Page 10 of Ruthless Match
His pace quickened, and his thumb began to circle harder and faster. My nails dug into his arms, and my head fell back as my climax approached, my gasps of ecstasy in sync with the waves crashing along the shore outside. Suddenly, I exploded like a firework on the Fourth of July.
When my breathing stilled, Matteo released me from his embrace, licked his fingers with a triumphant smirk, and walked to the ensuite phone to order dinner.
I shouldn’t have been in shock, but I was. How dare he take what he wanted and then leave as if nothing happened. Who did he think I was? He may not like me, but taking advantage of my vulnerabilities like that was low, even for him.
What was he trying to prove? That he had some power over me? I’ll be damned if I let that happen. Straightening myself up, I walked past him as he placed the order for our meal. Too bad I couldn’t request he come with a side of cyanide.
I couldn’t help but notice that his voice, usually smooth with a hint of arrogance, sounded different. Almost as if he were fighting some inner turmoil that threatened to betray him. Unfortunately, I was too angry to care. Matteo may have touched me intimately, but we have never been farther apart.
Looking at Matteo, I felt sick. I knew our journey was far from over and that the memories of our intimate moments would haunt me forever. My fate was sealed. But I would not accept it happily. I would continue to fight. Matteo may have won this battle, but the war was far from over. In fact, it was just beginning.
CHAPTER 7
Matteo
My attempt to get Aurora to talk backfired after our intimate encounter. I knew I acted like the arrogant asshole I am by walking off and ordering dinner, but I didn’t know what else to do. Now, I was even less sure.
Did I deserve it? Hell yes. Was I going to put up with it? Hell no.
When dinner arrived, I couldn’t help but notice a shift in Aurora’s demeanor. It was almost as if she was determined to ignore what happened. No longer was she guarded and defensive. That, at least I understood. Now – now she was cool and composed like she didn’t have a care in the world which only made me wonder what was stewing beneath the surface of her beautiful mind.
She was quiet, and when I tried to converse politely, her responses were clipped and to the point. Normally, I’d be irritated by this behavior, but something about Aurora intrigued me. Maybe it was the way she carried herself with a quiet dignity that no one could take away or the way she didn’t back down. Whatever it was, I wanted more of it, and that scared the hell out of me.
I couldn’t figure this side of Aurora out. It was like she was playing a role she had rehearsed for all her life, a role she shouldn’t have been so familiar with but was.
I wasn’t fooled by her charade. I knew that beneath her prim and proper façade lay a fiery and passionate woman who refused to conform to societal expectations. A woman who challenged me every chance she got. Aurora was an enigma that I was determined to unravel.
Watching her cut her meat, an idea formed in my mind. With a mischievous twinkle in my eye, I set my fork down and growled across the table seductively. “Aurora…”
She looked up, unsure what to make of the seductiveness in my voice. In a playful yet commanding tone, I stated, “Feed me.”
Her fair cheeks turned pink, and her eyes widened at my request. “Excuse me?”
Smirking, I repeated myself. “I said I want you to feed me.”
Flustered, she shook her head. “Matteo, I don’t think…”
But before she could finish, I cut her off. Smiling sweetly, I reached out and took her hand. “Come on, it’s our honeymoon. Indulge this fantasy for me, please, Aurora.”
Aurora hesitated for longer than I was comfortable with as her eyes shifted between me and the array of silverware and dishes before us. “You’re a smart man, Matteo. Are you sure you want to take that chance with so many sharp knives at my disposal?”
Finding her quick wit entertaining, I realized that it might be possible for me to enjoy spending time with my wife for a while until I get tired of her, which I will—I always do.
I could never allow myself to become attached; our union is nothing more than a business arrangement meant to protect my empire and add to it once I take her father down. And since I have no intention of developing any feelings, a little fun might be worth exploring.
“Be careful what you say, my dear; I, too, have knives at my disposal.” Throwing her head back in laughter, it was obvious my new bride wasn’t scared of me. Most people were, but not Aurora.
She paused momentarily before picking up a small puff pastry and carefully bringing it to my lips. I wasn’t sure what kind of game she was playing but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find it sexy as hell.
As we continued to eat silently, I began to wonder about the woman sitting across from me. It was as if how she held on to her manners would protect her from the world around her. Like somehow, they could shield her from the harsh realities of life.
To the outside world, she portrayed the picture-perfect image of a prim and proper young businesswoman, granted one who had been given every opportunity in life, but of someone who had worked her ass off to prove herself as well.
I knew better. I’d had a glimpse of what lay underneath her carefully orchestrated façade. She might have the world fooled but I know that underneath lies a fiery and passionate woman who is dying to get out.
It was a dangerous combination. One I knew I would have to be cautious around. In my ‘line of work,’ you didn’t make it to thirty-seven without being careful. Yet, despite the risks my blonde bombshell of a wife posed, I found myself drawn to her in ways I couldn’t explain.
There was a spark between us, and I didn’t do sparks. Lust and attraction, yeah, but sparks, hell no. When emotions came into play, I was out. I didn’t have time for that. So why couldn’t I shake the pull I felt toward Aurora? I was equally terrified and exhilarated, two emotions I didn’t handle well.
