“You’re so different,” she whispered.
“I am?” It was a weird thing to say.
“Yeah, at the diner... a lot of the guys are assholes.”
“How old you, Caitlin?” There was a vulnerability about her, a softness I couldn’t quite put my finger on, but it was there.
“I turned twenty last month.”
“How long have you been living here?” I glanced around the small apartment. It was small and tidy, but tired. The paint job needed redoing and the door to the building was barely hanging on its hinges. The neighborhood seemed okay, except for the fucker in the alley.
“Since last summer,” she replied.
“And before that?”
Something changed, and Caitlin’s walls went up. I didn’t want to push, but I was desperate to know all her secrets.
It was fucking weird.
She was a stranger, and yet, I felt completely at ease with her.
“You want to sit here or on the couch?”
“Wherever you normally sit.”
“Couch it is,” she said, sliding me a plate of food.
We got situated in the living room, and I wasted no time tucking into the eggs. “Damn, that’s good.”
“It’s kind of hard to screw up.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure.” I smiled, thinking of all the times me and Bella tried to help Mamma in the kitchen when we were younger.
“So how do you like college?”
“It’s okay I guess.”
“Isn’t it supposed to be some life altering experience?”
It was. But when you were there with an ulterior motive, it was kind of hard to embrace the college life.
“You didn’t want to go?” I asked Caitlin. Her eyes dropped to her plate and I knew I’d hit a nerve.
“It wasn’t really on the cards for me. Who knows? Maybe one day, if I save enough money, I’ll get to do night classes or something. I’ve always wanted to dance.”
“You dance?”
“I used to.” Her smile fell. “Had high hopes of one day making a living out of it, but it wasn’t to be.”
“There’s always time,” I said.
“I guess. Are you finished?” She nodded to the empty plate.
“Yeah, thank you.”
Taking it from me, she asked, “When do you think they’ll get the power fixed?”
“Tomorrow once the storm passes.” Caitlin’s eyes fluttered closed, a visible shudder rippling through her. “Hey, I can stay... I mean, I don’t want to overstep, but I’m in no hurry to go.”
“I can’t ask you to do that. I’m an adult. I should be able to survive a storm.” She rolled her pretty green eyes.
“Ask me,” the words rolled off my tongue.
“I...” She hesitated, indecision flickering in her eyes. Another crack of lightning lit up the apartment and she flinched. “Okay, will you stay, please?”
“I would love to stay.”
“Pineapple on pizza, yes or no?”
“What kind of question is that?” I grimaced. “No. There is never an excuse for fruit on a pizza.”
“You do know tomato is a fruit, right?” Caitlin laughed. She’d been doing that since I said I would stay.
“That’s an exception. The only exception.” I grinned. “My turn. Guys with tattoos, yes or no?”
“Hmm.” She pressed a finger to her lips. I don’t think I’d ever been more jealous of an appendage. “That depends... If it’s something tasteful that has sentimental value then sure, I can get on board. But if it’s something brash and showy like I don’t know, a skull or eagle for example, then it’s a no from me.”
My eyes almost bugged, but realization dawned on me. “Were you checking me out earlier?” I smirked.
Heat crept into her neck and ran into her cheeks. “Busted. But if it’s any consolation, I really like your tattoos.”
Well, shit, if she didn’t just steal the air from my lungs.
Something was happening.
Maybe it was the storm or the fact I’d saved her, or maybe it was the hot cocoa and spinach and eggs, but Caitlin was exactly the kind of girl I could see myself falling for one day.
She was funny and unafraid to call me out on my bullshit. She was beautiful—so fucking beautiful—and she had this vulnerability that made me want to protect her.
“The beach or the city?”
“Neither. I’m a homebody,” I said. “There is nothing more I like than to spend Sundays with my family, with good food and laughter. Sounds kind of dumb, huh?”
“Not at all.” She gave me a weak smile. “It’s sounds kind of perfect actually. Family is important to you, isn’t it?”
“Absolutely. My mom and my sister are my whole world.”
“They’re lucky to have you.” Sadness etched into her expression.
“What about your family? What are they like?”
“I haven’t spoken to them in almost two years.”
“Shit, Caitlin, I’m sorry.” She looked so lost, I wanted to pull her into my arms and comfort her. But it wasn’t my job.
Not yet. The thought came out of left field.
“It’s okay. I’ve made my peace with it.” She smiled again, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “There’s this saying I love, ‘it’s not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain’, I try to remember that.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” I sensed there was a story there.
“I’d rather not.”
“Okay. Well, the night is still young.” It really wasn’t, but I didn’t want to say goodnight yet. “Do you have a pack of cards?”
“Yes, I think I have one lying around somewhere.” She got up and went over to the kitchenette, rummaging through one of the drawers. “Bingo.”
“Excellent.” I grinned over at her. “How do you feel about strip poker?”
Chapter Four
Caitlin
“You want to play strip poker?” My cheeks flamed. Matteo was the perfect distraction. Apart from the odd crack of lightning, I’d barely noticed the storm raging on outside. He was funny and sweet, and he had this smile that made me feel at complete ease.
“I’m joking.” He frowned. “It was a joke.”
