Despite the weather outside and the fact that we’re still naked, I’m not cold at all. Matteo gives off so much heat that all I have to do is stay close – which is no hardship.

The things he told me keep tumbling through my mind. The night I met him, I saw a man steeped in so much rage and pain that most people would crumble under the weight of it. Now I understand.

Not that I imagine I have him all figured out. Tip of the iceberg is more like it. Or maybe edge of the volcano.

I want to ask him more, to hear all his childhood stories, even the ones about Gavriella. Maybe especially those. But pushing too hard would backfire.

Why Matteo has suddenly opened up to me, after being so determined to keep distance between us, I’m not sure. Is it because we had sex?

Which, wow. Even more amazing than I expected. Still, I can’t assume this is anything more than sex, his sudden candor more than pillow talk. I’m not going to be naive.

A man like Matteo doesn’t fall in love because he fucks someone.

Me, on the other hand … I’m pretty much a goner. But even knowing I’m probably going to get my heart broken, I can’t be sorry for this time with Matteo.

“Hungry?” he says. He’s got his arm around me, his fingers toying idly with the ends of my hair. It’s surprisingly soothing.

“I’m okay.” I could stand to eat again, but I’m not wild about the idea of another protein bar.

He hands me a flannel shirt. “Put this on.”

“Why? I’m warm enough.”

“That’s gonna change before too long.” He’s rolled onto his side and is looking down at me, with a gleam in his eye that makes me pretty sure he’s thinking about sex … but how could that translate to me being cold?

“Suit yourself,” he says at my quizzical expression. “Just remember it’s there.” His mouth settles on mine, and I start to learn what happens when he’s not in a hurry.

One hand cups my breast, his thumb grazing my nipple. When I moan, he plucks at it, then pinches it. White-hot sensation streaks to my clit.

He makes a satisfied sound deep in his chest. And then his hands and his mouth explore every inch of me. Whenever I respond, he lingers, drawing out my pleasure.

Space becomes an issue. His big body has nowhere to go, so when he wants to get at my ass, my thighs, my pussy, he urges me up, toward the front of the SUV. When my torso is exposed to the cold, I grab the flannel shirt, thankful for his foresight.

“Turn around. On your knees, facing front.”

Damn. Why is it sexy for him to boss me around like this? I expect a round of doggie style and am more than happy to find out what that’s like.

Instead, his head appears between my thighs. He’s on his back, looking up at me with an almost smug expression, and it hits me why when he coaxes me down with his hands on my ass.

“Teo …” I’m still a little embarrassed by this. Then my pussy makes contact with his face, and I forget all about protesting.

By the time his mouth closes over my clit, I’m desperate. He’s sucking me so gently – too gently. I need more.

“Teo, please.” My hips start to flex, grinding me against him. His hands squeeze my ass, holding me against him while he torments me with endless pleasure. Sensation sears through me, spreading to my fingertips and toes before spiraling back to gather and tighten in my core.

“Teo!” He’s killing me. I’m so – close … then he uses his teeth and I shatter, crying out as wave after wave of ecstatic release pours over me.

He makes me come three times before he slides out from under me. “Stay right there,” he commands, and now he sounds smug. Well, I can’t blame him. I was pretty pleased with myself after my blowjob.

A moment later, he presses against my back,, bending over me, and the tip of his cock slides between my lips. I groan as he pushes into me, slowly, letting me feel every inch of him.

When he starts to move, it’s heaven. “Oh, fuck, Teo.” He rocks against me, his cock nudging some sensitive spot deep inside with every thrust. It feels so amazing I’m already close to coming again.

He sends me up, up and over, the climax rippling through me, then goes faster, and faster, until he’s fucking me hard, pounding that magic spot. I can’t stop coming. I’m clinging to the seat in front of me, shouting his name.

“Quinn,” he groans. “Fuck.” And then he yanks free and coats my ass and my back.

Despite the bliss radiating through my body, I’m overcome by a deep sadness. It’s disorienting to feel them both at once. And shocking to understand the source of my melancholy.

I don’t want Matteo to pull out. I want him to come in me. Even if it means I get pregnant.

This is crazy, so I try to give myself a stern talking to. You don’t want to be a single mom. The Adamos might pressure him to marry you, and then he’ll resent you and the baby.

It helps, a little. But it doesn’t change the quiet longing that’s taken root in me.

“You okay?” he says.

“Yeah. Fine.”

I’m a terrible liar. He tugs me back to lean against him. “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”

“No.” I squeeze his hand. “I just – got emotional all of a sudden.”

Matteo frowns. “Quinn–”

“I’m okay. Really.”

He lets it drop, but he doesn’t look happy about it.

After we’ve cleaned up again – thank goodness for those baby wipes – he says, “I need to get near a cell tower. I’ll drive, and you keep an eye on the phone and let me know as soon as there’s a decent signal.”

“All right.” Instead of putting my jeans on again, I pull on one of his pairs of sweats. They’re too big, but they’re warmer … and easier to take off again. My shirt and his flannel shirt, and my socks and boots, and I’m good to go.

I help Matteo on with one of his shirts. In case we have to drive close enough to civilization that we’re spotted, he doesn’t want to be conspicuous. Then we transfer the few items that are on the picnic table into the back of the SUV and take our seats up front.

Driving away from the campsite, I’m struck with a surreal feeling, as if we were in an alternate reality and are re-entering our own dimension. Except for the unfamiliar tenderness in my body, I could almost believe I dreamed the whole thing.

The scenery here is beautiful, towering trees and rugged rock formations. We’re still in what feels like the middle of nowhere when three bars show on the phone. “Signal,” I announce, and Matteo immediately pulls over.

He taps in a number, listens, and his expression darkens. “What?” I ask.

“My security system’s offline. Fuck.”

I don’t want to be yakking in his ear while he’s dealing with serious stuff, but I can’t help being curious, so I venture a tentative question. “What system?”

Matteo glances at me while he’s punching in another number. “House I was renting. Had a bad feeling last night, didn’t go there. It might be compromised.”

He holds the phone to his ear. “Lieutenant. What’s the word? Fuck. Even with all that … yeah. Fuckin’ lawyers.”

A pause, then, “Seems likely. Listen, did you take the server offline? No; I just tried to access my security and couldn’t. Good chance the server’s compromised. Better check everything and shut it down.

“Right. Talk to you soon.” He ends the call and rubs a hand over his face.

“Bad news?”

“Santiago’s already out on bail. The judge decided he wasn’t a flight risk despite his high liquidity and international connections.”

“That seems … unwise.”

A faint smile crosses his face. “Yeah. But he’s under heavy surveillance and shows no signs of preparing to go anywhere. My lieutenant thinks it’s because he’s gunning for me. And you, and your sisters, and the whole damn Adamo clan.”

“We knew he was crazy.”

“Yeah, but he’s the functional kind of crazy. Capable of acting on it and highly inclined to do so.”

He falls silent, his gaze fixed on some unseen horizon. I let him think. When he looks at me again, the cold determination in his eyes scares me.