43. Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Three
Mariella
T o tell her or not to tell her, that’s the question.
I’m not sure why but something is holding me back. I haven’t told a soul about Mateo’s sudden interest in me.
Even Isa only knows about the guitar, and that was an apology present. I haven’t mentioned to her that I suspect he hides in the garden to listen to me play.
This thing between us has been something just for me.
I fear others will tell me I’m dreaming and making more out of it than it is.
Sofia looks at me expectantly.
“Umm, I need help with makeup,” I blurt out instead. “Mat… Signor De Marco wants me to accompany him to a club tonight and I’ve never been. All the makeup I’ve ever done has been to look natural and pretty, but not… well, not to go out like that.”
“Okay,” she says with an amused smile. “Have you got a dress?”
“Yeah, Mateo had one sent. It’s so beautiful. A silver halter neck dress. It’s fairly short.”
“I’m sure it is,” she laughs. “You brought makeup?” She points to the bag lying next to me and I nod, passing it to her.
Standing up, she pushes the tray aside on the table and empties my makeup onto it.
“Sit,” she commands, pointing to the single chair in the corner.
I do as I’m told as Sofia grabs a bottle of foundation. She pours some on the back of her hand and uses a little sponge to dab it onto my face.
She’s methodical, creating a soothing rhythm that allows my mind to drift. Of course, it goes straight to that kiss in the rain. The excruciating build-up, the moment our lips met for my first ever kiss, and getting totally lost in each other.
It was perfect.
“Your mood is much better than it was this morning,” Sofia observes, a hint of curiosity in her tone. “I’ve never seen you smile this much. What’s going on?”
I’m smiling?
I wasn’t even aware. Though it’s hardly surprising. How can memories of that kiss do anything else?
Still, I shake my head. “Nothing,” I say unconvincingly, rubbing my lips together to hide that I am in fact smiling.
Why am I not telling her? It’s what I came here for, isn’t it?
Sofia giggles. “It wouldn’t have anything to do with you dolling yourself up to go out with Mateo De Marco tonight?”
“I’m not going out with him,” I argue. “I’m accompanying him. That’s different.”
It is, isn’t it?
Sofia grins at me knowingly, raising an eyebrow. “Sure, if that’s what you want to believe.”
As she keeps working her magic, I try hard not to linger on what happened earlier today. But it’s a losing battle. I’m having way too much fun remembering, and this time I can feel my smile widening.
Sofia nudges me as I blush.
“Come on, Mari. What gives? Don’t hold out on me. I’m living vicariously through you at the moment.”
I let out a little squeal, my feet tapping rapidly against the floor as the thrill of my kiss with Mateo takes over again.
Sofia leans in closer, looking at me expectantly, and I shield my eyes with my hand, letting my long hair curtain around me.
“Mateo kissed me,” I blurt out, trying to keep it quiet so the security guy won’t hear over the microphones. “And he kissed me with so much passion, so much possession. It rocked my world! And now I’m freaking out a bit… or a lot, wondering if it will happen again or if it was just a spur-of-the-moment thing.
“I mean, the tension has been building over the past few days and needed an outlet, right? Being drenched by the rain must have helped too. I know I was turned on beyond measure, seeing his clothes plastered to his skin. Our kiss felt so right. But I shouldn’t want to kiss him again. There is no future with him. I’m not his usual type. What is this for him? Perhaps I’m just the closest available female,” I word-vomit.
That thought is like a cold shower, and I wrinkle my nose in distaste. I push my hair behind my ear and glance up at Sofia, undoubtedly red like a tomato.
“You’d be more his type. Blonde, pretty and super confident,” I continue, unable to shut up.
She’s been biting her lip, trying to stifle her laughter, but it finally breaks through.
“Mari, you are beautiful. Inside and out. Why wouldn’t he be attracted to you? Enjoy it, make the most of it.”
“I can’t make the most of it. My father would kill me if I ever let it go past kissing.”
She huffs in understanding.
“Then let’s make you even more irresistible, so you can wrap him around your little finger without ever having to go any further,” she replies, making me frown.
