Accardi by allison franklin novel

You Were My Favorite Hurt, And My Hardest Goodbye by Ava Knight 46 Summary Paul hurriedly exited the supply closet, with Cien following closely behind. As she appeared in the hallway, she quickly noticed Len nearby, who silently questioned the situation with a raised brow. Cien tried to explain, but Len said nothing and walked away toward a private box. Leo then quietly led Cien inside the empty booth, where she felt relief from the overwhelming social scene.

She observed the crowd and the horses being prepared for the upcoming race, her thoughts drifting to Matteo and his mysterious absence despite inviting her. As the race began, Matteo appeared beside her, comforting her with his familiar presence. He spoke about the nature of underdogs and strength, drawing a parallel to the horse Royal Commander, who made a daring move to take the lead and ultimately win the race. Genevieve was captivated by the victory and embraced Matteo, teasing him about his absence and the races.

Matteo explained his day was filled with meetings and last-minute arrangements, and their playful banter hinted at a deeper connection. However, their moment was interrupted when Leo called Matteo away for duty. Before leaving, Matteo invited Genevieve to stay or rest, promising to pick her up for dinner. She mentioned having already made plans with Paul, which Matteo immediately opposed, revealing his possessive and jealous side. The tension escalated as Matteo warned her not to see Paul, leading to a heated confrontation where he confessed his love for her.

Genevieve was stunned by his raw honesty, unable to respond as Matteo pleaded with her not to go on the date. Their intense exchange was cut short when Matteo was called away again, leaving Genevieve shaken and overwhelmed by the emotional turmoil. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below Chapter Forty-Six Paul burst out from the supply closet, and Cien trailed behind him, her footsteps uneven and hurried. As she emerged into the hallway, her eyes quickly scanned the area, landing on Len, who was standing just a few feet away.

His brow lifted in a silent question as his gaze shifted from the closet to where Paul was retreating. "It's not what you think," she said quickly, trying to explain before he could jump to conclusions. Len didn't respond. Instead, he pivoted sharply on his heel and strode toward the private box without a word. Leo opened the door for Cien, silently ushering her inside. The booth was empty when she entered, and a wave of relief washed over her. Large gatherings and endless socializing were never her scene.

She set her belongings down on one of the vacant chairs and moved toward the railing, peering out over the lively crowd below. Voices buzzed with excitement, and to her right, she spotted the group she had just been mingling with. The horses were being led out onto the field, carefully transferred to the track ponies. As they were loaded into the starting gates, the crowd began to settle into their seats, anticipation thick in the air. The race was mere minutes away from starting, yet she remained alone. Her mind wandered to Matteo-what could he possibly be doing?

Why had he invited her if he had no intention of spending time with her? Was her presence here purely professional? But if that were the case, why wasn't she surrounded by the contacts she could leverage? As her thoughts spiraled, a sudden warmth brushed along her back, causing her to freeze. Two hands closed around the railing beside hers, and the familiar scent of tobacco and honey filled her senses, instantly soothing her tension. The horses burst from the gate. Genevieve leaned forward, eyes fixed on the frenzied battle for the lead.

Royal Commander was caught in a tight pack of horses before the first turn. She felt Matteo's breath ghost across her neck, and she struggled to focus on the race unfolding below. "Many people doubt the critics when they tell them who to bet on," his accented voice whispered near her ear. The rhythmic pounding of hooves on the track echoed the rapid beat of her heart. "They want to root for the underdog," he continued, as if he had overheard her earlier conversation with Paul.

"They believe that if they just have enough faith, the underdog might overcome the strongest, the fastest, the most powerful." The horses were now racing down the straightaway. Royal Commander was closing the gap but still lagged behind. "People always have doubts. They'll put obstacles in his path, try to knock him down. But in the end, the strongest always prevails. Watch as he rounds the second turn," Matteo said, his hands tightening around the railing, encasing her in a protective cage. "Matteo," she breathed, feeling his nose brush lightly against her shoulder.

She was acutely aware of the neighboring booth, where others could easily see their closeness if they weren't so engrossed in the race below. "Watch, Genevieve." Her eyes widened as the horses entered the final turn. Royal Commander swung wide to the outside-an audacious move that created space and avoided the flurry of hooves. His stride lengthened, nostrils flaring with determination. With practiced ease, he began overtaking his rivals. Genevieve held her breath, her body tense as he surged down the final stretch.

She bounced slightly on the balls of her feet as Royal Commander edged into the lead-one length, then two, then three. When he crossed the finish line first, she was utterly captivated. Her adrenaline surged, nerves tingling with excitement. Seizing the moment, she threw her arms around Matteo's neck. He grunted at the sudden impact but quickly recovered, pulling her closer by the waist until she was pressed fully against his chest. She pulled back just enough to meet his surprised gaze with a smile. "You own Royal Commander, don't you?" she asked, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

Matteo smirked. "I've never been one for rooting for underdogs." "I'm glad you got to see it-considering you've been MIA all day." "Did you miss me?" he teased, a devilish grin tugging at his lips that sent a flutter through her stomach. She scoffed, "No, of course not. I just thought I was here to get laid, but my wingman is nowhere to be found." His hand slid down past her waist. "Well, we can fix that right now if you want. It's the perfect way to celebrate a big win." "Is that so? Is that why you love these races so much?" she teased back. "I used to be," he admitted with a sly smile.

