Obsession

Tip

Alistair motioned me forward with his free hand. "You remember Jenson?"

Matteo's startling eyes rested on my face as he offered me his hand. "Yes. I remember."

My heart leapt into my throat, hammering hard, as our hands touched. His hand was warm, his skin soft, his grip firm.

"Hello again, Jenson." My name on his tongue sounded deep, smooth, silky.

Oh ... wow.

Taking a deep breath, I managed a smile. "Hello again."

Glad my voice didn't squeak like last time.

He held my hand a little longer, his eyes searching my face, as his tongue flicked out and licked his bottom lip, catching my attention.

Oh.

When I'd called Caleb to tell him about this job, I'd left out the part where I'd met Matteo. At the time, I wondered why I'd done it.

But right now, standing in front of this guy, feeling myself melt under his stare, I understood why.

This feeling ... whatever it was ... was fluttering around my stomach, sending my heart into a beating frenzy, prickling my scalp.

Caleb wouldn't like it. Wouldn't like the way I was feeling around this guy.

I needed to stop it.

Now.

Caleb.

Shit.

Needed to keep thinking about him.

Pulling my hand back, I took another deep breath, plastering another smile on my face.

Alistair tapped my shoulder once more, then motioned with his head. "Jenson, why don't you show Mister De Luca to his table and take his order?"

Oh. Yeah.

Matteo held his hand out to the side. "Lead the way, Jenson."

Oh.

Swallowing once again, I spun on my heel and walked over to the table that was laid out for one, complete with fancy cutlery, flowers and candles.

Holding out a chair, I held my breath as he nodded at me, then sat down, his elbow brushing against my arm as he did so.

Oh shit.

Reaching forward to pick up the menu, my arm brushed his shoulder just a little and I had to bite my tongue to stop any sound from coming out of my mouth.

Fucks' sake.

Behave.

Caleb.

Carry on thinking about Caleb.

Straightening up, I handed Matteo the menu, making sure to keep my fingers as far away from his as I could.

"Thank you, Jenson." Smooth. Silky.

Oh hell. He just said my name again.

Shit.

Giving myself a mental slap, I reached into my pocket for a pad and pen, then turned to smile at Matteo.

"Can I get you something to drink while you look at the menu?"

A shiver prickled my spine as Matteo's eyes ran down my body, his tongue flicking out to lick his lips once more, his teeth nibbling his lower lip just a little.

Oh.

Blinking, I forced my eyes to meet his, to not look at his mouth, and my heart pounded at the heated look he was giving me.

Caleb.

Just think about Caleb.

Images of the beautiful, fit, incredibly gorgeous blonde haired guy in New York didn't do anything to help my thumping heart, or my dry mouth.

Oh crap.

Stop thinking.

Think about nothing. Or about boring things like clouds or the sun or Caleb sunbathing shirtless or shut up brain ...

Clearing my throat a little, I kept the smile on my face, pen poised over the pad, hoping Matteo wouldn't notice the flush of my cheeks or the bead of sweat on my temple.

Fucking hell.

Matteo's icy eyes rested on my face, a smile tugging at his lips. "Let's start with a glass of wine," he said as he opened the menu, "and we'll go from there."

Matteo dabbed at the corner of his mouth with the napkin, and offered me a smile.

"That was delicious." His eyes held mine, keeping my heart at a strong beat.

Honestly.

All through dinner, my heart had been hammering away, beating faster whenever I was at his table or close to his table. Or even just glancing his way.

Which was most of the last couple of hours.

After ordering wine, Matteo had taken his time, pouring over the menu, savouring each mouthful, telling me that each dish was delicious.

He'd asked me a couple of questions while I cleared away the dirty plates, and placed his food in front of him.

Where was I from?

What was I studying at college?

I learned that his family was from Italy - no surprise - yet he'd studied here in California, then chose to live here once he'd graduated from college. A business major, wanting to follow in his father's footsteps.

He reminded me a little of Asher ... studying to take over the family business. Although there wasn't a business for Asher to take over any more ... thanks to his father and the mess he'd made.

Asshole.

Placing his napkin on the table, Matteo smiled up at me. "How about getting the card machine so that I can settle the bill?"

Grinning back at him, I walked over to the till, rang up his bill and grabbed the card machine from the drawer.

Alistair was already at Matteo's table when I arrived.

"And how was everything this evening, Mister De Luca?"

Matteo reached into his suit jacket, pulling out his wallet. His eyes were on me once more.

"The service was perfect, Alistair." His gaze swept up and down my body, leaving a heated trail on my skin, goosebumps rushing across my arms, my scalp prickling once more. "Absolutely perfect."

He held my stare, his blue eyes wanting me to dive in, waiting to pull me under. The heat, the lust ... both were swirling in those icy blue pools, asking me to jump, inviting me in.

Oh.

"Excellent!" Alistair rubbed a hand down my back. "I knew that Jenson would take very good care of you."

Without breaking eye contact, Matteo reached into his wallet, pulled out a credit card, then leaned over to press it into my hand, those tiny little sparks crackling away once more the second his skin touched mine.

Oh fuck.

Taking another deep breath, I reached down and rang it through the card machine, before handing it back to him.

Slipping the card back into his wallet, Matteo rose to his feet, offering Alistair a smile. "Jenson has looked after me all evening. And he seems to be very good at it." His eyes sliced to me and he stuck his hand out. "It was lovely to see you again, Jenson."

"You, too." My heart leapt happily as Matteo shook my hand.

With a nod of his head, he turned on his heel and walked towards the door. Glancing down at the hand he'd just shook, my heart stopped at the number of crumpled bills tucked into my palm. At a quick glance, I could see three fifty dollar bills.

Holy crap.

Maybe Adam was right.

Maybe this place was what I needed right now.