Accardi by allison franklin novel

You Were My Favorite Hurt, And My Hardest Goodbye by Ava Knight 37 Summary Genevieve follows Matteo down the stairs and notices he is distracted by his phone. As they meet Alexander and Leo by the door, Matteo insists Genevieve sit in the front passenger seat despite her hesitation. On the way to an important meeting, Leo instructs everyone to remain silent unless spoken to, emphasizing Genevieve's expertise will be needed. Upon arriving, Genevieve spots Matteo's accountant Marco and a mysterious man with a jagged scar who unnerves her.

Matteo reassures her the man won't harm her, though she remains skeptical. When Genevieve reveals the meeting is on the rooftop, Matteo reacts with visible tension and insists on taking the stairs despite the seventy-fifth-floor location. Alexander offers to move the meeting, but Matteo refuses to avoid appearing weak. In the elevator, Matteo's fear of heights becomes apparent despite his denials. Genevieve tries to distract him by touching him intimately, which escalates into a passionate encounter that masks his anxiety.

Their heated moment is interrupted when the elevator reaches the rooftop and others enter, forcing them to compose themselves quickly. As they exit, Matteo's anger simmers beneath the surface while Genevieve teases him about no longer looking afraid. Matteo warns she will pay for her boldness but then quietly instructs her to freshen up before the meeting, hinting at a private conversation to come. The chapter ends with tension between their professional obligations and personal desires.

Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below Chapter Thirty-Seven Genevieve trailed behind Matteo as they descended the stairs. She noticed he was absorbed in his phone, his attention seemingly elsewhere. Watching his back, she wondered if she should mention the recent collaboration she'd just completed with Alessia-something about Copina? Comisin? The names escaped her, and she made a mental note to look them up later, pulling out her phone to jot it down. They reached the lobby and headed toward the main entrance. Waiting by the door were Alexander and Leo.

Matteo remained silent, holding the door open for Genevieve. She followed Leo as he led them to his sedan. Matteo opened the front passenger door, and Genevieve moved toward the rear door just behind him. "Miss Sinclair," Matteo said in a tone that suggested mild reproach. She glanced over at Leo and Alexander before turning back to Matteo. He nodded toward the car door. "Are you sure? I don't mind sitting in the back..." she offered hesitantly. Matteo glanced upward, as if silently pleading for patience. "Gen, please get in the front." Reluctantly, Genevieve didn't protest further.

She slid into the passenger seat and let Matteo close the door behind her. She raised an eyebrow at Leo, who simply shrugged in response. Matteo and Alexander settled into the backseat as Leo pulled the car into traffic. "This meeting is important," Matteo said from the back. Leo adjusted the rearview mirror so Genevieve could see Matteo's face clearly. "I need everyone to keep quiet unless spoken to. Miss Sinclair, he'll want to speak with you because of your expertise." "Really? Isn't it usually the PR rep who attends these things?" she asked, glancing at the mirror.

"I thought you'd want Bella there..." "You're the one I need," Matteo said, his hazel-brown eyes locking with hers. "Stay by my side at all times." His gaze shifted to the back of Leo's head. "Leo, once we arrive, you'll meet up with Marco and Frankie. Alexander, I want you to talk with O'Brien's assistant. Find out everything you can. Nothing is unimportant." "Understood," Alexander replied. "Here," Leo announced as he pulled up to the curb. Before Genevieve could step out, Matteo was already holding the door for her. As she exited, his eyes scanned the surroundings.

Leo handed the keys to the valet, and the four of them made their way toward the building's entrance where they would be having brunch-though the timing had been changed to lunch. Inside the lobby, Genevieve spotted Matteo's other accountant, Marco, waiting near the center with another man who made her stop in her tracks. She had never seen this man before. He was shorter than anyone else in Matteo's circle, but there was something far more dangerous about him. His jet-black hair fell over his face, partially obscuring a long, jagged scar that ran down his cheek.

