Hiya! Thanks for the reviews again, folks.

So I know I haven't been updating everyday but here's a chapter for those who want it. Please keep reviewing!

Oh this might be a little too... raunchy? Risque? There's no sex or beds involved but um... it does involve a shirtless Matt so I hope you get the idea. It's still rated T, but I might be borderlining (that could be a real word) it. Please tell me what you think in the reviews. Anyway, I hope you still enjoy! Love ya!-AcademicGirl

Tess's POV

We've been in Italy for a month now and Christmas is right around the corner. Well, it's December 20 so I guess it would be more accurate to say Christmas is coming at us like a high-speed train. Matthew is spending Christmas with us here; the first time where he isn't with his family. I suggested last week that we should have our picture taken and send them a postcard just to let them know we're okay.

The palace that I fell in love with the minute I walked in is transformed. Garlands string around the stair rails and there's mistletoe hanging on the ceiling at ten foot intervals. I'm happy that I get to spend some time with both of my families during Christmas. Oh, and Matthew, too. I can't believe that four months ago I was trying to fall in love with Michael. Then a bunch of stuff happened and I'm engaged to his brother. Life can be really funny.

I finish my lunch of pasta (I've had pasta almost every day now) and head upstairs to my room. My parents, King Lorenzo and Queen Rosalinda, had my room decorated. It's right next to Angelo's on the third floor. Matthew, my adoptive parents, and Maria are all staying downstairs on the second floor. I think everyone (except for me and Matthew) thought it was a good idea to keep my fiancé and I as far away from beds as possible. Seriously, parents are so annoying sometimes. At times they go "Oh my daughter is so sweet! She's never had a boyfriend and she's completely innocent." Next thing you know, as soon as you get engaged, they think you're gonna hump someone. Honestly.

I play the white piano in the corner of my room until I hear a knock at my door. I open it and find Matt with a cocky grin on his face. "What do you want now?" I ask in mock annoyance.

He casually leans against the door frame. "Well, I was thinking we could get out of here for just a while. You know, explore a little."

I sit on my bed and he follows me. "Do you seriously think people won't recognize us?"

"Tess, they see both of us in formal clothes and you in makeup. Just dress, you know, casually." At this, I notice he's wearing dark jeans and a blue flannel shirt, a huge contrast from Matt's usual suit. He's wearing black canvas sneakers and his hair hangs across his forehead in a carefree way. He looks like a regular teenager, not a prince. And I have to say, I didn't know he could get any hotter.

I brush his light brown hair a little to the side and say, "Wait outside." He does as he's told with a big smile on his face.

In my closet I find a loose shirt with soft, white material that has sleeves that go to my elbows. I put on black jeans and my lace-up boots. I find a fashion forward knit hat (I think it's called a "beanie" or something like that.) My wavy hair is over my shoulders and I look at myself in the mirror. Matt's right; I don't like Princess Teresa Renaldi de'Medici. I look like... Tess.

I walk out of my room where Matt is standing with his arms crossed. I tap his shoulder and he turns around. "Damn," he whispers.

I roll my eyes. "You are absolutely vulgar."

His eyes are as wide as saucers and I raise my eyebrows. What, is there like toilet paper on my boot or something? "No, you just look so different," he says.

I start to turn around. "I'll change if you want." But he grabs my elbow and pulls me against him.

"I meant to say you look different in a good way. You know, without all that makeup on your face. You look younger and happier."

I give him a light kiss on his nose and grab his hand. "Come on, let's go." We bound down the stairs then say, "Wait, shouldn't we tell my parents?"

He shakes his head and leads me to the back entrance of the palace. "I already told them."

"What? How did you get them to let us go?"

We walk out into the sunlight and he smiles that cocky grin again. "What can I say? The Matthew charm works on them."

I laugh and we find a car parked off to the side. Matt gets in and drives until we find a gorgeous fountain; Fontana di Trevi. I've heard stories about this fountain. They say it used to be full of tourists and that it had marvelous sculptures. It hasn't changed. The square is bustling with people; kids with ice cream on their chins, couples around the fountain. The sculptures are slightly chipped, but it is oh so magnificent. Matthew parks about a block away and we walk hand in hand to the fountain. No one pays attention to us. To them, we're just another couple on a date.

I pull a coin out of my pocket and give it to Matt. "Make a wish," I say.

He takes it and closes his eyes. I can't imagine what he must be wishing about. After a moment, he turns his back to the fountain and tosses the coin over his shoulder. We sit down on the edge of the fountain and then Matt says, "Hey, how 'bout I go get some ice cream for us? It's kind of hot out." I smile like a little kid and he walks to a nearby ice cream shop. It's December and it feels like summer. I'm guessing it's about seventy to eighty degrees but still. People say that before it would get really cold. I have no idea what they're talking about. The science books call it "global warming" but frankly I can't imagine it being below zero degrees.

