Chapter Six

Matteo placed his hand on her lower back, guiding Macy into the restaurant. Delicious scents of tomatoes, basil, parmesan cheese, and garlic all blended together into ooey gooey goodness. She knew this lunch was going to be the complete opposite of box pasta and dollar store spaghetti sauce.

As soon as Matteo stepped inside, the ma?tre d' snapped to attention, straightening his already straight spine. Despite a few patrons waiting for a table, they were immediately escorted to a private table in the back, away from prying eyes.

Muted sounds of silverware hitting plates, of tinkling glass, and the underlying murmur of people talking provided more ambiance to their lunch date. Macy couldn't remember the last time she'd been to a restaurant, because anytime she had extra money, it was put aside for her medicine. She didn't even do fast food.

When she sat, Matteo scooted in her chair before taking his own. The ma?tre d' handed her a menu book before leaving them alone. She opened the book, trying to make sense of all the dishes, but it was all in Italian.

"Do you have a favorite?" Matteo asked.

"Favorite?"

He nodded to the menu she held. Macy noted he didn't look in his. She made a quick decision to save herself some embarrassment.

"The only Italian dish I've ever eaten is spaghetti. So why don't you order for me?"

He smirked. "No problem."

He snapped his fingers over his head and a server immediately arrived. Then he proceeded to order everything in Italian, leaving her once more unable to know what food was coming her way. Once the server left, Matteo smiled at her.

"I ordered us melanzane alla parmigiana," he said. "Eggplant parmigiana. One of my favorites."

She smiled, looking forward to trying something new. The server returned with a bottle of wine and two glasses. Once the cork was popped, a small amount of wine was poured for Matteo to test. He swirled the wine, smelled it, and finally tasted it. Once he nodded, the server poured them a glassful and then left them alone once more.

"So, you come here often?" she asked.

"I do," he replied. "I own it."

Her eyes widened. She hadn't expected that. "Is that what you do? A restaurant owner?"

"Ihave my hands in many different ventures," he said, and for some reason the answer felt a little evasive.

Macy had no idea what she was doing here with this man, who could probably buy an island or something.

"Hey," Matteo said.

She refocused her gaze onto him. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Where did you go?"

"Oh, just lost in my own thoughts."

"Anything to share? Because if your thoughts are about me, then I definitely want to hear your fantasies."

"What makes you think I have fantasies about you?"

"You were staring at my chest."

Her brow crinkled. "Pretty sure I wasn't."

"Pretty sure you were."

She decided it was time for a strategic change of subject. "What do you call a well-balanced horse?"

He gave a knowing smirk, as if he knew exactly what she'd just done. "Idon't know."

"Stable."

Matteo threw back his head and laughed. "I love your jokes."

She smiled. "I think laughter is the best medicine."

"Speaking of which," he said as his laughter died down. "Tell me about your asthma."

"You want me to talk about my health?"

"Why not?"

"Um, because it's boring?"

"I seriously doubt anything about you is boring."

She tilted her head. "Do you say that to all your dates?"

"I've only said that to one person, and she's sitting across from me."

Heat spread over her cheeks. "Good answer."

He chuckled. "Don't think you're getting out of telling me all about you."

"I thought you just wanted to know about my asthma."

"I want to know everything. Your parents. Siblings. Favorite color. Hopes and dreams. Where you'd like to go on a honeymoon. You know, all the ordinary stuff."

Her eyebrows shot up. "Oh, sure. Okay, well. I don't know who my parents were, so who knows about siblings. I like red. I have no idea about a honeymoon because I've never thought about it. As for hopes and dreams, well, I think I'd like to travel one day. See the world."

"Maybe visit Italy? I know where all the best restaurants are." He winked and she chuckled. "What about a wedding? Surely, you've imagined that."

"Not really," she replied. "Not sure if marriage is the path for me."

"Maybe when the time is right."

She shrugged. "Maybe."

"Well, since we've closed that conversation, how about your asthma?"

"You have a one-track mind, you know."

"Oh, I know."

"We have these things called eosinophils in our blood, but my body produces more than it should. Which leads to inflammation in my respiratory system. It produces this gross stuff called sputum." She scrunched up her nose in disgust. "The inhalers I need are expensive, and I'm trying to save money for injections that would help my body eliminate the extra eosinophils."

"I guess I'm going to have to learn all about your condition."

"Why? It's not contagious."

"I didn't think it was. I just want to make sure I don't trigger an attack."

"I have good days, sometimes even weeks, and then sometimes it's nothing but coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and lots upon lots of sputum. Good times."

"Is it life threatening?"

"All asthma can be life threatening," she said with a shrug. "Sometimes I wonder if that's why my parents didn't want me."

He laid his hand palm up on the table. She glanced at it before placing her own on top. His fingers caressed her skin, sending jolts of pleasure up her arm. Butterflies fluttered from her belly to her heart, making it beat fast with excitement. She'd never met someone like him. His powerful aura took her breath away.

"I have something for you," he murmured.

"What? You don't have to get me anything."

"I know." He searched her eyes. "You're unlike anyone I've ever met. So beautiful, inside and out."

"Oh, Matteo. I don't want this to sound like a cheesy line, but I can't stop thinking about you. You're the most handsome man I've ever seen."

"I don't think that's cheesy at all." From his pocket he pulled out a small jewelry box and placed it in front of her. "As soon as I saw this, I had to get it for you, but I have no expectations. I would never do that to you. The gift is yours free and clear."

Her hands trembled slightly as she picked up the box and opened it. A gorgeous necklace twinkled up at her, the stone so rich in color it bordered between blue and green.

"Wow," she breathed. "This is so beautiful."

"It reminded me of you," he murmured, reaching up to push some hair behind her ear. "It's the exact color of your eyes, so I think it was made just for you."

"This had to have cost you too much." She bit her bottom lip. "I'm not worth this."

"Believe me, I got it for a steal. Here, let me put it on you."

He knelt by her chair and took the jewelry box, extracting the necklace and securing it around her neck. Macy reached up and touched it, staring him in the eyes.

"Thank you," she said softly, then leaned forward to kiss him.

It was a completely impromptu reaction. Soft. Tantalizing. He cupped the back of her head to hold her against him. She opened her mouth on a gasp and he instantly took advantage. He plunged his tongue into her mouth, brushing against her own in an intoxicating caress. She lifted her hands to place on his shoulders, melting into the kiss, the entire world fading away.

When he finally pulled back, she still had her eyes closed, lost in the moment. Her limbs felt heavy, drugged out on pleasure. He ran his knuckles down her cheek and she lifted her eyelids.

"Hi," he said.

"Hi," she replied, smiling.

"I've been wanting to kiss you for days."

"That was my first."

He raised an eyebrow. "You're first? Kiss?"

She nodded.

"Then I'm honored. How about I be your first and last kiss?"

She tilted her eyes in confusion. "What does that mean?"

"It means I want you to belong to me."

"Like, as a girlfriend?"

"Exactly like that. If you'd like."

Only sincerity reflected back in his gaze. It shocked her he wanted to be with a little nobody like her, but she couldn't deny she wanted to be with him. She nodded, smiling shyly, and a grin spread over his face. He kissed the tip of her nose.

"Thank you, baby, for making me so happy. Now, let's eat this delicious lunch."

He winked at her and as soon as he sat back down, the server immediately placed the dishes in front of them. Matteo closed his eyes and bowed his head, saying a prayer under his breath. It surprised her he was religious. Once he was done and picked up his fork, Macy dug in, relishing the delicious flavors bursting over her tongue.

Her first date was the absolute best date in history, if she did say so herself.