Page 110 of Ache for You (Slow Burn 3)
“Allow me.” Matteo snatches them up, then takes one of my ankles and maneuvers it through the leg hole. He does the same with my other foot, then slides my panties over my knees and up my thighs, settling them in place.
“That was almost professional,” I say, trying to hide how much his soft eyes are affecting me. Take it slow, Kimber. This was beautiful, but be careful. Be smart. One day at a time. Eyes wide open. Plenty of time to fall madly in love with him down the road after you get to know him better.
“You’re thinking again.”
When I look up at Matteo, I find him gazing down at me, the smile faded from his face. I’m about to make a wisecrack, but decide to be honest instead. It worked so well the last time.
“I was thinking that you’re incredible, and this was incredible, and I hope we’ll keep doing this as often as possible, and also that we should take it one day at a time because I need to be smart and not fall in love with you too fast.”
He looks amused, thank God. I’d hate to have ruined everything.
“That’s unfortunate, considering I’m already in love with you.”
Boom! goes my heart. A wheezing sound passes my lips. “Wha . . . wha . . .”
Matteo kisses me firmly, winding an arm around my waist. Then he tilts my head back, lightly gripping my jaw. “I’m in love with you,” he says, slowly and clearly, staring into my eyes. “I know it’s ridiculous, and I know it’s too soon, and I know I’m in love with you. I didn’t plan on it. I didn’t even want to admit it to myself until I figured out why I haven’t been able to sleep or eat or think straight since I met you. It’s either love or it’s insanity, and I don’t care which because either way it’s irreversible. It’s fatal. No other woman has ever moved me the way you do, and if you decide you don’t want me, it will be the end of me.
“So whatever happens from now on, you can’t say you didn’t know. You can’t say I didn’t tell you. I’m telling you straight out: I’m in love with you, Kimber DiSanto. Even if the pope does think it’s a sin.”
I stare at him for a long time, searching his face, dizzy with disbelief. “The pope?” I say weakly.
“It’s a long story. Are you all right?”
My laugh is semicrazed. “Oh sure. Of course. Beautiful men tell me every day how much they adore me—”
“Love you,” Matteo growls. After a moment, he adds, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I’m trying not to pass out.”
He kisses me again. “You’re going to be fine.”
“But what if I pass out?”
“I’ll make sure you don’t hit your head on anything.”
I’m finding it really hard to breathe. “Okay, I need to say something now, and I hope you won’t get mad.”
He waits a beat before saying, “I’ll try not to, but that doesn’t sound good.”
I swallow, moistening my lips. “Does this have anything to do with Brad?”
He cocks his head. “What do you mean?”
He doesn’t look angry at the mention of my ex, so I take that as a good sign. “I mean you came in here the other day, saw us hugging, acted weirded out about it, then left.”
“And?”
“And we haven’t talked about it since. Which means you have no idea what’s going on between us.”
He considers it for a moment. “That’s true. I don’t. But I do know that there’s no way in hell you would’ve come anywhere near this dressing room with me if there was any chance you and he were getting back together.”
“Why not?”
He answers without having to think about it. “You’re a one-man woman. You’re too good to play that game. Too loyal.”
A flush of pleasure spreads through my belly. My heart dissolves into a kaleidoscope of butterflies, flitting through my body on gossamer wings. I feel tipsy, as if I’ve spent the afternoon sipping champagne.
Oh no.
