Page 61 of Good as Gold
“Okay,” I say, blushing furiously. “I can grab some food. What do you want?”
Instead of answering right away, he drags his gaze slowly down my body, and then up again. After a very thorough perusal, he meets my eyes. “Whatever you want. But pick something that can sit around a little while.”
“Why?”
His shrug is nonchalant. “I might not let you eat it right away. Now let’s move. Can’t let that smiley face go to waste, yeah?” Then he winks. Like this is just a night of fun between friends.
Which it is, right? But it’s also possibly changing the course of our friendship, and the course of our lives.
I take a deep breath and then turn to go before his smile engulfs me in flames.
* * *
Somehow I drive back to Colebury without crashing my car. I even manage to pick up food for two at my favorite noodle shop on the way.
At home, I set the food down on the counter, and then run to the bathroom to brush my teeth and splash water on my face. My hair is frizzy from the humid springtime air, but there’s no helping that now.
I guess I’m ready. Last night I shaved and plucked and waxed every relevant inch of myself, feeling as foolish as a virgin on prom night. Going to bed with Matteo is a big deal, even if he won’t admit it.
Back in the kitchen, I fill two glasses with ice and homemade lemonade. I’m taking the first gulp of mine when there’s a knock on the door.
Breathe, I remind myself. Then I pop over to open the door.
He steps into the room and closes the door with a firm click. The look he gives me is molten.
Wow. Is it hot in here? “Lemonade?” I say, nipping back over to the kitchen area, where I’ve left our glasses. I’m trying for a breezy attitude.See what a great hostess I am? I’m offering you a refreshing beverage before I remove your designer jeans.
Matteo takes his glass and sips, watching me over the rim. I don’t think I’ve fooled him. My heart is pounding so loudly I can practically hear it.
He sets down the glass and considers me. “You okay?”
“Yup,” I say, bobbing my head like a frisky horse.
“All right.” He circles the counter, stepping into my personal space. He takes my lemonade glass out of my hand and sets it down. Then he reaches up and cups my jaw in his hand.
His body radiates heat, and I feel an age-old pull that’s achy and familiar. “It’s just alot. Big things. Big decisions. Big thoughts,” I babble. “It’s just sobig.”
“That’s what she said,” he rumbles.
My eyes bulge. “Matteo!”
He smiles, and I relax just a touch. I don’t even panic when he dips his head to kiss me. His mouth is both soft and firm. I get a whiff of lemonade, and also sunshine. My squirrel brain goes quiet for once, and my heart rate slows down as I lean into the kiss.
One of his broad hands lands at my back, pressing firmly between my shoulder blades, as if commanding me to be still.
I nearly go limp against his chest when he tilts his head and kisses me again. “That’s better,” he whispers between kisses. “Good girl.”
I don’t know why my knees go a little weak when he says that. Matteo catches me around the waist and leans me against the refrigerator. I grip his ribcage with both hands. He’s so solid to the touch. Bulkier than my ex.
Lord help me, but I like it a lot.
Matteo breaks our kiss, and I let out a gasp of complaint. That kiss was basically holding me together. But now he lowers his mouth to my neck, and my body ripples with instant chills. I tip my head to the side to make room for the soft, wet kisses he’s dropping onto my oversensitive skin.
“This dress,” he rasps between kisses. He puts one of those big hands right on my breast and gives me a bossy squeeze. “Been wanting to rip it off you for hours.”
Okay. Wow. I clench my thighs together at the idea of Matteo removing my dress. Hell, I can’t even remember the last time I felt such hunger pointed in my direction. Maybe never. “There’s a zipper,” I volunteer.
He chuckles against my heated skin. “Good tip, honey. But I got this.”
