Page 64 of Greed

Matteo considers me, then clears his throat. “Actually, I’d like you to consider staying here longer. Maybe forever.”

I look at him, surprised, but before I can say anything, Gio stands on his chair. “Like a mommy?” he squeals.

He instantly starts jumping up and down as butterflies erupt in my stomach. I don’t know Matteo that well, but I’ve come to love the boy, and the chemistry between his father and me is undeniable.

“Please! Please! Please!” Gio pleads, bouncing excitedly.

I look at Andrea, who’s smiling at me like this is a completely normal request.

They were rivals last month, but a marriage between our families would strengthen them both, and this marriage would not be forced. It wouldn’t be against my will. I look at Matteo, whose hunger for me is evident in his eyes and sets my very core on fire. I give a little gasp, and he smirks.

Gio hasn’t stopped bouncing, still repeating ‘please’ over again.

Andrea chuckles and shrugs. “It’s fine by me. I have no horse in this race really.” He starts to eat his scrambled eggs.

I smile at Gio, then at Matteo. “I’d like to get to know you better first, but yes, I’ll stay.”

Matteo's brilliant smile sends my heart fluttering, and Gio squeals and runs around the table to hug me. I smile and kiss his head.

Once we have finished breakfast, Andrea comes to hug me. “I have business to attend to. Cleaning up is going to be a nightmare. Don’t get kidnapped again, okay?”

“Promise,” I say.

He kisses my head, shakes Matteo’s hand, and leaves.

Maria comes to clear the table. “Come on, Gio, you can help me prepare snacks.”

Gio hurries after her, carrying some of the dishes as I taught him to.

Alone, Matteo stares at me a moment, then says. “Well, if you’re going to stay, at least let me give you a proper tour of the house. You haven’t seen anything since you were confined to the pool, the veranda, the guest room, and the kitchen.”

I give him a toothy grin. “That would be nice.”

He offers me his arm, and I take it. We walk through the mansion together. It’s even bigger than it looks from outside. When we reach the library, I’m mesmerized. I go through the shelves, quickly discovering Matteo’s love for fiction, especially high fantasy. He also seems to have a soft spot for the classics, as he has a whole section dedicated to them.

In the far corner of the room, I discover his figures for World of Warcraft, something I know about from friends at school. I giggle.

“I didn’t take you for a nerd, Matteo.”

“Matt, please.” He smiles and comes over. “I also play D&D some weekends with my younger brothers.”

“You’ll have to teach me how,” I say.

I look at the last section of books. They all seem rather romantic. I smile at him. “So, you get all your moves from books.”

“I’m a hopeless romantic,” he says. “Come look.” He leads me into a home theatre, and I see most of his movies are romance in some way, from contemporary romance to a rather large collection of romantic comedies.

Around the theatre are pictures Gio has drawn, obviously from his favorite movies. We continue our tour, and I feel like I’m on fire. Matteo gently guides me, a small touch to my lower back, stroking my arm, sliding past me so we barely touch as he shows me things.

By the time we get back to the veranda, I want to know what it means to kiss him, my panties already soaking at the sight and touch of him.

He goes to the drinks and brings back a cocktail for me. “A virgin daiquiri,” he says. “Strawberry.”

“You’ve been speaking to my brother; he knows I love cocktails.” I smile and sip the drink, and we settle together on sun loungers.

Matteo strokes my arm softly, and I get goosebumps. He starts to tell me a little bit more about his family, his brothers and sisters, and where everyone fits in.

I’m distracted, though. I struggle to focus on anything other than kissing him, straddling him, having his hand feel what he does to me.