Chapter 25
Matteo
I started getting nervous right about four o’clock when it was almost time to pick her up. Tonight was going to be the make it or break it point. I knew she wasn’t happy with me for the things that happened in the Bahamas, but I wanted to make things right. This was going to be my last chance to show her how I felt. How was that exactly? I was still choked up over what to say to her. It wasn’t like I was madly in love with her, but there was a chemistry between us. The last couple days in the Bahamas proved that. We had both opened up to each other in a way I knew I hadn’t done in years. To me, that meant she was special. She wasn’t just anyone. Yeah, maybe it started as a business proposition, but that didn’t mean that w as all it could be.
Tonight, I needed to show her the side of me that she helped open. The hard-ass Matteo needed to take a rest. I didn’t have to be that guy around her. She never did anything to intentionally hurt me like all the other women. She had grown feelings for me without the thought of it amounting to anything. That told me she wasn’t just after my money. Yeah, it could help her through college, but it wasn’t the sole purpose of why she wanted to be in my company. Maybe in the beginning, but not toward the end. The night before she left, there were so many things I wanted to tell her, but I didn’t have the balls to.
My driver showed up for us to go pick up Lacey. This was the moment of truth. No more turning back. Straight ahead was the only way I was going to go. On the car ride over there, my mouth felt like sandpaper with every swallow. I made sure to put on more deodorant than normal because when I was nervous, I would sweat. The last thing I needed was to smell bad standing next to a beautiful woman.
The moment came when we pulled up to our meeting spot. When I first saw Lacey, I couldn’t help but smile, knowing I got to spend the next couple hours with her by my side, but then I saw her. Her hair was not curled.
Wow, she deliberately did what I asked her not to do. It was just hair but also a sign of defiance.
Maybe she wasn’t interested in me anymore. Hell, could I blame her though? I called her out in front of my entire family after we shared an intimate moment. It was pretty fucked up. The only way I could fix this was to show her I really was the guy she came to know while on vacation.
I opened the door as she slid in. “Wow, Lacey, you look stunning.”
She only replied, “Thanks.”
Short answers were what I was up for tonight. That was okay; hopefully by the end of the night, we would be having full-blown conversations. I’d work her up to that. Nothing was worth it unless you must work for it.
The ride over to the dinner was quiet. Too quiet for my liking but I wasn’t going to push her to talk to me while we were alone. It would be easier once we were amongst others. When we pulled up to the event, I got out first, walking around to her side and opening the door as she took my hand with a smile on her face and allowed my hand on the small of her back as we walked inside. This was the first step even though I knew it was only happening because of appearances. She knew what the job was; acting came easy for her after the Bahamas.
“Just try and enjoy tonight. A smile looks radiant on you,” I told her while keeping my hand on her back.
She stayed close as I walked around, introducing her to the fellow businessmen and their wives. She looked comfortable and didn’t look out of place at all. Most of the men here could tell if you hired someone because of their demeanor, but she was doing a fantastic job.
In the background, there was music playing and some people dancing. I thought why not take advantage of this opportunity. “Would you care to dance?” I asked, extending my hand out to her. She didn’t slap it away but smiled and put her hand in mine.
We stepped onto the dance floor, and I drew her close. My hand was on the small of her back while hers were on my shoulders. I could tell she wasn’t doing this because she wanted to but because it was part of the night’s festivities. I needed to step up my game. “I love that dress. I think that’s my favorite out of the ones I’ve seen. It’s hard not to want to tear it off you.” Right after speaking, I realized how much of a pervert I sounded like just then. I watched for her reaction to see if she would be disgusted or remotely interested. Luckily, her look wasn’t disgust but a quick smile. She tried to hide it but wasn’t fast enough. “I saw that. Like I said. A smile looks radiant on you.” I pulled her close, placing a kiss on her cheek before she jerked away.
“I’m going to get something to drink,” she said as she walked toward the bar.
I was hoping this meant she was torn or that her feelings for me were still there. It had to. Why did she pull away so suddenly? Being this close to her made me remember how my stomach fluttered when she kissed me that night. She brought out the best version of myself. I needed her in my life.