Chapter 229 Dare Or Invitation

Words : 1212 Updated : May 20th, 2025

"What is this?" Emily asked, a deep furrow in her brow. Matteo turned to face her, a soft smile on his lips. "Come here," he whispered, gently beckoning her toward the sweet surprise he had arranged. Emily hesitated, nervously chewing her bottom lip before slowly walking toward him. "How's it?" he asked, gesturing around the balcony. "It's... beautiful," Emily answered sincerely, her voice soft. "But why did you go through all this trouble?" "I wanted to make this dinner something special since our last dinner date was cut short," he said, biting the inside of his cheek, the memory of that night still embarrassing him. "That's fine." Emily waved her hand dismissively. "I've forgotten all about that." Matteo's smile faltered, a flicker of hurt passing through him. She had forgotten the night he had arranged a perfect date for them, a night that could have been magical if Lia hadn't ruined it. Shrugging off those lingering thoughts, Matteo took the sandwiches from Emily's hands and placed them beside the plates. He lowered himself onto one of the soft cushions and patted the one next to him, motioning for Emily to join him. "Come on, sit here," he urged with a soft smile. Emily hesitated for a moment, her mind racing as she weighed her options. She wasn't sure if sitting so close to him was a good idea, especially with the cozy setting he'd prepared, but her feet moved before her mind could protest further. Reluctantly, she settled down beside him, her heart pounding a little faster as she felt the warmth radiating from the charming playboy attorney sitting so close to her. "Come on, let's sit and eat before something happens," he sighed, the last part of his sentence trailing off. "Huh?" Emily blinked at him in confusion. "I mean... every time we meet, something happens to ruin our time together. Remember?" he said, and Emily realized he was right. Every time they met, something or someone came to disrupt everything, leaving them parting ways bitterly. Matteo opened the bottle of wine and poured it into two glasses. He handed one to Emily, but she shook her head. "No, please, I won't drink," she said politely. "Why? I thought you forgave me," Matteo asked, cocking his head slightly, curiosity in his eyes. "Yeah, and that's not the reason, Emily shrugged, feeling a bit awkward with the confession. "I just can't handle my drink. Every time I do, I end up getting myself into trouble..." "And I had to come save you," Matteo finished her sentence with a knowing smile. "But don't worry, as I'm already here," he added with a wink, making Emily bite her lip to keep from giggling. "Are you trying to take advantage of me after getting me drunk, Mr. Vinci?" she teased, narrowing her eyes, and her tone was playful as she plucked the wine glass from his hand. Matteo raised his glass, lightly clinking it against hers. "And what if I meant to do just that?" he replied, his voice low and daring, as his eyes sparkled with mischief. Emily paused, staring into his eyes for a heartbeat before offering her innocent smile. "I'd like to see you try something naughty." Matteo's heart skipped a beat at her challenge. Was she daring him, or was it an invitation? Fuck! He had never been so bad at reading between the lines, and now this mysterious woman had him wrapped in her spell so tightly that his mind couldn't function on its own. "By the way." Matteo quickly shifted the conversation, trying to mask his sudden awkwardness. "I heard from Alessandro that Aria isn't feeling well. If you want to visit her, I can take you there." He offered her a sandwich, hoping the new topic would ease the atmosphere. Emily took the sandwich, glancing at him as she started eating and sipping her wine. "Yeah, I was thinking about going to Florence," Emily shrugged, chewing on her sandwich before taking a large swig of wine. "But Mia told me to stay in Paris and manage the business here." Her words slurred slightly as the alcohol began to loosen her tongue. "By the way, why did you call her Aria? She's Mia," she added, her tone confused. Matteo chuckled softly, recognizing that the wine was doing most of the talking now. "I am used to calling her Aria, and it's a long story," he began, diving into the history of his relationship with Alessandro and how Mia had once been known as Aria. Their conversation flowed naturally from there, meandering through topics from their pasts to their lives now. Before they knew it, the bottle of wine was empty, and the sandwiches were gone, yet their conversation showed no signs of stopping. "So, don't you want to finish your studies now?" Matteo asked, noticing how Emily shivered slightly in the cool air. Without missing a beat, he pulled her closer into his embrace. "Come here," he whispered, wrapping his arms around her with a protective warmth. Emily nestled into his arms as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Matteo reached for his jacket, which had been carelessly tossed aside earlier, and draped it over both of them, wrapping her in its warmth. Emily instinctively rested her head on Matteo's chest, her gentle breath warming his skin through the fabric of his shirt. His heart raced, and he fought to control the growing desire within him. Trying to keep his composure, Matteo asked, "You didn't reply," but his voice came out rough, betraying his need. When Emily didn't respond, he dipped his head, glancing down, and noticed her hair had fallen across her face. With a soft chuckle, he carefully swept the strands away, revealing her peaceful expression. She had already drifted off to sleep. Matteo smiled, shaking his head in amusement. He gently caressed her hair once more, savoring the silky feel against his calloused hand. Tightening his arms around her, he pulled her even closer, feeling a sense of calm wash over him. In that moment, everything felt perfect, as though she was meant to be right there, nestled near his heart. He didn't want to think about tomorrow or what the future might bring. This moment was theirs, and he intended to savor every second of it. Matteo took a deep breath, allowing himself to relax fully for the first time in ages. As his eyes closed, sleep came swiftly and easily, something that rarely happened to him. But tonight, with her in his arms, it felt natural. Peaceful. The warmth of Emily pressed against him, her soft breaths a soothing melody that wrapped around his heart. In this tranquil space, all the chaos of his life faded away, replaced by a sense of belonging he hadn’t known he craved. Matteo's mind drifted, lost in dreams of laughter, shared secrets, and a future that suddenly felt brighter with her by his side. He held her tighter, wanting to protect this fragile moment, cherishing the way it made him feel—alive, hopeful, and undeniably connected.

Chapter 229 Dare Or Invitation

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