I don't bite unless...

DEIRDRE

I spent the entire day under Matteo's watchful gaze. I returned to the living room after checking in the room Mrs Smith prepared for me.

Matteo never let me leave his side. When I mentioned wanting to pick up Kendall from daycare, he sent one of the watchdogs instead, making things even more difficult for me.

Maybe I shouldn't have come to his penthouse in the first place. I shouldn't have agreed to his terms. Now, I was back to the suffocating lifestyle I had left behind. I never realized how stifling it was until now.

I let out a sigh, fanning my face. Wiping away the sweat gathering on my forehead, I groaned and slumped into the seat. It wasn't the room's temperature making me feel hot.

The air conditioning in the room actually made it colder than usual, but Matteo's eyes seemed to melt away all the coldness.

They were intense, piercing, and smoldering, stripping me of what little dignity I had left. He made me feel exposed. It should have been uncomfortable, but instead, it ignited a series of naughty thoughts in my head.

I shut my eyes, trying to focus on anything other than Matteo—his rock-hard abs, perfect face, and what was hiding inside the Bermuda shorts he wore. But it was futile.

"You should take a shower," he suggested, causing me to snap my eyes open.

"What?" I murmured, flushing as I stared into his now even darker eyes.

I saw the desire in them, and he didn't seem the least bit ashamed to show it.

"You should take a shower," he repeated.

"Thanks, but no thanks," I said, almost snapping at the suggestion. I couldn't shake the feeling that he had an ulterior motive for suggesting it. He always did.

Matteo shrugged his broad shoulders. "You're the one feeling hot, not me. And I'd rather not be left with a sticky, dirty body."

The last words—sticky, dirty body—should have repulsed me, sending me rushing towards the shower. Instead, the way they rolled off his well-shaped lips sent waves of pleasure rippling through me.

I licked my bottom lip, staring at my dress. True to his words, it was already becoming soaked with my sweat. Soon enough, Matteo would see everything he shouldn't.

But then, he had already seen every part of my body.

"I'm not sure if you're trying to keep your guard up with me," Matteo murmured, stepping in front of me. "You should know, I've seen every inch of your form. Nothing is new to me anymore."

"I don't have a change of clothes," I blurted, immediately wincing at how it sounded, as if I had come to his house seeking a spare outfit.

"Don't worry, that's already taken care of," Matteo assured. He added, "I had Mrs. Smith arrange for a temporary dress for you during your stay here. Of course, I wouldn't mind if you chose to move about the room au naturel. After all, you are my wife. Isn't that right, Tesoro?"

Matteo's lips curled into a smile, and he extended his hand toward me. I hesitated, uncertain of how to respond.

"I don't bite, darling, unless you want me to," he said.

I shook my head and stood up, deliberately ignoring him. As I moved past him, Matteo suddenly pulled me back to him. I gasped as my body collided with his solid chest, just as I had secretly desired.

"Now, Deirdre, how long do you plan on playing hard to get?" he murmured, his smooth Italian accent caressing me like soft velvet.

My legs turned to jelly, and I clenched my teeth, willing myself not to swoon at the seductive tone of his voice.

"I know you enjoy it when I do this," Matteo's lips moved towards my neck, and he gently kissed the tender skin, causing me to bite my lip and curl my toes as unwelcome emotions surged through me.

"Please, stop," I whispered, attempting to push him away, but only succeeded in falling onto the couch with him above me. Matteo held my hand firmly above my head as he gazed into my eyes.

"You look even more stunning today, darling. Did you put in extra effort just for me?" His fingers traced from my hair down to my face, lingering on my lips.

"As if I'll ever do that," I muttered.

"Your beautiful caramel skin that gleams like a diamond of the first water, your eyes like seaweed in the sea, and your fiery red hair that captivates me every damn time. I can't stop thinking about it spread over my pillow while I plunge inside of you."

"Please," I groaned as his hand ventured further down. I shuddered at the proximity to my underwear, the memory of him tearing it off like yesterday sending a surge of fear through me.

For a moment, I feared he would push things further, but he stopped, his gaze narrowed on my face. I looked away, unable to meet his eyes.

"Are you afraid of me, Cara?" he inquired.

I remained silent. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't bring myself to speak. Matteo didn't exactly terrify me, but my return after vowing never to let myself be vulnerable again and him doing all the things I had vowed never to make myself feel, especially with him, was what made me afraid.

"Not that I care if you're afraid of me. I'd actually prefer it," he remarked. "But we've shared my bed, explored each other in every way a man and a woman can. I don't see any reason to be afraid or ashamed..."

"I don't know what you're talking about," I mumbled, pushing at his chest.

"I think you do. You'd rather pretend you don't care," he stated.

With deliberate care, he lifted himself off me, and I was able to breathe freely again. He turned towards the direction of the bar, pouring another glass of wine and taking a sip.

After a long silence, he spoke again. "You should take a bath. I have no intention of doing anything you don't want. But I know it's only a matter of time before you come begging me."

"In your dreams!" I muttered under my breath and hurried out of the living room before he could say anything else.

Matteo's husky laughter was the only response I received, thankfully not the lewd response he usually gave.