Page 84 of Ruined By Protection
"It's right there after the chapter on sharing sexy cooking duties and before the section on not making the same mistake twice." I shrug as if it's common knowledge. "I don't make the rules, I just wrote them. In my head. Last Tuesday."
For a moment, I think I've miscalculated completely. Her face remains frozen and I prepare for an incoming missile when she throws something at me. Then I see it—the tiniest twitch at the corner of her mouth, fighting her determination to stay mad at whatever I’ve done.
"That's the meanest thing I've ever heard," she says, but there's a crack in her icy demeanor.
"Oh, it gets worse. There's a whole appendix dedicated to communicating after intimacy and not leaping to conclusions. Very controversial stuff." I take a cautious step closer. "Look, I know something happened. Last night was... it meant something. To both of us. Then I get up in the morning and suddenly you're planning to flee the state? Something doesn't add up."
She looks away, the brief moment of humor evaporating. "It's complicated."
"I specialize in complicated, bella. It's literally my job description." I sweeten my voice. "Talk to me. Whatever it is, we can figure it out."
CHAPTER 26
Hazel
Ifeel my resolve weakening under Matteo's ridiculous yet insightful book comments. The man is infuriating—somehow finding a way to make me want to smile when all I want is to stay angry. But he’s nailed my behaviour and I can’t deny I’m acting childishly.
"I never had you down for a literary gentleman," I say, trying to keep my voice firm despite the crack in my armor and failing because for some reason I cannot resist dropping into a Southern Belle Scarlett O’Hara accent.
"Never said I was." Matteo grins as he takes another step closer, and I fight the urge to back away. "I'm just trying to understand what changed."
"What changed is I woke up and came to my senses," I say, lifting my chin. "Whatever this was between us—" I gesture between us, "—it stopped the moment I opened my eyes this morning."
His brow furrows. "I don't believe you."
"That's not my problem." I cross my arms tighter, creating a barrier between us. "I made a mistake. I was vulnerable and emotional after everything with Elliott and you were... convenient."
The lies taste bitter on my tongue, but I force them out anyway. Better to hurt him now than let myself be hurt again. I don't want to drag that redhead into this. He hurt her too apparently. But she won't fix their relationship.
"Convenient?" His voice drops dangerously low. "Is that what last night was to you?"
"Yes." The deceit burns my throat. "And now I need to focus on getting my divorce and rebuilding my life. I can't do that surrounded by... complications."
"Complications." He repeats the word like he's testing its weight.
I look away, unable to meet his eyes. "I need to be left alone, Matteo. Please."
"Look at me, Hazel." Something in his tone makes me turn back to him. His eyes delve deep into mine, searching for the truth I'm trying so hard to hide. "What aren't you telling me?"
"Nothing." I swallow hard. "I just... I can't do this. Any of it. I need space to figure out my life without Elliott, without jumping into something else that's going to hurt me."
A flash of understanding crosses his face. "You think I'm going to hurt you."
"I know you will." It blurts out before I can stop it, raw and honest. "Men like you always do."
"Men like me?" His jaw tightens. "You don't know what kind of man I am."
"Don't I?" I let out an empty laugh. "I know enough. I know you're dangerous. I know you have women throwing themselves at you. I know this—" I gesture between us "—means something different to you than it does to me."
"And what does it mean to you?" he challenges, the interest sparking in his eyes.
I shake my head, feeling tears threatening. "It doesn't matter. Please, Matteo. I'm begging you to leave me alone."
His expression shifts—a hardening, a closing off. It's a look I haven't seen from him before, cold and distant, like metal shutters coming down over a window.
"Fine." The word comes out clipped. "If that's what you want."
"It is."
