Page 74 of Beautiful Sinner

“You should turn the stove off first.”

“Right.” He moves faster than I’ve ever seen him as he turns the stove off and captures me into another kiss. He carries me down the hall.

The bedroom is decorated in simple beige and whites and greens. All calming colors. I could stay in this room forever with Matteo. If only…

He sets me on my feet. “Let me get this dress off you.”

I tremble as Matteo’s hands undo the buttons at the back of my dress. This is my perfect wedding dress but I was getting married to the wrong man in it. “It should have been you,” I say, nodding to the dress. “I should have been marrying you in this.”

He pushes the dress down my body and settles his hands on my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder. “Maybe we can rectify that.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean… we could get married.”

I go still. This can’t be reality. Nothing in life ever feels this good. “Are you just suggesting that so you can have sex with me?”

“No, though that would be an extra perk.” He kisses my neck. “I want to marry you because I want you to be mine. I haven’t been able to think about anybody but you since we met. You’re in my dreams all the time, as fucking corny as that sounds. I want to be with you for the rest of my life if I can. If you’ll have me.”

“Are you proposing?” I whisper. I never thought this would happen. I never allowed myself to even dream it.

“Yes,” he murmurs against my neck.

“Can I have a moment to think about it? It’s all just so new to me.”

“Of course. Do you want to stop or…”

I turn around to face him. “No. I want to touch you. I just can’t give you an answer right now. Not after the day I’ve had.”

“Then let me make you feel better.” His kiss is tender and passionate and sends heat through my entire body. My hands find the bottom of his shirt and I strip it off him. I see the gauze over his shoulder. He risked his life to be with me. No one has ever done that for me before.

Matteo hisses when my hands move down to his waistband.

“Can you take these off?” I nod at his pants.

“I should leave my underwear on though. Since we’re not having sex, I think it’s better if I keep my cock away.”

I flush at his words. They’re so vulgar and yet sweet at the same time.

Matteo pushes his pants down and true to his word, keeps his underwear on. I’m curious to see what he looks like but I guess I can wait.

Does that mean I’m considering marrying him?

I know I love him. There’s no denying it. I’m just worried to take that next step with so much uncertainty right now. I don’t know how Viktor feels. I don’t know what’s going on outside this house. To marry Matteo without knowing any of this is frightening.

But a marriage could also heal. It could join each side of this war and bring us all together. In a fairytale world that is and I don’t live in a fairytale.

Matteo cups my face. “You are so beautiful, you know that?”

I could cry from how tender and sweet his words are. “You’re always on my mind too, you know. Ever since we first met.”

Our lips meet in another passionate kiss. Matteo lowers me onto the bed and unclasps my bra, his hands skimming across each breast. I arch up. His touch, no matter what it is, always sets me on fire.

“I think it’s best that we leave my underwear on too,” I say. “Before, when we were sneaking around, it was easy to keep some distance between us. But now, if we wanted to, we could have sex. Nothing and no one would stop us. I don’t want the temptation.”

“Then we’ll just touch each other. Here.” He sits us both up and places my hands on his chest. “Just touch.”

I take a moment to explore his body. The hard ridges. The strong muscles. The tanned skin.