I sit there at the fountain waiting for Matthew when I hear a group of guys speaking in Italian. They're pushing a guy toward my way saying things like "Talk to her" and "Make your move." The idiots probably think I can't speak or understand Italian. I sit at my place until a tall guy with black hair and gray eyes stands in front of me. "Hello, I am Stefano." He says it slowly in English like I'm some retard.

I stand up and say, "Cosa vuoi, idiota?"

His pals erupt in laughter and say, "Oooh!"

I raise my eyebrows and defiantly cross my arms. "Ti ho visto seduto qui da solo e mi chiedevo cosa una bella ragazza come lei sta facendo da sola," Stefano says. Wait, so just because he saw me sitting alone he thought he could hit on me and call me pretty? That's new.

I roll my eyes and say in Italian, "Get to the point."

"Can I have your number?"

I smile and he raises an eyebrow like I would say yes. Then I see Matt a few feet behind Stefano and I smile an even more devious smile. Then I twirl my long hair with a finger and say loudly enough for Matt to hear, "How about you ask my boyfriend?" (I don't want to call him my fiancé in front of these people.)

I say it in Italian so they won't think anything's up yet. Plus Matthew understands Italian. Once he hears me, he rushes to my side and puts his arm around my shoulder. "Io sono il suo fidanzato."

Stefano's friends cheer and whoop even louder. Matt just said he was my boyfriend in front of Stefano! The guy backs up and holds up his hands and says, "My apologies. I thought she was available." He shakes his head and he leaves the square with his posse.

I laugh and kiss Matt's cheek. "That was hilarious, by the way." I take the ice cream from his hand and eat. It's amazing but as I scarf it down, Matt doesn't move. "What?" I mumble.

"Was he hitting on you?" he asks in a deadly voice.

I nod. "Yeah, but I called him an idiot and told him to fuck off."

At that, Matthew smiles. "I think I'm really getting to you! That's my girl." I laugh and we finish our ice creams. When we're done, we get in the car again and Matt drives for a really long time. He doesn't tell me where and I'm getting a little scared. He finally parks and he opens my door for me. He offers his hand and I take it.

We walk for about five minutes when I hear the sound of rushing water. No way. I run closer to the sound and stop in my tracks. A tall waterfall is in front of me now, the water cascading down around the rocks. Where we are, there is a little pool in about ninety feet in diameter. The water flows into that peaceful pool and beside it is a stream leading toward the east.

When I turn back to Matt, he's already taking off his shirt. "Matt, what are you doing?"

He tosses his shirt off to the side and takes off his sneakers. "You thought I brought you hear for sight-seeing? No, Teresa, we are going swimming."

I smile and start to take off my clothes when I realize I didn't bring a swimsuit. "Um, Matt, I don't have swim stuff."

He's unbuckling his pants now. "Oh come on. You're wearing underwear, aren't you?"

"Yeah, but what if there's fish?!"

"There isn't. I already checked this place out."

I look around to make sure we're alone. Then I take off my hat and shoes. I can almost feel Matt staring at me undress. "Turn around you perv." He laughs but turns around anyway. Hm, he has a cute butt.

I take off my remaining clothes until I'm just in my bra and underwear. If I would've known we were doing this, I might've worn something sexier. "I'm done," I say.

Matt turns around and his eyes go wide for a second time today. I consciously cross my arms across my chest and turn to the water. "Um, so do we just jump in?"

Matt's still staring at me. I avert my eyes from his... down there. "Okay, well, I'm gonna jump in." I run to the pool and cannonball. The water envelopes me and it feels amazing. I resurface just in time to see Matt jump in too. I wipe the water from my face. When Matt comes back up, I splash him in the face.

"Oh, so that's how you wanna play, huh?" he says teasingly. I grin and we have a full on splash war. My eyes are so sore by the end of it. I don't know how, but I end up chest to chest with Matthew.

I cover my chest again with my arms. As I look at Matthew's sculpted body, I feel like a mule. But when I look back up to Matt's eyes, I feel like the most beautiful thing in the world. He puts his hands on my arms and puts them down to my side. Then he brushes a wet strand of hair from my face and kisses me slowly. I put my arms around his neck and he pulls me closer. He lifts me up and I wrap my legs around his muscled torso. Then he pulls back and kisses me dangerously close to my breasts.

"God, you're so beautiful."

I giggle and we kiss like there's no tomorrow. Today we're just Tess and Matthew, not a prince or a princess with any responsibilities. Today we are just two, reckless teenagers. I wish everyday could be like this.