His eyes roamed over her face before settling on the rise and fall of her chest. "Sorry I left you feeling lonely. I had a few meetings and some last-minute arrangements to make before the race started," he explained. She grinned, fingers tracing the silk of his tie that somehow matched her dress perfectly. "Ah, so you had to make sure O'Brien's men were in line, break a few fingers, and decide which horse to funnel your dirty money through?" Matteo's eyes widened in mock shock, a smile spreading across his face. "Maybe.

How did you sleep last night after, you know..." He trailed off, skillfully steering the conversation away. "After what?" she asked, cheeks flushing at the memory of the last thing they had done before she'd fallen asleep. After leaving his room that morning, she had indulged in her usual "what if" ritual-imagining what might have happened if she'd let him have his way: if she'd allowed him to pin her against his office desk, if they'd shared a few more moments in the elevator, if she'd agreed to stay with him that morning.

He watched her for a moment, clearly enjoying the confusion flickering behind her eyes. "After you doctored me," he finally said, letting her exhale a long, slow breath. His voice dropped an octave. "What were you talking about earlier?" Before she could answer, the door behind him opened, and Leo cleared his throat. "Accardi, they need you on the track." Matteo sighed, cupping her chin gently between his thumb and forefinger. "Duty calls. You can stay here if you want or head to the box next door," he offered. She shrugged. "I might just go back to the hotel.

Can you give me a ride, Leo?" Matteo tilted her chin up. "Alright, you take a nap, and I'll come get you for dinner around 6:30. O'Brien invited us out." "Actually," Genevieve said as she moved toward the door, "I told Paul I'd have dinner with him." Len froze, holding the door open for her. She looked up at him in confusion, then followed his gaze back to Matteo. "What?" Matteo's voice was rough, eyes narrowing as he gave a quick nod and left the room. "What?" Gen asked again, puzzled. "I asked you not to go to dinner with him," Matteo said quietly, but his tone was deadly serious.

He widened his stance and shoved his hands into his pockets. Gen crossed her arms defiantly. "No, you told me I wasn't allowed. Just because you're my boss..." She gasped as he suddenly closed the distance, gripping the back of her neck with a firm hand. "Call me your fucking boss again, Gen," Matteo warned, his voice low and threatening. Gen swallowed hard. "You can't tell me who I can or can't see," she said, her voice smaller now, shaken by the dangerous glint in his eyes. His grip tightened, pulling her closer. "Is this some kind of test?

To see if the new guy is as possessive and jealous as the others? To see if he'll lock you up and throw away the key?" "I don't know what you're talking about," she hissed. "I'm asking you not to go on a date with him, Genevieve," Matteo said, lowering his face closer to hers. "It's not a date." Gen broke free from his hold and stepped back, needing air. "It doesn't mean anything. Yeah, we used to have a relationship, but that's over. I have no desire to be with him." "I don't care.

It'll mean something to him-and to everyone else who sees you two out together." "Ugh, Matteo, this is ridiculous! He just wants to catch up. Why are you acting like this? I won't let anything happen. Why are you..." Matteo lunged forward, gripping her upper arms tightly. "Because I'm in love with you!" he shouted. Genevieve's eyes went wide, as if they might split open, and she stared up at him, stunned by the raw honesty in his expression. Her mouth parted, unable to form words. "I can wait. I can put up with you crossing back and forth over the lines you've drawn.

I can stand being without you at night as long as I know you're on the other side of the wall. I can wait for you to be ready to love me back, Genevieve, but I'm asking you..." He closed his eyes tightly, and a tear slipped down her cheek. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes again. "Please don't go on a date with another man. Don't make me suffer like that. Don't do that to me." His gaze flickered between her eyes, silently pleading for a response. But her thoughts were a whirlwind, and every time she tried to speak, the words got lost in the storm inside her mind.

Suddenly, a knock came at the door. "What?!" Matteo bellowed, tearing his eyes away from her to look past her shoulder. "They need you, Accardi," Leo reminded him. Matteo sighed deeply, running his thumbs gently over the skin of her arms before releasing his hold completely. He straightened, adjusted his tie, and walked out of the room. Genevieve took two shaky steps backward until the leather of a chair pressed against her calves, and she sank down, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment.

Conclusion The chapter closes on a poignant note, capturing the raw vulnerability and tangled emotions between Genevieve and Matteo. Their connection is charged with unspoken desires and unresolved tensions, underscored by Matteo's heartfelt confession and his desperate plea for Genevieve's loyalty. Amid the high stakes of their intertwined lives, the race serves as a metaphor for their own struggle-fighting against odds, navigating obstacles, and holding onto hope that the strongest bond will ultimately prevail.

Meanwhile, the undercurrents of power and loyalty within Matteo's world continue to ripple beneath the surface, threatening to complicate matters further. As Genevieve navigates her place between professional obligations and personal ties, the stakes will rise, and the lines between ally and adversary may blur. Expect moments charged with vulnerability and unspoken truths, where every glance and word could shift the fragile balance they've fought so hard to keep.