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Chapter Nine

I turn over slowly as soft, warm light pours in through the windows, illuminating Matteo's bare bedroom. I smile comfortingly, finding him still asleep beside me, his hands tucked beneath the pillow.

I glance at the clock, seeing it's only eight AM. I need to check my phone, my sister has probably been calling wondering what happened last night... What the hell did happen last night?

I sit up slowly, stretching my aching limbs as my aqua-colored eyes wander back to the still figure beside me. The rest of the night was spent in and out of sleep, every once in a while coming together, rather desperately. I can't even remember the last time I came three times in a night.

Feeling used in the best way, I reach out, running my fingers gently over the scarred skin, silently wondering what gave him this pain. My hand ceases when his body tenses up. I lift it away from him as he turns, glancing at me sleepily.

"What time is it?" he whispers, hoarsely.

"A little past eight."

"Shit." He sits up, jumping from the bed in a hurry.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm late. I have to be at a book signing in twenty minutes."

I stand up, reaching for my clothes as he disappears into the bathroom. I hear the sink run as I quickly dress, glancing around for my suitcase. Shit. Did I leave it out in the hallway?

I leave the room, running through the apartment and unlock his front door. I breathe a sigh of relief when my lumpy bag is still sitting in the hallway. How did I forget that?

"There you are," I whisper to myself, walking out to grab it. Thank goodness no one else lives on this floor. I reach inside, trying to find my phone. When I do, I press the home button and the screen doesn't even budge to light up. It's probably been dead for hours.

Oh well. I stick it back inside and walk back into the apartment.

"There you are." I look up, finding Matteo standing just outside of his bedroom, his gray dress shirt hanging open. His hair is somehow wet. I haven't been out there that long, right? "I thought you had left for a second."

"Did that upset you?" I joke, smirking. He glares at me, without malice and walks to the kitchen, grabbing his wallet and keys off the counter.

"I should probably be getting home then," I utter, unsure of what to do.

He stops moving. I watch him finally take a breath and glance up at me. I smile, wondering why he seems so nervous.

"I'm sorry. I'm really bad at the, um, morning-after talk."

"Really?" I ask, disbelieving. He smirks, shaking his head.

"Most women don't stay the night. I usually..."

"Have them leave?"

He nods. "Yeah, it's a dick move but again- intimacy."

"I know, I know." I smile, nodding. "Well, I'm going to get going. You... I mean, you will call me?"

You sound ridiculous.

He nods. "Of course, Emma."

I shuffle in place, considering whether or not to go up to him. My legs finally make up their mind as I approach him, lifting up on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek. My hand runs over his newly shaved jaw as I force myself to pull back from him. He stares at me, eyes wide, always making my affections more than I intend them to be.

"Have a good day," I whisper, backing up slowly. I press my lips together, biting down on the skin and turn, reaching for my suitcase. He walks faster than I do, grabbing the door for me, clearing his throat.

"I'll call you when I'm out."

"Okay," I say, stepping out into the hallway. I take a breath as I step into air that's not intoxicated by his aftershave. I walk to the elevator, pressing the button, knowing the door is still open behind me.

Dear lord, this is awkward.

"Emma." The word comes out almost as a shout. I turn in place, finding him holding the door open.

He clears his throat. "Come with me... to the book signing? I mean, if you want to... If you have nothing to do."

"Really? You'd like me to?"

"Yes," he replies immediately, with a firm nod. I smile, pressing my lips together curiously and begin to walk back to him, unable to resist more time with him- that he initiated.

"I'll smell like sex."

"That will make two of us then," he says, sounding ridiculously heated for such an early morning. I blush, biting my lip.

"I have to change really quick and brush my teeth but I'd love to."

He manages a smile, a smile that is small in my eyes, probably a grin in his and nods.

"What made you change your mind?" I ask him as he closes the door behind me, buttoning up his shirt.

"I didn't want you to go yet," he confesses quietly. My heart skips a beat.