Page 257 of The Havenport Collection

Eliza

I t was finally Monday, and Matteo was coming over soon. It had been a week since we’d been able to spend time together, and it felt like years. I missed him. I had so much to tell him. My interview with Maggie was scheduled for tomorrow, and I was so nervous.

I was also interested in what he wanted to talk to me about. He had seemed so earnest at the Maple Festival this weekend. I closed my eyes and hoped he wanted to stop sneaking around. The more I thought about it, the more I knew that was what I wanted.

This thing between us had grown and changed so much since that first night at the beach. We had become more than friends, more than lovers, and I wanted whatever came next with him.

It was scary, but thrilling. To think that we could have a real shot at a future? I’m sure my friends would tell me I was getting ahead of myself, but I was all wrapped up in a delicious happy love bubble.

Gina was packing up her gym bag and eyeing me suspiciously. “As grossed out as I am by your Monday secret sex fests with my cousin, I have to say, I am in favor of anything that actually makes you clean the apartment.”

I stuck my tongue out at her, while fluffing the throw pillows on the couch. I was not known for my tidiness, but I was definitely making more of an effort. Was that such a bad thing? If Matteo and I were going to hole up at my place for hours, I wanted it to be as nice as possible.

“He said he wanted to talk to me about something today. So hopefully, our sex fests won’t be secret anymore.” I thought about what I had just said. “Ew. Forget I said that.”

“Already did, girl. And I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks. I feel weirdly nervous. I just really, really like him, and I’ve never felt this way about anyone.”

Gina walked over and gave me a hug. “You deserve it, and if my cousin gives you any trouble or doesn’t treat you right, he will get his ass kicked. First by Nora, and then by me.”

I tugged her ponytail. “Have fun at the gym with Finn.”

Her face flushed. “I don’t know if he will be there. It’s leg day; I’m just excited for that.”

I playfully smacked her ass, which was rock hard. “Damn girl. You did not get that booty without motivation.”

She shrugged. “Watching him bench press is pretty good motivation.”

I laughed. It had been a long time since Gina had been this relaxed. I was so happy that she was healing. When she came back to Havenport a few months ago, she had been completely numb. Now, she was laughing, smiling, and cracking sarcastic jokes. My heart swelled with pride.

“Have a good day.”

“Enjoy your sex fest! Be safe. Use protection,” she shouted from the stairwell. I shook my head and closed the door.

Matteo arrived ten minutes later, taking the steps two at a time.

“You look exhausted,” I said, wrapping my arms around him. I knew he had been working around the clock for the festival, and I doubted he had slept much. He had dark circles around his eyes, and his beard was more wild than usual.

“And you look fucking edible,” he said, picking me up and kissing me. “Take this robe off and show me what you’re wearing.”

He placed me down, took off his coat and shoes, and crossed his arms. He looked broody and manly, and I fumbled while untying the belt of my robe. His intense glare made me nervous and excited.

I slipped the robe off, revealing a strapless black corset that pushed my breasts up into my chin, a matching thong, and thigh high black stockings.

Matteo clutched his heart. “My God, Eliza. You look beautiful in sweats, but dressed up like this, for me? I am the luckiest man alive.”

I giggled. Matteo had a way of making me feel so special and desired in a way I had never experienced before. It was like all my imperfections disappeared and I was a sex goddess.

I picked up my robe. “You said you wanted to talk…”

“Later,” he said, taking it out of my hands. “How can I even think when you are wearing a fucking corset?”

I pushed his hair out of his eyes. “Are you okay? Did you even sleep this weekend?”

“A little. And when I did, I dreamed about you.” He started to trail kisses down my neck and collarbones, and I squeaked with pleasure.

“Tell me what you want,” I whispered in his ear.

He demurred, continuing to kiss me.

“Really,” I said. “I want to make you feel good; I can see you need it. Anything you want.”

He looked up at me, smiled, and kissed me deeply.

“I want to spend the day worshipping your incredible body. But first, I really want you to suck my cock.”

“At your service,” I said, dropping to my knees and undoing his belt.

“Oh my God,” he moaned. “You look so fucking sexy on your knees like that.”

I smiled, lowing his boxer briefs until his erection sprang free.

“Lick it,” he commanded. A shiver ran through my body. I loved it when he told me what to do.

I gingerly licked the tip, savoring his appreciative growl before gripping his shaft and slowly lowering my mouth.

He threw his head back, and I reveled in my power to bring him pleasure. I got to work, licking, sucking, and using my hands to drive him wild. Within minutes, he was grabbing my hair and panting.

