Page 29 of Reckless Games

His words sent a thrill through me, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him down for a kiss. It was soft and lingering, a promise of more moments like this to come. As we broke apart, I gazed up at him, feeling a deep sense of contentment.

Lorenzo gently shifted us so that I was nestled against his chest, my head resting just below his chin. He wrapped his strong arms around me. My fingers idly traced the intricate tattoo of a phoenix that covered more than half of his chest, marveling at how beautiful it looked on him.

"You smell amazing," he murmured, his voice a soft rumble in the quiet room. "What do you do to smell so good?"

"It's just a mix of my favorite lotion and perfume," I replied softly, a smile playing on my lips. My body wash and shampoo also carried the same scent. "I like musky and dark scents. They make me feel calm, happy, and…” I hesitated, debating whether to reveal the real reason behind my choice of fragrance.

"And?" Lorenzo prodded gently as he looked down at me.

"And seductive?" I admitted, biting my lower lip and arching an eyebrow.

"Seductive, hm?" Lorenzo chuckled softly, his breath warm against my skin as he leaned down, inhaling deeply before pressing a kiss to the top of my head. His lips lingered there for a moment, and I could feel the smile in his voice when he spoke again. "Who are you trying to seduce, Angel?"

"I don't know," I replied innocently, a mischievous glint in my eyes as I looked up at him. "Did it work on you?"

Lorenzo lifted his head to meet my gaze, his eyes darkening as he grinned. "Well, judging by the way I'm addicted to it, I'd say it definitely more than just worked on me." I felt a flutter of happiness at his compliment, and my fingers continued their exploration of his tattoo.

"Lorenzo, what does this tattoo mean?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. "Why a phoenix?"

He was silent for a moment, his fingers stilling as he considered my question. Then he spoke, his voice deep and thoughtful. "The phoenix is a symbol of rebirth and renewal. It represents rising from the ashes, overcoming adversity, and becoming stronger because of it."

I looked up at him, my eyes searching his. "Does it have a special meaning for you?"

He nodded, his gaze distant, as if recalling a distant memory. "I got this tattoo after my mother died. I’ve never admitted it to anyone before, but I was very close to her, andshe meant the world to me. It felt like my world had crumbled around me. I had to rebuild myself and become stronger to protect the people I care about. The phoenix reminds me that no matter what happens, I can rise again, stronger than before."

"What happened to her?" I whispered, my voice filled with emotion.

“She became the target of my father’s enemy when I was ten.” My breath hitched as he said those words. “I watched the whole time she tried to fight and save me. She passed away in my arms. That night, everything changed. That night I became the monster everyone is so scared of.”

His words resonated deeply with me, and I felt a surge of admiration for the man who had endured so much and yet remained unbroken. I knew how utterly devastating it was to witness a parent’s death at such a young age. I was not a stranger to that feeling. "You're incredibly strong. And I admire you so much for how strong you have become."

He looked down at me, his eyes softening with affection. "And you, Angela, have given me a reason to keep rising. You bring light into my dark life." His words brought tears to my eyes, and I leaned up to kiss him softly, pouring all my feelings into that kiss. When we pulled back, I rested my head against his chest again, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

“Have you anything planned for today?” His question broke the peaceful silence.

"Nothing much," I murmured, nuzzling closer to him. "Just enjoying being here with you. What about you? What do you have on plate today?"

Lorenzo's smile was soft. "Today is a training day. I'll be with the men, honing their skills."

Excitement bubbled up within me at the thought of seeing Lorenzo in action, training his men. Would he be shirtless?Goodness, that would be an eyecandy for me."I'd loveto see how you train them," I said eagerly, looking up at him with sparkling eyes. "Do you think I could come along?"

His hesitation was evident, his brow furrowing slightly as he considered my request. "Angel, it can get a little... gruesome," he cautioned. "I'm not sure if it's something you'd want to witness."

I lifted my head to meet his silver eyes. ”I can handle it," I assured, my voice steady despite the fluttering of nerves in my stomach. "Plus, you forgot I was a trainee surgeon."

For a moment, he studied me, his expression softening as he traced a gentle touch along my cheek. Finally, he nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Alright," he agreed, brushing a stray strand of hair away from my face. "But promise me you'll stay close to me and follow my instructions, okay?"

"I promise," I replied earnestly, leaning in to press a kiss against his lips. His fingers found my hand, and his touch lingered on mine before he broke the silence. “What’s this?” he asked softly, his finger tracing over a barely noticeable mark on my left wrist. His tone was curious, but there was an underlying concern in his eyes.

I froze for a moment, unsure of how to respond. The mark was a reminder of a painful chapter in my life, one I rarely spoke about. Taking a deep breath, I gathered my thoughts. “You remember those bad guys I told you about, the ones I encountered after my parents’ accident?” I began slowly. Lorenzo nodded, his expression serious as he waited for me to continue.

“Well, they left me with a lifelong traumatic memory,” I continued, my gaze fixed on our intertwined hands. “This mark… it’s from that time.”

Lorenzo’s eyes darkened with anger, a deep furrow forming between his brows. “What did they use?” he askedsharply, his voice edged with fury. I hesitated, unsure whether to disclose the details.

“I…” I started, my throat tightening with the weight of the memories. “I’d rather not say.”

His hand tightened around mine, and his jaw clenched in frustration. “I asked you a question, Angela,” he insisted, his tone demanding an answer.

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