Chapter 9
Chapter
Nine
WREN
I ’m probably a fucking idiot for actually agreeing to meet him. I mean, I still don’t even know his name.
What is wrong with me?
It’s probably even more messed up that the sight of him sitting on my couch like he owned it made my pussy clench. The man oozes sex appeal.
So here I am, sitting at a table tucked away in the corner, ignoring my iced coffee and picking at my pastry while I wait for him to show up.
Looking down at my phone, I sigh. He still has fifteen minutes.
I think I’m just really paranoid after last night. The whole walk here, I couldn’t stop looking over my shoulder every two seconds. The guy behind me started looking at me like I was fucking crazy after the fifth time. Logically, I would think I should be fine since it’s broad daylight, but I think that’s when the most crime happens. In plain sight .
I continue to nibble at the pastry, not really tasting it, as another five minutes pass before I hear the chime of the little bell hanging from the top of the door. My eyes shoot to the door, immediately spotting him entering with such confidence. His presence attracts all the attention in the room without even demanding it.
He pauses, searching me out, before heading my way. If I hadn’t been staring right at him like a psycho, I would have missed the tiniest little hitch of his lip.
“Wren,” he greets as he approaches. “I was going to buy you coffee, but I see you already took care of that.”
“I got here early.”
“Would you like anything else?”
“No, thank you,” I answer as I fidget in my seat, placing my hands under my thighs. He doesn’t miss it, causing his eyes to narrow slightly at me.
“I’ll be right back.”
I don’t miss the other women’s stares that follow him to the counter. His tailored dress pants do an amazing job of showing off his muscular thighs and ass. I swear you can see the muscles clench slightly with every step. I can’t really blame them for not being able to look away. The man is an enigma.
A throat clears to my right, making me look over to see a woman who has to be at least 70, wagging her eyebrows at me and giving me a thumbs up.
Busted.
I can feel the heat rush to my face at being caught basically eye-fucking the man I still don’t know the name of.
If the ground could swallow me up at any moment, that would be great.
“You okay?” he asks as he sets his coffee down and slides onto his seat.
“Yes.” I clear my throat. “Why? ”
“You look… flustered.”
“I’ve had a very eventful past few days.” It’s not exactly a lie because I have, obviously. It’s just not why I’m currently embarrassed as fuck. “Are you going to tell me your name yet? I feel like after all of this shit, we should both be on a first-name basis.”
He inclines his head as he studies me, his lip twitching as if he’s amused. Again. Apparently, I’m just so fucking amusing to this guy. “Matteo.”
Matteo.
He would have a hot guy name.
“Nice to officially meet you, Matteo.”
“I like the way you say my name, Wren,” Matteo says lowly. His tone makes me lose my train of thought, and now I’m just staring at him like a creep. “Now, why don’t you tell me what happened?” he asks before taking a sip of his coffee.
“Right.” I sigh before taking a deep breath. “I worked my usual shift at DD’s last night, and as usual, I started my walk home.”
“Why don’t you have a car?” Matteo cuts in.
A car in the city? In this economy?
“Do you know how much it costs to have a car in the city? And besides, I live within walking distance of everything I need.” I pause to shoot him a glare for interrupting. “As I was saying, I was walking home from work when I started to feel like someone was watching me. At first, I didn’t see anyone, but the longer I walked, the more intense that feeling became. Then finally, when I looked back, I saw him.”
“Him?”
“Yes. Once I realized he was following me, I started running, and he gave chase. I made it to my building in time to get away from him, but not before I heard him say, “ Fucking bitch.” It was for sure a male voice. ”
Matteo is silent for a moment before responding, “And you think I sent this man to…put you in a box?” I don’t miss the slight warning in his tone.
“Well, I didn’t send him.” I throw my hands up in the air. “What do you expect me to think? You broke into my place after I literally saved your life, didn’t give me a name, told me not to talk to the cops. I mean, honestly.” I shake my head. This man is unreal.
“I don’t harm women,” Matteo says as if I insulted him, his tone leaving no room for argument. I can see in his eyes that he’s telling the truth.
“I didn’t mean to insult you. I just don’t know why else this could have happened.”
“You don’t think some sick fuck you waited on waited for you to finish your shift and follow you home? You’re a beautiful woman.”
I snort. “Please. I work in a biker bar. There are club girls hanging around constantly. Only a few are a little worn out; the rest I don’t even hold a candle to. If he wanted someone, all he would have had to do was slap one on the ass. So you see? No reason to wait for me.”
“Yes, I think I’m starting to see.” There’s a glint in his eyes that I can’t quite place. “I’ll take care of it. If you need anything else, you know how to contact me.” Matteo stands, eyes never leaving me. “Thank you for having coffee with me , bella .” And with that parting goodbye, he leaves, his coffee basically untouched.
I hate that my inner walls just clenched again. I make a mental note to Google what that name means when I get home. His accent alone is enough to make me do very questionable things with no questions asked.
“Excuse me,” a voice sounds from my right. Looking over, I realize it’s the same eyebrow-wagging lady from earlier. “I hope you don’t mind me butting my two cents in, but you go get ‘em tiger. That man has the tightest ass I’ve seen in 73 years,” she says, wagging her eyebrows again as she throws her cup away.
I can’t help but laugh because, honestly, what the fuck has my life come to?