7. Matteo
CHAPTER 7
Matteo
My attempt to get Aurora to talk backfired after our intimate encounter. I knew I acted like the arrogant asshole I am by walking off and ordering dinner, but I didn’t know what else to do. Now, I was even less sure.
Did I deserve it? Hell yes. Was I going to put up with it? Hell no.
When dinner arrived, I couldn’t help but notice a shift in Aurora’s demeanor. It was almost as if she was determined to ignore what happened. No longer was she guarded and defensive. That, at least I understood. Now – now she was cool and composed like she didn’t have a care in the world which only made me wonder what was stewing beneath the surface of her beautiful mind.
She was quiet, and when I tried to converse politely, her responses were clipped and to the point. Normally, I’d be irritated by this behavior, but something about Aurora intrigued me. Maybe it was the way she carried herself with a quiet dignity that no one could take away or the way she didn’t back down. Whatever it was, I wanted more of it, and that scared the hell out of me.
I couldn’t figure this side of Aurora out. It was like she was playing a role she had rehearsed for all her life, a role she shouldn’t have been so familiar with but was.
I wasn’t fooled by her charade. I knew that beneath her prim and proper fa?ade lay a fiery and passionate woman who refused to conform to societal expectations. A woman who challenged me every chance she got. Aurora was an enigma that I was determined to unravel.
Watching her cut her meat, an idea formed in my mind. With a mischievous twinkle in my eye, I set my fork down and growled across the table seductively. “Aurora…”
She looked up, unsure what to make of the seductiveness in my voice. In a playful yet commanding tone, I stated, “Feed me.”
Her fair cheeks turned pink, and her eyes widened at my request. “Excuse me?”
Smirking, I repeated myself. “I said I want you to feed me.”
Flustered, she shook her head. “Matteo, I don’t think…”
But before she could finish, I cut her off. Smiling sweetly, I reached out and took her hand. “Come on, it’s our honeymoon. Indulge this fantasy for me, please, Aurora.”
Aurora hesitated for longer than I was comfortable with as her eyes shifted between me and the array of silverware and dishes before us. “You’re a smart man, Matteo. Are you sure you want to take that chance with so many sharp knives at my disposal?”
Finding her quick wit entertaining, I realized that it might be possible for me to enjoy spending time with my wife for a while until I get tired of her, which I will—I always do.
I could never allow myself to become attached; our union is nothing more than a business arrangement meant to protect my empire and add to it once I take her father down. And since I have no intention of developing any feelings, a little fun might be worth exploring.
“Be careful what you say, my dear; I, too, have knives at my disposal.” Throwing her head back in laughter, it was obvious my new bride wasn’t scared of me. Most people were, but not Aurora.
She paused momentarily before picking up a small puff pastry and carefully bringing it to my lips. I wasn’t sure what kind of game she was playing but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find it sexy as hell.
As we continued to eat silently, I began to wonder about the woman sitting across from me. It was as if how she held on to her manners would protect her from the world around her. Like somehow, they could shield her from the harsh realities of life.
To the outside world, she portrayed the picture-perfect image of a prim and proper young businesswoman, granted one who had been given every opportunity in life, but of someone who had worked her ass off to prove herself as well.
I knew better. I’d had a glimpse of what lay underneath her carefully orchestrated fa?ade. She might have the world fooled but I know that underneath lies a fiery and passionate woman who is dying to get out.
It was a dangerous combination. One I knew I would have to be cautious around. In my ‘line of work,’ you didn’t make it to thirty-seven without being careful. Yet, despite the risks my blonde bombshell of a wife posed, I found myself drawn to her in ways I couldn’t explain.
There was a spark between us, and I didn’t do sparks. Lust and attraction, yeah, but sparks, hell no. When emotions came into play, I was out. I didn’t have time for that. So why couldn’t I shake the pull I felt toward Aurora? I was equally terrified and exhilarated, two emotions I didn’t handle well.
I continued staring at the angelic vision across from me as I reminded myself that this ‘arrangement’ was a business deal. Nothing more, nothing less. Maybe if I kept telling myself that, I would believe it. If not, the Siren I was married to was going to be the death of me.
When we finished eating, Aurora stood and began clearing the table. I couldn’t help but watch as she moved gracefully around the room. She was confident. There was no doubt about that. Growing up in a world of high society expectations demanded that, but there was also a hint of vulnerability and playfulness. Her eyes spoke of a hidden longing for something more. I could relate to that.
As if she had been expecting me to stare, she turned to face me; her eyes twinkling with mischief. What was she up to now? Slowly, she walked around to pick up my plate, deliberately rubbing her delicious ass against my already throbbing cock as she did.
Damn, this woman plays dirty. I stiffened in surprise at the sudden contact, my breath catching in my throat as an unexpected wave of desire hit me like a tidal wave. It took every ounce of restraint I had not to reach out and grab her.
“What are you doing, Aurora?” I asked calmly.
Playing dumb, she tossed her hair back, picked up my plate, and walked back to the other side of the table.
“Clearing the table, Matteo. What does it look like?”
Slowly, she bent over the table to collect the silverware, giving me a tantalizing view of her ample cleavage, leaning over longer than necessary. I took a sip of my wine to quench the burning heat building inside me; my eyes never leaving hers.
She was playing with fire, and she knew it. The sexiest part was that she didn’t seem to care. She wanted to assert her dominance, but I refused to be dominated or manipulated by a beautiful woman, even if she was my wife.
I am the one in control, so if she wants to play this little game, I’ll let her for now. After all, we needed to find a way to exist peacefully, at least in public. I’ll let her have this round.
In the end, I would emerge victorious. I always did.