“Oh, okay.”
“I mean, I’m down if you are...” Matteo flashed me a blinding smile. “Or we could just play Truth Blackjack.”
“Truth Blackjack? That’s not a thing.” I rolled my eyes.
“Sure, it is. We’ll take it in turns to deal. Win the hand and you get to ask a question and the other person has to answer. Lose and the dealer gets to ask the question. If you pass, you have to do a dare.”
“I think I prefer the sound of strip poker.”
His eyes flashed with something. I didn’t want to believe it was lust because that presented all kinds of problems.
But I couldn’t deny a tiny part of me wished it was.
Matteo was a like a breath of fresh air compared to most of the guys I came across in my life. He was selfless and kind and it was obvious how much he cared about his family. It almost made me wish I was braver. Made me wish I had the confidence to do something impulsive like lean over and kiss him.
But sex changed things.
And I didn’t want to ruin a single second of my finite time with the man who had saved me tonight.
Because despite his age, I didn’t doubt Matteo was all man.
“Okay, rack ‘em up,” I said. “Actually, hold that thought.” I got up and hurried to the refrigerator. Sure enough, there was a couple bottles of beer stowed inside the door rack.
“I have supplies.” Waving them in the air, I returned and got comfortable on the couch.
“Now we’re talking.” Matteo uncapped them both, offering me one. “Cheers.” We clinked the bottles and Matteo took a long pull before placing it down to shuffle the cards.
“I’ll deal first. You know the rules?”
“I know the
rules.”
He dished me two cards and I peeked at them before flipping them over and putting them down in front of me. Matteo gave himself two cards and left one unturned. “It’s your call.”
“Hit,” I said confidently. Matteo flipped the next card.
“Six. The lady has twenty.”
“The lady can speak for herself.” I smirked, taking a gulp of beer. “Stand.”
“The lady stands.” He turned his second card. “The dealer has sixteen.”
“Oh, you’re going down,” I teased.
“I’ll take my chances.” He got ready to turn another card off the pack. “And he’s bust. Dammit.”
“Yes! My question.”
“Go easy on me.”
“What are you doing in Providence?”
He studied me, running a hand over his rugged face. “Ah shit, Tink.” I gave him a pointed look, and he grumbled, “Visiting some old friends?”
It sounded more like a question than it did an answer.
“Old friends? That’s very open of you. Is it the truth?”
“Are you accusing me of being a liar?”
“I’m just trying to figure out what kind of guy is walking the streets of a small neighborhood in Providence late at night.”
“The nice kind?” He smirked.
“Touché. I’ll accept your vague answer, this time.” I tipped my bottle at him. “But next time, I want details.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
I took the pack from him, dealing him two cards and myself two, flipping one. Matteo flipped an Ace first. “Come to Daddy,” he chuckled, flipping a picture card next. “Blackjack!”
“No freakin’ way!” I turned my second card, giving me fifteen. I pulled a third card off the top of the pack and mumbled, “Bust.”
“Okay.” Matteo rubbed his hands together. “Let me think...” He scratched his jaw, silence stretching out before us.
“The storm will be over if you don’t hurry.”
“You should never rush perfection.” His brow quirked up.
“Well, okay then.” I smiled. I couldn’t help it. His grin was infectious.
“I’m ready. Schoolgirl crush?”
My brows pinched. “I gotta say, I’m a little disappointed.”
“Just hear me out, okay? What’s your answer?”
“I don’t know.”
“Come on, everyone had a crush in high school.”
“Justin Bieber, maybe?” High school was a time in my life I preferred not to think about, but I didn’t want to tell him that.
“The Beebs?” Matteo stared at me like I’d grown a second head. “Really?
“Hey, you asked. Besides, he was cute.”
“Well it totally ruined my plan.”
“Tell me...”
“Nah, I’ll wait for another opportune moment.” He dealt us both a new hand. “It’s looking like my hand.” A smug grin played on his lips.
“I’ll be the judge of that.” I laid out my two tens and shot him a grin of my own.
“You have got to be shitting me. It’s okay, there’s still a good chance that I have...” He flipped his card. “Twenty-one, yes! That’d be another question to me. How many times have you thought about kissing me tonight?”
My cheeks burned as I inhaled a surprise breath. “I haven’t—”
“No?” He pouted. “Too bad.”
“Why, have you thought about kissing me?”
“Nah-ah! He wagged his finger. “It’s not your turn to ask questions. But it is your turn to deal.” Matteo handed me the deck, our fingers brushing. He let his hand linger, sparks of electricity shooting up my arm. Our eyes collided, the air crackling around us.
Overwhelmed, I averted my gaze and cleared my throat. “Let’s see what we have,” my voice trembled. Suddenly, it felt like the stakes were higher, and I didn’t know how to feel about that. I liked Matteo, but he was a stranger.
He saved you. He had. But it wasn’t a valid reason to throw myself at him.
Was it?
It had been so long since I had been treated right by a guy, I’d almost forgotten what good honest company felt like. I didn’t want to jinx that—no matter how much Matteo affected me.
I turned a nine, watching as Matteo laid out a nine and eight. “What’ll it be?” I asked.
