Hearing his quiet confession made my heart race. “I’m sorry,” I offered. “I didn’t know you felt that way. I don’t mean to complain.”
“You haven’t complained. But we’ll compromise. I won’t put up a camera here. You can be alone here with your thoughts and curse me out if you’re angry, and I’ll be none the wiser. Just stay away from the brook. I don’t want you falling in.”
I leaned forward and kissed him. “Thank you.”
He was quiet for a moment. “Evie, I have a dinner to attend later this week. As part of my cover, I have to go to these functions on occasion. I would like you to accompany me.”
“All right.”
“Roza will get you a dress. She’ll come to see you later.”
“Couldn’t I go with her to pick one out?”
I felt him tense up, and I ran my fingers over his jaw. “I would like to pick my own dress. It’s just the mall.”
“I cannot spare anyone tomorrow.”
“You said she carries a gun. I wouldn’t leave her sight. Please.”
I felt his indecision. He swallowed. “I’ll arrange it.”
I cupped his face and drew him back to my mouth. “Thank you.”
I decided not to push my luck, and we walked back to the house, side by side, our fingers entwined.
“Matteo, what is that room for?” I asked, pointing to the windows of the small space I had looked at the other day.
“Nothing. I think the architect called it an extra study.” He glanced down. “Did you want it, Evie?”
“Can I? I would love a space to craft.”
He frowned. “Craft? What is that?”
“Make things. Do some sewing. Make a wreath for the front door. Decorate pinecones at Christmas. A place I can go and make a mess and not have to clean up.”
He threw back his head in laughter. “You want a wreath for the front door? You could buy one.”
“But making it would be fun. I was hoping maybe Gianna, Roza, or Lila might enjoy it as well. I love making things with my hands.”
He pulled me in for a fast hug as we got to the doors of the great room. “Then make a list of what you want, and we’ll make you a space to, ah, ‘craft.’”
In the house, he looked down at me. “You are full of little surprises, Evie. I enjoy discovering all your talents.” He bent and kissed me. “Try to stay out of trouble the rest of the day. It’s going to rain later, so stay inside. Plan your room. I’ll see you at dinner.”
“Did you want lunch?”
“No, I’ll be out most of the day. I’m meeting with Julian.”
“All right.”
He ran his fingers over my cheek, then strode away. I headed to the kitchen to check on the bread. After, I was going to the little space to do some measuring. I had a room to plan.
The next morning, I woke up to find a new Kindle on Matteo’s pillow. There was a note with all the information, plus the email address and a two-year prepaid Kindle Unlimited subscription, as well as a five-hundred-dollar gift card in the Amazon account.
For my beloved,
For your beloved
(books, that is)
Matteo
I shook my head in wonder. He remembered everything I said. When I’d told him about Blaine hitting me, I had mentioned the Kindle and how I had missed it when it broke. This one was brand-new, top-of-the-line, with a beautiful cover and tons of memory. My other one had been old, and most of the time, I’d just downloaded free books—especially once Blaine had his hooks into me. When it broke, I knew there was no chance of replacing it.
But Matteo did.
I got up and dressed, hurrying through my routine. I headed downstairs, going directly to Matteo’s office. The door was closed, but I heard his voice, and I knocked. Marcus opened the door, lifting his eyebrows in surprise.
“He’s on the phone, Evie. Is something the matter?”
I shook my head. “Please ask him to come see me. I’ll only take a moment of his time.”
He smiled. “I’m sure he’ll have more than a moment to spare for you.”
I went to the kitchen and made coffee, turning as the door opened and Matteo strode in. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, and he hadn’t shaved today. His hair was brushed off his forehead but not slicked back. He looked sexy, slightly rumpled, and completely intense.
“Evie, what is it?”
I lunged, throwing my arms around him and pressing my mouth to his. It took him a second to react, then he slid his hands under my ass, yanking me tight and kissing me back with a fiery passion. He sat me on the counter, sliding his hands up my neck and cupping my head, slanting his mouth firmly onto mine. I wrapped my legs around his hips, and I felt his erection grow as our mouths moved and caressed. He broke away, breathing hard.