Page 327 of Hate Mates

Allegra searches my face, scrutinizing me, before a big smirk curves her lips. “I see where you’re going with this. Don’t they say hate sex is the best sex?”

A laugh bursts out of me before I can stop it.

Actually, it’s not where my mind was. But now that Allegra has planted the seed, it’s slowly taking root. Yes, people do say that hate sex is the best, however I can’t confirm whether it’s true. I have only been with one boy, Grant, my ex-boyfriend. We were together for a year and lost our virginities to each otherwhen I was seventeen and he was eighteen. Though we spent all that summer getting acquainted with each other and sex, our relationship was not meant to be.

Grant went off to college in California, while I stayed on the East Coast to study. Regardless of trying to make it work, our relationship ended not long after, a mutual decision, and we went our separate ways.

Despite not being overly experienced, men think otherwise. I’m a flirt. I know I am. Confidence is key, and I possess it in spades. It’s why I first went after Allegra’s brother, Nico. Not that it got me anywhere, but God loves a trier. Nico shut me down every single time, and the last time it happened he wasn’t nice about it. He thought my flirtations were disrespectful toward his wife, Ocean, and that was enough for me to feel the wrath of Nico Marchetti. He all but threatened me and there is no doubt in my mind that had I not been his sister’s best friend, I would be six feet under by now.

It was only a bit of fun on my part, but I can see how it might make Ocean feel. I was wrong. Nico is not the man for me anyway. Matteo on the other hand…

My attention flickers to him on its own accord, my heart skipping when I find his gaze on me. I swallow at the intensity in it, then remind myself that I’m a fierce bitch and I will not be intimidated by him.

So, I do the only thing I can think of in that moment.

Slowly bringing my hand up to my mouth, I keep my eyes locked on his.

Then I blow him a kiss.

Chapter Three

MATTEO

Gripping my phone harder than necessary, lust explodes in my groin when Athena blows me a kiss. I shake my head.

What the fuck?

There is no way that little vapid vampire can wrench a reaction like that from me. I’m not attracted to her in the slightest. Her personality alone is like a built-in bug spray, deterring me from her. And yet… my cock twitched when her full lips rounded.

Eh. He must have forgotten for a second that we hate Athena Johnson.

I can let the little mishap slide.

“Did you hear me, Matteo?” Nico’s exasperated voice seeps into my haze, reminding me where I am and why I am sitting here.

Clearing my throat, I say. “Sorry, boss. What did you say?”

He smirks. “Take Athena home, will you?” It wasn’t a question.

My body tenses with those five words, a glower taking over my face immediately. I shake my head. “No. No way. Get someone else to do it.”

“Nah, I asked you to do it.” His smirk grows wider as Dante snorts. “Get Athena home safely, now, won’t you?”

“You’re a fucking asshole,” I grumble. “Why are you doing this?”

He leans back in his seat, getting comfortable. “Because you need to sort out whatever issue it is you have with her. Yeah, she is an annoyance, but harmless.”

“You did not have the same attitude when she made comments toward you and disrespected Ocean,” I shoot back, making him glare. I grin, knowing my words hit their intended target.

“Not the point. That little issue was sorted out months ago. Even before we found out Dante was alive.” He blows out a breath, running a palm across his mouth. “It’s time you work out whatever… problem you have with her. She is Allegra’s best friend and as long as that remains the same, she is not going anywhere.”

Sighing, I grimace, knowing Nico is right. Athena is a permanent fixture for now. Which means, I need to suck her presence up. Not literally. No way. But figurately. Yes.

“Fine,” I hiss out begrudgingly, my teeth clenched so hard, I’m surprised they don’t turn to dust.

Dante laughs. “This is going to be interesting.”

I glower at his smug face, only for my stare to whip to Nico when he adds.

---