Page 38 of Forbidden Lord
Before she could laugh, he claimed her lips in a searing kiss and laid her on the bed.
She was his.
Chapter 15
Sheena’s body ached softly, despite the warm shower.
Last night, staying up with Matteo until dawn had been an unexpected pleasure. Being with Matteo, holding him close, made her forget Charles.
His declaration of love while on the dance floor was an open wound.
For a long time, she’d have given anything to hear that. Her wish had come true, but it was too late. Matteo didn’t deserve this. He’d been good to her, and he was all she needed now. How dare Charles try to spoil it?
Her mind reeled that she was even this torn. Her heart shouldn’t wonder “what if.” Matteo deserved better, and he made her happy.
She walked out of the bathroom in her black knee-length skirt and black button-down work shirt and saw that he was still sleeping.
She gently lowered herself to his side of the bed and kissed his cheek.
Matteo’s skin tasted better than warm, fresh-out-of-the-oven from her father’s shop, chocolate chip cookies, her former favorite dessert. Matteo was perfect. As he opened his eyes, she smiled down at him. “Matteo, it’s afternoon already.”
He took in her professional appearance as he sat up, naked under his sheet. “Lunch will be on the veranda.”
Her stomach growled. Lunch would be amazing and probably ground her before her meetings. But last night’s party had also been work, and she had no idea how well her showing had done. She watched him sit, his six-pack abs flexing. She let out a small sigh and wished she could stay here as she said, “I’m supposed to meet my assistant who handled the art sales, but I’ll be back in two hours.”
His gaze narrowed. “That’s a long time.”
Numbers and receipts weren’t something she’d gloss over with a quick gaze. “We overslept, but I promise to be back soon.”
He yawned but nodded. Then he tossed the sheet to the side, not caring that he was completely naked as he said, “I’ll go see Stefano and find out if anyone’s heard from Astorre.”
His friend. Right. She’d forgotten. She fixed her skirt to get out any potential wrinkles as he stood. She eyed his sexy backside. “He left after our wedding. Do you think it’s a problem for him?”
He walked toward the drawer and pulled out a pair of boxer briefs. “We’re concerned as he fully intended to just give up being a duke in our country.”
Her mind raced. She couldn’t imagine walking away from a fortune, or the land—his tenants needed him. She hoped Matteo found his friend and talked some sense into him. She shuffled barefoot toward her shoes as she said, “Well, good luck finding him. We’ll spend the rest of the day together once we both get home.”
“Good, because I’ll want you again.” He headed in the other direction, toward the bathroom.
She stopped at the door and stared at his muscular backside. Her body craved his touch. “Sounds good, though I’m also hoping you give me another skateboard lesson.”
He winked. “Both will work.”
“See you soon, my love.” She let herself out, ignoring the beat in her heart.
A few minutes later she left the estate in a red coupe Ferrari that the staff said was hers. As she sat in the smooth leather seat and wrapped her fingers around the steering wheel, she let out a small squeal. This was her fantasy car.
The drive to the local village coffee shop made her heart pound with excitement.
Matteo, without even knowing her fantasies, somehow made them all come true. He truly was a great guy.
The trip was too short because the village adjacent to Villa Sogno was just down the country road and near a few shops and restaurants that formed a small town center.
She parked in a lot behind the building, and fixed her all-black work outfit for wrinkles. Ready, she entered the shop and saw her assistant, Melissa, with the accounting paperwork, and her mind sharpened.
Sheena went through receipts—everything she’d put on display had a price. She stopped at one of the receipts and met Melissa’s brown eyes. “Wait. The king himself bought Chelsea’s piece—and he doesn’t know that it’s hers?”
“He does not,” Melissa said, her hair in its usual “loves math not people” bun, with pencils sticking out.
