Page 33 of The Fall Affair

“What?”

“Nothing. You just look relaxed right now. You don’t have the little lines between your brows that you did when you got here.”

“You know, you’re not supposed to point out imperfections on a woman.”

He smiled. “A few small lines aren’t imperfections. They’re your story.”

“I guess I am more relaxed than I’ve been in a while. At least I think I am. The feeling is so foreign that I can’t be sure.”

His gaze flickered down to my lips and back to meet my eyes. “It looks good on you.”

Something in my belly stirred. “Thank you again for today.”

He nodded once and looked at me like he was going to say something before changing his mind. “I should get going.”

“I think I’m going to stay out here and swing for a bit while I finish my wine. I’ll see you tomorrow for my Vespa lesson? Would around nine work?”

He shook his head, but a smile threatened at his lips. “I’ll be here.”

Chapter 10

Matteo

A DRESS. TO ride a Vespa.

Allegra looked sexy as shit this morning, but the getup wasn’t exactly practical. Though, rather than mentioning that fact and winding up in an argument first thing, I instead slipped my sunglasses down my nose and took my time appreciating what I had no business appreciating. I couldn’t help myself, the pink and white material clung to all the right places.

“Why don’t you bring that letter Sophia wrote to your great-aunt, and we’ll head that way while I give you a lesson?” I suggested.

“Oh, perfect. Thanks. I’ll be right back.”

I also failed at being a gentleman while watching her walk to the house. A minute later, she came out holding an envelope marked Anna, and I tucked it into the compartment under the Vespa seat for safekeeping.

“Hop on back of mine, yes?” I thumbed behind me. “It’s da best way to give you a lesson before you try to ride on your own.” I could’ve just as easily pointed out the basics while she stood alongside, but what fun would that be? Allegra climbed onto the back of my scooter, and I looked up and offered Sophia a silent apology. She’d know exactly what I was doing if she was watching from up there.

Damn, this woman smells amazing. Subtle. Expensive. Floral with a hint of vanilla. If I hadn’t already decided to have her wrap her arms around me and hold on tight, I would have now, just to be able to smell her on my clothes after we were done.

I gave her a quick lesson on operating the scooter—throttle, front and rear brakes, electric start, horn, lights—then put the key in and started it up. Allegra squealed and rubbed her hands together. It made her look like a teenager, and my insides felt about the same age as I smiled.

“Pull your helmet on, and we drive a few kilometers so you get used to da feel. Then we switch places.”

“Okay!”

I twisted the throttle, and the Vespa hummed to life. “Wrap your arms around me. Make sure you hold tight.” That last part wasn’t absolutely necessary, but I was already acting like an ass making her ride behind me, so I figured I might as well go all in. The way her body pressed to mine and her fingers gripped my stomach, I wasn’t regretting much.

I glided down the long dirt drive, taking it slow until we came to the paved road at the end, where I stopped. “You good?”

“Yes! I can’t wait to go fast!”

I chuckled. “Hang on, Mario Andretti.”

The roads were empty. Normally I’d open up the throttle, but today I took my time, explaining how to lean into the curves and press the brakes gently so you don’t jerk to a stop. Once we were past the first few winding turns, there was a long stretch of straight road ahead of us, so I gave it a little more gas. I kept my eyes on the road—mostly, except when I was stealing glances at the woman behind me in the tiny rearview mirror.

I couldn’t help it, not when Allegra was smiling from ear to ear, her hair whipping in the wind, and she tightened her hold around my waist. Her front felt so good pressed up against my back, it made me want to keep driving. I rode to the edge of town, and then, only because I really did want to keep her safe, I pulled to the side and slowed to a stop.

“You ready to try?”

“Heck yeah!”