Page 42 of The Runaway Bride and the Billionaire

“That’s lovely!” Agnes spoke first. Her excitement clouded the brief moment of uncertainty that had hung in the air. In that moment, I didn’t know if Amelia agreed with my definition of our relationship. There was no time to find out because Agnes was already gushing about the whole thing.

“I knew you two would end up together,” she said proudly. “I’m really good at detecting things.”

Amelia laughed. “Oh really?”

“Yes, dear. From the moment you walked in here, I knew there was something special between you and my boss.”

“Why don’t you tell me all about that while I help you get what you came for?” Amelia asked as she led Agnes out of the room. She’d deduced from the older woman’s empty hands that she’d yet to collect the items she came to get.

As they walked out of the room, Amelia sent me a glance. It was brief and there were no words spoken but somehow I understood what she was telling me.

We needed to talk.

We needed to know if we both agreed to go down this path again. Were we truly ready to commit to each other like we’d done five years ago? I’d had my doubts at first but they were all gone now, leaving me with only one thing. Blinding clarity.

I wanted to be with her.

Chapter 21

Amelia

Ihelped Agnes gather her things. Then I helped her take them to the taxi waiting outside. After that, I tidied up the room that we’d ransacked together while looking for her old jewelry box.

Deep down I knew I was stalling. I was buying time because I wasn’t ready to face Matteo just yet. He’d told Agnes that we were together but I wasn’t sure if he actually meant it. He probably just told her that because it was the obvious answer.

It hurt to think of things that way, but it was difficult to control my thoughts once they started to spiral. I imagined our conversation. I pictured him saying he hadn’t meant what he said, and I could feel my heart hurting from just the thought of it. It was almost impressive how much we could hurt ourselveswith our own thoughts. I was creating scenarios in my head and making my own heart bleed.

Talk about masochism.

I straightened the sheets until they lay perfectly flat against the bed. And then I straightened them again. Finally, I had to admit to myself that this had gone on long enough. I couldn’t hide from Matteo forever.

I left Agnes’ room and went in search of Matteo, determined to rip this painful Band-Aid off quickly so I could begin my recovery process. I found him in his bedroom. I’d been so absentminded in my search that I forgot to knock. I just pushed the door open.

Matteo lounged on a couch in the corner, his legs stretched out as he scrolled through his phone. He’d changed out of his suit into something more casual. A pair of gray sweatpants. He wasn’t wearing a shirt.

I’d seen Matteo shirtless many times, including last night. Still, something about the uncertainty about our relationship had me shielding my eyes and apologizing. “I’m so sorry.”

“No need to apologize,” he said. Amusement laced his voice.

Through the spaces between my fingers, I could see him walking up to me. He stood in front of me and pulled my hands down. “We should talk.”

I nodded in agreement, and he pulled me to the couch he’d recently vacated. We sat close, our knees brushed together, and I found myself thinking about earlier. Right before Agnes interrupted us, he’d been about to kiss me. I wanted him to kiss me now.

I hid my desire as I asked, “Did you mean what you told Agnes?”

“Of course. We’re together or at least… I want us to be together.” He lifted a hand and brushed my cheek lightly with his thumb. “What do you want, Amelia?”

I closed my eyes as I leaned into his touch. His thumb traced the rise of my cheekbones before dipping to the lines of my jaw. “I want the same thing. I want to be with you. I want you.”Matteo smiled. “Say that again.”

“I want you.”

I’d repeat it as many times as he wanted me to. I’d shout it from the rooftops if he asked. That was how happy I was to be with him again. After five agonizing years of not being with him, agreeing to date him felt like agreeing to breathe. It was natural. It was essential. It was right.

He dipped his head to claim my lips and I lost myself in the headiness that his touch always gave me. I’d never stopped loving this man. Not when my parents forced me to end things with him. Not when I almost married Lucas. Not even when he told me he didn’t want to be with me.

Nothing had made me stop loving him and I didn’t think anything ever would. I bit back the confession that threatened to spill out of me. This wasn’t the time to tell Matteo that I loved him. It was too soon. Our relationship was technically still new.

We would both need time to adjust to this shift in our dynamic. I decided to give us that time instead of forcing things. One day, I would tell Matteo that I loved him but today wasn’t that day and that was okay. For now, I could simply relish the taste of his lips and bask in the warmth of his affection for me.

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