Chapter Nine

Gen lifted her gaze to meet Matteo’s striking face. In that instant, every flicker of doubt, every shadow of anxiety and suspicion that had clung to her moments before seemed to vanish into thin air, leaving only a quiet calm between them.

“So, I do get to see you in that dress after all,” Matteo said with a teasing smile. “Come inside, or would you rather face the slow, torturous death of hypothermia out here?” When Gen remained silent, his grin faded, replaced by a guarded look that reminded her painfully of the photograph she had glimpsed in the newspaper. “Are you alright? Did something happen?”

Without answering, Gen slipped past him and stepped into the foyer. She heard the soft click of the door closing behind her. Matteo reached out, taking her purse and gently removing the jacket draped over her shoulders.

“You could have called,” he murmured quietly behind her.

“I threw your number out the window,” she replied coolly.

His hands paused briefly on her arm before continuing downward to take her coat. “I suppose I can forgive you… since you showed up here in person instead,” he said with a teasing edge.

He hung her coat and purse in the closet, then leaned back against the doorframe. Dressed casually in dark jeans and a black t-shirt that clung to his toned frame, Matteo looked effortlessly handsome. Gen’s breath grew shallow as the weight of her choice settled deep inside her.

“Why are you here?” he asked, his eyes searching hers with genuine curiosity.

“I want you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

His eyes widened, surprised by her boldness. “You want me?”

Gen nodded slowly. “Maybe I’m feeling reckless. Maybe seeing my ex with his heavily pregnant fiancée at my baby sister’s wedding after six months apart stirred up emotions I didn’t expect. Maybe I just really enjoyed our night together and…”

Before she could finish, Matteo’s hand covered her mouth. She looked up at him, meeting his smile. He withdrew his hand and lowered his head until his lips found hers. A low groan escaped him as she rose onto her toes to deepen the kiss. Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. He pulled her close, guiding them backward until her back met the wall. Then he broke the kiss, stepping away.

“Maybe,” he said with a playful smirk, “we shouldn’t overthink this, yeah?”

Gen nodded silently, unable to find words.

“So, what exactly do you want from me tonight?” he asked.

“I want… a one-night stand. A real one,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

His eyes darkened with desire as he licked his bottom lip, teeth briefly grazing it.

Leaning in, he whispered into her ear, “That’ll come with a price.” Then he tugged gently on her earlobe with his teeth.

Her knees nearly gave out, but his firm grip on her hip kept her upright. He slid his knee between her thighs, a steady anchor in case he needed to free his hands.

“What do you want?” she asked, her voice barely above a breath.

His lips brushed over her neck, eliciting a soft whimper as the pleasure radiated down to where his knee held her captive.

“Your name,” he breathed. “Your real name.”

“Why does it matter?” she asked, her voice revealing for the first time that his intuition was right.

He chuckled softly against her collarbone. “So I know what to call out when I’m inside you.”

Her legs trembled, but his thigh caught her before she collapsed. His teeth grazed the tender skin of her throat as his hands roamed over her dress, teasing her hardened nipples through the fabric.

“Gen,” she finally confessed. Matteo pulled back, his eyes wild and unfocused. “My real name is Gen.”

“Gen,” he repeated, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips. “That suits you much better.”

Without further hesitation, Matteo slid his hands beneath her and lifted her effortlessly. Her startled squeak was silenced when his mouth claimed hers again. She moaned softly, cupping his face as he carried them up the stairs. He laid her down on the bed and crawled over her. She felt the hard outline of him press against her leg, teasing her with the promise of more. His lips found hers once more, and all restraint melted away.

Gen clawed at his shirt while Matteo struggled to unzip her dress. She kicked off her heels with her toes and reached for the button on his jeans. Suddenly, she heard a tearing sound. She pulled back just in time to see him toss a knife against the wall near the bathroom door. He peeled the now ruined dress away from her body.

Her eyes caught the darkening storm in his gaze. His hand curled protectively around the bruises blossoming on her upper arm, marks left by Brian’s grip. His intense eyes lifted to meet hers.

“Who did this?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

“It doesn’t matter,” she whispered, trying to draw him back down to her.

“I think it matters a great deal,” he growled.

“Matteo, please,” she begged, pressing her hips up against him.

Hearing his name seemed to wrench his focus away from the angry purple marks.

“We’ll deal with this later,” he warned.

Before she could respond, his mouth descended on one of her nipples, now hard with desire. Gen gripped his hair tightly, throwing her head back against the pillow as his tongue swirled expertly around the sensitive bud. He tugged at her panties, snapping the delicate string with ease.

Her nails raked down his bare back as his mouth left her nipple trail, planting a trail of kisses along her flat stomach. When he reached the junction of her legs, she slammed her thighs shut. He glared up at her, as if denying him was a crime.

“Sorry, I…”

“You don’t like being eaten out?” he asked, voice thick with disbelief.

“No one’s ever… I mean, I just don’t think…”

Memories bounced through her mind—three other men she’d been with, all of whom made excuses to avoid giving her oral, while she had never refused them.

“No one’s ever tasted you?” he asked, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. He licked his lips and grabbed her knees, forcing them apart.

“It’s just… a bit uncomfortable. And kind of gross to boys, right?”

Matteo chuckled and kissed the soft skin of her inner thigh. “I’m no boy, Gen. You wanted to let go, didn’t you?”

“Yes,” she admitted breathlessly.

His eyes darkened. He lifted each leg, resting them over his shoulders. “Then lay back and let me help you, Gen.”

He raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to comply. Her knees shook as she obeyed. She felt him settle against the bed, his warm breath fanning over her most intimate places. Then his flattened tongue slid over her slit. Gen gasped and instinctively tried to close her legs. A sharp bite on her thigh made her release him. She looked down to see him grinning wickedly—predatory, wild, utterly untamed. Then his head dipped again, sucking on her clit with expert skill.

“Holy fuck,” Gen moaned as his tongue worked magic, like he’d mastered every secret. He groaned against her, the vibrations sending shivers up her spine.

His tongue and lips teased and sucked her raw flesh until the pleasure built to an almost painful intensity. Then, suddenly, he pressed a finger deep inside her. Soon he added a second, thrusting wildly. She began to move her hips against his mouth and fingers, chasing the rising wave of ecstasy. The sensation grew and grew until it exploded in a long, shuddering orgasm that shook her entire body. His tongue continued to lap up her juices as she lay spent and limp on the bed. He shifted his shoulders, letting her legs fall heavy to the mattress.

Moments later, his lips crashed against hers, reviving her as if she’d been drowning and he’d breathed life back into her lungs. She felt the tip of his cock rubbing through the folds he’d just teased into a frenzy. She whimpered, unsure she could handle much more.

He released her mouth and showered her bare skin with kisses. “We’re not done yet, Gen. Tonight, I’m in control, and I’m just getting started. Hold on tight.”

Before she could respond, he plunged into her, burying himself completely.