Page 26 of Marry Me in Rome

I lookedlike a crazy person the next morning, pacing the front of the train station. Up and down. Down and up. I must have done a mile before he arrived.He.The guy who’d taken over my thoughts. A man I’d hated more than anything just twenty-four-hours ago. Someone my sisters thought of as a babysitter, someone who could occupy my time while they did what theyreallywanted to do.

Let them go. I had my own plans. Matteo must have stayed up as late as I had, because when I’d texted him around midnight, he responded immediately.

At least my sisters allowed me to sleep in, leaving a tray of breakfast on the nightstand as they went their separate ways. Kennedy even left a note in the bathroom with a heart and “Love you! Have fun today! ~K” scrawled in her neat handwriting.

Matteo stood a head taller than the rest of the crowd. He wore a black T-shirt that made my heart do a little flip. When his gaze finally found me, his lips curved upward in an approving smile. A knowing smile. Like he knew I’d change my mind all along.

Forcing my feet not to bounce, I moved toward him. It took every ounce of effort I could muster to yank my gaze away and stride past him. “No mutt today?”

“I don’t think the city would survive another day with you two together.”

Since I was turned away, I didn’t see his expression, but I heard the grin in his voice. He hurried ahead of me and opened the door of a black car parked at the curb.

“A car. What a concept.” I nodded in approval as I slipped inside, taking his offered hand, feeling like Elizabeth being assisted by Mr. Darcy . . . and felt an almost electric connection the instant our fingers touched. Like a live wire ran from his legs to the car.

No, more like the current created a storm within me, and he was the road that grounded me, making the rest of the world go silent. Indeed, I found myself leaning toward him. Whatever resistance I experienced yesterday was definitely gone.

“You wouldn’t have gotten into a car with me yesterday if your life depended on it,” he said, waiting for me to settle into my seat. “You thought I was a kidnapper for half the day and a terrorist for the other half.”

“Kidnappers and terrorists use white vans and creepy black SUVs, not red Vespas.”

His text had instructed me to bring a swim suit, so I wore my royal blue bikini underneath my sundress. Although I’d considered not bringing it at all. When musing about his pool yesterday, I’d forgotten how it felt to swim with a guy. Wearing this meant I was okay with him seeing me mostly undressed, and that meant seeing him mostly undressed, and I wasn’t sure why this felt more meaningful than any swimming date I’d ever been on.

“Then my master plan was successful.” He closed the door before striding around the car to the other side. Even walkinglike that, his form free and determined and confident, did something strange to me. Like, if hewerea kidnapper and I knew it, I might have climbed into this car anyway simply because I lacked the power to do otherwise.

Stop it,I reminded myself. If I was really going to spend the day with this guy, I had to rein myself in a bit. Maybe a lot.

He slid into the driver’s seat, bringing a whiff of sun-dried tomatoes and fresh grass with him, and slammed his own door closed. The inside of his car was tidy, almost too clean, and reeking of leather polish and glass cleaner.

“Is this yours?” I asked.

“My sister’s. She’s waiting for us.” He pulled out into traffic. “If you like this vehicle, just wait till you see the next one.”

“What is it this time, a boat?” I groaned inwardly. I’d experienced enough of the Tiber to last a lifetime. Probably had some of it still sitting in my stomach. But he said it would be a two-hour trip each way. Maybe a larger boat?

“A little faster than a boat. Since you only have one day left, I’d rather not spend it traveling.” We pulled up to a light and he turned back to me the second he could. A tingle shot through my body at how his eyes pierced mine.

I really had no chance against this man, and I couldn’t even say I resented it.

We spent a few minutes in silence, watching the city flash by outside the window. Tuscan gold buildings, modern glass towers, and cobblestone streets made for a next level of charm that I couldn’t imagine leaving tomorrow. I could spend a year in this city and never get tired of it.

“You seem quieter today,” he said. “Is everything all right?”

“Just stayed up too late.” I’d curled my hair this morning despite knowing we’d end up in water at some point. Hopefully I looked more effortless-nice than trying-too-hard nice. “Tell meabout your sister. I know barely anything about her except she’s going to school.”

“Right. Well, she thinks I’m a disappointment just like my mother does, but at least she still talks to me. So that’s a win.” He smiled wryly.

A win I didn’t share. I wouldn’t mind not talking to my sisters for a very long time. Let them experience the city without me, because I was just fine without them.

Twenty minutes later, we pulled up right next to a helicopter pad. Before I registered what was happening, Matteo was standing, holding my door open and offering his hand. I slid out of my seat, numb at the realization that Matteo was rich enough torent a helicopter for us.Maybe he even owned it. The very thought made me dizzy.

His hand took mine and guided me around the car.

He didn’t let go.

Every sense was on high alert as we crossed the space between car and helicopter, my hand rigid in his soft, warm palm. He seemed completely at ease as we approached the door, which slid open to reveal a woman inside with the same dark hair and heavy eyebrows as Matteo.

“My sister, Vivi,” Matteo said. Vivi sat in the pilot’s seat wearing a pair of thick headphones. She looked to be about my age. “Vivi, this is Jillian.”

---