Page 79 of Cavaliere

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Sure you don't, you lying bastard. “Did you enjoy yourself?”

“I did. Your mom is really sweet.” If only all moms were like Camilla.

Matteo smiles down at me. “I told you that you had nothing to worry about. She loves you.”

Thank god for that. I know I shouldn’t be embarrassed that she’s the first parent I’ve ever met, but I am. Who goes almost thirty years without meeting a significant other's parents? This bitch apparently.

“She’s easy to talk to. Why have I not met her if she lives so close to you?”

“We do family dinners almost every week at her place, but she does have her own life. She runs a few charities and likes to plan and throw parties for them.”

That checks out. When Matteo dropped the bomb that we were going over there for dinner, I wasn’t expecting so many dishes and drinks.

When she first handed me a shot glass of limoncello, I threw it back like I would any tequila shot. As soon as Gio and Aldo started laughing, I knew I had done something wrong. Unbeknownst to me, limoncello is supposed to be sipped and savored. Camilla told me it’s an after-dinner drink because the lemon helps with digestion. I still don’t get how something that tastes so strongly of alcohol can help with that, but I’m not going to argue.

“I want your mom’s limoncello recipe,” I tell Matteo as his home comes into view.

“I’m sure that can be arranged. It would make her whole fucking year if you asked her to teach you how to make it.” It totally would. I could use all of the brownie points I can get with her.

“You said you had other plans for us tonight. Care to share what those are?”

“We’re going for a swim,” he answers, shocking me a little.

“A swim?” I echo. “I’ve been staying at your place for a while now, and I have never seen you use that pool. I didn’t think you even realized you had one.”

“Of course I know I have a pool. I listen to Rob bitch every single time you make him stay out there all day with you.”

I tense at the mention of Rob’s name. Matteo either doesn’t notice or just doesn’t want to rehash the conversation again. I said what happened, and I need to trust that he will deal with it like he said he would.

“Go change and meet me out there,” he says, and he lightly taps my ass before disappearing to his office.

It’s honestly refreshing to know that I can chill at the pool in peace without the asshole Rob lurking nearby. In fact, I haven’t seen him since Matteo got home before dinner.

Matteo is already in the shallow end of the pool, waiting with a bottle of champagne on the edge of the pool in a chiller with two flutes sitting next to it. The patio lights are off, but the pool lights are on, creating the perfect romantic setting. The only sound that can be heard is the water lightly splashing into the gutter along the sides.

Matteo’s hungry eyes roam my body as I make my way toward the pool steps.

I decided on a black string bikini. The triangle scraps of fabric are just big enough to cover my nipples on my D cups, and the bottoms are pretty cheeky, mostly getting eaten up by my ass, but that’s kind of the point, right?

I’ve never been the girl with a smooth, flat stomach. No matter how many miles I run, crunches I do, or calories I cut, there’s always some soft jiggle somewhere. Sometimes, I feel like I gain five pounds just from looking at junk food. It sucks, and the body loathing still comes and goes, but over the years, I’ve learned to just accept it and wear the damn suit. One guy might be grossed out by you, but the next will be looking at you like Matteo is me right now and begging you to sit on his face. And honestly? A man who can’t get down with a little cellulite and stretch marks isn’t the man for me.

“It’s about time your sexy ass got out here. I was getting ready to pop this by myself,” Matteo says as his greedy eyes stay locked on my breasts.

“I didn’t even take that long. You’re just impatient.” It takes everything in me to leave my poker face on. The last thing I need is for him to find out about the tattoo I have planned. The foundation I had Delaney bring over is amazing, but it takes a minute to dry and set. But once it is, that bitch is not moving. You could have me giving you the messiest and nastiest blow job of your life and come out looking flawless. It’s what I should have worn over for dinner.

“Me? Impatient?” He smirks as I slowly descend down the pool steps and glide through the water towards him. “I think you have me confused with someone else. I’m a very patient man.”

I snort. “Yeah, if you’re getting your way.”

Matteo just smirks that panty-dropping smile at me.

“What’s all this for?” I ask, motioning to the champagne and ambiance he’s set.

“I just thought you and I could have a little time together. I know I sprung meeting my mom on you, and in case it went badly, I had a destresser ready to go.” He pulls the unopened bottle out of the chiller. “Shall I?”

I nod my head, watching the veins on his arms bulge slightly as he pops the cork, the pop echoing throughout the backyard. Matteo fills both of the flutes before passing one to me.

“Saluti,” he says, holding his flute out.