I sloped my head on the seat rest, succumbing to the pull of sleep after a long day of strain and angst.
Before I fell into blissful slumber, I grudgingly admitted to myself that the only rationale I had for being so relaxed now was the man beside me, who’d fast become my reason for breathing.
LORENZO
I messed up. I blew it.
I deserved every glare and scowl Mia had sent me this evening, her eyes seething with disappointment and hurt.
As I carried her sleeping form from my car to my room, guilt washed over me.
To win her trust back, I had to endure the discomfort that would undoubtedly linger as she worked through her anger at me.
Laying her on the bed, I huffed, heart melting as she snuggled into the pillows.
I crouched, staring at her, yearning for her yet aware she’d flung a barrier between us.
Cazzo, I had caused this divide.
The vulnerability in her now peaceful expression tugged at my heart, making me ache to make things right. I reached out a hand to brush a strand of hair away from her face, the softness of her skin stirring longing and regret under my touch.
Lost in the room’s silence, I conceded that an apology alone would not be enough to mend what had been broken.
Words had failed before, leading us to this turbulent dance of push and pull. If I wanted to show Mia what she meant to me and how much I cared, I needed to prove it through actions, unwavering support and understanding.
‘I’m sorry, bella,’ I whispered. ‘I’ll make it right, I promise.’
With a heavy sigh, I stood up and tracked to my bathroom, needing some distance to clear my mind and work out how to bridge the gap between us.
I took a long, hot shower, letting the heated water beat me down and wash away my regret, hit with hurt for what I had done to Mia and an urgency to mend the twisted and torn bridge between us if I wanted to move forward.
I couldn’t just sweep our argument under the rug. I had to communicate with her. To show her I was committed to being the man she needed me to be.
Stepping out of the shower, I wrapped a towel around my waist and returned to the bedroom.
I found Mia still fast asleep, curled up in the middle of the bed. I stared at her for a moment, taking in her serene expression.
With tender care, I dropped my towel and eased in beside her.
In an instant, she slid to me, seeking my touch even in sleep.
I wrapped my arms around her as she whispered under her breath. ‘Lorenzo.’
Fuck, her name on my lips made me ache.
A touch of jubilance lifted my haunting despair because even though she’d put me in my place, I was in the embrace of my queen, and she was in mine.
I closed my eyes and drifted off, vowing to wake a better man, corrected by love.
Chapter 19
LORENZO
She didn’t make our reconciliation a walk in the park at all.
She made me work hard for her forgiveness.
Eager to make amends, the morning after she returned, I woke up early, disentangled myself from her arms and rushed downstairs to make her breakfast, bringing it back to her on a tray in bed.