Page 60 of A Winter Wedding Adventure
She wanted to repeat it without any clothing at all – exposed, sincere. Dangerous. She could so clearly see why Mattia didn’t understand casual intimacy. Perhaps he wasn’t capable of it.
His hold loosened, but she wasn’t prepared to let him go yet. A chuckle echoed in his chest, under her ear, and he steered them towards the pantry. Rummaging one-handed in a box, he produced a small morsel she couldn’t properly see, then tugged at her bottom lip with one finger.
‘Open.’
Her heartbeat stalled at the sensation of his fingertip on her mouth, but she did as he instructed without thought. A moment later, the flavour of dark chocolate burst on her tongue and she savoured it with a sigh.
Realising she’d closed her eyes, she wrenched them open to see Mattia watching her from close range, a small, pained smile on his expressive lips. His thumb brushed her mouth once more.
‘I love how your bottom lip is so firm and strong and practical.’ His voice wasn’t quite steady. Pressing up with his thumb, he continued, ‘But your top lip is soft and giving.’
Kira froze, recognising the panicked reflex that was demanding she push him away, mock him for his sentimental words and re-establish her comfortable equilibrium where she could plausibly deny feeling anything that would push her too far. But she remembered too well the sensation of his mouth on hers, full of wanting, demanding she believe him. All of a sudden, the best solution to all of her problems appeared to be more kissing.
Until he was the one to move away.
24
The hiss and crackle of the eggs reverberating in Mattia’s ears, he whirled and stumbled in his rush to save the food – and therefore the wooden building – from burning.
Che cavolo, he suspected he might have just missed out on another kiss. But he was trying to be practical – helpful – not dreamy Matty with his head in the clouds.
He hadn’t ruined the eggs, thankfully. Just the moment. Stealing another glance at her, he wondered when – if – he’d get another chance. Even the way she frowned lightly at the coffee grounds made him want to pull her close. He was so sick of staying away from her.
He wanted to know how she was feeling about seeing her ex, convince her she was doing a great job in difficult circumstances. He wanted to hug her again – kiss her until she gave him that giddy smile she saved for special occasions.
Anything between them would be the definition of casual, but… he could try that out. He could turn this wedding delay into a blessing in disguise, like their first night together in Salzburg.
‘Has Alessandra come down yet?’ she mumbled before he had a chance to cheer her up. ‘I haven’t seen her since I built the fire in her room.’
He shook his head. ‘She won’t take a chance on Joe seeing her in case the wedding is still going ahead.’
He wasn’t surprised when Kira grimaced and said flatly, ‘It’s not.’ She poured the coffee into an insulated pot and closed the lid. ‘I suppose I’d better go see her.’
‘I’ll come with you. Here, have some eggs first.’
‘Mattia, I?—’
Before she could protest further, he slipped a forkful into her mouth, expecting and rather enjoying her put-out expression.
‘This is ridicul—’ Her tone already lacked conviction and when she licked her lips and gave a satisfying ‘Mmm’, he knew he’d done the right thing. The next time he prepared a bite for her, she opened her mouth eagerly. ‘Delicious. This is delicious.’
‘You’re hungry,’ he said mildly.
She snatched the plate from him and wolfed down two more mouthfuls. She finished the omelette before he’d even gathered his thoughts, brushing past him with a sigh.
In the dining room, she greeted the wedding party with a tight smile and the assurance that she’d be right back with an update on the weather and they should sit tight.
‘I can imagine you as an expedition leader,’ he said when he caught up with her in the hallway, shoving his hands in his pockets against the sudden cold so far from the fireplace.
‘Better than as a wedding planner,’ she said. Stopping suddenly at the top of the stairs, she whirled to face him. ‘You seem happy that the wedding isn’t going ahead.’
He hesitated, his mind racing. ‘I’m not happy,’ he insisted. ‘I know she’ll be upset and I’m not looking forward to that, but I did see certain other possibilities now this has happened.’
‘What possibilities?’ she asked with a snort.
He gave half a shrug. ‘Like… what nearly happened in the kitchen.’
‘What nearly happened in the—’ She sucked in a swift breath. ‘I don’t know what you were trying to do in the kitchen.’
