“Trust me, Paige. You would be good for my son. I firmly believe that. Now, let me work my magic. I will say this, though. Go to him. Talk to him. Alone, without any other distractions. I think you’ll be surprised at how he reacts.” Claudia smiled and Paige had no choice but to smile in return. She wanted to believe she and Matteo could work out, but she still had so many doubts.
Perhaps his mother knew what was best for him. Perhaps
she
was what was best for him.
Paige could only hope.
For the first time in months, Matteo felt like he could breathe again. Being back in Amalfi, in his homeland, he felt his head clear as soon as he pulled the rental car through the gate of the Renaldi villa. Nothing had changed, the house and the grounds looked exactly as he remembered, yet the colors, the sounds, the light, all of it was more vibrant, even more beautiful.
It was good to be home.
Matty had been a nightmare during the flight, whining and crying, clinging to Paige, irritating her more than once, which was unusual. Matteo interfered a few times, trying to lend a helping hand, but his son would have none of it. So he buried himself in his work, studying the financial reports in preparation for the big annual meeting they held for the executives of Renaldi Accessories.
The meeting was in two days and it would take the entire day to complete. He was both looking forward to it and dreading it all at once. He took great pride in both the financial and creative planning that went into his business. Usually he enjoyed working on plans for the future. He took great pride in the family business and found it exciting, how far they’d come, even since his father died.
But for once in his life, he wasn’t necessarily excited to be a part of that meeting. He’d rather be here, spending time with his family, his son. Spending time with Paige.
Ridiculous. He pushed her away. Played games with her and toyed with her heart. He also couldn’t resist her, he preferred to be near her at all times and damn if he could do anything about it. He knew that night he begged her to come with them to Italy that something would happen. Here.
Now.
Tonight.
He was tired, jet lagged and should probably go to bed, but he roamed the villa, eventually ending up outside. The air was cool and crisp, the scent of the salty ocean lingered and he sat on the end of a lounge chair, the overstuffed cushion comforting his weary bones. He stared out at the night sky, the silvery half moon shining its gentle light on the glittering sea, and he sighed with happiness, for the first time in however long feeling at complete peace with his thoughts. With his life.
Not since before Lucia’s death had he felt like this and he couldn’t say he’d been this content with her. Their volatile relationship had worn on him. He craved sweetness in his life. He wanted a beautiful, docile yet passionate woman to warm his bed and his heart. A kind, loving woman who would care for his son as if he were her own. This woman would have no problem voicing her feelings, sharing her thoughts with him. Would stand up to him when she believed it necessary, listen to his thoughts, share his dreams.
He was starting to believe that woman could be Paige.
He’d been so busy preparing for this trip, his mind filled with thoughts of Paige and what she meant to him. What he might mean to her. All his worry of being too old for her, how he might be a burden on her as she stood on the cusp of her life, he could finally push those worries away. There was so much of her he still didn’t know. She was a mystery he wanted to solve.
He couldn’t get that night out of his head. How she’d boldly declared her feelings for him, how she’d laid everything on the line fearlessly, while he’d been the one who’d turned into a chicken and backed away from her. Her boldness had seemed to set her free and he’d crushed her with his cowardly ways. Letting them rule him, nearly letting her get away.
Well, no more. He was a grown man, for the love of God, and he could choose whoever he wanted to be with, as long as the woman was willing. And he knew without a doubt Paige was willing.
So he would go after her. Prove to her that he did want her. No more pushing her away. No more speeches about him being her boss, of her being too young. She was a woman who went after what she wanted. He needed to be a man who chased after what he wanted.
And he wanted her.
The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as he became aware that he was no longer alone. Her scent reached him first. Erotic, alluring yet sweet and filled with innocence. He lifted his head to the sky and sniffed, didn’t flinch in surprise when her hand settled gently on his shoulder.
“It’s late,” she murmured, her voice washing over him, setting his skin on fire. “Aren’t you tired?”
