Page 23 of His to Honor

“Leave her alone.” I sit up and blink a couple of times as my head reels. “It’s legal here, and you’d drink too if Piotr Reznov wanted to marry you.”

Matteo laughs humorlessly and reaches down to grab his sister’s arm. He hauls her to her feet.

“Matteo!” she protests. “I don’t want to go.”

“Tough shit. Damiano’s waiting. You two can develop your newfound friendship some other time.”

He drags her out of the room, protesting vehemently, and returns a moment later for me. I try to stand, but immediately fall back onto the soft cushions on the sofa. Matteo stands in front of me, trying to look stern, but the gleam in his eye tells me he’s amused.

“Let’s get you upstairs.” He reaches down. The world tilts as he picks me up, gathering me close to his chest.

“What are you going to do?” I ask as he carries me through the bright, airy corridor toward the stairs. “You going to punish me? Fuck me?”

“Not when you’re in this state, sweetheart. I’m going to put you to bed.”

“Alone?” I reach up and run my fingers through his hair. It’s silky. I like it.

“Yes, alone. When I fuck you, I want you fully aware of what I’m doing to you.”

“Hmm, sounds lovely.”

Matteo laughs. “Oh, yeah, it’ll be lovely, sweetheart.”

My eyes droop as we reach the top of the stairs and head along the corridor toward the bedrooms. We bypass the room I stayed in last night and go to the door at the farthest end of the passageway.

Matteo effortlessly holds me while he turns the handle of the door. He carries me into what must be his bedroom. It’s large and opulently decorated in earth tones. An enormous wooden bed dominates the space, but what tells me that this is Matteo’s room is the mess. There are clothes strewn across the floor. I guess he doesn’t let Rosalia in here to tidy up too often.

He sets me on my feet beside the bed and unbuttons my blouse. Giving him a lopsided grin, I sway toward him.

“You like what you see?” I ask as he pulls my arms out of the sleeves and tosses the blouse on the floor.

“Very much.”

He reaches behind me and unfastens the clasp of my bra. I should tell him to leave it on, but alcohol is winning the war against common sense right now. Pressing my naked breasts against him, I wrap an arm around his neck. I raise myself up onto my tiptoes and try to kiss him. He dodges me.

“Giulia!”

I smirk at him. “Matteo?”

“Stop it.” He pushes me down onto the bed. With impressive efficiency, he gets my pants off me. The next thing I know, I’m under the covers, tucked up so tight I can hardly move. He goes to the window and draws the curtains, plunging the room into darkness.

“Get some sleep,” he commands as he heads to the door.

“Matty,” I call out just before he leaves. He turns and waits for me to speak. “When I said I hated you, I didn’t mean it.”

“I know.”

“I love you.” So I can see him better, I prop myself up on my elbows. “I always have.”

“I know, sweetheart. I love you too.”

He leaves the room, closing the door behind him, and I flop back onto the pillows. My eyelids close as I succumb to my drunken stupor. I need to get some sleep. I’ll worry about where things are going with Matteo tomorrow.

CHAPTER 8

Giulia

Standing under a steady stream of cool water, I gradually feel more like myself again. A half hour ago, I woke with a slight headache and a dry mouth to find I was alone in Matteo’s bed. I know he slept there with me because I cuddled up to him in the middle of the night. I needed his closeness.

---