The Sweetest Temptation
Chapter 257: Simply want you

Chapter 257: Simply want you

She had the unbearable urge to smile, but then she remembered the last time that such an event played out between them and she was overcome with sadness.

She turned back to the tray before her and nodded. "Yes, I do like it." She replied, folding away the bed cover and climbing out of the bed.

Matteo noticed the change in her demeanor and closed the distance between them in several strides. "What’s the matter?" He asked in a tone filled with affection and care.

Stella didn’t want to believe that he was actually giving her this sort of attention after what had transpired between them the last time that they had sex.

"Nothing. I will have to go take a shower, and brush my teeth before I have breakfast." She was about to walk away when he pulled her wrist and nudged her back.

"Not that," he added, wrapping his arms around her waist and having her peer directly into his eyes.

"I meant your mood, it changed."

She felt a mixture of perplexity and frustration. This sudden change in his behaviour puzzled her. It was unlike him to act this way, leaving her with a throbbing headache as she tried to decipher the thoughts swirling within his mind. However, one thing she was certain of was that things were not going to remain the same, he would change any time soon. But this time, she vowed not to be caught off guard again.

Turning to face him, she adopted a stern expression and replied, "I told you, it’s nothing. I simply want to go clean my mouth and then have breakfast." Her voice held an almost steely tone, devoid of any hint of emotion. Matteo fell silent for a moment, taken aback by her response.

As she started to turn away, expecting the conversation to come to an end, he swiftly spun her back to face him, pulling her into an unexpected embrace. She froze, her mind struggling to process the sudden change he had undergone in just a few days of knowing him.

"What’s the matter?" She asked, her voice laced with confusion.

"I’m sorry."

Sorry?! What on earth was he up to now?!

"About what?" She inquired, still grappling with the puzzle of his true motives. She despised being kept in the dark, and this moment only deepened her sense of bewilderment.

"For treating you that way," he confessed. Instantly, she knew exactly what he was referring to – their first intimate encounter and what had happened after it. In that moment, she wished the ground would open up and spare her the anguish of remembering what she had endured on that occasion, but she knew such reprieve was impossible.

Silence hung heavy between them, stretching on for what felt like an eternity, until he finally spoke again. "I know you made this choice because you couldn’t bear the pain of me ignoring you once more. But the truth is..." Stella looked up, anticipation etched on her face, yearning to hear every thought that occupied his mind. If there was anything she longed to understand, it was the inner workings of his thoughts, especially when it came to her.

Closing the gap between them once more, he enveloped Stella in his arms, their bodies pressed tightly together. His hand tenderly brushed away the stray locks of hair that obscured her face, tucking them behind her ear.

"I know you crave love. That’s the simple truth," He stated plainly, as if it were an uncomplicated matter. Though her heart raced within her chest, Stella nodded knowingly, concealing her inner turmoil.

"And?" She prompted.

"And," he continued, lowering his head as he carefully crafted his words. "I want you very much, so much so that I can’t imagine my life without you, Stella."

Once again, she teetered on the brink of surrender, but an instinct told her there was more to come, a sting that would pierce her heart. She braced herself for the impact, preparing for the pain she expected.

"But I can’t give you that," he confessed.

There it was. The premium hurt served on a literal platter.

"I know, it’s alright," She murmured, extracting herself from his embrace and turning to head towards the shower as her tears threatened to spill.

"Wait," He called out, seizing her wrist and pulling her back into his arms. "I’m not finished yet."

"What more is there to say, Matteo? You’ve made your desires abundantly clear. Don’t I have the right to retreat and contemplate my own thoughts?" Her voice carried a palpable anguish. Although he had deemed himself incapable of love, witnessing her pain became unbearable. He realized the extent of the harm he had inflicted and understood the need to make amends.

"I’m sorry," He finally uttered, enfolding her against his chest and resting his chin upon her head. His hand glided along her back, offering peace through its gentle strokes and caresses.

"I know I’ve hurt you, Stella. I deserve to suffer for it. But please, consider what I have to say." His hand continued its soothing motions. When he received no immediate rebuke, he pressed on.

"I cannot give you my heart. However, if you desire my body, I can offer it to you completely and without reservation. That much, I can give."

Stella’s head remained on his chest, her ear tuning in to the sound of his heartbeat. It was an erratic sound that signified his anxiety. And hearing it alone made her feel safe. It made her certain that he was indeed human and also felt things.

She, on the other hand, was thoroughly selfish and hadn’t seen his own point of view. Having experienced his care and attention, she knew that he was a man capable of emotions such as the one that he now ran away from. But what she failed to understand was if her hypothesis was indeed true, then that could only mean that he did not want to get into it due to his fear of being heartbroken.

It was simple logic. How come she did not see it until now? But to think that a man such as him would go through heartbreak... it was almost impossible to imagine.

She adjusted her position within his embrace, her hands resting on his chest while she sought answers.

"What is it going to entail?"

Her sudden inquiry jolted him, making him realize that his proposition was now under consideration. A smile curved his lips as he tightened his hold around her.

"Agh! Don’t squeeze the life out of me, I’m not considering it yet, I’m simply asking a question."

"Don’t worry, live, I will do no such thing," He chuckled, releasing his grip on her but not letting go completely. Cupping her face in his hands, he captured her lips in a passionate kiss, his tongue exploring the depths of her mouth. It was his way of expressing gratitude, rekindling their primal desires. And then, reluctantly, he pulled away.

"Damn it, I told you, I haven’t made up my mind yet. I was just asking a question," she scolded, her voice dripping with provocative whispers.

He couldn’t help but laugh at her response, releasing her from his hold. However, his desire for her lingered, and he gently cupped her face once more, their eyes locking.

"There are no restrictions." He assured her.

"Huh," She questioned, wondering what he meant by the statement.

"There’s nothing more to it. I simply want you," he added, pulling her into his embrace once again. "And I want you to want me too." With those words, he placed a tender kiss on her forehead and held her so tightly that it felt as though they were merging into one.