His dark eyes locked onto her with an intensity that pinned her to the spot. That look wasn't mere curiosity-it was cold, calculating. Genevieve fought the urge to bolt for the door, but Matteo's chest blocked her view of the man. She licked her lips nervously and glanced upward; Matteo's expression softened, almost imperceptibly. "He won't hurt you," he whispered. She raised a skeptical brow. "Normally, I'd believe you," she murmured. "Come on, we don't want to be late," Matteo said, shaking off the momentary tension. He began walking toward the lobby restaurant.

Genevieve cleared her throat, stopping him and the others. She pointed toward the elevators. "Our meeting is on the rooftop," she said. Matteo's eyes snapped to the elevator, and his face drained of color. His expression twisted as if he were about to burst out of his skin from sheer tension. "I'm sorry. Mr. Accardi, I had no idea she'd reserved the rooftop," Alexander stammered. "You made her make the appointment?" Matteo barked, swiveling his glare toward Alexander, who looked sheepish. "I didn't give him a choice, Matteo-Mr.

Accardi," Genevieve interrupted, fighting the urge to place her hand on his forearm to calm him. "You gave me the task, so I completed it myself. Is there a problem?" Matteo continued to glare fiercely at Alexander while Leo looked ready to intervene at any moment. Meanwhile, the man Genevieve thought she'd only ever see in her darkest nightmares chuckled softly as he pressed the elevator button to go up. Matteo looked up toward the ceiling and swallowed hard. "I'll take the stairs," he said. "Mr. Accardi, the rooftop is on the seventy-fifth floor," Genevieve informed him.

Matteo shut his eyes tightly and sighed deeply. "I can call and have the meeting moved," Alexander offered quickly, pulling out his phone. "No," Matteo said, resigned. "No, that would make us look... No." He straightened his shoulders and strode toward the elevator, which Alexander had already stepped into. Leo and Marco followed more leisurely. Matteo hesitated before stepping inside and then held up his hand to those not yet inside. "Get out, Frankie. Take the next one," he ordered. Frankie didn't hesitate.

He stepped out of the elevator and slapped Leo on the shoulder as if they were old friends. The elevator doors began to close, but Matteo's hand stopped them. "Miss Sinclair," he called. Genevieve perked up and looked inside, bracing herself for whatever command might come next. "Get in. Now." The three men left behind exchanged looks of pity as she cautiously stepped forward. She stood beside Matteo and faced the closing doors. She caught the men on the other side chuckling, as if they understood something she didn't. Once the doors shut, Matteo visibly deflated.

He took two unsteady steps back and sank against the wall, gripping the railing behind him with both hands. His knuckles whitened as the elevator lurched upward. Genevieve watched him carefully as the elevator chimed with each passing floor. It hit her suddenly-like a slap to the face-that though Matteo could afford a sprawling penthouse, he lived in a fifth-floor walk-up. His office was on the fourth floor of a skyscraper. And he always took the stairs. "You're afraid of heights," she whispered, stunned. Matteo scoffed.

"Don't be ridiculous." "Matteo, you're paler than a sheet and your forehead's sweaty." He ground his teeth and shot her a sharp look. "I'm not afraid of-" His words caught in his throat as the elevator shook slightly. Genevieve watched him struggle for a moment, then realized what she needed to do. She stepped in front of him and ran her hands up the seams of his jacket lapels. "What are you doing?" he growled, eyes still shut tight. "Distracting you," she whispered softly, her fingers tracing the taut muscles of his arms. "You said this meeting is important.

You can't go in there looking terrified." "I'm not." The elevator jolted again, causing Genevieve to stifle a laugh. Matteo's eyes snapped open to glare at her. "Sorry," she said, shaking her head. "Maybe you should stop trying to deny it. Seems like God wants to prove you wrong." Matteo's gaze shifted to the floor indicator as they climbed higher. He groaned and closed his eyes again. The skin beneath her hands trembled slightly with each ding.

