Page 213 of My Italian Love Affair

With her, it justis.

Eventually, I set my water bottle aside and tug her back into my arms, guiding her head onto my chest. My fingers find her hair, threading through the strands in slow, lazy strokes.

"You okay?" I murmur, my lips brushing the top of her head.

She exhales softly, nodding against my skin.

"Yeah. I think I am."

A satisfied hum rumbles through my chest as I press a quick kiss against her hair.

"Good."

I intertwine our fingers, my grip firm, my touch steady.

"And I meant what I said about Mark," I continue, my voice dropping slightly. "I’ll handle it. You just keep doing what you do best."

"What’s that?" she asks, teasing. "Getting into arguments with arrogant footballers?"

I chuckle, squeezing her hand.

"No."

I tilt my head slightly, pressing my lips to the edge of her jaw, just because I can.

"Being you. Smart. Stubborn. And brilliant at what you do."

She stills for just a fraction of a second.

Then shemelts.

I feel it in the way her body relaxes against mine, in the way she exhales like she’s been holding onto something tight all day and is finally letting it go.

I don’t say anything else.

I just tighten my hold on her and let her lean.

Chapter Fifty-Two

Daphne

The first thing I notice when I wake up is that Matteo isn't here.

The second thing I notice is the text message waiting for me.

Morning, bella. Early training today. Didn’t want to wake you - you looked too cute drooling on my chest.

I groan and fling the phone onto the bed beside me.

I didnotdrool.

But I can’t stop the small smile that tugs at my lips.

Shit.

I’ve got it bad.

Shaking my head, I roll out of bed and stretch, wincing slightly as the delicious ache between my legs from last night makes itself known.

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