Geo approached us. “Matteo, I need to check you over.”
“Look at Alex and Vince first. Marcus needs some stitches,” Matteo ordered. “I’m going upstairs. When you finish with them, come see me.”
Marcus’s voice rang out. “No, Matteo, you were hit the hardest with the blast.”
Blast?
Matteo’s eyes flashed. “I said the men first. No arguing.” He turned, tugging me along with him.
In our room, Matteo sat on the bed, holding me close. His grip was so tight, I knew he would leave marks. I managed to lean back, cupping his face.
“Matteo, tell me.”
He crushed me close again, not speaking.
“Tell me what you need.”
He stood suddenly, pushing me away. “I need to get these clothes off and shower. I don’t want to touch you while I’m in them.”
I headed to the bathroom, turning on the shower, confused. He was acting so strangely. He followed me, staying close.
I turned. “Take off your clothes, and I’ll have them cleaned.”
He did as I instructed, and I gasped when I saw the bruise on his torso, dark and ominous-looking, spreading across his sternum and around his back.
“Matteo,” I whispered.
“It looks worse than it is,” he assured me. “Shower with me,” he pleaded. “I need you close, Evie.”
Inside the glass enclosure, he dropped his head to my shoulder, his lips ghosting my ear. “Your bracelet suits you.”
“It’s beautiful. I love it so much.”
He bent, covered my mouth, and kissed me, yanking me tight to him. His actions were forceful, almost desperate. His lips bruised mine, his touch too firm and unyielding. I felt his erection hard against my skin.
“Please, Matteo,” I begged. “Tell me what is wrong.”
“I need you. I need to be inside you.”
My voice faltered as he shoved his leg roughly between mine. “You’re h-hurting me,” I whispered.
He froze. Then slowly, he stepped back, and his grip loosened. He didn’t look at me.
“I’m sorry, Evie.”
I cupped his face, forcing his gaze to meet mine. “I’m not asking you to stop, but you need to let me in.” I stroked his face. “Was it terrible?”
“Yes.”
“Worse than you feared?”
He swallowed, then nodded. “Yes.”
“You need to lose yourself with me?”
“Please.”
“Then have me. But be my Matteo.”
With a groan, he wrapped me in his arms again, his mouth on mine. But this time, I felt his tenderness, his yearning. As he stroked my tongue with his, my passion built. His hands soothed over my body, coaxing and gentle. I strained to get closer, my own need building. I caressed his back, gripped his ass, and ran my hands over his taut neck muscles until I felt him give in to the moment.
Finally, he lifted me, and I wrapped my legs around his waist.
“Yes,” I murmured.
He slipped inside, burying his face into my neck as he began to move. He didn’t thrust and fuck me against the wall the way I expected. His hips circled, keeping us pressed together. He rocked and moved in an easy rhythm until we were both gasping. I cried out his name, and he clutched me close, my name falling from his lips as he climaxed. I shuddered around him, feeling his body jerk with spasms. Then he stilled, holding me tight, not moving.
I kissed his head. “Let me take care of you.”
He set me on my feet and allowed me to push him under the hot water. He hunched over so I could wash his hair, careful to avoid the cut. He allowed me to soap his body and cleanse him. Then he did the same for me. No words were spoken, but we shared gentle kisses, and I felt his love in his caresses.
After, we dried off, and I led him to our room. He looked exhausted, letting me push him onto the chair. I was grateful when a soft knock came at the door, and I let Geo in.
I stood to the side as he examined Matteo, clucking at the bruising on his chest, adding butterfly strips to the cut along his head. “That’s going to leave a scar,” he muttered.
“My wife will overlook it,” Matteo replied, meeting my eyes. I could still feel his anxiety, and when he held out his hand, I took it and sat next to him.
“You’re lucky the hit wasn’t worse,” Geo informed him. “If you’d been any closer…” His voice trailed off. He cleared his throat. “I’d feel better with an X-ray. Maybe a scan just to make sure there is no internal damage.”
“I’m fine. It’s just sore.”
Geo met my eyes, and I squeezed Matteo’s hand. “Please,” I asked.
Matteo huffed. “Fine. But later. I’m exhausted.”
“I’ll arrange it.”
He stood. “I’ll stay and make sure everyone is all right. Get some rest.”
Matteo nodded, his eyes shut. After Geo left, I lifted the covers on the bed and called to Matteo.
He didn’t protest as I drew the blankets over him. But he reached out, tucking himself to my chest with a long sigh. His head rested under my chin, his arms like vises around me.