Page 30 of His to Have
He pushed off the wall, stepping inside. “Rummaging through my things?” There was a hint of amusement as he took the frame from my hand. He glanced at it for a moment before sitting it back on the table. “This was a good night.” His heated gaze met mine.
I nodded slowly, memories flooding back. “It was,” I admitted softly.
That night had been the day things changed. Up until that day he had really walked that fine line between a brotherly figure and a more complex relationship.
“So, did you find what you were looking for?” he asked curiously, moving on from the photo to study my face.
I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. “I wasn’t... I mean, I didn’t come in here looking for anything particular,” I said,feeling a little guilty for intruding into his personal space. “I came looking for you. I wanted to discuss the wedding, and then my boutique.”
Teo’s lips curved into a slight smirk, his head tilting just enough to signal he didn’t entirely believe me. “It’s all good. But if you want to know more about me Amore, there are much easier ways.” he said smoothly, stepping closer, his voice dropping just enough to make my heart stutter.
I opened my mouth, but no words came out as his gaze bore into mine.
“Come on, let me formally show you the property,” he continued, his tone softening. But it never lost its edge or the way he commanded my attention. “It’s yours anyway, I bought it with you in mind.”
He grabbed me by the hand and led me out of the room and through the expansive hallways of his home. I chose not to comment on his last statement, because it further made clear he’d been planning for a future, when I hadn’t even known about it. Instead, I let him guide me, enjoying the warmth of his hand around mine. Was it odd that we walked hand in-hand through the house.? Maybe. Did I want to pull away... that was where things got confusing for me. Because I didn’t.
Over the next thirty minutes, he led me from wing to wing, highlighting each room’s unique features.
There was an indoor pool tucked behind floor-to-ceiling glass panels, with soft, neutral lighting. Chlorine filled the air, and the gentle sound of water lapped against the sides of the pool. Then we moved on to a home theater, a private library, and finally a game room. The game room was about the only room that felt customized for the man of the house. A sleek pool table dominated the center of the space, while a dartboard and poker table occupied the opposite corner. There was even a small bar,stocked with expensive bottles of liquor, tucked away in the back room.
Teo leaned casually against the bar, watching me as I took in the room. “What do you think?” he asked.
“It’s nice.” I looked around the room, still taking in the amenities. “This room feels more like you than the rest of the house, though.”
He smiled, clearly not offended. “It’s the only room I had any input in,” he shrugged. “The rest of the house is waiting for you.”
My brows furrowed. “For me?”
He smirked. “For your touch,” he clarified, stepping closer, and I shifted my gaze away. “For you to make it truly feel like home,” he added softly. “For you to leave pieces of yourself.” his heated gaze moved across the length of my body, “Everywhere.”
“Teo...” I started, unsure of how to respond. His name came out breathless, even to my own ears. Now he was crowding my space, and I swear I could feel my heart pounding out of my chest. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure, but the weight of his gaze was too heavy. He reached up, brushing a lone finger down my face.
“Teo...” I whispered again, his lips hovering dangerously close to mine. This time his name was a silent plea. I knew I couldn’t handle what would come next. A kiss from him would change everything. The carefully kept distance, the delicate balance I’d fought to maintain — it would all shatter. I’d lose the thin veil of control I clung to, and he’d see me for what I truly was: his.
“Say it again,” he urged softly. “I love the way my name sounds falling from your lips.”
I didn’t... I couldn’t.
But it didn’t matter because his lips covered mine. Softly at first, but purposefully. There was a demand in his kiss, one that left no room for resistance. I felt myself melting into him, and my resolve crumbling with every swipe of his tongue, andcaress of his hands. This wasn’t our first kiss. It had been three years since I felt him in that way. But this was different. There was a maturity and depth to his touch that hadn’t been there before. He was no longer the boy I once knew, but a man who understood what he wanted and would do whatever it took to claim.
I felt his hand sliding down my back and settling comfortably on my ass. The groan that escaped me was involuntary. My body naturally clung to him, my fingers tugged at the hem of his shirt.
“Well, it pleases me to see you two are getting along so well.” The low rasp of Teo’s father startled me back to reality. Where I should stay, instead of getting caught up in the possibility of becoming Ayanna Donatelli.
My cheeks burned as I instinctively tried to spin out of Teo’s arms, but his grip never loosened. In fact, he pulled me closer, never missing a beat.
“Rosa let you in, I’m guessing?” he asked his father.
Marco’s lips curled into a faint smirk. “She did. I wanted to check in, see how things were progressing.” His sharp gaze flickered between the two of us.
“Things are progressing just fine,” he replied smoothly. “We were in the middle of something.”
Marco raised a brow, his amusement barely mistaken. “Clearly.”
Switching effortlessly to Italian, Teo spoke with authority. “Possiamoavereun momento, perfavore?”
“Certamente,figliomio,” Marco replied smoothly. He glanced at me briefly, his expression unreadable. “Viaspettonello studio.”
