Page 21 of Broken Deal

Okay, Sophia. This is a normal, professional dinner. So what if you slept with him already? It was a random one-night stand. No need to be nervous. Andnoengaging in unprofessional activities.

Walking outside, I spot Lorenzo leaning against his car. My knees, those two little traitorous bitches, tremble slightly, and I stumble like the idiot I am at the sight of him. He’s wearing a dark-gray suit with a black button-down shirt, a few buttons left open. His hair is ruffled, and the look is so unmistakably him. I find myself staring at him like an idiot.

What are you doing ogling him, Sophia? Keep your cool.

My back stiffens as I stand before him and nod courtly.

His gaze locks onto mine with an intensity that sends shivers through me, igniting a storm of butterflies in my stomach.

“Hi, Blue,” he rasps.

The moment is shattered by his choice of words, causing me to roll my eyes. “Will you ever call me by my name?”

“Nah. I think Blue suits you better.” He shrugs casually, closing the distance between us, the gap now small enough for me to catch a hint of his intoxicating cologne. His eyes roam over my body, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. It’s magical, the way Lorenzo can make me feel so much with a simple look. No one has ever been able to do that, and I don’t know what to do with this newfound information.

He breathes in softly, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows. “You look stunning.”

I pat his chest twice, internally chastising myself for touching him as an annoying charge of electricity courses through my veins. “That comment was completely inappropriate and a violation of our deal.”

He raises his eyebrows, his eyes flickering with amusement. “What deal?”

“The deal where this needs to remain professional.” For some godforsaken reason, my hand still lingers on his chest. The rapid rhythm of his heart beats against my palm, filling me with a strange sense of satisfaction.

Do I make him nervous?Interesting.

He scrubs his face with a small laugh then places his hand on top of mine, grasping it softly. “Funny, because if memory serves me right, we never spoke about this.”

“Because it was an unspoken agreement, of course,” I reply weakly, the feel of his hand on top of mine rattling me to my very core.

“Mmm,” he hums huskily, a smile tugging at his lips. His gaze lingers on my lips, and the look he has right now is anythingbutprofessional.

My breath hitches as his irises darken with an inexplicable fire, and our chests start heaving in sync. A wave of energy ripples through me, making every nerve in my body tingle. The tension that’s quickly building and crackling between us is practically screaming at me to close the little distance and kiss him.

He’s even closer now. His intense gaze roams every corner of my face, leaving me feeling raw and exposed. I close my eyes and let out a shaky breath, trying to kick away this exhilarating feeling. His other hand reaches out slowly, tracing my neck and collarbone with his thumb, leaving a trail of goosebumps. I open my eyes slowly, meeting his gaze, and my heart falters for the slightest moment. The way he’s looking at me now is something I’ve never experienced before. It’s not a look I can recognize, but it makes me feel exuberant nonetheless.

Before I know it, he takes a step back, taking his warmthaway from me and dropping my hand. That brings me back to reality and I hastily take two steps back, wanting even more distance between us.

Oh, God. Here you are babbling about being professional and you almost kissed the man.

With a small, playful grin he opens the passenger door. “What about this?” He gestures at the car door. “Can I open it for you? I don’t want you to think I’m propositioning you. I’m just trying to be a gentleman,” he says with a teasing tone.

“Oh, yes, because you’re known for that,” I quip before getting in his car.

Lorenzo tilts his head, his mouth agape for a moment, before laughing. His laugh is so full of life and promises, it makes my stomach flip. It’s like I’ve been transported back to high school when I had my first crush.

Snap out of it, Sophia.

If only it were that easy.

Ialmost kissed Sophia.

My chest still tingles where she touched me. My hand feels strange, the feel of her soft skin lingering. My thumb still craves to trace every inch of her body. And my lips are cold, missing the warmth of the kiss that never happened.

You’re such an idiot. Why didn’t you kiss her?

Damian’s comment from earlier today remains in the back of my head. She’s been hurt, and I don’t want to add another layer to that. Even though my body thrums with the need to say fuck it all and kiss her, consequences be damned.

But I can’t. I won’t. The perception people have of me couldn’t be farther from the truth, and if I allow myself to do something like that, it would just prove them right.

---