Chapter 83

Matteo deliberately took his time in the shower, savoring the moment. Honestly, he wasn’t the only one who needed a breather. Even though they had only made love twice that day—once before he left for work and just now—the cumulative intimacy they’d shared over the past three days far surpassed anything he’d experienced in years. Never before had he been with a single woman so frequently. Yet, each time he undressed her, he discovered new reasons to adore her body: the way she moved with effortless grace, the tremble beneath him when their bodies connected, and how quickly her nipples would harden at his touch.

Leaning forward, Matteo pressed both hands against the cool shower tiles, a low groan escaping him as his memories reignited his desire. He glanced down at himself, wondering if it would ever soften again while thoughts of the woman in the next room lingered. He immediately pushed the idea aside. If it ever faltered, he’d swallow handfuls of pills to keep it ready. The very thought of not being able to claim her in the most primal way was enough to make him shut off the water, steeling himself for another round.

He rubbed a towel through his damp hair, then wrapped it securely around his waist before stepping back into the bedroom. The sight of her caught him off guard again, freezing him in place. She was casually perched against his headboard, a pillow propped behind her for support, a book resting in her lap. As the door clicked open, she glanced up and smiled warmly. Removing her reading glasses, she set them gently on the nightstand beside the dog-eared book she intended to revisit later. Her eyes followed the water still dripping down his chest, and one eyebrow arched as she noticed the towel tightening in an unmistakable way.

“It doesn’t take much to get you going, does it?” she teased, a playful glint in her eye.

Matteo’s brow furrowed as he shot her a mock glare. “Apparently, just having you in the room is enough to make it stand at attention.”

Genevieve bit her lip, then raised two fingers to her forehead in a mock military salute. “At ease, soldier,” she said with a light laugh.

He shook his head, smirking. “Sorry, Weakness, it doesn’t quite work like that.”