Chapter 17 Matteo
MATTEO
Nicola stepped into the shower like she owned it—like she owned me.
Steam curled around her, gliding over bare skin and damp hair, water beading along her collarbone. And I swore I forgot every coherent thought I’d ever had.
“Good morning,” she said, eyes dark and glittering with mischief.
My heart stuttered. “Best damn morning of my life.”
She moved closer, not touching—just letting the air between us buzz. Her hands trailed lightly down my chest, fingers brushing through the droplets of water collecting along my ribs. My stomach tensed under her touch.
“You know,” she hummed, circling me slowly, deliberately, “You talk a big game for someone who didn’t even invite me in.”
Her voice was low, playful. Dangerous. She trailed her fingertips along my shoulder blades and down my spine, then back around my front until she was facing me again.
She looked up at me through thick lashes, her lips slightly parted, and the urge to kiss her warred with the desire to let her do whatever she was planning.
I reached for her waist, but she stepped back just out of reach. Teasing.
“Oh no,” she grinned, “You just stand there and look pretty.”
“I think I’m being seduced,” I murmured, my voice hoarse.
“You absolutely are,” she tilted her head and pressed a kiss to my chest. “And the best part?” Another kiss, lower. “You’re going to let me.”
She sank to her knees, slowly, deliberately, water cascading over her like something out of a dream. Her hands trailed down my thighs, and every muscle in my body locked with tension and want.
My hand found the back of her head, fingers threading into her wet hair as she looked up at me with that knowing smirk—like she was about to ruin me and enjoy every second of it.
And I’d let her. Again and again.
Because it was her.
Nicola Moretti: the girl I shouldn’t want, the girl who drove me insane, and the only one who made me feel like the whole world could catch fire and I wouldn’t care—as long as she was the one holding the match.
My voice dropped, rough and reverent. “You’re going to be the death of me.”
She grinned. “Then die happy, DeLuca.”