“Couldn’t sleep.” He shrugged, she didn’t remove her hand and he reveled in her simple touch.
“Your family home is beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Thank you for bringing me here,” she said, her voice so soft he could hardly hear her.
Glancing up, he found her standing beside him, the breeze blowing her vibrantly colored hair across her face. She was as pretty as an angel, clad in a simple white sweater and black leggings, her skin pale, her freckles standing out in stark relief. Even in the moonlight, he could see them.
“Thank you for coming with us.” He grabbed hold of her hand and brought it to his mouth, pressing his lips to her knuckles. A spontaneous gesture, the only way he could handle this for fear he’d overthink his feelings and never do anything about this undeniable attraction between them.
A shuddering breath left her as she tried to pull her hand from his grip. “Matteo…”
“Sshh.” He kissed her again, her fingers, turning her hand over so he could press his mouth to her palm. “I’m tired of fighting it, Paige.”
“Fighting what?” Her voice trembled, she sounded frightened and he hated that he did that to her.
“Fighting my feelings for you.” He tugged on her hand, pulling down so she stumbled into his lap. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he held her, his gaze meeting hers. “I want you.”
She frowned, her delicate brows furrowed. “If this is some sort of joke, I don’t think it’s very funny. You’ve put me through enough, don’t you think?”
“I’ve put you through far too much, I agree. But this is no joke.” He slipped his hand around her nape, massaging the tense muscles there. Her lids lowered, her lips parted and a little gust of breath left her. “Does anyone ever touch you? Give you any sort of physical comfort?”
“N-no.” She sighed, her eyes completely closing when he dug his fingers deep into her neck.
“Me either. Besides Matty.” His son’s hugs were the best in the world, but he needed more. And he wanted more—from Paige. “Being here in Italy relaxes me,
bella
. Makes me remember where I came from and who I am. The bustle of the city turns me into a different man. A cold, unfeeling man.” He blew out a harsh breath. “Losing my wife changed me too. I shut everyone out, thinking I needed no one.”
She bent her head, reaching out to settle her hand on his chest. “I want to believe you so badly, but…”
“I know. I’ve hurt you. Pushed you away too many times to count.” He squeezed the back of her neck and she lifted her head, meeting his gaze once more. “No more,
bella
. The attraction between us is too great to fight any longer, don’t you agree?”
Slowly she shook her head. “I don’t understand what made you change. I’m scared you’ll push me away again and your continuous rejections slice a piece away from my heart every single time they happen.”
“I promise I won’t push you away.” He pulled her close to him, their mouths brushing, a little whimper escaping her at first contact. “You’ve made me change. Your bravery, the fearless way you declared how you felt toward me. While I was running like a little boy with my tail tucked between my legs, you stood strong and proud, pouring out your heart to me. I can’t forget that.”
Her fingers bunched the fabric of his shirt, brushing against his chest, and he shuddered at her innocent touch. He’d give anything to gather her into his arms and take her back to his bed. Undress her slowly, kiss every inch of her skin before finally taking her, filling her body over and over again with his.
Not yet, though. He needed to approach her slowly. She didn’t trust him. He had to earn it back.
And he would. Of that, he hadn’t a doubt.
“Promise me.” She tugged on his shirt and he met her gaze straight on. “Promise you won’t run away from me. Promise that you’ll face whatever happens between us head on.”
“I promise.” He kissed her again, keeping it purposefully simple and soft. Her lips were plump and damp, her taste sweet, her accelerated breathing matching the rhythm pounding through his blood. She wanted him. He wanted her.
But not yet. This would be a courtship, the ultimate proof of his sincerity for her.
Even if it killed him.
Chapter Eight
“Mama told us something and we’re worried.”
Matteo frowned at his two brothers. Leave it to Rafe to blurt it out, no subtlety involved. “What did she tell you?” he asked carefully.
