Temptation in Tuxedo

Chapter Two

Chapter 2 | Complications Arise

*****

I came to slowly, cocooned in a cloud of downy blankets and warmth, the likes of which I couldn’t recall in recent memory. Silky linen kissed my bare skin as I shifted, pleasant soreness echoing through every muscle. Had I died and slipped into hedonistic heaven? Blinking lazily, an unfamiliar room swam into focus - all sleek modern lines surrounding a massive canopy bed fit for royalty.

The debauched memories of last night crashed back in a delicious tidal wave then - the gala...Lorenzo. I should bolt straight out of his bed - instead I burrowed deeper with a contented sigh, the subtle notes of his sandalwood cologne infusing the luxurious fabric.

My blissed out stretch shifted the linen lower, baring the roadmap of purpling love bites now decorating my torso and thighs. Evidence of Lorenzo’s passionate claiming every inch of my willing body, as promised. Yet my insatiable lover was notably absent, leaving the expansive mattress cold beside me.

Sharp longing pierced through the sated haze clouding my mind. Had Lorenzo already left? Surely he couldn't have simply used me for a one off tryst after our explosive chemistry...

Just then the bedroom door swept open soundlessly followed by a rolling cart. Dressed casually at the edges in drawstring pants riding dangerously low on cut hips and nothing else, Lorenzo looked freshly showered. His damp raven waves fell carelessly over one brow, lips hitched up beguilingly.

“You’re awake.” That indecent mouth tipped higher, warmth crinkling the corners of his espresso eyes. “I thought you might sleep the whole day away. I certainly wore you out sufficiently last night...”

Warmth flooded my face as fragments from our marathon lovemaking flitted through my mind on fast forward - Lorenzo claiming me passionately on every conceivable surface around that opulent penthouse, determined to wring every last shred of pleasure until I lay limp and fully sated beneath him.

“I, uh, don’t usually pass out after.” I cleared my throat roughly, grateful when Lorenzo wheeled over a domed tray holding an ornate carafe and mugs rather than commenting on my breathless incoherence.

“Coffee?” He offered one steaming cup toward me, flashing a heart-stopping dimple. “Careful, it’s strong. But I wasn’t sure how you take it.”

I sat up gingerly, the sheets pooling around my waist. “However I can get it. Caffeine is key to functioning before ten AM for me.” I took a bracing gulp, humming appreciation at the rich nutty roast. When I met Lorenzo’s stare once more, something like uncertainty lurked in those tiger-eye depths.

“Was last night...” He hesitated, looking genuinely anxious. “Too much?”

My stunned laugh eased the tension gathered around his mouth at once. “God, no. It was incredible.” Sinful images from our passion-fueled romp flickered like strobe lights across my mind; I shifted to alleviate renewed pressure swelling shamelessly between my thighs. “You clearly know how to show a guy a good time, Lorenzo Delfino.”

The last of his uncharacteristic tension seemed to drain away at my breathless confirmation. Lorenzo settled beside me against the padded headboard somehow making bed-mussed look illegally sexy too.

“Good.” His voice dipped lower, coaxing my heavy-lidded gaze up. Long fingers traced distracting circles over my bare knee beneath the silken sheets. “Because when I see something I truly want, I don’t plan on letting it slip away...”

My pulse stuttered at his simmering implication - surely a notorious playboy like Lorenzo didn't mean me specifically... Flooded by self-consciousness under his keen perusal now, I fumbled for neutral ground, holding up the half-drained coffee mug between us. "This roast is amazing, by the way. What is it?”

Amusement crinkled Lorenzo’s eyes but he allowed my flustered redirect. “Kopi luwak beans from Bali,” he answered easily with a graceful shrug. “Rare, but nothing too extravagant.”

I blinked stupidly. Even my limited caffeine knowledge knew the infamous Indonesian palm civets essentially harvested the world’s costliest coffee beans. And Lorenzo considered that run-of-the-mill?

As if following my reeling thoughts, he merely offered another sexy half-smile. “Only the best for you, tesoro...”

That honeyed endearment in his accent undid me all over again. Flailing for some way to reciprocate Lorenzo's lavish generosity - as inadequate as it felt - I leaned forward, dusting lingering kisses along his sharp jaw, delighted when stubble grazed my lips.

"Well, I appreciate the royal treatment.” I nipped lightly just below his sculpted cheekbone, sultry images swirling faster through my imagination. “Maybe after coffee I can show you just how appreciative...”

A sharp inhale stoked me bolder. I leaned into him heavily until Lorenzo reclined against the bank of feather pillows, his chiseled body going pliant beneath my eager exploration. I took ruthless advantage, scattering open-mouthed kisses down his golden torso, revelling in each strained hiss my efforts earned.

