CHAPTER 8

Jamie had always imagined Italy differently. Sun-drenched beaches, quiet cafes, historical streets… yes. But nightlife? Clubs pulsing with music, lights flashing like a storm across the dance floor? That was something he hadn’t fully envisioned. Until now.

“I’ve been dying to go to a club here,” Jamie admitted, voice rising above the ambient hum of the car engine. His greenish eyes sparkled, freckles standing out against the warm glow of streetlights. “And you promised, Matteo. Tonight’s the night.”

Matteo, ever calm, ever measured, smirked from the driver’s seat, dark sunglasses reflecting the city lights. “I know. And I intend to deliver.”

Jamie grinned, bouncing slightly in the seat. “I trust you. Just don’t… you know, embarrass me.”

Matteo’s lips twitched upward in the faintest smirk. “I think I should be the one telling you that.”

The club was hidden behind an unmarked door along a narrow Sicilian street, illuminated by faint neon lights. As they entered, the bass hit Jamie like a wave, vibrating through his chest. The air smelled of perfume, sweat, and excitement. Lights flickered and spun across the dance floor, reflecting in the mirrored walls.

“This is… insane,” Jamie breathed, feeling his heart rate quicken.

Matteo led him towards the bar.

“Whiskey no ice.” he told the bartender, who nodded swiftly.

Matteo looked at him. “ What would you like to drink?"

Jamie shrugged. He was a lightweight and really wanted to enjoy the club before he got tipsy.

“ I don't know...maybe some coke with a hint of vodka. Or a martin?”

Matteo nodded at the bartender. He slid it over on the bar counter.

Jamie took a huge gulp of this coke vodka and clenched his eyes shut savouring the taste and the burn in his throat.

“ That's strong.”

Matteo simply twirled the liquid in his glass cup as he stared at him. Jamie shyly looked away and gulped down the rest if his drink.

“ Slow down.” Matteos deep voice in his ear. He hand come closer so he could hear him in the loudness of the club. A shiver went down his spine.

 Jamie grabbed Matteo’s hand before he could even think to distract himself. “Come on, let’s dance!”

Matteo didn’t resist. He allowed Jamie to pull him onto the floor, moving with surprising ease despite his usual control. He guided Jamie, subtly leading, almost anticipating every motion, letting him feel daring and alive.

Jamie laughed, spinning and twirling, the alcohol warming his cheeks, his nerves tingling with freedom. The music pulsed through him, every beat carrying excitement, every flash of light making the moment more surreal. After a while Matteo left the dance floor to attend to some issues... so he says.

A man, with dark hair curled at the tips, impossibly striking, with perfectly straight nose and sharp features that looked like they belonged on a magazine cover. Their eyes met across the floor, and Jamie felt his stomach flip.

Why was he looking at me?

The man extended a hand wrapping it around Jamie's waist when he got closer.

“Dance with me?” he asked, voice smooth, confident. Jamie noticed he wasn't all that taller than his 5’9.

Jamie, flushed from movement and alcohol, didn’t hesitate. He placed his hand on his shoulder, and they moved together, weaving through the crowd. The music became their private rhythm, bodies close but not touching too much, the dance electric. He could feel adrenaline, excitement, attraction—everything he craved for a night like this.

Matteo watched quietly from the bar, dark eyes behind sunglasses, his expression unreadable but calm. Jamie caught him looking, heart skipping a beat, and felt a strange sense of being… seen, protected, and challenged all at once.

A fire rose within him.

The man on the dance floor leaned closer, and Jamie’s head spun from the music, the alcohol, and the intensity of the moment. Their faces were just inches apart. Almost. He could feel the heat of proximity, the thrill of danger in being so close.

And then—a sudden force yanked Jamie backward. His heart skipped wildly as he stumbled, only to find Matteo holding him firmly, hand at his back, eyes dark and unreadable. The striking man they had been dancing with stared at Matteo in annoyance. Jamie wondered how anyone could meet their eyes with Matteo’s hard stare without wanting the ground to swallow them up.

This man looked completely unphased with a slight frown maring his beautiful face.

After a moment he smirked looking between Matteo and Jamie.

