Seraphina's POV
“You didn’t have to say that,” I whispered.
“Yes,” he said quietly. “I did.”
The food came.
Wine was poured.
Soft laughter filled the table.
I began to relax slowly.
Matteo spoke with confidence, calm and controlled.
But every few minutes, his hand found me.
My knee.
My back.
My fingers.
At one point, a man across the table looked at me for too long.
Not respectful.
Just long.
When Matteo noticed, he did not react loudly nor did he start anything.
He simply leaned back in his chair. His arm moved across the back of mine casually but it was literally screaming don't you dare touch my woman.
The man looked away first.
“You’re territorial,” I murmured.
“I am aware,” he answered simply.
The music shifted to something softer.
The sea breeze lifted the edge o
