Page 44 of Bella Rosa
Rosa holds her nose as we jump into the water together. The warm water surrounds us, the bubbles from our entry tickling my sides. My hand still firmly grasping hers, we resurface.
She's laughing so hard she can barely keep herself up. "Now you can check skinny dipping off your bucket list!"
"And now I'm the last person you skinny dipped with."
Rosalie
It's 7:30PM when we pull up at Alda's. I can barely hold my head up. I'm exhausted and I feel like I've been run over by a bus. I can't wait to go take a shower and get in bed. Matteo gets out of the car and comes around to my side before I can even get my seat belt off. I feel like I'm moving in slow motion. Exhaustion is winning the battle. He opens my door, chuckling as he helps me out. "Come on, sleepy head."
"Hey! I'm going as fast as I can mister speedy pants!"
Leaning down, he whispers in my ear. "You didn't call me speedy pants last night. I took my time with you."
My face is bright red as he picks me up bridal style and starts walking to the door. I don't put up a fight because I really don't have the desire to walk up the stairs. When we walk in the front door, Juli is setting the table for dinner.
Juli looks up, and her smile shifts to concern. "Is she alright?"
I open my mouth to answer, but Matteo beats me to it. "She's fine, just tired. We're going to go up and get her stuff."
I lift my head up off his shoulder. "Get my stuff?"
"You're coming home with me." He sets me down at the dining table before pulling a chair out for me. "Stay here and I’ll pack your stuff."
I stand there and glare at him with my arms crossed. "Do I have a say in the matter?"
He gives me a smile as he walks up the stairs. "Not really."
I start to walk after him. "Well, what if I don't want to go?"
He stops a few stairs up and turns to face me. "You don't want to go?"
I sigh. "Of course I do. It just would have been nice to be asked."
He steps down one stair. "Fine. Would you like to move in with me for the duration of your stay?"
I walk past him so I can go to my room. I suddenly don't feel as tired. "Yes. I would like to move in with you for the duration of my stay."
He comes up behind me and scoops me up and throws me over his shoulder. He gives me a little tap on the butt for good measure. "Good."
I look over at Juli as Matteo carries me up the stairs. She smiles up at me. "When you're done you can eat some dinner," she calls, giving me a thumbs up before we disappear around the corner.
When we reach my room, Matteo sets me down in front of my door. I reach into my bag and look for my key. Before I can find it, he spins me around and pushes me back against the wall.
He starts talking so quickly I almost can't keep up. "Are you sure you want to go? I wasn't thinking. I just assumed. I should have asked. I should have—"
I put my hand over his mouth to silence him. "Yes I want to go. Just ask next time."
I can see the relief on his face. I move my hand off his mouth so he can speak. He hangs his head. "I'm sorry. I've never done this before."
I lift his chin up. I can't stand that look on his face. "Done what?"
"This." He motions between us. "A relationship. I don't know what I'm doing. All I know is I can't stand the thought of not spending as much time with you as possible while you're here, and the easiest way to do that is for you to come home with me."
I smile up at him. "I don't know what I'm doing either." I've had relationships here and there, but nothing like this. This is uncharted territory.
"Let's figure it out together then." He kisses me on the lips and steps back so I'll have enough room to open the door. "Let's get your stuff."
I finally find my key and open the door. We quickly pack and go down for dinner. I can hear Alda in the kitchen banging around. Juli walks over, grabbing my arm and pulls me into the reception area.
