Page 9 of Reckless Games

"What is it?" I prompted, sensing there was more on her mind.

"Um, can you take me home now?" she asked, her fingers fidgeting nervously. Anger surged within me as I remembered the painful truth I had to deliver.

"You can't go back home, Angel.”

***

Chapter 4

Angela

The warm cascade of water enveloped me as I stood beneath the soothing spray of the shower, digesting the devastating news Lorenzo had delivered. It was almost unfathomable to comprehend that the place I had once called home now lay in ruin. Every cherished memory, every trace of my parents, reduced to nothing but ashes.

‘Your house caught on fire. It's completely destroyed and currently off-limits, undergoing inspection. I had Giovanni retrieve whatever belongings were left,’Lorenzo's words echoed in my mind. The weight of the news hit me like a tidal wave, and I felt the dam of emotions within me begin to crack, unleashing a stream of tears that mingled with the water cascading down my face.

Lorenzo suggested—more like directed—that I stay at his mansion until we could find a solution. Which was why, I was in the confines of the guest bathroom, my eyes closed, willing myself to forget the tragedy that had befallen me. Even the rhythmic patter of the water against the tiles couldn't provide me with the distraction I needed.

With a weary sigh, I turned off the shower, feeling the warmth gradually dissipate as I stepped out onto the tiled floor. Wrapping myself in a towel, I came out to the bedroom, where a pair of oversized sweats lay waiting on the bed. They were a stark contrast to my petite frame. But something was better thannothing. I mean, I was practically homeless, which also made me clothes-less. Beggars can't be choosers, they say.

As I approached the bed, I couldn't help but feel out of place. What was I doing here in the first place? I was supposed to be lying inmybed, atmyhome, sleeping soundly until the morning.

Home.

Shaking my head to dispel the disorientation, I began to dress myself in the oversized garments. The sweatshirt hung loosely from my shoulders, its sleeves extending far beyond my fingertips. I folded the hem of the trousers to prevent them from dragging on the floor, ensuring I wouldn't trip over the excess fabric. Despite the ill-fitting attire, there was a comforting familiarity in the coziness of the fabric against my skin.

Uncertainty knocked at me as I stood in the bedroom, torn between waiting for someone to fetch me or going down myself. Lorenzo had mentioned continuing our conversation after I had freshened up. Before I could make up my mind, a sharp knock at the door shattered my indecision. Expecting Giovanni, I moved to open the door. However, the sight that greeted me left me speechless.

Standing before me, freshly showered, was Lorenzo himself. His hair was tousled, his striking jawline cutting a sharp contrast against his chiseled features. My breath caught in my throat as I struggled to compose myself. Sometimes I wondered, just how much time did God put into crafting this man? It should be illegal to look this handsome. How was I supposed to focus on anything else when he stood before me like a vision of masculine perfection?

With a dry mouth and a racing heart, I realized the challenge that lay ahead—to maintain my composure in the presence of this captivating man.

"I thought you'd be done by now." Lorenzo's velvety voice sent a thrill through me, my heart somersaulting at the sound. His silver eyes looked mischievous, and his damp, dark hair was evidence that he too had been in the shower moments ago. I nodded in response, suddenly finding it difficult to form coherent words.

"May I?" he gestured, indicating if I would allow him entry into the room. I inwardly slapped my forehead for hesitating—after all, it was his house, and he certainly didn't need my permission. What a gentleman!

I stepped aside, granting him access, and watched as he entered the room, clad in his own sweatshirt and trousers, resembling Adonis himself. And I couldn't help but feel a flutter of nerves at his proximity. This was the first time I was witnessing him in anything other than formals, and he was pulling it off without any effort. Was there anything he couldn't pull off?

As he turned to face me, I closed the door behind me and approached him, my heart pounding in my chest. His gaze trailed over me heatedly, starting from my head and descending slowly until it settled on my chest for a fleeting moment, or so I thought. His eyes then continued their journey until they finally rested on my hands, narrowing slightly as if in contemplation, before a faint smile graced his lips.

He took deliberate steps toward me, and I found myself acutely aware of the tension between us, unsure of what his intentions were.

"Umm..." I trailed off awkwardly, uncertain of how to respond, and instinctively backed up until I felt the door press against my back. Oops.

He halted just inches away from me, his gaze unwavering as his hands found their way to my wrists, gently lifting them. I swallowed nervously as he maintained eye contact, his fingersdeftly folding the sleeves of my sweatshirt until my hands were exposed. He repeated the action with the other sleeve.

Oh.

Did it just get hot in here?

"What's going on in that pretty little head?" Lorenzo mused, his lips still curving into a slight smile that hinted at a deeper understanding, leaving me with the unsettling feeling that he could see right through me. This man!

"I... uh... nothing. Absolutely nothing," I attempted to deflect his probing inquiry. "I was just wondering if it got hot in here," I hastily added, hoping to change the subject and mask my embarrassment.

As soon as the words left my mouth, it dawned on me. My head snapped to his, and my eyes widened in horror. Oh, my god! Did I really just say that?

Lorenzo's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, his smirk widening playfully, silently acknowledging my slip-up. "Is it now?" he inquired, his tone laced with amusement as I swallowed nervously, nodding in a barely audible whisper.

"Yeah," I managed to squeak out, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks.

---