to his. He left his mark on me, for other people to see and it was one of the hottest things I had ever experienced. He staked his claim. There would be no hesitation on letting him do it again either.
Matteo rubbed his thumb over the small bruise, his gaze taking on a faraway look. “If I could have my marks all over you…”
“Permanently?” I asked, my breath catching.
“I…Not…quite. I don’t fucking know,” he stammered.
I raised an eyebrow. Matteo Santos had difficulty speaking? Hell had definitely frozen over.
“I don’t want scars on you like they were forced onto me. Please know that.”
“Of course. I know you would never hurt me.” Grazing my hands up his shirt, I could feel the muscles of his hard torso moving under my touch. “You would never do something to permanently damage me. My soul is broken. Our souls are broken but together we can mend them, fixing them piece by piece until they’re whole and strong.”
“You have too much faith in me,” Matteo muttered, leaving the dressing room.
“Matteo,” I called out but never got a response. I quickly grabbed my clothes and left the small dressing area, finding Matteo at the checkout.
“The dress is paid for.” And with that, he left the tent, walking out into the sun and shoved his hands in the pockets of his pants.
“Ma’am? Want me to cut the tag off for you?” the cashier asked.
“Yes, please,” I said, not taking my eyes off of Matteo. His words pierced my heart. Of course I had faith in him. He was the strongest person I knew. Enduring so much at such a young age, he still came out powerful in the end. I just needed to figure out how to make him see that.
“Ma’am, you’re good to go.”
“Thank you.” I left the tent, tentatively making my way towards Matteo. “Are you okay?”
He stopped in his tracks. “I love you. Every time I see you or talk to you, or even just text you, I fall in love with you all over again.” He closed the distance between us, surprising me by lowering to his knees.
“Matteo,” I gasped.
He didn’t say anything, he only placed his hands palms up on his thighs.
My heart jumped. Oh God…he…was presenting himself to me.
Matteo was submitting.
To me.
And it broke my heart.
Matteo
Falling to my knees in public was not something I had set out to do when I woke up that morning. Mae having faith in me grated on my nerves. I couldn’t quite explain why it had irritated me so much. I loved her. And it messed with my head.
“My love,” Mae said softly, brushing her fingers through my hair. “Please stand up.”
But I couldn’t. I didn’t want to. I wanted Mae to know that she was the only one truly in control.
Morgan would never get me to submit. Not again. I wouldn’t be able to handle it. Although I hadn’t seen or spoke to her in a while, I knew she was lurking. It was a game to her. And it was only a matter of time before she would show up, dig her claws into me and force me to be the monster I had tried so hard to avoid.
“Matteo,” Mae pleaded. “Please.”
I grabbed her hand, pulling her down to her knees in front of me.
“What—”
“Quiet,” I said, a little too harshly but sometimes a sub needed to be spoken to in a certain way before they’ll listen.
“People are watching,” Mae said, looking around us.
“I don’t care.” And I didn’t. I grew up not caring. “Let them watch.”
“Sir.”
“Listen to me.” I kissed her knuckles.
Her gaze slid to mine.
“This is me, laying it all out on the line for you. Falling in love with you makes me feel vulnerable. Like I’m stripped bare, constantly walking around naked. But as each day passes, the love grows, building a barrier, helping me get that strength back that was taken from me as a child.”
“I…” Mae’s voice wavered. “Gosh, for a man who doesn’t talk, when you do…” Tears welled in her eyes. “It takes my breath away.”
A small smile spread on my face. “You take my breath away, Marketa, and I never want it back.”
Mae threw her arms around my neck. “I love you. I love you so damn much. Thank you for talking to me. I know it’s hard for you and for me but…thank you.” She kissed me fully on the mouth. “We will build new barriers together.”