Why would I want to wrap Mateo around my little finger?
“You know, eye shadow goes on better when you don’t scowl,” she teases.
Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, I relax my features.
“Better?” I banter back.
“Much,” she replies with a smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. She’s probably just focused on what she’s doing.
An hour later, my lips hum bright red, the color making them bigger than normal. Winged eyeliner compliments the smokey eye.
Blush, highlighter, concealer, bronzer, mascara, I’ve never worn so much stuff on my face before. I’ve got defined cheekbones now. In fact, my face looks quite different.
I stare in the small compact mirror, not sure if I like the girl staring back at me.
I look older and way hotter, more like the girls Mateo is used to.
But this isn’t me.
Is this what it takes to keep Mateo’s attention?
“Isn’t it amazing what contouring can do?” Sofia says, satisfied with her work.
I force a smile and nod.
“You look striking. He won’t be able to resist you.”
Uncomfortable and more insecure than when I came, I leave Sofia’s room. As I close the door, I promise I’ll give her a detailed rundown of tonight when I see her tomorrow, but even as I say it, I’m not looking forward to it. There’s a nagging feeling that sticks with me, an unease I can’t shake.
I walk down the hall with my head low, trying to ignore the lingering stares of the guards as I pass.
I’m uneasy in my own skin, more than I’ve ever been, and it’s because of this femme fatale image I’m suddenly projecting.
As I walk back to my room, I’m determined to scrub my face clean and start afresh. A light makeup will have to do… something sophisticated that still looks like me.
I’m halfway up the stairs when I hear footsteps in the hallway. I spin to see who it is and spot Mateo at the bottom of the stairs.
He halts mid-step, his eyes lighting up when he sees me, but then his gaze fixes on my face. He does a double take, his forehead crinkling as his brows draw together.
I clasp the banister tighter, my knuckles turning white.
Merda.
I wanted to wipe off this over-the-top makeup before seeing him.
Moment of truth.
My stomach churns in anticipation of his verdict.
What if he loves it? What will I do then?
Mateo climbs the few steps between us, and I hold my breath. The knots in my abdomen tighten.
Standing before me, I see his chest rise and fall rapidly. It matches my own out-of-control rhythm.
We don’t speak, and we don’t move. We just stare into each other’s eyes.
I need more oxygen. Am I breathing? That smile that always melts me finds its way back onto Mateo’s face.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see him pull a handkerchief from his suit pocket. With slow, deliberate care, he wipes away the red lipstick Sofia so meticulously applied. Then, he lowers his head and presses his lips to mine.
My heart jumps for joy at being like this with him again.
He pushes me backward until the wall is at my back, caging me in with his body. He devours my mouth, and we lose ourselves in each other until a throat clearing, sounding suspiciously like Romeo’s, interrupts us.
I’m dazed, unable to think straight, and not caring the slightest who might have witnessed our display.
Mateo nuzzles his nose against mine before dropping his gaze to my lips.
“Much better,” he says hoarsely. “I prefer your lips like this. Red from my kisses.”
He tilts my head back, his brown eyes bouncing between mine. A swarm of butterflies wreaks havoc in my stomach.
“Sofia did this makeup. It was an experiment,” I offer as an explanation for my appearance. “But I don’t like it. I was about to wash it off.”
“Good,” he says, leaning in closer and brushing another soft kiss against my lips. His gaze drops to my face, warm and intent.
“You don’t need any of this,” he gestures lightly toward my makeup, “You’re stunning the way you are.”
Heat rises into my cheeks at his compliment.
He frowns, but chuckles.
“See? I bet you’re blushing right now, but I can’t even tell. I don’t like it. I want to see you . That’s who I want to take out.”
His eyes sparkle, brimming with so much affection that I want to freeze this moment forever.
What a relief!
His words wash away the nervous tension coiled in my chest. Mateo thinks I’m stunning as I am!
He rests his forehead against mine, his breath warm and steady.
“I’ll see you in an hour, dolce mia . I can’t wait to spend more time with you.”