by Sue MacKay
The bag of tomatoes hit the floor with a soft plopping sound. The container of ham followed, making a harder cracking noise.
‘Are you all right?’ Mattia asked as he bent down to pick up the items.
No. Not at all. ‘Why wouldn’t I be?’ Don’t answer that. Because he’d probably be an expert at mind-reading as well, and boy, was her mind a mess of need and denial, of longing and regret.
He watched her as he moved to the counter to place the now bruised tomatoes on a dish. ‘We’re all set for lunch. My parents are looking forward to meeting you.’
I bet they are. ‘I’m looking forward to it.’ In a way it was true. It was another step closer to resolving everything—one way or another.
Then Mattia asked, ‘What’s your family’s take on this? Are they okay with you raising someone else’s child?’
‘They’ve been nothing but supportive.’
‘Would they be happy if you moved to Italy? Permanently.’
He didn’t need to add that last word. She got his meaning in spades. ‘My parents will back whatever decision I make.’
‘We make, Elene. We.’
‘You’re right. I keep wondering when we’re going to get around to talking about the crux of the matter.’ Leaning back against the fridge, she watched him try and wriggle his way out of that.
‘We’re making inroads by going slowly, getting to know each other in a stronger, more realistic way than we did in Wellington when I was involved with your friend. Introducing you and Aimee to my family is the next step. If I’m wrong, I apologise, but there’re no ground rules to follow here.’
That apology showed how hard Mattia was working with her. She nodded. ‘It’s okay. I’m nervous, that’s all. How did they take the news they have another grandchild?’
‘Surprisingly well. But then I think my parents are beyond being shocked by anything me or my brothers do. I’m guessing you can’t have four boys and not get a few knocks along the way.’
‘Lucky you, having brothers. My sisters are both louder and more outgoing than me.’
‘Trust me, brothers can be a pain too.’
Which brought her back to reality. ‘We still have a lot to learn about each other.’ She’d be gone in a couple of weeks.
Mattia laughed. ‘By this time tomorrow you’ll know more about me than you’d have imagined. And probably more than I want you to find out.’
‘So they’re not going to hogtie me and snatch Aimee away?’ The question was out before she’d thought of being prudent.
‘That’s what’s putting that frown on your brow.’ Mattia crossed and laid a hand on her arm. ‘I promise you no one’s going to grill you, throw you out the door or remove Aimee from your arms.’ The eyes locked on her were almost black with intensity. ‘I won’t let that happen.’
Knock me down. Mattia would stick by her, support and look out for her. They had come a long way. Though it was in his nature to look out for others, she sensed he was more involved with her, with the need to care for her. A man who’d stand by her, especially against his beloved family, was the sort she’d been looking for all her life. Her father had set the benchmark, and she should never have got involved with Craig. Mattia was beginning to understand her better than she could have imagined.
‘I don’t intend coming between you and your family.’ She drew a shaky breath. ‘But thank you. It means a lot that you’d stick up for me.’
He scowled. ‘Why wouldn’t I?’ He was studying her, that intensity ramped up even higher. ‘Sure I like getting my own way, but I’d never bully you to achieve my own gain.’
She swallowed, staring at him. ‘I know that.’
When she tried to move away Mattia put his hand on her other arm, gently held her in place. ‘What Craig did—is that why you were so against me and Danielle? You thought I’d hurt her badly. Like you’ve been.’
Sucking her lips back against her teeth, she nodded. ‘Danielle didn’t bruise easily, yet when you came along I thought she might. I was wrong. There are times I struggle to believe not every male is a bully.’ Why did I ever feel the need to protect Danielle from Mattia? Again she wondered if even then she’d been protecting herself from him because he was out of bounds, having chosen to date Danielle.
‘It’s completely understandable.’ Those large hands were unbelievably tender on her skin.
