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She watched him leave the room, her gaze lingering on his backside when Stasia nudged her in the ribs. “Ow, what was that for?”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner that you and my brother are so hot for each other?” Stasia accused.
“We are not hot for each other…”
“Ha,” Stasia interrupted. “I saw the way he looked at you. He was envisioning you naked beneath that lace dress. You two are so hot for each other I’m surprised you didn’t set each other on fire just a minute ago.”
“Stasia,” Gavin started, but she threw him a look.
“It’s like I told you before, we’re just seeing each other,” Paige explained. “Nothing too serious.”
“If you want my opinion, I’d say he was madly in love with you. But what do I know?” Stasia shrugged, as if she knew her statement would throw Paige for a complete loop.
Which it did.
In fact, it was all she could think about as she waited for Matteo to get dressed, as they climbed into the limo, as they took the ride over to the Met, where the gala was being held. Matteo sat next to her, his thigh nudging against hers, their hands clasped. And still her mind replayed what Stasia said, over and over and over again.
I’d say he was madly in love with you.
He couldn’t be. Could he? Lust didn’t equal love and she knew he lusted for her. Their nights were filled with intense lovemaking. She’d never been with a man who was so…insatiable. So completely focused on her pleasure that she became lost to it time and again.
But that didn’t mean he loved her. Love was so serious and she knew enough about his past to understand he wasn’t ready for another commitment. Claudia had told her so months ago. Stasia had pretty much confirmed it when they went shopping for dresses. His dead wife had done a number on him. Whereas she believed he’d still mourned her and wasn’t interested in women, it turned out that Lucia Renaldi had burned him, made him wary of any type of relationship.
The thought alone made Paige sad.
“You’re quiet.” Matteo squeezed her hand. “Nervous?”
She nodded, her stomach quivering. “A little.”
“You’ll be fine. But just a warning, they’ll want to take our picture.”
“Who?” She turned to look at him. She hadn’t thought of that.
“The media. They take photos of everyone as they arrive.” He squeezed her hand again, leaning in so he could whisper in her ear, “You won’t have to say a thing. Just stand there and smile prettily.”
His deep, reassuring voice sent a ribbon of heat curling through her. “Do I really look all right? I mean, I don’t want to be one of those insecure women who always needs to be reassured but I’ve never worn a gown like this before and I’m afraid I look…”
“You look magnificent.” He kissed her, right there in front of Stasia and Gavin, who sat mere feet away from them. Engrossed in their own conversation, but still. “You steal my breath away.” He kissed her again, this time longer, hungrier, his tongue sliding against hers for the briefest moment before he pulled away. “I’ll be proud to have you on my arm.”
Her cheeks flushed, she licked her lips, noting that Matteo watched her every move. It was so exciting, how much he always seemed to want her. “Thank you. You look wonderful too.”
He was so elegantly gorgeous in his suit he looked as if he’d walked straight out of a magazine. She was a lucky woman, to claim this man as her own. However fleeting it may be.
For tonight, he was hers and hers alone.
The entry at the Met was a mob scene, the crowded line of paparazzi yelling at everyone as they arrived, trying to get their attention for the perfect photo op. Spectators stood on the other side of the entrance, restrained by a long black velvet rope, holding their phones up and calling the names of the more famous people in attendance this evening.
Matteo escorted a nervous Paige up the red carpet that covered the steps leading to the entrance, Stasia and Gavin just behind them. He knew his brothers were already inside—he’d received a text from Rafe earlier in the limo. They were all sitting together for the evening and Matteo had already warned his brothers he wanted no trouble where Paige was concerned.
Tonight was an evening of celebration. He wasn’t about to let his disapproving brothers hurt Paige’s feelings with their careless words and unwanted protectiveness.
Clutching Paige’s arm closer, he offered her a reassuring smile when she looked at him. She was so beautiful his entire body ached with wanting her. The black lace gown fit her to perfection, her hair was smooth with subtle waves at the end, and he wanted to bury his hands in it, feel the silky strands slide all over his fingers.
