Matteo (The Syndicates series Book 1)

by Cala Riley

  Some people are idiots.

  I resist the urge to look at my phone again until I’m standing right outside the front door.

  She’s putting something on a plate, smiling to herself.

  Nico comes up beside me. “She’s been quiet all day. Not sure I trust it, but she seems to be obeying you.”

  “I’m not sure if I can trust her yet either, but only time will tell.”

  Walking into the house, I come around the corner to the kitchen and stop.

  She looks like an angel standing at the island around two plates of steaming food. She gives me a nervous smile, glancing at the food then back to me.

  “You cooked.” I walk closer to her. “Should I be worried it’s poisoned?”

  She frowns. “No. I wouldn’t do that.”

  I walk over to her, pulling her chin up to meet my eyes. “It was a joke. I know you wouldn’t.”

  She gives me a weak smile.

  I pull her into my arms, giving her a quick hug, unable to resist.

  “What did you make?” I look at the plates and see two pieces of meat and some mashed potatoes.

  “I’m not good at making much, but I can follow directions. This is meatloaf and mashed potatoes. You had some ground beef in the freezer and it’s one of the few recipes I could find that you had all the ingredients for.”

  “It smells delicious. Should we sit and eat?”

  She nods, taking her seat.

  After we say grace, I take my first bite, not knowing what it will taste like. Surprisingly the meat is flavorful.

  “You didn’t have ketchup to put on top, so I left it off. I hope it tastes okay.” She sounds nervous again.

  “It’s delicious. Thank you. I don’t get too many home-cooked meals anymore.”

  She preens, proud of herself. “You mean that? It tastes good?”

  “Taste it and find out for yourself.”

  She takes a small bite, but smiles up at me. “It does taste good. Wow. I can’t believe I made this.”

  “If you keep this up, I might make you cook for me every night.”

  Her grin grows. “I would love that. I was nervous at first, but it was interesting to see how all these things combined to make one meal. I’ve never actually cooked before.”

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it. How did you enjoy your book today?”

  “Oh, I loved it. I haven’t quite found the bird that is outside yet, but learning about all the different types in the state is interesting. I recognize a couple of them.”

  “Good. If you need a different book, just let me know. I’ll see what I can do.”

  She nods, taking another bite of her food.

  “What else do you need? Do you need anything?”

  “No. I’m grateful for everything you’ve already provided for me.”

  I sigh. “I want you to tell me if you need anything.”

  “I don’t know what you’re used to, but I really don’t need much. I have books, a warm bed, and running water. Honestly, asking for anything else seems excessive.”

  “You didn’t mention one thing you don’t have,” I tell her.

  “What?” she asks.

  “Your freedom.”

  She frowns. “Freedom left me cold and lonely. I don’t feel that anymore. I’m not sure I want it anymore.”

  My breath catches. Could she be saying what I think she’s saying?

  She takes a large spoonful of mashed potatoes, sliding it into her mouth. A little bit of potato sticks at the corner of her lip.

  Unable to resist, I lean forward, watching as she freezes.

  Her breath stalls as I cup the side of her face, using my thumb to wipe the small bit of potato off.

  I smile as I pull my thumb back and place it in my mouth to lick the potato off.

  “Yum. Delicious.”

  Her breath comes back in a whoosh. “I’m glad you like it.”

  The rest of the meal goes by in comfortable silence, each one of us lost in our thoughts.

  When she excuses herself to go to bed, I don’t question it. I tell her good night and go back to my own room.

  What were you thinking? I ask myself.

  I don’t think I am anymore.

  Ever since last night, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Matteo. Not in a nice, thinking about my friend way.

  No.

  Instead, I’m thinking about the way his hand felt on my face. The way his thumb brushed against the corner of my mouth. How sensual it was when he placed that same thumb inside his mouth.

  My body is on fire. I keep rubbing my thighs together to relieve the pressure that keeps building. I’ve read biology books. I know what is happening.

  My body’s turned on because of him.

  My captor.

  Is he really my captor, though?

  I meant what I said to him last night. Ever since I’ve been here, I haven’t felt so lonely. That’s not counting the isolation punishment, but still. Nico is always here to hang out, even if he is still wary of me. He never denies me conversation if I talk to him first.

  Then you have Matteo. He comes home and asks me about my day every day. He seems to even enjoy spending time with me.

  I guess that’s why I have these crazy thoughts in my head.

  He hugged me and has been hugging me since the first time. While my body is reacting with every touch, I wonder if he feels the same.

  Does it work the same for men? Do they feel what we do?

  Maybe I should ask for a book on it.

  No, probably not. That would be embarrassing.

  Hey, Matteo. I’m not sure about this feeling you make me feel, so can you get me a book to explain it to me?

  That would go over well.

  Not only would I be embarrassed, but if he started acting weird around me, I don’t think I could take it. I crave our time together.

  Like now. He decided to work from home today. He said he needed the quiet.