Judging by the pace, they had about two more minutes before reaching the top-just enough time to make it seem like he was unsettled for reasons other than fear. Genevieve slid her hand down to his belt and began undoing it. "Genevieve," he warned. She rose onto her toes and trailed her lips down his neck, making him shiver for reasons far different than fear. "Trust me," she whispered close to his ear as she unfastened his belt and unbuttoned his pants. His breath came short and sharp. One hand slipped from the railing to grip the arm she was using to glide her hand inside his pants.

She felt the smooth velvety skin of his erection and held her breath, her palm smoothing over him. A low growl rumbled from deep within his chest. Suddenly, Matteo shoved her aside, switching their positions in one swift motion. His free hand wrapped around her throat, pressing her against the elevator wall. His eyes were wild-caught between the distraction of her touch and the fear of the elevator's relentless ding. "Good," she breathed, her voice thick with desire, nearly forgetting where they were.

"Now kiss me." "You have no idea what you're doing, Miss Sinclair," he warned, his grip tightening. "I do," she wheezed past his hand. "Now they'll think you're flustered because we didn't finish what we started, rather than..." His grip tightened for a moment, silencing her before she could finish. "All that's left," she said, watching the floor numbers climb into the high forties, "is the physical evidence. Your choice-where do you want me to mark you: lips or neck?" Matteo's nostrils flared, his eyes darting to her lips.

The answer came moments later as his mouth crashed onto hers in a fierce, possessive kiss. Teeth nipped and sucked while she struggled to keep pace with his demanding touch. His hand left her throat only to grab her thigh, pulling it up to his hip so he could press his throbbing erection against her core. His lips left hers just long enough to trail down to the pulse point at her neck. The elevator dinged differently this time, signaling they'd reached their floor. A cool breeze wafted in as the doors slid open. Matteo's grip on her thigh tightened, no doubt leaving marks behind.

He pulled away only when someone cleared their throat. His hazel eyes darkened as the reality of what she'd done settled in. She scrambled out of his arms, putting on a show of fixing her top and smoothing her hair. He stood still, watching her with simmering anger beneath the surface. "Pardon us," Genevieve whispered. The elevator doors opened fully, and Matteo followed, allowing an older couple to step inside. Genevieve spotted the man they were meeting standing a few feet away, observing the exchange with keen interest. She stood in front of Matteo, helping him adjust his pants.

Her thumb brushed across his lips, where her lipstick had left a faint mark. She bit her lip, trying not to laugh at the expression on his face. "Well, at least you don't look afraid anymore," she whispered. His eyes darkened even further, narrowing as they locked onto hers. "You'll pay for that." "For what?" she teased. "Saving your ass?" She turned to approach Mr. O'Brien, but Matteo's hand caught hers. "We'll discuss this later, Genevieve," he murmured, his mouth close to her ear. "Go to the restroom and freshen up.

You look like someone who was seconds away from getting fucked in an elevator." Conclusion The chapter delicately explores the vulnerability beneath Matteo's composed exterior, revealing the depth of his hidden fears and the strength of his connection with Genevieve. Their intimate moments in the elevator are charged with tension and desire, serving as both a distraction from his anxiety and a testament to their complicated bond.

Genevieve's boldness and understanding offer Matteo a rare sense of comfort, even as the looming meeting and the mysterious figures around them underscore the stakes they face. Amid the high-pressure environment and unspoken dangers, the chapter captures the fragile balance between power and tenderness that defines their relationship. Matteo's struggle with his fear and Genevieve's unwavering support highlight themes of trust, resilience, and the unexpected ways love can manifest in moments of crisis.

Matteo's vulnerability in the elevator hints at a side of him rarely seen, and Genevieve's boldness in confronting it adds a new dimension to their relationship that readers won't want to miss. Meanwhile, the presence of the enigmatic man with the scar and the shifting alliances within Matteo's circle suggest that not everything is as straightforward as it seems. The rooftop meeting will likely bring hidden motives and unspoken conflicts to light, testing loyalties and forcing characters to confront uncomfortable truths.

Expect a blend of professional intrigue and personal turmoil as Genevieve navigates this charged environment, all while trying to maintain her composure amid the swirling emotions and high stakes.