laughing too.

And that’s the problem, isn’t it?

That this isn’t just heat. It’s not just sharp words and frustration and the kind of chemistry that makes me feel like I’m burning from the inside out.

It’sthis, too.

Him making me laugh, effortlessly.

Him looking at me like I’m the only person in the world who matters.

Him kissing me like -

My thoughts cut off when his lips move against my throat, slower now, softer, his fingers trailing along my bare shoulder like he’s memorising every inch of me.

“Come on,” he says. “Let’s take this upstairs.”

Chapter Forty-Two

Daphne

Iraise an eyebrow as Matteo leads me through his home.

When we reach the top of the staircase, he opens a heavy, carved door to reveal his bedroom.

A king-sized bed dominates the centre of the room, dressed in crisp linens and a scattering of plush pillows. Heavy curtains frame a window that offers a breathtaking view of the city lights twinkling far below, and he gently places me down in the room as the door clicks shut behind us.

“Your home is so beautiful,” I find myself murmuring as I look out of the large window.

“Thank you,” he murmurs, his voice low and inviting. “I wanted somewhere to get away from all the chaos.”

It’s then that he steps closer, his fingers trailing down my waist in a caress that makes my skin tingle, and I’m thoroughly distracted from the beauty of Rome.

“You drive me fuckingcrazy,” he murmurs, his accent rich.

“Trust me, you’re equally insufferable,” I tease.

“Maybe,” he laughs. “But either way, tonight, I’m all yours.”

"Matteo," I whisper.

He hums against my skin. "Mmm?"

Ishouldsay something snarky. Ishouldtease him.

But I don’t.

Because the way he’s looking at me right now - dark eyes full of something almost too intense to name - makes me forget how to do anything but feel.

I’m lost in the intensity of his gaze, my breath shallow as I try to collect myself.

His dark eyes are filled with something that both excites and unsettles me as his lips hover over mine, and I can feel the tension building between us, thicker than ever before.

It’s like every time I think I’ve caught my breath, he pulls me under again.

“Why do you always do this to me?” I murmur, barely able to keep my voice steady.

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