Don’t move in case he takes them away. She enjoyed being touched by Mattia. He was so sexy, and kind, and caring. The swear word that rose in her mind was blunt. Followed by a blunter thought. You were jealous of Danielle. You wanted Mattia yourself. A shiver tripped up her spine. Had she really? No denial was rushing at her. Elene lifted her eyes to Mattia’s face, drank in the chiselled chin, the dark stubble, the laughter lines at the corners of his mouth. Quite the package. No wonder she’d lusted after him. And now? Now nothing. That had to remain in the past. Now they needed to become friends. Sex with a friend wasn’t a recipe for success when there was so much at stake.
‘Elene.’ Her name was molten chocolate on his tongue, slipping off in a single low breath. ‘Elene,’ he repeated.
Heat flooded her. Because of her name on his lips. Her toes were lifting her towards him, narrowing the gap between their bodies, aided by his hands pulling softly on her arms until her breasts were against his lower chest. Still gazing up at him as if she’d been struck by lightning, she didn’t consider backing away, only knew the longing deep inside to kiss him, to taste him, to know his mouth on hers.
Lowering his head slowly, as though giving her the chance to pull away, Mattia’s mouth came tantalisingly close before he hesitated. His eyes were smoky, watching her, waiting for what?
Not pulling away. Not this time. Elene stretched those last few centimetres to place her mouth on his, feeling the strength and gentleness, the fullness, the need his lips invoked.
A groan spilled between them, escaping from Mattia as he kissed her back. Kissed her deep, sensually. Making her hope, beg, that she could return the favour equally as mind-blowing, as heating as what having Mattia’s mouth devouring hers was doing to her. A kiss was a kiss—so wasn’t true. The kisses she’d known never produced sparks and made her boneless, hadn’t sent torrents of mindless need racing to every inch of her body and especially to that place now throbbing with such longing.
Pressed up against him, his arms wrapped around her keeping her there, Elene lost track of everything except those lips, that slick tongue venturing into her mouth, the strength of his body she was so entwined with they’d become one. A hunger opened wide, had her feasting harder.
‘Mattia,’ she whispered around their kiss. Mattia. Mattia? She was kissing Mattia when they had so much to resolve? The heat chilled, her skin lifted in bumps. The need remained, not building, not dying—just there, tormenting her in its persistence. ‘Mattia.’
Immediately he jerked his mouth away, brought his hands to her upper arms to hold her steady. ‘Elene,’ he gasped. ‘That—’ He stopped, staring at her as if an alien had entered his home.
Considering everything, she probably was one. Or had her inexperience been that obvious? She shrugged away from him, found the strength to walk across the room to the other side of the counter, putting space between them before she did something silly like grab him and start all over with another bone-melting, brain-exploding kiss. ‘That shouldn’t have happened. I’m sorry.’
Anger reflected back at her as he growled, ‘Don’t you dare apologise. We’re adults and know what we’re doing.’
‘We do?’ She sure as eggs didn’t. All she could definitely say was she’d loved every moment of the kiss and would do anything for another—except she knew she couldn’t. Not if she wanted to survive intact.
‘I guess.’ The fingers he dragged through his dark hair were shaking.
She’d rattled him. Good. She wasn’t in this pickle al
one. His indecision was heart-warming, showing yet another side to a man she’d always believed beyond indecision. Especially about something as simple as a kiss. But it hadn’t been a simple kiss. Not in her book, any rate.
‘See you in the morning.’ There’d be no avoiding it since they were going to see his family. Her heart squeezed. The Ricco family on top of that kiss was stacking up to be insurmountable trouble. Why had she instigated it? Why, why, why? Hey, it had been the kiss of a lifetime, worth any amount of trouble. She snatched up her half-full glass of wine as she went past the table. She needed it. Badly. To soothe her messed-up mind. Not to mention to cool her deliciously bruised lips, to calm her rapid heartbeat, something to sip as she meditated on what just happened.