“Hmm, stand.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.” He nodded.
“Okay then. I have a two, that makes eleven. I’m going again.” I pulled a nine. “Bingo! The lady has twenty. My question.”
“Do your worst.”
“How many times have you thought about kissing me tonight?”
“You went there.” He inhaled a sharp breath, his eyes locked on mine.
“I went there.”
“I don’t want to lie,” he swallowed, “but I also don’t want to send you running for the hills, so I’m going to pass.”
“You know that means I get to challenge you to a dare, right?”
“I live for dares.” He smirked.
“I want you... I mean, I dare you ... to kiss me.” The words spilled from my lips before I could stop them.
I wanted him to kiss me.
God, I wanted it so much.
Consequences be damned.
Matteo’s eyes grew to saucers. “For real?”
“I mean, yeah, all in the name of the game, of course.”
“Of course.” He edged closer, his eyes fixed on my mouth. My breath caught as he leaned in, a soft moan escaping from my lips when his hand glided up the side of my neck. I could feel the scratch of his stubble against my skin; the warmth of his breath fanning my face. Then his lips were on mine. A featherlight touch at first, as if he was scared I might disappear at any second.
“Is this okay?” he asked, and I nodded. “Thank fuck, because I’ve wanted to do this since the second we walked into your apartment.”
Matteo let his fingers tangle in my hair as he swept his tongue into my mouth. He tasted like mint and fine whisky. Everything about him was so refined. From his soft leather jacket, to his sleek pickup truck that looked more expensive than any car I’d ever ridden in. I sensed Matteo came from money.
And I, did not.
In fact, everything I owned was right here in my small apartment.
“Okay,” he eased back, “where did you go just now?”
“Sorry.” I blushed, letting my fingers twist into his t-shirt. It was still damp, but it only served to mold to his broad shoulders more.
“You’re not feeling it, I get it.” He started to move away, but I pulled him closer.
“That’s not it at all. I just... Who are you, Matteo Bellatoni?”
“I’m just a guy,” he whispered. “A guy who really really wants to kiss you.”
I closed the distance, brushing my lips over his. “I think I’d like that.”
He cupped my face and fixed his mouth over mine. This time there was no trace of uncertainty for either of us as our tongues tangled. Heat coiled deep in my tummy as I moved closer. Matteo sensed my urgency, pulling me onto his lap, letting my legs fall on either side of his.
“Jesus, Caitlin,” he breathed, his words a flutter over my lips. “You’re so fucking sexy. But I need you to know this wasn’t my plan. I’m not that kind of guy.”
I eased back, smiling. “Well that’s probably a good thing then, because I’m not that kind of girl.” But with you, I might be.
I dived back in, kissing him with everything that I had. Matteo groaned, his body hard beneath me. I felt the hard outline of his arousal press into me. But I didn’t flinch. I imagined things. Dirty, sensual things.
One of his hands gripped the back of my neck, pulling gently to reveal the expanse of my neck and collarbone to him. “I want to taste you,” he said. “I want to paint every inch of your skin with my tongue.”
Oh my.
His lips met my throat in a gentle caress, but it wasn’t enough. Something told me it
would never be enough with him.
The overwhelming thought startled me. I let my hands slide into his hair, anchoring him to me. The second his tongue swiped along the column of my neck, I was a goner.
I’d never wanted to give myself to another.
Until this moment.
It was a powerful thought, if not a little disarming. I barely knew Matteo. But I felt more at ease with him than I ever had before.
He took his time painting my skin. Sucking and nibbling and kissing. My soft moans became a gentle undercurrent to the storm outside. One of his hands trailed down my spine. Clamping it around my hip, he pulled me down on him while he ground into me. A wildlife swept through me as we rocked against each other, hands touching, mouths searching.
“Shit, Tink,” he choked out. “If you don’t stop, I’m going to finish in my pants like a twelve-year-old at a wet t-shirt contest.”
I chuckled, burying my face in his shoulder. “I guess we kinda got carried away.”
Matteo slid his hand against my cheek, coaxing me to look at him. “I guess we did.”
He eyes were dark and hooded, simmering with hunger. But it didn’t scare me.
“I might be a gentleman,” he said thickly, “but I’m no saint, Cait. So you need to tell me now if I need to apply the brakes.”
Did I want him to stop?
The rational, logical... safe answer, was yes.
But I’d spent my whole life living with my wings clipped. Tonight, I didn’t want to be that girl, I wanted to be free.
I wanted to choose for myself.
Standing, I held out my hand. My body trembled as Matteo stared up at me. “You sure?” He stood up, bumping his chest against mine.
“I am.”
He swept a strand of hair off my face, staring at me with such intensity, I felt winded. “I don’t know what’s happening here,” he said. “But I’m so fucking relieved the universe decided to lead me down that alley tonight.”
I flinched at the memory. “Cait, look at me.”
Matteo didn’t ask if I minded him calling me Cait, but it sounded so natural rolling off his tongue, I didn’t correct him.
My eyes peeked open and he smiled. “There she is. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do,” he said.
LOVE IN LOCKDOWN: A Charity Anthology Page 29