Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 135364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 541(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 541(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
Re: Permanent Contract Offer
Hi Richard,
Thanks for your messages this morning.
I’ve given your offer a lot of thought, and I’m thrilled to accept the position of Senior Sports Correspondent here in Rome.
I'll get you the exclusive on the post-match celebrations later today. Let me know if you'd like a particular angle.
Best,
Daphne Sinclair
I hover my thumb over the send button.
Deep breath.
I press it, and the email disappears into the ether.
That's it.
Decision made.
The relief hits me almost immediately. My shoulders loosen, my chest feels lighter, and a smile stretches across my face.
It’s official: I'm staying.
"What's got you smiling like that?"
I jump slightly as warm, tanned arms snake around my waist from behind, and my pulse spikes.
"Jesus, Matteo," I breathe, relaxing into his embrace as his chin comes to rest on my shoulder. "You scared me."
He nuzzles my neck lazily, his stubble scratching deliciously against my skin.
"Sorry," he murmurs, voice gravelly with sleep. "Woke up and you were gone. Couldn’t have that."
I turn my head to look at him. His hair is still a mess, his eyes heavy-lidded with exhaustion - but he's here, pressed against me, holding me like he has no intention of letting go.
"I was just getting some water," I say softly.
"And thinking," he guesses.
"Yeah."
His lips brush the sensitive spot just below my ear.
"About what?"
I bite my lip and lean my head back against his shoulder.
"About how I'm staying."
His body stills behind me, and I twist slightly to look up at him.
His dark eyes search mine, like he's waiting for me to elaborate.
"I didn’t want to trouble you while you’ve been focusing on the final," I explain, my voice soft but steady. "But… Richard offered me Mark's old job. It’s a permanent position as the Senior Sports Correspondent. And… I just emailed him to accept."
Matteo's eyes widen slightly, like he's not sure he heard me correctly.
"You're… staying?" he asks, voice cracking slightly.
I nod, smiling.
"Yeah. I'm staying. In Rome. For good."
The grin that spreads across his face is pure, unfiltered joy.
“You're serious?"
"Completely. I mean, I still need to figure a few things out - like where I'll live once my short-term lease is up, and what my salary even is - but yeah. I'm staying."
He lets out a low laugh, the sound vibrating through my back.
"Thank God."
I glance up at him, smiling.
"Were you really that worried?"
"Of course," he says, lips quirking as he blinks down at me. "I was already calculating the cost of flying to London every week. Or worse, trying to get a transfer to a Premier League team when I’ve just signed a renewal contract."
I burst out laughing.
"That would've been a terrible career move."
"Terrible?" He arches a brow. "Premier League wages are higher, bella."
"Yeah, but then you'd have to deal with British weather."
"Mmm. Good point." He brushes his lips against the side of my neck, his breath warm against my skin. "This is better. You staying. We’re staying."
"Yeah," I whisper, leaning into him. "It is."
He turns me around so I’m facing him, his hands framing my face. His gaze is soft but intense, the kind of look that steals the air from my lungs.
"You're really staying," he murmurs, almost to himself. "With me."
My heart swells.
"With you," I confirm. "For as long as you’ll have me."
His jaw flexes as something unspoken passes between us. His thumbs sweep gently across my cheeks, and his eyes twinkle with something deeper.
Something heavier.
"I’ll have you for good,” he says. He opens his mouth again, hesitates, then exhales softly. “I love you, Daphne."
The words land like a spark to dry kindling.
Warm. Bright. Immediate.
My breath catches as his dark eyes search mine, vulnerable in a way I've never seen before.
Overwhelmed is an understatement, and tears sting the backs of my eyes as I press my forehead to his.
"I…” I start before clearing my throat and trying again. “I love you too, Matteo."
The moment stretches, heavy with the weight of what we've just admitted.
But then he kisses me - deep and unhurried, like he's committing every second of it to memory. His hands grip my waist, pulling me closer, anchoring me to him with a certainty that makes my heart ache.
Because this is certain.
The sun climbs higher outside the window, the city below stirs to life, and here, wrapped in Matteo Rossi’s arms, I know with absolute certainty that this is home.
This is where I’m meant to be.
Chapter Sixty-One
Six Months Later
Daphne
The front door clicks softly behind me as I step into the cool, airy entrance of the villa, and my shoulders sag with relief.
The day has been long - three interviews, two press conferences and one hastily written analysis piece after Roma's narrow win against Napoli last night.
Now, with the season back in full swing, football news is relentless.
Transfer rumours, injury updates, tactical breakdowns... and somehow, it all lands on my desk.
I'm exhausted, but I love it.
I slip off my heels and walk barefoot across the polished marble floor towards the kitchen, following the delicious scent of garlic and rosemary.