Page 10 of Reckless Games

Without missing a beat, Lorenzo stepped back to search for the air conditioning remote. As he turned it on, a rush of cool air filled the room. "Sit with me," he motioned, settling onto the vacant couch in the room, leaving just enough space for the two of us. I hesitated for a moment before joining him. It wasn’t a big problem to be so close to him, thattooalone in a room. All I had to remember to do was breathe. Piece of cake.

"How are you feeling?" His voice was gentle and concerned. It was then that the weight of the situation crashed down upon me once again.

"I... I don't know," I struggled to contain the turmoil raging within me.

"It's going to be alright. I swear, I will find out who did this. And once I get my hands on them, they won't live to witness the next morning," he growled, his voice dripping with venom as anger seethed through every word. His eyes blazed with an intensity that made me wonder why the news of my burned house had ignited such a fierce fire within him.

His eyes flickered towards me. "Penny for your thoughts?" A silent question hung in the air. His tone was softer now, nothing compared to the ferocity it contained moments ago. I hesitated, unsure of how he would react to my inner turmoil. "I won't bite if that helps to put you at ease," he added, a wry hint of humor lacing his words.I want you to bite.

Summoning my courage, I posed the question that had been lingering on the edge of my mind. "Would you answer this time if I asked you who you really are?" I held my breath, watching as his expression shifted, a knowing glint sparking in his eyes before a subtle tension gripped his frame. “I mean, I hardly know anything about you.” I tried to change the direction of my conversation, not knowing if he would actually tell me what I wanted to know. And who knew, my carelessness could come to choke me someday? No matter how heartbreakingly handsome he was, he was still dangerous. So I had to be careful. “What do you like to do? As a hobby?”

For a moment, silence hung between us. His gaze bore into mine, as if trying to unravel the mysteries concealed within the words I spoke. His tongue delicately traced the curve of his lips, a subtle gesture that would have gone unnoticed had I not been watching every movement he made like a hawk.

"Black really suits you," he finally replied, his voice low and husky. And though I knew I must look like a disheveled mess—probably resembling a panda in this state—his words still managed to stir something deep within me, causing my heart to flutter erratically in my chest.

"That wasn't the question," I reminded him, refusing to let him skirt around the conversation.

"Would you run away and pretend you never knew me if I told you who I really am?" Silence enveloped us for a moment. Did I ever entertain the thought of fleeing from him? Would I do it if given the chance?

"You're just dodging it again." I sighed, frustration seeping into my voice. There was no point in dancing around the topic.

"Who do you think I am?" Lorenzo's curiosity piqued as he leaned back onto the couch, making himself more comfortable. His arms crossed over his chest, his posture relaxed yet expectant.

"Well, for starters, you're Lorenzo," I began, stating the obvious. "And you carry guns," I added with a hint of sarcasm, receiving a wry nod of acknowledgment from him. "A person who owns a property like this and a car like the one we rode in has to be loaded,” I continued.

"Oh, I am definitely loaded in more ways than you can imagine," he murmured huskily, leaning in. He rested his elbows on his knees, hands clasped together, his intense gaze fixed on me. The sudden proximity caused my cheeks to flush with heat.

This man had a way of rendering me speechless, like it was a walk in the park for him. And he didn't even have to... well, let's not go there.

I remained silent when he withdrew slightly, stretching his arm to rest on the head of the couch. It grazed the back of my neck lightly in the process, making me shiver. Was that intentional?

Since he seemed intent on changing the subject, I decided to grab the opportunity to address the question that had been lingering in my mind for some time now. It was wortha shot. "You're still here and it's late. Wouldn’t your wife be waiting for you?" Fuck! I did it. There was no going back from this. I held my breath, trying to appear casual despite the knot of nerves tightening in my stomach. How else was I supposed to broach the topic without making it too obvious? Gosh, I sucked at being subtle about things. I really need to work on a few skills.

His reaction was immediate and unmistakable. His expression darkened as he frowned at my question. But before I could backtrack or apologize, he unexpectedly scooted closer, leaning in until his face was mere centimeters from mine. I gasped in surprise, my heart pounding erratically as his intense gaze locked with mine in a silent standoff. What was he trying to achieve with this?

"Tell me, Angel," he murmured, his voice low and dangerously seductive. "What made you think I have awife?" His words were laden with a potent mixture of intrigue and challenge, causing my breath to hitch in my throat. I couldn't tear my eyes away from his, momentarily captivated by the silver orbs.

"Girlfriend, then?" I gulped, looking anywhere but him, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. It was a freaking struggle to maintain composure under his penetrating stare.

He tilted his head, a subtle challenge glinting in his eyes as his hand entered my field of vision. With care, he twirled a loose strand of my hair before tucking it behind my ear, his thumb tracing a tantalizing path along my skin. My breath caught in my throat as his touch sent a rush of heat coursing through my core. Fuck me!

“I just... um... I thought that a man like you would obviously have someone, you know…” I stumbled over my words, my cheeks flushing again.

“A man like me?” he arched an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. “Is that supposed to be a compliment or—”

“Definitely a compliment,” I interjected hastily.

“Tell me then, Angel,” he continued, maintaining the small distance between us as he held my gaze. “Do you have aboyfriendwho might be waiting for you? Ahusbandperhaps?”

“No,” I replied softly, resisting the urge to nod, knowing that the slightest movement would bring our lips dangerously close.

“No husband? Or no boyfriend?”

“Neither,” my pulse quickening as I awaited his response.

“Of course you don't,” he remarked, a hint of satisfaction coloring his tone, as if he had already anticipated my answer. “What about a secret one-sided love? Someone who lives in your heart?” He rasped.

“No,” I whispered, my voice barely audible above the sound of my racing heartbeat.

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