Page 5 of Marry Me in Rome

I gave her a quick hug. “That’s kind of you. But we also have tomorrow. Let’s go check out Matteo’s mysterious place, whatever it is, and come back later.” I shot him a glare. “Not because he wants it, but because you do. Just so we’re clear.”

“It’s decided, then. Follow me.” Matteo turned and started for the exit, his huge dog trotting obediently behind him with his collar’s already familiar jingling sound.

I did not admire the man’s backside as he walked away. Not a single bit. Nor the way his shirt pulled at his shoulders. Or his well-shaped neck, the perfect blend of muscular and contemporary model.

Not that there was anything wrong with admiring your Italian tour guide from behind as he pushed through a crowd, right?

He slowed and turned. Our gazes locked, and his lips curved into a self-satisfied smile.

My feet chose that precise moment to catch a ragged piece of sidewalk. A second later, I found myself splayed onto the ground, eyeing concrete. Just inches away stood a little boy, staring at me in horror.

I pushed onto all fours, taking inventory. All my limbs were still attached, though my knees took the brunt of my fall. At least I didn’t topple right on top of the kid.

The boy started to wail. Crap. A very dirty lollipop stuck to my bare leg. His mother tried to pull him into her arms, murmuring in Italian, but he pushed her away.

“Oh! Shoot. I’m so sorry.” I rolled onto my rear, brushed myself off, and peeled the lollipop off before handing it to its owner, wincing at the stickiness that lingered on my skin. “Here you go.”

The young boy gaped at the dirt-plastered candy and wailed even louder.

A hand appeared out of nowhere and handed the boy a wad of cash. Then that hand reached down and waited.

I wanted to scream in frustration. I didn’t want Matteo to help me up right now, but since refusing him would cause an even bigger scene, I took his hand and let him lift me to my feet. He immediately turned to the boy and spoke to him in Italian, patting his head before placing his hand on my back to ease me forward.

A few steps later, I looked back to find the boy grinning and the mother staring after us in surprise.

“How much did you give that kid?” I asked.

“The equivalent of twenty American dollars. He’s having a great day. How are those knees?”

They were scraped a bit but without blood. Hurt like the dickens, though. “Looks like I’ll live.”

“Good. I’d hate for you to die before you get to see one of the quirkiest parts of Rome.” He paused to let Alexis catch up, her mouth agape.

Maybe my skirt flew up. But no, Matteo would have pointed that out immediately.

He didn’t remove his hand until we reached the corner near a crosswalk. Then he maneuvered around a crowd of tourists standing next to the crosswalk to peer down the street. His head towered over the other tourists.

My knees still ached, but my hand occupied the whole of my attention. It still felt oddly warm from his touch.

Alexis smirked.

“What?” I hissed.

“You like him,” she whispered.

My face grew warm. Thankfully, he was too far ahead to hear us. Matteo was arrogant enough. “Absolutely not true. Where have you been all day?”

She elbowed me in the ribs, giving me yet another bruise I didn’t need right now. “You’re totally checking him out.”

“I can despise someone and admire how they look at the same time.”

“No,” she said. “There’s definitely an attraction there. When did this start? When he didn’t fall head over heels for you like the other guys? When he started throwing twenties around to injured children?”

Injured?“I didn’t hurt anything but the kid’s feelings. He can buy ten lollipops now, but I didn’t ask Matteo to do that. I feel nothing for him. Zero. The last thing I need right now is a fling.”

“Says the fling queen,” Alexis said in a perky, sing-song voice.

I sighed. “Not you too.”

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