Page 23 of Bella Rosa
She hesitates once again before she says so quietly I almost can't hear her, "I'm afraid of storms."
I tighten my grip around her. The need to keep this woman safe is overwhelming. "It's okay. We're all afraid of something. It's nothing to be ashamed of."
I can feel her shake her head against my chest. "You don't understand."
"Then help me understand."
She sighs and buries her head even deeper against my chest. "My dad died when I was fourteen." I tense at her words but I don't stop rubbing small circles on her back. She takes a moment before continuing. "We were visiting my grandparents in southern France for the summer. We rode on a Vespa to the coast for the day." Her hesitation to ride my Vespa suddenly makes sense.
"We took a sailboat out. Just my dad and I. We didn't go far off the coast. We just wanted to get a good view and swim for a while." She sniffs and wipes at her face with the back of her hand. I pull her even closer to me. I don't say a word as I wait for her to continue.
"A freak storm rolled in. It was pretty bad. Lots of lightning and heavy wind."
She lets out a shaky breath while she breaks my heart.
"We lost control of the boat. We almost capsized and I fell overboard. My father rushed to help me back on the boat. I swam as hard as I could toward him. He fell overboard as he was pulling me over the railing. I had a life jacket on, but he didn't. I've been afraid of storms ever since."
I feel like my heart is in my throat. "It took the rescuers eighteen hours to find me." That one sentence destroys me.
I shift her so I can look at her face. I need to look at her. Touch her. Neither of us speak as we take each other in for a few moments. She's so close but I can barely see her eyes because of the darkness surrounding us. "Thank you." She says so quietly I almost can't hear her over the rain beating on the roof.
"For what?" I'm still rubbing circles on her back because I can't stop touching her.
She catches a drop of water from my hair with her thumb as it runs down my cheek. "For rescuing me." This woman is going to ruin me. That doesn't bother me. Not one bit. Not anymore.
"Always." I almost lose my mind when I see the change in her eyes.
"Matteo?"
"Yes, Rosa?"
She moves so she's straddling me. I grab her head with both hands and stroke her bottom lip with my thumb. She lets out a little sigh that is almost my undoing. "Tell me to stop, Rosa."
"Claim me, Matteo, and don't you dare stop."
That's all the permission I need before I claim her mouth. One taste and I know I'm ruined forever.
I'm not gentle as I slide one arm around her waist and slide my other hand around to take control of her neck. In one swift movement I move her so she's laying on her back. She parts her mouth as an invitation I will gladly accept as I settle myself between her legs. Right where I belong. She doesn't hold back as she meets me kiss for kiss. She reaches her hands up to run her fingers through my hair and I groan into her mouth.
I slide both hands down until I find her plump ass and push her dress up her thighs. I slide my hands under her dress and up her tight body until I find the bottom edge of her bra. I gently squeeze her there as a silent plea for permission to keep going.
She nods her head and I sigh with relief. We don't break our kiss as I tease a nipple through the lace of her bra. I'm rewarded with a moan. That is my new favorite sound.
I continue to tease her nipple as I move my other hand down to take a palm full of her ass. I'm hard as steel as I rock against her. I've dreamt about this moment and my dreams could never compare to the reality of Rosa beneath me.
One touch and I know no other woman could ever compare. I stop before we go too far. "I'm taking you on a date." It's not a question.
My eyes have slightly adjusted to the darkness, so I can clearly see her expression now. I search her face for any sign that what just happened was as powerful for her as it was for me. I'm met with certainty and longing. She gives me a little nod before she answers. "Absolutely."
15
Where Did You Come From?
Rosalie
Wehaven'tmoved.I'mlaying on the bench, and Matteo is hovering over me. I agreed to go on a date with him and I don't regret it. Not yet anyway. We only have twelve days, but I know I'll regret it for the rest of my life if I don't take what little time we've been given.
I know my heart will be broken in the end, but it'll be worth it. I hope so anyway.
