Chapter 24: The Sexy man

She couldn't react fast enough as he scooped the juices that clung to her mouth and licked it, his eyes never leaving hers. She didn't know if it was his boldness doing something so sensual in public without care if her driver or his mother was watching or how he was looking at her like he wanted to ravish her, but Ursula was well and truly undone. She desired to know who this bodacious man was.

"Stop playing with food and attend to the customers," his mother scolded, coming out from the kitchen.

The spell was broken, and his perfectly mischievous smile came in place. She wanted to ask for his name so bad since he knew hers already, but she didn't want his mother to look at her a certain way.

The food was ready and handed to them. In no time, customers filled the stall. He became preoccupied and didn't even spare a glance at her. Ursula felt disappointment consume her, and she shook her head violently as if it was some physical force she could ward off.

"Do you think we could still go shopping?" Ursula asked with a smile.

"It all depends on you, princess," he said humbly.

"Ur-su-la. It's Ursula, okay?" She emphasized hating the submissive tone he used to call her princess.

Only Maria and Zia ever called her princess an endearment and not out of some delusional need for respect for her royal title. She hated that the strange man that undid her probably thought her some spoilt royal brat.

She was way more than royalty, she thought, stretching to steal a glance at him. At in that moment, he raised his head and caught her. He smiled and threw her a wink. Ursula felt her chest constrict, then began to beat furiously.

If she didn't leave as soon as possible, she would cut through the crowd of hungry customers, walk toward the hot man and kiss him till he felt as much desire. Shaking off those weak thoughts, she knew it was time to leave. She signaled for one of the stall workers, and when he arrived, she asked for the bill in other to pay.

"It's on," he said, amused.

"Who is that?" She asked, wondering if she had yet another stranger paying her bills. The shy boy who did not look a day over sixteen pointed at her wicked sexy stranger.

"Of course, it would be him," she rolled her eyes.

"Look, tell him I'm grateful, but I think I'll sort this one out myself," she said, and the boy looked at her like she was an alien of some sort. He probably was not used to people rejecting free food.

Just then, Matteo's mother approached their direction.

"I hope you enjoyed our food," she said with that unattractive smile.

"Enjoy is an understatement, mam. I think I'll be a regular customer here," Ursula sighed excitedly.

"Good. Since you're a first-time customer, the bill is on the house," she said, and Ursula felt touched. She couldn't reject the generosity of an older woman. Zia Benedetta would love this gorgeous, generous woman, she thought.

"Can I ask for two more for my friends at home? I don't think merely describing this masterpiece with word of mouth would be enough," Ursula begged.

"Of course, Ursula, is it?" She nodded hastily.

"Coming right up," she said and turned to leave. The little boy followed suit.

"They are such generous people," she said aloud to no one in particular.

"Si," her driver replied, earning him a warm smile from her.

Ursula hoped to get her package from the kind woman, but when she raised her head, the person she saw standing in front of her and holding out the wrapped food for her was none-other than the gorgeous hunk.

"Mum said to give you," he said.

Damnit! She thought. She was at a loss for words again. Her driver, understanding the situation, collected the package and went to get the car ready.

Matteo chuckled and occupied the space the man had just left. The smell of his perfume hit Ursula, and she swallowed hard. What is it about this man that had her so bent out of shape, she wondered carelessly?

"You have a beautiful name. Almost as beautiful as you are," he said, watching her reaction. She was like a puzzle to him.

He wanted to know why a princess would leave her castle to help a friend. It wasn't the impossibility of it that intrigued him, and it was the fact that she mirrored him. Vincenzo could be an ass, but he would go to the ends of the earth for him. He knew her loyalty to her friend extended that profoundly and he wanted to know why.

"What is yours?" She asked, finding her tongue.

"Carlos," he said. He hated lying to her, but it wasn't a complete lie.

It was his middle name. He couldn't risk telling her his real name. He was even surprised she was yet to recognize him. This made him grateful to God for not being as popular as Vincenzo.

"Carlos," she repeated as if etching it into her memory. "Suits you," she said, and he laughed.

"In about thirty seconds, my mom would be out here to drag me back to work. Before she does, can I get your digits?" He asked and waited.

She weighed the request in her mind. She had questions for him. She wanted to know how a guy that worked in a food stall, regardless of the number of customers they had, could afford such designers.

She wanted to explore this desperate desire she had regardless of her fears. She guesses she couldn't do all of that until she knew the man. So she stretched out her hands. He looked at her in clueless curiosity.

"Your phone," she said. "Oh," he handed it over to her, and she dialed her number, passing it back to him.

Not saying a single word or wasting any more time before she would do something out of order, she got up and walked away.

Matteo watched as she walked away. He smiled, hoping to God he didn't screw this up. Ursula arrived home tired but discreetly satisfied. She didn't think her day would be as... well as fulfilling as it had been.

She couldn't stop smiling. Even as she dragged Zia to Maria's room, she couldn't wipe the smile from her face.

"Open the door, Maria, or I'll call someone to break it down," Ursula screamed.

"Princess" Zia Benedetta tried to hold her back, but just then, Maria opened the door.

"You don't have to raise your voice, you know?" She said, and Ursula jumped triumphantly.

Without sparing another thought, she ran into the room. "You look cheerful," Maria said, and Zia agreed.

"She has been jumping around since she returned," Zia said.

Ursula, ignoring the mindless chatter, danced and twirled. She was over her head with happiness. Suddenly she stopped.

"Marie, have you had anything to eat today?" She asked worriedly.

"Of course. Zia forces fed me," she replied.

"Yea, you do look better. However, you have to try this roadside food I brought for the both of you" she took it out of the bags and handed each one to the two women.

"Hmmm, that smell," Zia inhaled deeply with a fascinating expression.

"You know it?" Ursula asked.

"I think so. There's something very familiar about it."

"Now, take a bite," she said happily. Maria looked unsure at first, but she knew Ursula wouldn't rest until they'd done as she pleased, so she bit into hers. The taste left her completely stunned. It was like a heaven of flavors blended so well it pushed her to foodgasm.

"This is simply divine, Ursula!" She exclaimed in disbelief.

"I know, right? I said so myself." She said.

"Where did you get it from?" Zia asked while taking another bite.

"On the biggest street food area, I've ever seen. Guess who served me?" She asked, directing it this time to Zia. The older woman shook her head.

"Carlos!" She repeated the name dreamily.

"Who is that?" Maria asked, looking from the euphoric Ursula to Zia, who mirrored her confusion.

"The stranger who paid for our shopping." She voiced out with a smile.

"Ohhhhhh," both Zia Benedetta and Maria said in unison.

"Now I know why you're so happy" Maria patted the bed, creating more space for Ursula to sit and spill.

"What manner of coincidence is that?" She asked more curiously than in spite after Ursula had sat down.

"Oh, it all began when we were driving through this road on our way to shop, and we passed by this ice cream shop. I begged to stop, and he obliged. As I came down, I spotted this food stall beside it and was instantly drawn to it. So there and then, I made a mental note to check it out after I was done," she narrated.