Chapter 2
Chapter Two
ATHENA
T hat fucking asshole Matteo.
Who the hell does he think he is, looking at me like I’m no more than dirt on his expensive black Italian loafers.
Doesn’t he think the humiliation he bestowed upon me last month was enough? Now he has to glare or screw up his face like he is chewing on a lemon every time he sees me. It’s bullshit. I did nothing wrong to him.
Yes, I may have had a… little crush on him at one point. With his dark hair, a face that could easily top every most handsome male list, and over six-foot in height, who could blame me? Despite his less than friendly demeanor, he is every woman’s wet dream.
His obvious distaste for me might also be down to the fact I made my attraction to him clear, may have even thrown myself at him a time or two, but come on. None of that warrants his vile behavior toward me.
“What has you looking like that?” my best friend Allegra’s voice drags me out of my thoughts.
Glancing over at her, I force a smile. Though I act unapologetic and aloof, I would be lying if I said Matteo’s attitude toward me doesn’t hurt.
“Matteo. He was glaring at me like I am every bad thing that ever happened in his life.” I chuckle, despite the upset roiling inside me.
A frown covers Allegra’s stunning face as she looks over to where her brother, husband and my pain in the ass sit, deep in conversation. “I don’t get it. I have never seen Matteo show any… hateful behavior toward anyone. To be honest, he is usually so indifferent to people, never displays any sort of emotion. It’s weird, him acting this way with you.” She turns to look at me, her features serious, but her eyes hold sympathy. “Do you want me to talk to him?”
Chewing my lip in thought, I debate her offer for a second. It might help, Allegra speaking to him… But something tells me it’s pointless. I may not know him very well, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out Matteo is stubborn. He is the type of guy that once his mind is made up, it’s a done deal.
It’s a shame. I really believe we could have been explosive together. The tension between us is fraught, electric. That may be the hate manifesting, or even me being a little delusional. But it is what I believe all the same.
“Nah. Don’t worry about it.” I smile at her.
Allegra searches my face, scrutinizing me, before a big smirk curves her lips. “I see where you’re going with this. Don’t they say hate sex is the best sex?”
A laugh bursts out of me before I can stop it.
Actually, it’s not where my mind was. But now that Allegra has planted the seed, it’s slowly taking root. Yes, people do say that hate sex is the best, however I can’t confirm whether it’s true. I have only been with one boy, Grant, my ex-boyfriend. We were together for a year and lost our virginities to each other when I was seventeen and he was eighteen. Though we spent all that summer getting acquainted with each other and sex, our relationship was not meant to be.
Grant went off to college in California, while I stayed on the East Coast to study. Regardless of trying to make it work, our relationship ended not long after, a mutual decision, and we went our separate ways.
Despite not being overly experienced, men think otherwise. I’m a flirt. I know I am. Confidence is key, and I possess it in spades. It’s why I first went after Allegra’s brother, Nico. Not that it got me anywhere, but God loves a trier. Nico shut me down every single time, and the last time it happened he wasn’t nice about it. He thought my flirtations were disrespectful toward his wife, Ocean, and that was enough for me to feel the wrath of Nico Marchetti. He all but threatened me and there is no doubt in my mind that had I not been his sister’s best friend, I would be six feet under by now.
It was only a bit of fun on my part, but I can see how it might make Ocean feel. I was wrong. Nico is not the man for me anyway. Matteo on the other hand…
My attention flickers to him on its own accord, my heart skipping when I find his gaze on me. I swallow at the intensity in it, then remind myself that I’m a fierce bitch and I will not be intimidated by him.
So, I do the only thing I can think of in that moment.
Slowly bringing my hand up to my mouth, I keep my eyes locked on his.
Then I blow him a kiss.