The vineyard was quiet, the moon casting its silver glow over the rolling hills and rows of vines. Bianca and Matteo stood side by side, their hands still entwined as the night air wrapped around them like a comforting embrace. A gentle breeze carried the scent of ripened grapes and earth, mingling with the subtle hints of Matteo's cologne.

Bianca felt her heart pounding in her chest, a steady rhythm that echoed in her ears. She hadn't realized how much she had missed this—the feeling of being close to someone who truly understood her, who saw through the walls she had carefully built around herself.

Matteo's thumb brushed softly against her hand, sending a shiver up her spine. "Bianca..." he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Are you still afraid?"

She swallowed, her eyes meeting his under the moonlight. "A little," she admitted. "But not of you. Not anymore."

A slow smile curved Matteo's lips, and he took a step closer, his free hand reaching up to gently tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Good," he murmured. "Because I've been waiting for this moment for a long time."

Bianca's breath hitched as Matteo's fingers trailed lightly down her jawline, lingering at her chin. His gaze dropped to her lips, and she felt the warmth of his presence pulling her in, making it impossible to resist.

"Then don't wait any longer," she whispered, closing the distance between them.

Matteo didn't hesitate. His lips met hers in a kiss that was slow, deliberate, and filled with unspoken promises. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them wrapped in the glow of the vineyard and the sweetness of the moment. Bianca melted into him, her arms sliding around his neck as she let herself be carried away by the taste of him—a perfect blend of warmth and longing.

Matteo deepened the kiss, his hands gently cradling her face as if she were something precious. Bianca responded in kind, her heart racing as years of unresolved emotions unraveled between them. Every touch, every sigh, spoke of their shared history and the hope of something new.

When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads pressed together, Bianca let out a soft laugh, her eyes shining. "You kiss like you mean it."

Matteo chuckled, his breath warm against her skin. "That's because I do."

She looked up at him, her walls crumbling just a little more. "Maybe it's time I start believing that."

He smiled, his fingers tracing gentle circles on her back. "I plan on convincing you every day, if you'll let me."

Bianca felt a warmth bloom in her chest, a cautious but undeniable sense of hope. "I think I just might."

With the vineyard standing as a silent witness to their reunion, Bianca knew that this was just the beginning. And as Matteo kissed her once more, she let herself believe in the possibility of forever.