Bianca let out a soft sigh as Matteo’s lips lingered just above hers, their breaths mingling in the cool night air. The vineyard around them was silent except for the gentle rustling of leaves, the world momentarily suspended in the magic of their embrace.

Matteo’s hands settled at her waist, firm yet tender, as if he was afraid she might disappear. He traced slow circles with his fingers, sending a pleasant warmth coursing through her. “Bianca,” he murmured, his voice husky. “I never stopped thinking about you. About us.”

She swallowed hard, her hands resting against his chest where she could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. “Neither did I,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “But I was afraid to let myself believe in this again.”

Matteo tilted her chin up gently, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Then don’t be afraid,” he said softly. “Let me show you that I’m here. That I’m not going anywhere.”

Bianca searched his eyes, looking for any trace of doubt or deception, but all she found was unwavering sincerity. Her heart clenched, the years of distance and pain fading in the glow of the moonlight. She lifted a hand, tracing the line of his jaw, feeling the slight roughness of his stubble beneath her fingertips. “Then don’t make me regret this,” she whispered.

Matteo let out a quiet chuckle, his lips curving into a smile before he leaned in again, this time with more certainty. Their lips met once more, the kiss deepening with an urgency that neither of them had expected. Bianca felt herself melt into him, her body pressing closer as his arms tightened around her, holding her as if she was something precious.

A cool breeze rolled through the vineyard, but Bianca didn’t feel the chill. Matteo’s warmth surrounded her, his touch igniting something inside her that had long been buried. When they finally broke apart, she rested her forehead against his, catching her breath as he traced small patterns along her lower back.

“We should probably go inside,” she murmured, though she made no move to step away.

Matteo smirked. “Are you saying you want to be alone with me, Bianca?”

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at her lips. “I’m saying that if we stay out here any longer, we’ll both catch a cold.”

He chuckled, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. “Fair enough.”

Hand in hand, they made their way back toward the villa, the weight of unspoken promises lingering between them. The night had changed something, a shift in the delicate balance they had both been tiptoeing around. And as they stepped through the doorway, neither of them could deny that this was only the beginning.