  At first, I sat in the living room, but after a while, I made my way to his office door.

  I told him I wanted a new book, but I really just wanted to be near him.

  When I took the chair in the corner, he didn’t complain. I’m not even sure he noticed. He’s been taking calls and doing stuff on his computer but hasn’t said a word to me.

  I don’t want to bother him, so I’m staying quiet, reading my book as much as I can. I can’t help looking up at him though.

  Every time I do, all I can think about is last night.

  “If you keep staring at me while touching your lips, I’m going to get the wrong idea.”

  I startle when his voice fills the silent room. I pull my hand down from my lips, unaware I was even touching them.

  I didn’t even realize he could tell I was looking at him.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to bother you.” I go to stand.

  “Sit. You’re not bothering me. It’s actually nice to have you in here while I work.”

  “Oh.” I sit back down and curl back into the chair. “I can sit in here more often if you want.”

  He looks over at me. “I want you to do what you want, not what you think I want. Is that why you’re in here? You think it’s what I want?”

  I’m confused by his words. “If you don’t want me in here, I can sit in the living room.”

  “That’s not what I asked. Why are you in here?”

  “I didn’t want to be alone.”

  His face falls a little. “Then you can stay in here with me.”

  He goes back to working while I silently curse myself.

  I said something wrong. He’s upset with me.

  I don’t say anything else, instead focusing back on my book.

  A little while later, a crashing of glass downstairs startles me.

  “What was that?”

  Matteo is up within a second, grabbing my arm and pulling me into his bedroom, into his closet.

  “Keep quiet.” He pushes me against the back wall, shieldin
g me with his body as he pulls his phone out.

  He types something out before making the screen go black.

  My heart is hammering in my chest. He’s standing close to me. So close that I can smell the body wash I know he uses.

  My hands come up to touch my chest, but they end up on his.

  He looks down at me. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”

  I don’t know what he sees in my eyes, but he wraps one hand around the back of my head, pulling it into his chest.

  My stomach flutters when I feel him press a kiss to the top of my head.

  After a couple minutes, his phone vibrates.

  “Nico is checking it out. Looks like a brick through the living room window,” he tells me.

  I pull back, looking up at him. “Who would throw a brick through the window?”

  “I don’t know. Nico will find out, though. Stay here, I’ll help him.”

  He goes to move away from me, but I grab his shirt, pulling him back.

  “Please don’t leave me,” I beg.

  He leans down, his forehead touching mine. “Okay.”

  One word, but the way he says it makes me feel safe. He won’t leave me.

  Not quite sure why, but with no reason not to, I lean up, pressing my lips to his.

  He freezes.

  I start to pull back, but his hand comes back up to cup my face as he pulls me back in.

  Then he devours me.

  His lips move on mine like they were meant to be there. Pressing into them in a rough kiss. Then I feel it. His tongue pushing at my seam.

  I gasp at the sensation, granting him access into my mouth.

  I’ve never been kissed, but if this is how it feels, then I’ve been missing out.

  He continues to kiss me, pressing me against the shelf behind me.

  “All clear,” Nico calls from the bedroom.

  Matteo slows the kiss, pulling back.

  He looks me in the eye. “This changes everything.”

  Then he turns, leaving me panting in the closet, wondering what the hell I just did.

  That kiss? It was everything. I’ve kissed many women in the past, but not one has made me feel the way Vanessa just did.

  Her lips are as soft as they look. Now that I know what they feel like, what she tastes like, I only want more.

  I feel like a junkie looking for his next fix.

  If Nico hadn’t called out, I wouldn’t have stopped. I would’ve taken her right there, her virginity be damned.

  I’m glad he came, though. She deserves better than a quick fuck in the closet for her first time. That and I don’t think she knew what she was doing when she kissed me. She was acting on instinct.

  I can’t say I regret it though. If her instinct is to kiss me, then I hope it continues.

  “What do you have?” I ask Nico in the hall outside the bedroom.

  I don’t want to leave Vanessa for too long. The way she begged me to stay? That did things for my ego.

  I might have kidnapped her, but she came to me for safety. That shit is messed up, but I needed it.

  “The cameras caught a young kid. Looked like a teen. He rode back and forth down the street a couple of times before he stopped and threw the brick. Not sure if it was a coordinated attack. It almost seemed like he was debating which house to hit.”

  Relief fills me. “Good. Well, not good. Get someone here tonight to fix the window, but good that it was some dumb teen. Find him and set him straight.”

  “Will do. Want me to put Frankie on it?”

  “Nah, you can go. I’ll be here the rest of the night, anyway. I can keep an eye on her.”

  “Sounds good, boss. I’ll be back when I’m done.”

  “Thanks.”

  Walking back into the room, I find Vanessa still in the closet.

  “It’s safe to come out.” I hold my hand out to her.

  She takes it without hesitation.

  “What happened?”

  “Some punk kid. I don’t think he meant any harm. Sometimes kids act out.”

