Page 54 of Broken Deal

“Feel like making dinner with me?” Lorenzo asks.

We’ve been outside looking over the ocean for almost an hour now, just sitting quietly. For once, I needed the quiet. For once, I wanted to get lost in my thoughts and feel sorry for myself. He came out, handed me his hoodie, and sat next to me without saying a word, which I honestly appreciate. I must look like a mess right now. The angry tears started flowing as soon as I ended the call. I hate that he’s the one who got to see me like this. But I’m tired of faking it all. I needed those tears to come out. I needed to wallow in my anger. There’s only so much one person can bottle up, and considering I never allow myself to feel, I’m surprised it took me this long.

“Sure,” I reply with a soft rasp.

He stands and extends his hand, waiting for me to take it. After a moment of hesitation, I do. The touch brings me comfort and peace, but mostly?Need. I can’t ignore my attraction for Lorenzo anymore. It’s always been there. And yesterday didn’t help; if anything, it fueled it. My stubbornness is quickly crumbling, and I honestly want to…feelgoodfor one night. This is something I know he can do for me.

What’s one more night, right?

That’s insane, you need to shut that idea down right now.

What I need to do is shut down my brain for today.

We walk back inside, and as he pulls all the ingredients we’re going to need out of the pantry, I grab my phone to look at myself in the camera and fix my hair. It’s a little fuzzyfrom the humidity, but nothing I can’t work with. My eyes are not as puffy, so at least I have that going for me.

“What are we making?”

“I was thinking a shrimp stir-fry,” he replies without looking at me, studying the ingredients with a concentrated frown. “You’re not allergic, right?” he asks, lifting his gaze to mine.

I shake my head and walk to the fridge, grabbing all the vegetables we’re going to need. “I do like my stir-fry spicy, though.”

“Same,” he replies, dumping the shrimp in the bowl and running water through them.

I hum playfully, dropping the vegetables next to the cutting board. “I guess the group is right, we’re more similar than we think.”

His shoulders shake with a small laugh, the sound making me ache with need. His laugh is so carefree and velvety, I wouldn’t tire of hearing it.

“We’re both pretty amazing then. Because I don’t know about you, but I’m a fucking treat,” he says with a slight, playful shrug.

I grab a small kitchen towel, spin it, and snap it against his upper arm, laughing. “You’re so full of yourself.”

He stills his movement and snaps his eyes on me. “Did you justwhipme?”

I shrug, spinning the towel again. “Did you like it? I can do it again.” I wiggle my eyebrows playfully.

He places the bowl in the sink slowly, moving his whole body to face me now as he crosses his arms. “Someone’s feeling bold today.”

Oh, you have no idea.

I try snapping the towel against his upper thigh this time, but with his quick reflexes, he avoids it. Before I canreact, he tries to yank the towel from my grasp, pulling me toward him in the process and making me crash into his chest. I stumble from the impact, but he quickly grabs my upper arms, steadying me.

“You good?”

A giggle bubbles out of me—what the fuck? Why am I giggling? I’m acting like I have some sort of high school crush. “Yeah. Damn, you’re quick.”

“Yes, I am.” He successfully yanks the towel from my grasp and spins it as tightly as he can. “You should run now, I’ll give you a three-second head start.” His voice is husky, with an unspoken promise. The way it drops to a sensual, deep tone has my thighs clenching, already seeking some friction. The desire running through my veins so strong it’s impossible to ignore any longer.

I take a few steps back, crossing my arms. “Please, I’m not afraid of you.”

He chuckles, playing with the corners of the towel with his fingers. “You should be. This is going to hurt.”

The way his eyes roam my body sets me ablaze. I welcome the burning sensation, because it’s all I want—to feel the intensity of his flame. Make no mistake, Lorenzo and I? We’d ignite a beautiful inferno together.

“One…” he starts counting.

My back stiffens, but I don’t back down. “You can count all you want, I’m not going anywhere.”

“See”—he clicks his tongue—“I doubt that.” He takes a step closer, like a lion hunting its prey. “Two…”

---