I kissed Mattia Ricco. That was what happened, no more, no less. Oh, yeah? There was plenty more to it, otherwise why were her legs like logs, her feet chunks of floppy rubber?
She should’ve grabbed the bottle. There wouldn’t be any sleep going on tonight and imbibing would be a pleasurable way to fill in an hour or two. There’d be some cruising through her mind for ideas on how to handle meeting the Ricco clan. Mattia might have said he had her back, but making a fool of herself wasn’t an option. Nor did she want to be answering awkward questions, but how to prepare for them when she couldn’t be certain what they’d be?
Settling back against the headboard of the enormous—made for two and sex—bed, she sipped wine and looked across the room to where Aimee’s cot had been until that morning, when they’d shifted her to another room since she’d settled in so well. Elene sighed. Tracing the outline of her mouth brought X-rated ideas of what she would like to do with Mattia next time they kissed.
Except there wasn’t going to be a next time.
* * *
Elene was quiet on the drive up to Naples. She was exhausted, having lain awake until the early hours, her head spinning with a long litany of all things Mattia.
He’d woken her with a mug of strong coffee and some ciabatta with tomatoes before getting Aimee ready for the day. One day he’d make the perfect husband for some lucky woman. Just not her.
He’d told her in a quiet, let’s-forget-last-night voice, ‘We’re going to Via Toledo in the city before heading to the family house.’
‘Right. I’ll be quick,’ she’d answered, not knowing what Via Toledo was about, but seeing any part of Napoli was a bonus. She’d never been there; the airport didn’t count.
Now she asked into the uncomfortable silence that had fallen as Sorrento dropped behind them, ‘What’s on Via Toledo?’
‘Shops.’
‘Mattia.’ She hadn’t meant to snap but they were in a car together, going to visit his relatives, and tension was increasing inside her with every passing minute. She took a deep breath. They needed to be getting along, not scrapping. ‘What kind of shops?’
‘All kinds. Especially clothing and shoes, and all the things women love.’
‘You spilt red wine on your white skirt?’
He didn’t even laugh. ‘You need some clothes. I’m taking you shopping.’
‘Oh, no, you don’t.’ First he kept testing her to see what she was trying to get out of him, and then he’d decided to buy her a new wardrobe. A test or a gift she was supposed to accept with gratitude? Forget being the peacemaker. ‘If I want clothes I’ll buy them.’
‘It’s my way of saying thank you for bringing Aimee across to meet me.’
She gasped. Never had she expected him to say that. Never. ‘Low blow.’
The car lurched sideways as Mattia aimed for the verge, where he hauled on the brake and twisted in his seat to face her. ‘I meant it.’
‘All you had to do was say thank you.’
Those dark eyes were fierce. ‘I’m a man of few words, especially the important ones.’
She had noticed. ‘Yet you said them the moment I got mad at you.’
A wry expression came across his face. ‘I reacted without thinking. Something you tend to cause me to do too often.’
She affected Mr Always in Control? Not likely. ‘Save it—’ Gulp. There really was a hint of remorse in his gaze. Reaching out, she touched his hand. ‘Take me to Via Toledo. I’d love some new clothes.’ It wasn’t like her to get around with so few choices. ‘But I’ll pay for them.’
A reluctant smile lifted that delightful mouth. ‘Let me buy one outfit.’
Would it be selfish to say yes? That look said not. ‘All right.’ A pair of shorts and a blouse wouldn’t be excessive.
Except she hadn’t factored in the high-end fashion shop Mattia took her to. As for getting away with a casual outfit, forget it. The dress the assistant held out for her to try on after Mattia told her to find something that wasn’t elaborate or formal but could be worn just about anywhere took Elene’s breath away. And probably cost more than a week’s salary back home. ‘I can’t take that.’
‘You haven’t tried it on yet.’ Mattia grinned and jiggled his daughter in his arms. ‘Move, woman. We haven’t got all day.’
