Page 98 of My Italian Love Affair

Because no matter how much I try to will this away, it’s still there, burning hot and impossible to ignore.

The fact that I just let Matteo Rossi -MatteofuckingRossi- touch me like that.

Kiss me like that.

Make me fall apart like that.

My stomach twists as panic surges up my throat, threatening to choke me.

This can’t have just happened.

Mark tried to hit on me, Matteo had to step in, and instead of walking away like a sane, rational person, I letthishappen.

I let him have me.

And what’s worse,I wanted it.

A heavy silence stretches between us, and Matteo leans back against the counter, watching me with an unreadable expression.

I clear my throat, crossing my arms tightly over my chest and trying to pretend like my world isn’t currently tilting on its axis.

“I - I’m on the pill,” I blurt out.

The words tumble out so quickly, I barely even process them.

Matteo blinks, caught off guard. Then, slowly, a smirk tugs at his lips.

“Good to know.”

I nearly groan aloud.

“Right. Okay. Well. I should go.”

I turn on my heel so fast that I nearly trip over my own feet.

I don’t dare look back as I push out of the stall, my heart hammering as I move swiftly through the bathroom, towards the exit.

I just need to get out of here.

Away from him. Away from my own mortifying decisions.

I shove open the door and step out into the dimly lit hallway, my pulse still thudding in my ears.

I don’t even know where I’m going - just that I need to be anywhere but here.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Matteo

Ilet her go.

I don’t follow.

Instead, I count to ten in my head, inhaling sharply through my nose as I hear the rapid click of her heels against the marble floor, the faint rush of air as the bathroom door swings open, then shut.

She’s gone.

The only trace of her left behind is the ghost of her touch on my skin, the sharp taste of her still lingering on my tongue, the scent of her perfume in the air.

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