Page 47 of Third Crime's A Charm
“The Austrian Consulate!” Matteo smacked himself on the forehead. “I didn’t think of that.”
Truman’s brow hitched. “You didn’t?”
“Nee. I called Air France and bought a first class ticket,” Matteo informed Truman and checked his watch. “My flight leaves in five minutes.”
“France?” Truman grabbed the wall behind him, suddenly dizzy. He’d still be in the bar and wondering if he should call Neville. “I wouldn’t have cared about the star, I swear. I would have gone afteryouand begged you to come back,” he said in an urgent rush.
“Would you…?” Matteo’s nose wrinkled. “Or would you send Neville after me for stabbing you in the back. Because I could have, you know? I could have taken it after the smoke bombs and kept it for myself.”
“The smoke bombs?” Truman repeated weakly and recalled checking the suite’s other bathroom and looking for Matteo before rushing downstairs to find him. He was astounded at Matteo’s cleverness and shocked to have been outsmarted and outmatched on so many levels. “You came back again,” he whispered, shaking as he reached for Matteo.
“Am I a fool?” Matteo threw up his hands in frustration but he allowed Truman to hold him. “You have whatyouwant but I have to wait to see if you’ll betraymeagain. Do you know how big of a fool I will be for coming back and getting caught in another one of your traps?”
Truman shushed and pecked at Matteo’s lips. “You aren’t a fool. I don’t want to trap you and I don’t want to play anymore games. I love you.” He couldn’t tell Matteo the truth about Peter yet but Truman could offer his heart as collateral.
“No.” Matteo’s eyes shimmered as he shook his head. “You can’t say that. Not yet.”
“Why not? I know you feel something for me too.”
“That’s the problem!” Matteo grabbed Truman’s lapels and let out a strangled yell. “I keep taking all the risks but so far this has cost you nothing! Don’t tell me you love me if you’re going to turn me in with Marty on Monday. I’ll have nothing left if you take that too.”
“Matteo!” Truman swore and kissed him as hard as he could. “How many times do I have to tell you you’re worth more to me than any amount of money or jewels or immunity?”
“Are you sure? You could put away Martin Lonsdale, return a lost treasure, and help capture the greatest thief the world has never known. All in one day,” Matteo pointed out and Truman bit his lips to hold back a laugh.
“Is that what you’re calling yourself?”
Matteo shrugged. “I think it fits. Imagine how famous you’ll be with your name in all the papers because of the lost treasure and for putting an end to what is surely a record-breaking string of burglaries.”
“Surely,” Truman agreed because Matteo enjoyed being flattered almost as much as foreplay. “I’d much rather worship you than be in some papers. Let me prove it to you,” Truman begged as he guided them toward the bedroom.
“Maybe.” Matteo tilted his chin back stubbornly but whimpered as Truman licked his neck and nibbled his earlobe.
“Please, Matteo. I adore you. You’re so beautiful and brilliant. I love you and you’re all that matters from now on,” he added with a suffering groan, wishing Matteo understood how obsessed he was.
“This is a good start,” Matteo said, biting his lower lip. “A start. You’re not touching my heart until I know I can trust you.”
“Okay,” Truman said in his natural tone but the greedy, possessive beast within demanded Matteo’s heart. But instead of commanding or calculating, Truman would earn Matteo’s love and trust by meeting his terms. “I’ll prove I’m worthy and win your love. If you think I was good at playing a lovesick jackass before, just wait and see what I’m like when I’m not pretending. I was going easy on you in Southampton.”
“Is that so?” Matteo gasped, clutching the back of Truman’s head and encouraging him to be rougher.
“I couldn’t come on too strong because you barely liked me,” Truman explained, pulling Matteo with him as he fell back onto the bed. “Remember the time you almost broke my hand off and slapped me with it?”
“Ja!” Matteo said. “We did have fun at the beach house!” He chuckled fondly, then sighed. “Can you fuck me like you did in Southampton and bethatTruman for the rest of the weekend? The stakes didn’t seem as high, then.”
“I can do that.”
As requested, Truman spent the next few hours charming, teasing, and seducing Matteo. He used his lips and hands to rim and finger Matteo, winding him up and starting a frenzy. They were wild and loud, half the hotel must have heard. But they forgot about the rest of the world and reveled in their intense, combustible connection.
After, Truman held Matteo as he drifted off to sleep. The next few days would be tense, waiting to see if Marty discovered he’d been robbed and preparing for the showdown with the Justice Department. But Truman was more focused on what would happenafterwardsand the life he was going to build with Matteo. Despite having the star safely hidden in his suitcase, Truman was holding the real treasure in his arms and there was no way he’d ever let Matteo go.
Nineteen
Was it love?
Matteo suspected it might be, but so far, love stunk.
He was alone in a hotel suite and already drinking as he watched the sunrise and pondered just how fucked he was. Getting hammered before dawn was a bad sign but at least he’d pulled on a robe first. Being naked would have made itextrapathetic.