Slipping into the slinky red thigh-length dress, Elene stared at the image in the mirror before her and watched the shape of her figure come to life as the assistant closed the zip. Who was this stranger?
‘Wow...’ she croaked.
‘Wow, indeed,’ came that deep, sexy voice she knew she’d miss when she left Sorrento.
She flicked around. ‘Mattia?’
‘The assistant opened the curtain.’ His gaze roved over her. ‘Thank goodness.’
‘Try these on.’ The woman was back, brandishing a pair of red stilettos with fine straps, the shade a perfect match for the dress.
‘Ah, no, thank you. I’ve got shoes.’ Nothing quite like these. But she had to be sensible. Didn’t she? Not that she often was when it came to fabulous shoes and dresses.
‘One dress doesn’t make an outfit,’ Mattia drawled.
He was impossible when he was winning. But for once she couldn’t find it in her to argue. He was being kind, and arguing would be petty. Besides, she had to have those shoes. And the dress. Reaching for the shoes, she sank onto the couch and rubbed the soft leather with a fingertip, before slipping her feet inside. Bliss. So, so comfortable straight up. Standing, she twirled before the mirror, her gaze fixed on the shoes. ‘They’re beautiful,’ she said in wonder. Never before had she known such perfect footwear.
‘They’re yours,’ Mattia grunted, his eyes fixed on them too. Then slowly his gaze travelled up her legs to pause on her thighs, where the hem of the dress cut a line. His eyes widened, darkened. With lust? For her?
Elene felt her stomach drop and that spot at the top of her legs moistened. Turning away, she couldn’t help but glance in the mirror for another look at him. There was something magic about Mattia, something that woke her up in ways she’d thought would never happen again. In ways she didn’t want because they only led to trouble and hurt.
If Mattia made to kiss her again would she run away? Or stay to kiss him back with all she had?
Grabbing the edge of the curtain, she went to pull it shut.
‘Don’t take the dress off,’ Mattia said.
‘I’m not wearing it and risking dribble stains.’ Aimee had been rubbing her mouth a lot since waking up and the resultant mess wouldn’t be a good look on the soft, clinging fabric.
‘My shirt can handle those. But if you really don’t want to wear something new and exciting then that’s your call.’
Put like that, how could she not? Her hands slid over her waist and down her hips, Mattia’s eyes following, making her blush. When she didn’t do blushing. ‘Right, then, thank you. Shouldn’t we get going?’
Mattia blinked and looked around. ‘I won’t be a moment,’ he said as he headed to the discreet counter in the far corner of the shop.
Elene took one more look at herself in the mirror and si
ghed. Wearing something so lovely made her feel very feminine, and boosted her confidence to face whatever the lunch with Mattia’s family brought. Was that why Mattia had splashed out? To help her? She hoped so, and was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt there was no other ulterior motive. He’d said he’d be on her side with his family, and she had to believe him without question. Today was about Aimee. And her. And Mattia.
Back on the road, Mattia again cranked up her wariness. ‘Who paid for your airfares to come here? And you’ve taken time off work for this trip, and I’m sure there are a lot of day-to-day expenses around raising Aimee. I’d like to help with those.’
Since he wasn’t accusing her of trying to get money out of him, she could relax. ‘Danielle left me everything she had for Aimee’s welfare, and expressly demanded I use her money to visit you.’
‘I see.’ He left it at that.
Not that Elene believed for one second the discussion was over. Only on hold. But she’d go along with him. Today already held enough hurdles.
CHAPTER SEVEN
WITH HIS HAND on Elene’s waist, Mattia ushered her inside his parents’ home. ‘Relax, no one’s going to bite.’ Not her anyway. If anyone was getting an interrogation it would be him.
‘Easy for you to say,’ she muttered, her hands clenched at her sides.
He should’ve let her carry Aimee to boost her confidence, but this was his daughter he was bringing home for the first time and he wasn’t going to hide behind Elene. ‘It’s me who’ll be in the hot seat.’
