The Sweetest Temptation
Chapter 233: Bath

Chapter 233: Bath

Matteo could see the question in her eyes, it was a sort of goofy look that caused him to want to break into laughter. But the moment did not call for such, he needed to give her a hint of what was happening and his already thought out plan.

"You got shot because of me. I brought you to my home to get treated." There was a sudden chill in his voice that almost caused Stella to shiver under the sheets.

She didn’t know the cause for his sudden change of countenance, and for that reason, she was even more unnerved.

Was he thinking of what to do about her even in this moment that they shared? She wanted to know by all means, but she did not know how to ask.

And then finally, the ideal question came to her mind, "Why are you doing this?" She asked him plainly.

Matteo was caught off guard by the question as he hadn’t expected that to be her first inquiry. Notwithstanding, he gave her his answer.

"You did the same for me when I came to the office injured, I’m sure you remember that."

It was clear to him that his reply was wrong, because after he mentioned it, the light in her eyes flickered out, leaving a gloom that was evident in her mannerism. She sunk further into the pillows and gave her reply to his statement.

"Yes sir, I do."

Matteo noticed her shift from being informal, to addressing him with a title. It did not sit right with Matteo, he knew this from the tug that he felt in his chest when she addressed him.

But he went on, "At the moment, you cannot do much, so, I will be responsible for everything that you need." The long pause after this statement caused Stella to lock her eyes with his once again. And then she saw, there was no addition to what he had just declared.

"I don’t want to be a bur –"

"I insist on doing it, and there’s nothing that can change it." The dominance in his voice made her want the security he provided even more. But before she gave in, she needed to confirm one last thing – as dumb as it sounded.

"I will make my baths for myself." She added without question, simply a statement. Of course he would not bathe her. But what he said next put her not just in a position of being a ward –

"I will do that. When I say everything," He leaned forward, closing the distance between their faces, as he continued, "I mean everything."

*******

"I appreciate your concern sir, but I can manage on my own," Stella protested, mustering as much resistance as her weakened sate allowed. She desperately tried to suppress he images of a compromising situation with Matteo, but try as she may, the reality was about to unfold.

When he had casually mentioned helping her with the shower, she had never expected him to follow through. Yet, to her surprise, he entered the room with a bathrobe draped over his elbow, his intention clear.

"Please, Mr. Quinn, I insist that I can handle it myself," she pleaded, her voice filled with urgency, hoping he would give in to her fervent plea.

She believed wholeheartedly in her ability to take a shower independently, and her privacy was not the reason for it. However, her words seemed to fall on deaf ears as Matteo closed the distance with determined strides.

"Don’t resist," He warned softly, his eyes fixed on hers with unwavering promise.

Her heart raced as he settled onto the mattress beside her, his proximity unnerving yet captivating. She swallowed hard, her gaze meeting his as the unspoken tension hung heavy in the air.

Her heart did tumbles in her chest as she beheld him, and to her surprise, a subtle smile played upon his lips. His eyes held a magnetic allure, tinged with a hint of seduction that only heightened her discomfort.

Was she merely seeing what she longed for, or was this surreal moment actually unfolding before her? Matteo, the man she had once harbored a crush on, and still did, was now willingly offering to assist her in the shower.

Snap out of it, Stella. It can’t be. She thought to herself, tightly shutting her eyes and desperately hoping that the image of him would dissipate when she reopened them. But as she prepared to take that leap, she heard his voice.

"It’s not a dream," His words resonated with a deep baritone that reverberated within her chest, between her peaks. Suddenly, the pain in her side was forgotten, leaving her acutely aware of the throbbing sensation in her core. With a deep breath she opened her eyes once more, determined to maintain unwavering eye contact with him.

"I need to address two matters before we proceed," he began, his voice laced with a mix of authority and underlying desire. "First, during your time here, I want you to address me by my name."

He paused, studying her flushed face, searching for any flicker of reaction. Her unsolicited focus gave him a glimmer of hope that she’d comply.

"Second," he continued, his voice dripping with a teasing intensity. But before he went on, he leaned in closer, his lips hovering temptingly close to the nape of her neck. "If you fail to comply with this simple request, I may have to handle you myself, and trust me, Stella, you wouldn’t want that."

Stella felt her concentration wearing thin as his breath caressed her bare skin, electrifying her senses. She became acutely aware of her semi-naked state beneath the covers, dressed in only her underwear with her gown hanging just below her abdomen. Her breath grew ragged as she battled against the intoxicating sensations that his proximity evoked.

There was no denying it – Matteo was teasing her, and his intensions were direct, crystal clear.

As much as it excited her, she wondered how long he had intended doing this, and what his actual thoughts were towards her. In their office environment, he had shown no interest in her.

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