Page 90 of Broken Deal

“Our relationship has always been rocky,” I admit. “And now… We’re here.” I take a shaky breath, gathering the words. “The guy she was with at the hospital…Miles. He’s my ex-boyfriend.”

His eyebrows raise in surprise. “Wait,what?”

“We dated, always on and off, but when I graduated college, he decided to follow me. At first, I was hesitant. It was a big move, so I made him get his own place, and I was roommates with Aria even though I spent all of my time over at his place. But it still gave me some sort of security, I guess, knowing I had a place to call my own. He had odd jobs here and there that didn’t pay enough, but he was trying—or so I thought—to focus on his music. I supported him financially in any way I could.” I gulp, looking away, feeling embarrassed. The only person who knows this story is Aria, and that was so mortifying. Telling him this, I’m bearing my soul out to him right now. Something I’m not used to doing.

Now that I know better, I can see it as clear as day—I was so naive back then. Eager to please. Desperate forlove. I accepted whatever crumbs Miles was willing to give me.

“Looking back, our relationship wasn’t the greatest. I was barely making any money, yet every penny I had was being spent to help him cover rent here and there, to furnish his place little by little, plus taking care of Mom. It took a toll on me. We barely had sex and just fought most of the time. I thought he was under so much pressure trying to make the music thing work.” I shake my head, laughing humorlessly. “Funny enough, Amelia had moved to Chicago not long after. Now I understand why she did, but at the time, it didn’t occur to me. The few times they saw each other, they always acted so civilized in front of me,” I say, my voice devoid of emotions.

These memories aren’t as painful as they used to. If I’m being honest with myself, ever since I started spending more time with Lorenzo, I’ve been able to heal and let go.

Never thought I’d see the day.

“Then one day, I decided to leave work early to surprise him. I had just gotten a promotion, finally becoming a junior journalist. I worked day and night for it, and I was really excited. I wanted to celebrate it with him after such a busy week.” I sigh, closing my eyes for a moment. “And there they were.” I shake my head. “It was such a slap in the face.” A sharp, bitter laugh escapes me. “So there you have it. My boyfriend of four years was sleeping with my sister the whole time, and I was too busy to notice.”

“God, Sophia. I am so fucking sorry.” He brings me in for a hug, and I let him. “You didn’t deserve that.”

“Maybe part of it was my fault, too,” I point out. “I was so focused on work, only because I needed the raise to hire a nurse for Mom, and to keep helping him, too. I was so focused on building a future.”

“No. Let me fix that statement for you. He was an insecure, half of a man that couldn’t handle such a strong, wonderful woman like you.” He shakes his head. “I wish I had punched him like I wanted to,” he mutters. “Figlio di puttana.”

“What does that mean?”

“Son of a bitch,” he translates.

“I love when you speak Italian,” I say with a soft chuckle.

His hand cradles my face, his eyes locking onto mine. “Sei la donna più meravigliosa che abbia mai incontrato?1,”he says, placing a gentle kiss on my left cheek. “Te lo meriti tutto?2,” he adds, kissing my other cheek. “Vorrei essere l’uomo che potrebbe darti tutto?3. Vorrei essere degno di te?4. Vorrei poterti amare come meriti?5,” he finishes, sealing his lips on mine with a slow kiss that makes my soul roar.

“Care to translate?” I ask breathlessly. Whatever it was, the way his eyes are simmering with an unspoken emotion tells me maybe I’m not ready to find out.

Stop lying to yourself. You’re dying to know. You’re hoping to find out if he feels the same way you’ve been feeling.

His forehead meets mine, and barely above whispers, he says, “Don’t ask me to be honest right now. Because I can’t bring myself to.”

I respect his wishes, because I don’t think either one of us is ready to handle what’s happening right now between us. Without saying a word, I press my lips to his, kissing him like he’s the breath of fresh air I didn’t realize I needed so badly. My heart wants to come out of mychest with the knowledge of how different this kiss feels. There are so many words being drowned with every second we brush our lips together. His hand travels from the crook of my neck to my curves, all the way down to my legs, leaving a trace of goosebumps in their wake.

He lays me down on the bed gently as his hands roam every inch of my body with such delicacy, I can feel the adoration in every touch. There’s so much meaning behind every trace, my heart quivers.

“Lorenzo,” I whisper shakily. “I need you.”

“I’m right here,” he whispers back, huskily.

“Ineedyou inside of me,” I correct, threading his hair with my fingers.

“I didn’t bring any condoms. I didn’t want you to think that’s why I was here,” he replies, caressing my legs, andGod, his touch is so addicting. I wish he would never stop.

“I’m on the pill, and I’ve never done it without a condom,” I say, taking off my shirt.

A low growl escapes his lips, tilting his head back. “I’ve never done it without a condom either. Andfuck, I would love nothing more than to feel all of you. Are you sure?”

I nod silently, tugging at the hem of his shirt and pulling it over his head. My hands glide over his muscular shoulders, down his chest, and along his torso, until they reach his shorts. I trace his growing erection through the fabric, feeling his body respond beneath my touch. Lifting my hips slightly, I allow him to take my shorts off, leaving me only in my underwear. He stands, grasping my legs and bringing me to the edge of the bed. As he takes off the rest of his clothes, I inch forward, unclasping my bra and throwing the lace fabric on the floor. Lorenzo gets on his knees and starts to press soft, lingering kisses along my skin. Every kiss hegives me makes me shiver, my need for him growing by the second.

His fingertips hover over the waistband of my underwear, slowly bringing them down. “There’s nothing I like more than getting on my knees for you.” His husky words, so soft but rough all at the same time, make my thighs clench. He drops a kiss on my inner thigh now, his tongue and mouth teasing everywhere except where I need him the most.

I wiggle under his teasing touch. “Lorenzo,” I pant. “Please,” I beg.

“Mmm, I love it when you beg.” His mouth latches on my sensitive clit, and his tongue moves in slow, but delicious circles. I arch my back as much as I can, trying to get more friction from him. But Lorenzo takes his time, lapping at me, savoring me as his hands continue to caress my legs. He takes his time to lick every inch of my center, slow and steady, like it’s just us and we have all the time in the world.

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