Page 218 of Chasing Hope

His lip twitches. “My apologies. I won’t get between you and your foam artwork.”

“Learns fast. Smart man,” I say teasingly as I lift the mug to my lips and sip, my heart melting at the taste of the hot chocolate.

He always seems to know what I need before I do.

Leaning forward, he cups my cheek before placing his lips against my forehead. My eyes close at the contact, warmth flooding my body once again as my shoulders relax, seemingly exhaling a contended sigh.

“Better?” he asks softly.

“With you, always.” One of my hands clings to the sweatshirt he’s wearing, holding him to me as I confess, “I couldn’t do this without you.”

“Yes, you could have,” he says gruffly. “But I’m glad I’m easing some of the burden.”

I can’t help but smile as I shake my head. “Heaven-sent.”

In the candlelight, Matteo’s golden skin glows, his eyes twinkling as one of his rare Valenti smiles shines down on me like a beacon. “Stealing my lines now, are we, Dove?”

“Perhaps it’s time to come up with some original content,” I tease as I bring the mug to my lips once more.

“Oooh,” he drags out, a dark laugh escaping him. “You don’t think my flirting is up to par?”

I shrug lazily. “It could usesome work.”

Placing his mug down on the counter behind me, he locks me between his arms, his hands on either side of my hips. The move brings his face close to mine as he drawls, “I think my game is okay considering I drew you in.”

“I was purely drawn to your looks.”

He arches a singular brow. “Oh, is that right?”

A hum races through my bloodstream and I can’t help but feel grateful that despite everything I’ve been facing, Matteo is able to make this part of me come to life again.

Dipping my chin, I let go of my hold on his sweater, lifting my hand to run my index finger down his jawline. “That’s right,” I murmur.

“Had nothing to do with us being drawn to each other since we were kids?”

“Nothing at all. I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”

His lips drag along my cheek, making my body shudder as he stops by my ear, his breath warm as he purrs, “We both know you’ve wanted me for years.”

“Sounding very sure of yourself, big guy.”

“Of course I am. I’m speaking from experience. Because whatever you felt, my Dove, I was experiencing tenfold.” Pulling back, the forest of his eyes clash with my ocean as he goes and melts my heart into a puddle. “I’ve loved you since I was a little boy when it was innocent and pure. I loved you as a teenager when my body was filled with hormones and I began to look at you as more than a friend, and I have loved you every moment of every day as an adult.”

Matteo’s gaze bores into mine, his eyes soulful and filled with just that—love.

Lifting his hand from beside my hip, he slides it up my neck until he’s cupping my cheek. “I have always loved you, Evie,” he confesses. “It’s grown inside my heart and soul as I’ve aged. It’s never dimmed, the flame never flickering for even a moment.” He cups my other cheek now, cradling my head between his hands. “It has always been you, and it will continue to always be you. In every lifetime, I will love you, Evie.”

Before I can say anything, Matteo bridges the gap between us and kisses me so deeply, with such passion, warmth and tender care, that I know I’ve never felt as much love for him as I do in this moment.

Have never felt as connected to another human as I do now.

And I know I never will.

Matteo is it for me. He always has been.

Pulling back, I take a deep steadying breath, our foreheads resting against one another as I peek up at him through my lashes. “You’re my best friend, Matteo, the other half of my soul. I’ve known it since I was a little girl and would seek you out in a room full of people, knew it when you were the only safe place I felt I could land, the only one who could bring me back to myself. I have known it for as long as I have knownyou. You are my person…my love.” Reaching up, I catch the lone tear that slides down his cheek. “Anything life throws at me, I know I can handle because I have you by my side. I can’t wait to explore the world with you. I can’t wait to experience life with you because I love you, Matteo, and I have only ever seen you there beside me.”

In the blink of an eye, a smile is stretching across Matteo’s face, one so dazzling and full of happiness I can’t help but mirror it with my own.