“ Oh so he is yours?” he mummered to himself. 

 He disappeared into the crowd before Jamie could react.

“Who—who was that?” Jamie asked, still catching his breath, cheeks flushed red. His heart pounded, head swimming from excitement and alcohol.

Matteo didn’t answer immediately. He held Jamie close, steadying him, letting him feel the solid weight and calm authority of his presence. “He’s… my younger brother,” Matteo said at last, lips curved in the faintest smirk. “Romeo.”

Jamie blinked, mind foggy. “Like your blood brother?”

Matteo’s eyes gleamed behind the sunglasses. “Yes. And he is famous enough that he doesn’t need your attention—or anyone else’s.”

Jamie felt a dizzy warmth creep through him, body humming from alcohol, adrenaline, and a hint of the thrill of Matteo’s proximity.

" Why did you stop us from dancing?" Jamie slured. His hands roaming over his hard firm body.

" Was that all you were going to do?" Matteo drawled out catching his hands to stop the distraction.

Without thinking, without reason, he leaned forward, pressing his lips to Matteo’s in a fleeting, impulsive kiss.

Matteo didn't freeze for a moment. He cupped his hand along his jaw probing his mouth open and sucking his tongue into his mouth. Their tongues danced with each other. Jamie let out a moan and his legs felt weak. He wondered if he would lose feelings in his leg.

Matteo’s body was solid beneath him, his hands steady on Jamie’s back, holding him in place, almost like he expected it. Jamie’s mind spun—the lights, the music, Matteo’s scent, the warmth, the intensity—all blurred together.

Jamie  pulled back sucking in air. Matteo stared at his bruised lips running a finger over his bottom glistened lips.

Want filled his eyes. He leaned back taking Jamie's lips again. this time the kiss was much softer as if he was savouring the moment.

Jamie could feel the world tilt. He could feel everything tipping, his legs heavy, vision dimming at the edges. And then—darkness.

Jamie woke in the mansion, the sunlight filtering softly through the tall windows. He blinked rapidly, trying to orient himself, brain foggy, head pounding slightly. Matteo was seated nearby, his sunglasses off this time, dark eyes fixed on him with a mixture of amusement and something Jamie couldn’t quite name.

“You… you passed out,” Matteo said simply, voice calm, teasing lilt still in it. “Alcohol and too much excitement.”

Jamie’s cheeks burned as he sat up slowly, still dizzy, mind racing with images from the club, the dance floor, the sudden pull, and the impulsive kiss. “I… I didn’t mean—”

Matteo smirked, leaning back in his chair. “I know.” His eyes glittered faintly, sharp and calculating. “But you did it anyway.”

Jamie’s hands fumbled, heart hammering, greenish eyes wide. “I… I don’t even know what came over me. Everything… blurred. The music… the guy… I—”

Matteo raised a dark eyebrow. “My brother you mean? Oh, yes. He’s a model. Famous, as you would call it.”

Jamie groaned, burying his face in his hands. “Great. I kissed you… and passed out. Fantastic.”

Matteo’s lips twitched upward in a faint, knowing smile. 

"You are a very funny drunk.” He leaned forward slightly, letting the tension build.

Jamie peeked through his fingers, heart racing. “You… you were holding me like… like...”

Matteo’s smirk deepened. “Like what?”

Jamie’s breath caught, pulse quickened, and the alcohol haze mixed with thrill, fear, and attraction. He blinked, feeling dizzy again. The world tilted slightly, sunlight bright, shadows long. “I… I don’t even know what I’m thinking…It was a mistake.”

 Matteo stilled, his voice low and commanding,

“A mistake.” he voice dropped lower

Jamie’s knees went weak even though he was lying on the bed. His head was baning from the hangover. 

" Wasn't it a mistake?" he asked unsure of himself.

Matteo sighed.  "Clueless."

Without warning, the dizziness returned, the room spinning. Matteo’s hands were there, steady, guiding, supporting, anchoring him. A pill maybe painkillers was pushed into his mouth and a glass of cool water followed. Quenching his thirst. 

Jamie felt he had made a mistake.

 Then darkness took him again.