Page 238 of The Havenport Collection

Matteo

I was slow dancing with Eliza. In my restaurant, at ten p.m. on a Friday night. For a normal man, this would be a welcome development, but for me, it was hell.

It had been so long since I had relaxed and let go.

And here, twirling Eliza around the dining room and feeling her body next to mine, I was free.

We were laughing and smiling and letting the sexual tension linger as we danced to song after song on the jukebox.

I was busting out every move I’d ever learned and felt an overwhelming sense of calm when she was in my arms.

It took every shred of self-control I possessed not to lift her up onto the counter, rip off that cute little purple sweater, and lick every inch of her body. I was hanging on by a thread and so close to losing it completely.

I could barely think straight, so I kept repeating all the reasons why I couldn’t do this to myself. She was too young. She was my babysitter. She was a lovely, fun person. Did I mention she was too young?

I wanted her. Of course I wanted her. She was beautiful and smart and didn’t take herself too seriously. And she looked at me like I was a man. Like I was powerful and sexy. It had been so long since anyone had looked at me with naked lust in their eyes. So long since I had felt this free.

But I couldn’t, no matter how many signals she threw out. And I admired how forward she was, but I had to resist. I had to be the adult here. This was a terrible idea and I knew it.

But.

She felt so good in my arms. And she had stayed late to help me clean up.

And it wasn’t just because it had been a long time and I was definitely lonely. There was something about her. Her laugh made me happy, and her smile made me feel less alone in this world. And when she touched me, it ignited a fire in my veins.

My brain was screaming as my hands moved down her back to settle on that incredible ass. She melted further into me and I was lost.

I thought maybe I could kiss her once. Just one time, to experience what the chemistry between us felt like. Just once, give in to my desires and do something just for me. To feel like a desirable man again.

And that would be it. I would get my fix, apologize, and then go back to my life. Because I didn’t think I could live another minute without kissing her.

So I did it.

I slowly leaned down and took those plump pink lips.

I thought I could stop.

I thought could control myself.

I thought I could have a quick taste.

I was dead fucking wrong.

Eliza felt even better than I ever could have imagined.

She opened her mouth and bit my lip, deepening the kiss and destroying any self-control I had left.

She kissed with a wild hunger, and I could feel her hands all over my body.

I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t stop no matter how much I knew I had to.

I was like a beast unleashed. Within seconds, I had lifted her up and set her on the counter, my hands teasing up under her sweater while we explored each other’s mouths.

She made the sexiest sounds—groans and giggles—and drove me wild. Just as I expected, Eliza was not the type to sit back and let someone kiss her. She participated fully, giving and taking and teasing me into a lust-fueled frenzy.

Her hands roamed over my torso, grabbing at me desperately and making the ache inside me grow. I started kissing her neck, and she threw her head back and moaned as I licked her collar bone, gently unbuttoning the tiny buttons of her sweater.

“Let me,” she gasped, ripping the sweater over her head and throwing it on the floor.

My heart almost stopped beating at the sight of her on the counter, legs spread, hair wild, and the most delicious-looking breasts I had ever seen spilling out of a purple lace bra.

My brain ceased to function, and I acted totally on instinct, caressing and kissing her as she gently stroked me outside my jeans. My peripheral vision blurred as I gave into the sensations. She was soft and warm and wanted me just as much as I wanted her.

“Matteo,” she groaned as I gently bit her nipple, feeling like the king of the goddamn world. This woman would be my undoing, and I didn’t fucking care. I could not stop kissing her body any more than I could stop breathing. I needed to feel her and to hear her scream my name.

But the spell was broken by the earsplitting ringing coming from the counter. I pulled away, taking a moment to admire Eliza’s glassy eyes and smeared lipstick. Fuck, she was sexy. I grabbed for my phone, which was a few feet away on the counter.

Shit. It was Barb. “Hello?”

“So sorry to bother you, Matteo. But Gino is sniffling, and I know Val is so susceptible right now. I don’t want her to catch anything. The kids are still awake, and I was thinking it might be better for her to sleep at home tonight.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, cursing the timing. But Barb was super cautious, which is why she was one of the only people I trusted to take care of Val. And I couldn’t risk Val picking up another cold.

“I’ll be over in thirty minutes to grab her.”

“I’m so sorry. I know how much you need a break.”

“It’s fine. I appreciate you calling.”

I put the phone down and gripped the edge of the counter, trying to get my heart rate back to normal. Fuck. Just when I let my guard down. Just when I gave myself permission to enjoy one small thing. Fuck.

Sensing my frustration, Eliza slowly put her sweater back on.

I ran my hands through my hair, taking one last look at her before reality truly set in. What was I doing? I couldn’t fuck my babysitter in my restaurant. I was an adult. I needed to act like one.

“I’m so sorry,” I blurted out.

She paused midbutton and stared at me. “What for?”

“For…you know. Taking advantage.”

“You did no such thing. I came on to you.”

“And I should have resisted.”

“Excuse me?” She crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her head to the side. Shit. I had said the wrong thing.

“Eliza, you are incredible, and I am insanely attracted to you. But you’re a friend, and you’re my babysitter.” I trailed off, watching her expression change.

She stood there in silence, staring at me. I knew that I was ruining everything and probably hurting her feelings, but I had no idea what else to do.

“Matteo,” she said gently. “This doesn’t have to be a thing. It’s just casual. We were just giving in to our mutual attraction.”

“Yes.”

“And if we had not been interrupted, I was planning on giving in quite a bit more.” Fuuuuuuck.

My dick ached, and I realized that after this night I’d probably have blue balls until I died.

After so long, I’d finally had the opportunity for some fun.

And it would have been fun. Eliza was playful and energetic and didn’t take herself too seriously.

And she was clearly not afraid to make the first move.

And I’d have made her come several times first, that was for sure. My dick hadn’t ever let me down in the past, but it had been out of commission for a while. Best not to take any chances.

But it was not going to happen. And it was for the best.

“I like you, Matteo Rossi. I like you a lot. And,”—she finished buttoning her sweater, depriving me of my favorite breasts in the world—“I can tell you like me too.” She lowered her eyes to my obvious erection. She walked over and grabbed her coat and purse while I stared, unable to speak.

“So. You’re going to go pick up Valentina?”

I nodded.

“Okay then.” She licked her lips. “I’m going to go home and get my thickest vibrator and think about you all night.”

I started to choke. How could my lungs function when she was speaking the hottest words I’d ever heard?

“Good night, Matteo.”

She walked over, leaned up on her tiptoes, and gave me a peck on the cheek before she walked out the front door, giving me one parting glance at that glorious ass.

I was so screwed.