Not to brag, but I knew my way around a blow job, and I was loving this. Matteo, usually so stoic and quiet, was vibrating with pleasure. I was beyond turned on, rubbing my thighs together to relieve some of the pressure building. I wanted him inside me, but I wanted this more.

“Touch yourself,” he commanded. “I see you wiggling around.”

I nodded. “I’m so turned on.”

“My God, that’s hot. Touch yourself, babe. Make yourself come with my cock in your mouth.”

His dirty words almost put me over the edge as I snaked one hand down and lightly flicked my swollen clit.

I was soaked and desperate. Within seconds I was detonating, moaning as I used my hand and mouth, speeding up as his grunts became more urgent.

He came with a shuddered groan and I looked up at him, maintaining eye contact as I swallowed every drop.

Before I knew what was happening, he had picked me up and was carrying me to my bedroom. “I need to recover. But until then I am going to eat this sweet pussy and make you scream.”

I playfully batted at him, relishing his attention and the feel of him manhandling me.

“We are not leaving this room until you have come a dozen times,” he vowed. “But the corset stays on.”

We were curled up on my bed. Things had gotten a bit wild, and we were wrapped up in my favorite fleece blanket. I rubbed my eyes, groggy and confused. I heard a banging sound.

The sun was streaming through the window, and I blinked, trying to get my bearings. What time was it?

I reached for my phone to check the time and saw the battery was dead. Shit, I totally forgot to charge it. I should get up and grab my charger.

I took one more look at Matteo sleeping next to me, the scruff of his beard dark against my white pillowcase. He was shirtless, and I took a moment to drink in his manly physique. Strong, broad, and with the most delicious chest hair.

Fuck. What is that noise?

I got up, grabbing my robe from the back of the door to investigate. I could hear a voice; maybe Gina got locked out?

I tied my robe hastily, heading over to the door, and when I opened it I was met with a red-faced Nora.

She pushed her way into my apartment. “Where is he?” she said.

Matteo emerged in my bedroom doorway wearing only his boxers.

“Fuck, Nora. What are you doing here?”

She shook her phone at him. “Where the fuck have you been? We’ve been trying to reach you both. When we couldn’t get Matteo, I started calling Eliza too.”

He rubbed his eyes. “What’s going on?”

“Valentina!” she shrieked. “She had an asthma attack at school.”

Matteo jumped right up. “Fuck fuck fuck. Is she okay? Where is she?”

She handed him her phone, and his face was grave.

I watched as he paced around and felt sick to my stomach.

He hung up, looking devastated.

“She’s okay,” he breathed out. “She’s okay. I gotta go.”

I nodded, a bit shell-shocked.

“Gio is headed to the school. They called him when they couldn’t reach me. I’m going to meet him there and take her home. She’s pretty shaken up.”

“I’ll get dressed,” I said, heading toward my bedroom.

“No,” he snapped. He ran his hands through his hair, not looking me in the eye. “Stay here. I gotta go.”

He emerged from my bedroom minutes later, dressed and holding his phone. “Dead,” he said, slamming it on the countertop. “Fucking dead battery. Fuck.” He put his head in his hands, and I walked over and put an arm around his shoulders.

He shrugged me off. “Mandy’s going to have a fucking field day with this.”

I held him close, feeling powerless and terrified.

“This is what happens when I let my guard down,” he said, stepping away from me. “Your flakiness is rubbing off on me. Dead battery!” He buttoned his shirt angrily as I stood there shocked.

“I’m sorry.” This was my fault. I was sure of it. I felt my old friend shame taking over, and my hands began to shake. I’m a disaster. I’m irresponsible. I’m a fuckup. The same song, different station. But the story of my life, nonetheless.

“I gotta go.” He grabbed his coat off the back of the sofa and headed toward the door, walking straight down the stairs without a backward glance toward me.

I sat on the couch, feeling numb.

“She’s totally fine,” Nora said, giving me a kind look. “She had her inhaler, and she’s with the school nurse. It’s okay.”

My eyes filled with tears. “This is my fault.”

“Of course it’s not. My brother is an idiot, but that has nothing to do with you.”

I nodded, sinking deeper into my couch. I couldn’t help but feel terrible. Poor Valentina, and poor Matteo. I saw the sheer panic on his face, and I just wanted to comfort him and help in any way that I could.

But as I sat there, new feelings began to take over.

He called me flaky? He made me feel like this was my fault?

I wrapped myself in my blanket and cried.

For Valentina, for Matteo, and for myself.

Because I had realized something today. I was in love with Matteo, and he clearly didn’t love me back.