Chapter 29
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
WREN
“ S o, how long do you usually run?” I ask, admiring the definition of his thighs that are on display. The shorts he has on do very little to keep your imagination from wandering. It’s even worse now that I know what’s really hiding under there. No wonder his suits always look so good. The man has the body to fill anything out.
“Until I don’t feel like running anymore.” He smiles, clearly amused.
“Do you really expect me to believe the head of the Italian Mafia in Ravenna Heights just runs the streets by himself until he feels like stopping?”
“No.” He smirks. “Fine, I don’t run. At least not like this.”
I knew it.
“Why’d you lie? I’m sure Rob would be more than happy to babysit me again.”
“I lied because I want to spend time with you.” Matteo shrugs innocently .
I narrow my eyes. There is no way he just went from basically avoiding me to wanting to be up my ass. “And because you’re still mad about last night.”
“And because I’m still mad about last night.” Matteo scowls as he reluctantly agrees.
“There. Was that so hard?” It’s like pulling teeth to get anything out of this man. “Let’s run until we find a cafe. I want a croissant,” I say before taking off at an easy pace.
“What’s the point of running if we’re just going to eat?” Matteo asks as he falls into step with me.
“Because then all of the calories I eat won’t go to my ass.”
“I love your ass,” Matteo says as he smacks it.
I love how he isn’t afraid to touch me. I just don’t think his interest is going to last.
I love the smell of coffee shops. It’s just one of those scents that instantly makes you feel at home, even though they’re usually pretty loud and chaotic. I didn’t think Matteo would make it all the way to The Drip, but he didn’t complain once.
“Hi, Wren! What can I get for you?” the girl behind the counter greets. I don’t think she ever takes a day off, considering she’s here every single time I come in. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is either.
“Hey, Julie. Can I get a large iced coffee and a croissant? Plus, whatever he wants.” I point to Matteo standing beside me.
Julie’s eyes widen as she takes in everything that is Matteo. I can’t blame her. Even in workout clothes, the man is just as intimidating. He oozes sex appeal and control.
I hold my card out for Julie to take after he’s done ordering, but Matteo slaps my hand away .
“If you’re going to insist that our first date is a workout with a cheap coffee, then don’t insult me by trying to pay,” Matteo says as he hands Julie a crisp hundred-dollar bill. “Keep the change.”
Uh, what? “This isn’t a first date.”
“Then what is it?”
“We aren’t dating!” I exclaim as I grab my coffee and baggie with my croissant in it and head to a table, leaving Matteo.
“You just need to accept it.” Matteo shrugs as he sets his coffee down before taking a seat. “You helped me. I liked what I saw when I went to thank you. Your attitude needs some work, but it’s growing on me.”
“When you went to say thank you…” I trail off as I stare at him like he’s fucking crazy. “Are you high? You mean when you broke into my apartment to interrogate me about what happened? That’s your idea of a thank you?”
“I think it went over pretty well.”
I exhale as I lean back in my chair and look around the cafe. There’s no reasoning with someone who thinks their very not normal behavior is normal. He doesn’t need me to tell him that it isn’t normal to go around breaking into people’s places and thinking that's a thank you. I do admire the determination to see someone, though. I’m not sure what that says about me. I’m just going to file it away in the same mental folder the stabbing incident is in. The spank bank folder.
“Don’t look so annoyed, tesoro . Did you notice that you picked the same table we were at when we first met here a few weeks ago?” Matteo asks. His gaze hasn’t strained from me since we sat down.
My throat tightens slightly at him pointing that out. I noticed it when I sat down but didn’t say anything. I mean, I didn’t do it on purpose. I just picked the first table I saw available. The guys I’ve been with in the past would have never noticed something like that.
“Yes, but I didn’t think you would,” I finally answer.
“I notice everything and anything that has to do with you, Wren.” Matteo’s intense gaze makes me squirm in my seat. There’s emotion swirling in his eyes that I can’t quite place. I’m not ready for this intense turn that wanting a basic pastry has taken.
“Why do you want to date me?” I hold my breath, waiting to hear his answer.
“I don’t want to date you. I want you to be mine.”
“What?” I choke out. “I think you might be a little lightheaded from the run. You’re not exactly used to it. Here.” I hold out the last few bites of my croissant. “Have the rest.”
Matteo’s amused eyes bounce between my outstretched hand and my face. “No one besides my mom has cared if I’ve eaten before,” he says before he leans down, his lips lightly sucking my fingers as he takes the last bit into his mouth. “I like that you’re worried about me. It’s cute.” He smiles.
My chest is rising and falling rapidly because I don’t think I’ve ever seen him genuinely smile like that. And I did that. Me. A girl who’s barely making it by and lives on the side of the city he probably only visits if he needs to collect something.
My gaze is glued to his mouth. All I can think about is what his mouth would feel like on me. All of this sexual tension is making me want to jump across the table and climb into his lap. I bet he would taste like a mix of salty and sweet, just like the pastry.
But I don’t.
I just continue to sit and stare, wondering if this man is real. I’m also wondering what I have to lose by giving this a shot? My life is already in the toilet. What’s one more bad decision? Plus, orgasms might make it feel like life isn’t fucking me so hard.
“I think I would be okay giving us a shot,” I rush out before I lose my courage to say it.
Matteo’s eyes look like they’re sparkling with happiness as he grabs my hand in his. I’ve never been looked at like this by a man before—with so much adoration. “ Sono pazzo di te, tesoro ,” he says quietly, bringing my hand up to his lips and gently kissing my ring finger.
“What does that mean?” I ask just as quietly. I can hear my heart pounding in my ears as I wait for him to answer.
“It means I’m crazy about you, darling,” Matteo answers. “Thank you for agreeing to give us a chance. I promise you won’t regret it.”
That’s the problem.
I’m worried I’ll be left shattered into a million pieces with regret so far out of reach. I’m worried he’ll be the end of me.