CHAPTER 16
Amara’s POV
“You‘ re still awake?”
I heard Matteo s voice, pulling me from my thoughts as I lay sprawled on the bed. It was a separate room – emphasizing the boundaries of this so–called arranged
marriage. Boundaries that, for my sanity, I was determined to respect. I was in my silk nightgown so I had to reach out for the silk robe from the nightstand, knotting it tightly before opening the door.
Matteo, still dressed in the same crisp white shirt earlier from the office, stood there, as if frozen with his eyes roaming over my body, lingering a moment too long. My silk robe suddenly felt too thin under his dark gaze that seemed to caress my skin.
I pulled the robe tighter around me, clearing my throat as my breath hitched
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slightly. “Matteo,” I managed. “What… what are you doing here?”
His lips quirked into a smirk, one corner curling upward in that infuriating way that both annoyed and unnerved me. “The maid mentioned you didn’t have dinner. Thought I’d check if you‘ d join me.”
Dinner? At this hour? “Oh,” I said, caught off guard. “I… I didn’t realize it was so late.”
“Well?” he asked, leaning casually against the doorframe. His eyes had not left mine, and the intensity made it difficult to think straight. “Would you care to join. me?”
I swallowed, finding my voice after a moment’s hesitation. “Sure. Let me just go change into something-”
“You don’t need to change,” he interrupted, his smirk deepening.
“You‘ re my wife, after all.”
I felt the air getting sucked out of my lungs
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and my cheeks flushed instantly at his words. I was speechless. Stunned that I never thought he would say that.
His voice lowered, teasing, as his eyes went from mine, down to my lips, and to my cleavage that the robe wasn’t able to hide, lingering for several seconds before his gaze went down to my legs, then back to my lips. And I knew too well the desire that swirled unmasked in his eyes.
“Come to think of it, our marriage hasn‘ t been consummated yet, has it?”
My heart stuttered in my chest as my eyes widened in disbelief. Heat surged to my face, and I was certain I was as red as the silk I wore. “Matteo!” I stammered, utterly mortified.
He chuckled, clearly enjoying my reaction. “Just stating the facts,” he said, his tone
laced with mischief.
For a moment, I could only stare, speechless and stunned. Then, snapping
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out of it, I placed a hand on his chest, more to steady myself than to push him away, and gave him a light shove back.
“Stop it,” I replied, masking the fire that sparked in my core. I was not willing to entertain such feelings. I was not ready yet, considering that I just come from a heartbreak, a betrayal that cost me everything. I can’t risk my heart again.
His eyes never left me as he took a step back, still grinning with his lower lip slightly in between his teeth as if he had won some unspoken game.
“Fine, I’ll wait in the dining room,” he said, turning to leave.
“But don’t keep me waiting too long, Amara. It’s rude to leave your husband hungry.” I knew he did not only mean the food for dinner but also something else…
I shut the door quickly, leaning against it as my pulse raced. What was that?
My cheeks were still burning, and even my
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ears felt hot. He was impossible-
infuriating and yet so effortlessly charming that I didn’t know whether to scream or laugh.
By the time I entered the dining room, I had managed to calm down. Matteo was already seated with a spread of late night dishes laid out on the long table. His posture was as relaxed as ever, but there was something different in the way he looked at me when I sat down.
“Feel better?” he asked, his eyes glinting with amusement as they flicked briefly to my changed outfit – a simple sweater and pants.
“Yes, thank you,” I replied curtly, ignoring the way his gaze lingered just a moment too long.
We began eating in relative silence, with only the clink of silverware filling the room. But it was not until he poured us both glasses of wine that he spoke again.
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“You’ve been quiet tonight,” he said, breaking the silence. He sounded lighter than usual, almost teasing. “Something on your mind?”
I hesitated, swirling the wine in my glass as I considered how much I wanted to share.
“Just thinking about everything,” I replied vaguely.
He raised a brow, his smirk returning.
“That’s not like you. Usually, you‘ re spitting fire by now.”
I rolled my eyes, though a small smile tugged at my lips. “Maybe I’m just too tired to argue with you tonight.”
“Or maybe,” he said, leaning slightly closer, his dark eyes locking with mine,
“you’re starting to enjoy my company.
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