  She nods.

  “Want to go back to my office? You can read a bit and I’ll finish my work? Nico’s sending someone to fix the window, then we can go down and make dinner together.”

  “You’ll make dinner with me?”

  “Of course, but I don’t use cookbooks. I’ll teach you the way my mom taught me.”

  “I would love that.” She beams up at me.

  That smile? It makes me feel like a million bucks.

  “That’s what we’ll do then.”

  I lead her back to my office. Once she takes her place in the chair, I go back to work, but I can’t help my eyes from drifting to her.

  What is this woman doing to me?

  I think I like Matteo. Not just like a friend. I’ve been having dreams about him.

  It’s been three days since that kiss. He has hugged me and spent time with me, but he’s been careful not to kiss me again.

  I want him to.

  It’s killing me because I know I want to feel that again, but I don’t know how to go about it. I don’t want to pounce on him out of nowhere. I want him to want it too.

  The problem is, I don’t know if he does.

  I think he does.

  I have noticed some lingering touches. A hand at the small of my back as he follows me into the kitchen. The way he brushes hair from my face while we talk.

  Are those signs?

  Like now. He asked me to watch a movie with him so we are sitting on the couch together. He brought a blanket for me, but he didn’t get under it.

  I scooted closer to him so we could share, but he said he was warm enough.

  Does that mean he doesn’t want to kiss again?

  His hand reaches out, laying on my leg.

  I glance up at him. “You keep sighing and shaking your leg. Are you okay?”

  “Yep. Fine,” I squeak.

  He leaves his left hand on my leg, turning toward me.

  I look back to the television, but he reaches out his right hand, pulling my face back toward him.

  “I grew up with women. Fine is never a good word when it comes out of a woman’s mouth. What’s wrong?”

  He brushes his fingers against my cheek.

  “I...” I start, but then stop.

  “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Tell me.”

  “It’s embarrassing.”

  “Try me. Trust me,” he demands.

  Trust. Can I trust him?

  I let out a sigh. “I was thinking about something.”

  He smirks. “About what?”

  “The other night.”

  “What about it?”

  I growl, frustrated with him. “Nothing. Never mind.”

  He chuckles, taking his left hand from my knee to wrap around the back of the couch. Then he moves closer.

  “Was it this?”

  He leans in, capturing my lips with his softly.

  Then he pulls back.

  I bite my lip, nodding.

  “You were thinking about kissing me?”

  “Yes.” My voice comes out breathy.

  “Do you like it when I kiss you?” he asks before he presses his lips to mine again.

  “I like how it makes me feel,” I say when he pulls back.

  “How does it make you feel?”

  He rubs his nose against mine.

  “Like my veins are on fire. My stomach feels like it’s filled with a thousand fireflies. It makes me antsy, like I need to rub my legs together to stop the ache.”

  His eyes darken with my words. “You ache? Where do you ache?”

  “Between my legs,” I admit softly.

  He groans, “Fuck. That’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard.”

  “Is that a good thing? Aching down there?”

  “It’s the best thing. It means you want me.”

  “I do. I want you to kiss me again.”

  He leans forward, taking my lips, k
issing me roughly. After a few moments, he pulls back.

  “I don’t want to take advantage of you, Vanessa. I know you said you’ve never done anything before, but do you know what that ache means?”

  “I was in public school. I know what it means, but I’ve never felt it before. This is the first time.”

  He curses to himself.

  “I think God sent you here to torture me.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re perfect.”

  My heart soars with his words.

  “Can you show me?” I ask.

  “Show you what, cara.”

  “Show me how to make it stop aching.” I lean into him this time, kissing him.

  “We don’t have to take this fast. We can go slow,” he tells me.

  “I want you to show me. Every night when I go to bed, I think of you, which makes me ache. Show me how to make it better.”

  He curses. “Okay. If you’re sure.”

  “I’m sure.”

  This woman is going to be the death of me. I never imagined this is where we would end up after I kidnapped her. I never intended for it to go this far.

  I’m not sure I can stop it now.

  I have self-control, but with her sitting here, begging me to show her what pleasure is all about, I can’t deny her.

  “I’m not soft, Vanessa. If we do this, know that I’m not like most guys. I like things a little rougher.”

  “I don’t care. Show me.”

  Not wasting another second, I lean in, taking her lips with mine. Between exploring her mouth with my tongue and nipping at her lips, I have her worked up enough for her to start arching toward me.

  She wants me.

  Pulling her over onto my lap, I position her with her legs spread on each side of me. I lower her down, making sure she can feel my dick between her legs.

  She gasps once she’s settled.

  “That felt good,” she tells me.

  “I’m about to make you feel better. Is this okay?” I ask again.

  “Yes.” Her eyes are gleaming in excitement.

  Leaning forward, I place my hands at her hips. I kiss and nip at her neck down to her collarbone. She throws her head back, breathing hard with each move.