His youngest brother, Vincenzo, crossed his arms in front of his chest. They’d come for the annual meeting and had returned to the villa with him, the entire family—minus Stasia—would be in attendance for dinner. Well. Not including Vince’s wife either, who was working back in the States. The woman always worked. Matteo wondered more than once if their marriage was little more than a sham. “She said you’ve fallen in love.”
Ah. Leave it to their dramatic mother to declare he’d gone and fallen for a woman. “She exaggerates.” He wasn’t in love with Paige. They hadn’t even had sex yet. He was merely enjoying her company.
And falling for her more and more as each minute passed, not that he would tell them that.
“We hear it’s your nanny.” Rafe shook his head, his eyes narrowed as he studied him. “Really, Matteo. The nanny? How much of a cliché could you be?”
Anger pulsed through his veins and he clenched his hands into fists. “What does it matter who I spend my time with?”
“Haven’t we had enough sordid stories about our family? First our father dies and disinherits Stasia because of Mama’s affair. It’s not just a simple affair, but she goes and sleeps with one of our father’s greatest enemies in the business. Then we must deal with your wife’s untimely death and the doctor’s discovery that she was pumped full of meds. Now you’re screwing the nanny and don’t give a shit who knows? You’ve lost your damn mind and
you’re
supposed to be the practical one,” Rafe said, the irritation in his voice clear.
The anger turned to white-hot fury. “I’m not screwing the nanny.”
“Oh, so you’re just holding hands and reciting poems to each other? Please,” Vince sneered. “We’re your brothers. You’re allowed to confess to us that you’re banging the help.”
That did it. Matteo lunged toward Vince without thought, grabbing hold of his shirtfront and jerking him close. “Watch what you say about her or I’ll bash your face in,” he murmured, his face in his brother’s, their gazes locked.
Vince had the nerve to laugh, the asshole. “Wow, you must really care about her if you’re ready to beat me bloody.”
“Let him go, Matteo,” Rafe said, his voice full of irritation. “We don’t want to fight with you about this. We just have some…concerns.”
Matteo let go of his baby brother, giving him a shove for good measure. His hands shook, he was so agitated. He hated hearing them say anything detrimental about Paige. “What sort of concerns could you have? I’m not an idiot. I didn’t sign over the company bank accounts to her, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“We know you’re not an idiot. It’s just…do you really know her? Mama said she’s young. She might be interested in you only for your money,” Rafe explained.
“So she couldn’t be interested in me as a man, then? There are dollar signs in her eyes and she only wants my money?” Christ, everything they said irritated him to no end. Thank God they were outside on the lower terrace that overlooked the ocean, far enough away from the house so no one could hear them arguing. Such as their mother.
Or Paige.
“We’re not saying that exactly. It’s just—you shouldn’t mess with the help. That’s what we’re trying to tell you.” Rafe shook his head. “It’s dangerous.”
Matteo glared at Rafe, who glared right back. They were his brothers. He could understand their concern for him, couldn’t he? He’d express the same sort of worry for one of them if he felt the need to. Hell, he had in the past. He hadn’t been supportive of Vincenzo’s marriage to that model who he rarely spent time with. He wondered why they were married at all.
And he hadn’t understood Rafael going along with an arranged marriage that their father and the girl’s father had set up years ago. It was downright archaic, yet Rafe seemed perfectly content with the prospect of marrying the girl. Matteo had even tried to get him out of it once their father had died, just so he wouldn’t feel forced to make such a major change in his life by marrying a girl already chosen for him.
Rafe had outright refused the offer, which baffled Matteo to no end.
“Things happen,” Matteo bit out, pissed that he had to explain himself. “People have feelings for each other they can’t always control. That I’ve developed feelings for Paige and she just so happens to be Matty’s nanny, well, it couldn’t be helped. We’ve spent a lot of time together these last few months.” Not enough for his tastes, he realized now.