Page 90 of Matteo

I think we’re done for the day, but when she finds out that I don’t have any makeup, we go to a department store makeup counter. The woman shows me how to use the dozens of products she presents me with. I was shocked by how many products Elizabeth admitted to wearing, considering how light her makeup appeared to me.

It took a few tries before I was finally comfortable with how to use everything. When I'm done, I wonder who the woman in the mirror is and if Matteo will like her.

Amy

I’m on a huge high the next day as I pack for us to leave after my therapy appointment today. I wish I could skip the appointment, but Matteo won’t allow it.

Doris is almost as excited as I am to go to Chicago. She admitted she would love to go to the museum with us or be in charge of Layla and take her to a few places to explore on our own. She visited Chicago once, more than a decade ago, and had wanted to return ever since.

I was glad she was willing to give us private time. We are going to be in two different suites next to each other. Matteo was insistent we needed our own rooms. When I said a suite was us in different rooms, he shook his head as he said he didn’t want to worry Doris would hear me begging him to fuck me. I didn’t argue after that.

Elizabeth wasn’t wrong—Matteo spanked me for the haircut last night. Then he sighed and apologized, saying it was my hair and my choice of what I did with it. It was just such a huge change, and he loved my long hair so much.

I apologized because I did know he loved my hair. He’s often brushed it out and braided it for me. It was another way of him taking care of me that we both loved. I regret it for a hard five minutes, but it’s still long enough to be braided, and I promised I won’t cut it any shorter.

If what happened afterward was make-up sex, then I’m going to figure out how we can fight again because it was so fucking hot.

Matteo’s phone goes off with an alert. He checks it. His thumbs move across the screen rapidly as he replies. “Okay, the real estate agent Mom is recommended is here. Doris, could you please take Layla either into the sitting room or her room?”

“Wait, the agent is coming here? How come you didn’t tell me? Should I change?” I look down at the leggings and plain long-sleeve black shirt I’m wearing stained with paint. These are just comfy clothes for around the condo.

He’s trying to hand off Layla, who is upset and clinging to him. Sighing, he cuddles her close again. “Never mind, Doris. I’ll keep her. If you wouldn’t mind standing by, though, I’d appreciate it.”

Catching me behind my neck, he brings his mouth down on mine. “You’re always gorgeous. You don’t need to change. This is just a quick meeting she asked for us to have so we could meet to discuss what we’re looking for. I thought the email was more than enough.” His shoulders lift. “But she didn’t. Since mom is insistent she’s an excellent agent and can find us what we want, I agreed.”

We spent an hour last night putting an email together for everything we wanted in preparation for tomorrow. I couldn’t believe half the requirements and budget or lack of a budget Matteo insisted on. Rich, rich.

The doorbell goes off, and Doris opens it. A slim, tall man with light blond hair introduces himself as Tim. He’s good-looking, and he knows it. I wouldn’t be surprised if he uses it to his advantage. His teeth are freakishly white and oddly perfect as he smiles down at me, one step too close for my comfort. I have to pull my hand out of his when he doesn’t end the handshake on his own.

Something shifts in the air, pulling my eyes to Matteo.

“Where is Janet? She’s the one who asked for this meeting.” Matteo is frowning down at Tim. The guy is tall but at least four inches shorter than Matteo. Matteo is also wider and probably outweighs him by twenty pounds of muscle. I’ve never thought of Matteo as intimidating—I am now.

Tim’s smile falls ever so slightly. “Janet sends her apologies. The client she’s been working with decided to put in an offer. They’re working the deal out right now.”

I don’t understand why Matteo’s jaw is working. Ignoring the hand Tim offers, he nods. “Fine. Make this quick. Sit. Doris, take Layla, please.”

This time, Layla doesn’t fight. “I’ll be in the nursery, sir.”

“Yes, of course.” Tim spits out the words as he sits down at the dining table, opens his briefcase, and takes out a large legal notepad and pen. “Janet had a few questions.”

Tension is pounding like a drum at my temples over the next fifteen minutes. It isn’t until the fourth time it happens that I finally understand. Every time Tim smiles at me and attempts to speak to me, Matteo cuts him off or answers the question himself. Finally, Tim gets it and basically ignores me to speak directly to Matteo. It doesn’t help—Matteo still verges on rude to the man.

The moment the door closes behind Tim, Matteo curtly tells me he’ll be in his office. Before I can say a word, he’s gone. Is he mad at me? What did I do wrong? Fear sends me after him.

He’s stalking his office, his hand running through his hair. Shaking his head, “Leave, Amy.”

It’s a punch to the chest, leaving me gasping for air. “I’m sorry.”

Gold goes wide down at me. “You have nothing to be sorry for. It’s me. This is all me. And I don’t—” A hand runs over his beautiful face. “I apologize, but you need to leave. Until I get myself under control…”

I’m more confused than I was before. “I don’t understand.”

“The fucker was touching you, smiling at you, fucking flirting with you. You were smiling back at him. You let him touch you. I wanted to rearrange his face and mess up that expensive smile?—”

What? “I was only being polite. Matteo, I wasn’t encouraging him—I swear it.”

Turning away from me, he nods. “I know that. It’s why I don’t trust myself around you. Nothing I’m feeling makes sense to me. I don’t recognize any of this. It doesn’t feel safe to be around you when I feel so fucking violent. If I hurt you or say something wrong, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself.”

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