Tame the Beast : Small Beach Town, Single Mom Romance

I’m waiting for him to start throwing protests about it, reminding me that we already shared a bed before but when I turn around, I find him simply staring at me, his head cocked to the side. “If you thought that will make me back out, sorry to disappoint. I’ll gladly sleep here.”

Honestly, I did think that because my couch is a small three-seater and not the most comfortable one.

After the complete remodel of Joy’s cottage, I had to also furnish my little house from top to bottom apart from the bed and mattress Joy got for me when I visited that first time, and it was not very budget friendly. So, I got whatever was on sale. Hence the couch in the color of Mellie’s poop that no one else wanted.

And I guess that makes it two people. Me and Matteo.

I quickly turn away to hide the small smile I’m wearing now.

“But,” he adds, yet I don’t look back, “just for now. Until you realize how much better I’ll fit in that bed with you.”

Sigh, meet Zoe.

Because there’s no realization needed. It’s a damn fact.

“Matteo, put her down,” I ask for the millionth time.

“No.”

“Jesus Christ, give me patience.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “She has to sleep in her bed, not your arms!”

“Yeah, that’s easy for you to say. You had her all to yourself for three whole weeks, now let me get my fill.” He pouts. He freaking pouts and then has the audacity to glare at me.

And what the heck am I supposed to make of this? Since when does a guy like him care about time with a newborn baby?

“Matteo.” I try to calm my voice down and reason with him. “You will get Mellie used to sleeping in your arms and when you leave, she won’t go back to the crib.” Only instead of seeing reason, that glare of his intensifies and he draws her even closer to his now bare chest.

Oh, did I forget to mention that little and very distracting detail?

One I am pretty sure he’s figured out I am weak for because no matter how hard I’ve tried, I can’t stop ogling and salivating over him ever since he came out of the shower, smelling illegally male with that woodsy, spicy scent, wet hair in a low bun and bare-chested with only that silver chain glinting on his golden, tattooed skin.

“Look at that. It’s settled then. She is sleeping right where she is because I’m not leaving.”

“I can’t wait to tell you ‘I told you so’ later on.”

“Not gonna happen, Beastie,” he fires back without looking my way. “Also you still haven’t answered my question?”

“What question?”

“About being my girlfriend.”

“Um, maybe because it didn’t really sound like a question?” I widen my eyes slightly at him. “More like delusional, fairytale statements.” Matteo looks down at Mellie, says something to her in a hushed tone and turns back to me.

“Nothing delusional about it but let me rephrase then. Will you be my girlfriend?” he asks with that sinful smile of his. The one that lit up my path to his bed seven months ago.

“No.”

“No?” He furrows his brows at me. The expression on his face says that he’s not used to hearing that word all that much. “And why not?”

“Because I’m a twenty-nine-year-old single mom and I don’t have the time or mental capacity for games. That girl you met at the bar back then, she’s gone.”

“Thank you, Jesus, for that.” He rolls his eyes but not with annoyance. “She was sad and terrified of life ahead of her. Only allowing me the tiniest of glimpses of the real, strong beast on the inside. I prefer this spit-fire version of you much better, but just so we are clear before you jump for my throat”—he sends a pointed look my way—“I would take any and all versions of you.”

“Matteo, snap out of this!” And I really do snap my fingers at him like that will help. “I’m being serious!”

“And I’m not?” he calls out louder with a slight hurt undertone, making Mel twitch in his arms to which he immediately reacts. “Shh, sorry my little watermelon. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He rocks her. “Your mom here is just being exceptionally difficult over here.”

I huff. “No, I’m not. I’m being realistic. Look, you are an amazing guy and you stepped up at the hospital for us which I’m still very grateful for, but you are not cut out for relationships.” Matteo narrows his eyes at me, but I keep going. “I saw how many girls came up to the bar that night trying to get your attention. How many made comments about a repeat of the night you had with them.”