As I mouthed along the grooves framing his Adonis belt, Lorenzo’s rock hard length nudged demandingly against my chin - but suddenly a shrill ringtone blared loudly from somewhere within the tangle of sheets.

We jerked apart, pulse racing while Lorenzo grappled to silence the offensive device. His expression shuttered to unreadable lines finding the caller ID while I flopped back, muttering curses at being so rudely interrupted. Though likely for the best before I embarrassed myself fawning sycophantically over a veritable stranger in the harsh light of a new day...

Clearing his throat roughly, Lorenzo silenced the insistent ringing then turned toward me almost reluctantly. “Apologies, Marco. I need to take this call. Why don’t you relax here while I grab us some breakfast?” He flashed a rueful half smile. “After last night I’m sure you’re famished.”

Before I could assure such measures weren’t necessary Lorenzo rolled gracefully from bed, the impressive strength of his body on display stealing my voice once more. He leaned down briefly, full lips finding mine in a kiss that felt strangely...tender.

“I’ll be quick. Make yourself at home.” With a heart-stopping wink, Lorenzo sauntered out pulling a light tee over tousled waves as his muffled greeting to whoever interrupted us echoed distantly through what must be an opulent penthouse beyond.

My pulse still hadn’t steadied fully by the time I heard the decisive click of a door somewhere within the sprawling residence. Lorenzo’s earthy scent lingered around me, embedded in the thousand count sheets tangled around my waist. This entire surreal situation bordered on fantasy...

Shaking off my bemusement, I eased gingerly from bed, pleasant aches making themselves known across my pleasantly worn-out body. My torn tuxedo remnants from last night were conspicuously absent but Lorenzo’s closet no doubt harbored substitutes more tailored.

As I shuffled toward polished mahogany wardrobes nearly eclipsing an entire wall, my jaw promptly unhinged. Row upon row of hand-stitched Italian suits, crisp designer shirts and sleek leather shoes dominated one massive closet while another held racks of outerwear and drawers no doubt brimming with quintessentially sexy underthings if Lorenzo’s predilection thus far for black lace was any indicator...

Bespoke and clearly obscenely expensive filled every square inch - light years from my secondhand chic style. But refusing Lorenzo’s generosity after he lavished such attentiveness on me already seemed foolish pride. So I selected a silky robe that likely cost more than my entire thrift shop wardrobe and padded barefoot toward what smelled like freshly brewed coffee. I ignored the opulent spaces around me as best I could while tracking that siren aroma down marble halls.

Yet nothing prepared me for the sight awaiting once I stepped through a carved archway into Lorenzo’s sun drenched kitchen and lounge. Floor to ceiling windows framed lush potted palms, polished stone and stainless steel. And before the sweeping backdrop of an awakening Manhattan, Lorenzo stood shirtless and rumpled at the sleek island counter, phone pinned between shoulder and ear while inked muscle flexed enticingly.

I must have made some small sound because Lorenzo turned, pinning me with that piercing umber stare for a long beat, full lips quirking slyly. “Good morning, gorgeous,” he purred without reservation even mid-call, raking my disheveled form head to toe. “Sleep well?”

Warmth flooded my face but I sauntered nearer before I lost my nerve, heart still somersaulting wildly that someone as unattainable as Lorenzo seemed genuinely thrilled by my presence. “Well enough. Your bed swallowed me like a fairytale prince though.” I dragged my fingertips up his bicep, revelling as defined muscle jumped beneath smooth golden skin. “Clearly you’re used to laying princes, not average guys like me...”

Lorenzo snagged my wrist before I completed the circuit, drawing me fully against his bare torso until no space remained between us. Lust kindled dangerously in his black-coffee gaze.

"Trust me, Marco...” His husky murmur raised every fine hair along my body. “There is nothing average about you.”

The unmistakable desire rasping his smoky tenor sank straight between my thighs - but before either of us acted on the incendiary tension fogging the sleek kitchen, an annoyed cough sounded through the phone receiver still balanced at Lorenzo's ear.

He grimaced. “Apologies, Luca. Something rather urgent just came up on this end requiring my full attention.” With obvious reluctance Lorenzo stepped back, schooling his distracting features to sharp neutral lines that somehow made him look even more illegally handsome. “We’ll need to continue this conversation later once I return to Delfino Tower.”

I busied myself preparing another mug of strong coffee, attempting not to obviously eavesdrop.

“Understood, Mr Delfino, ” the man - Luca - intoned tightly. “I’ll inform your father progress continues toward securing the gala venue.” Paper shuffling echoed faintly through the receiver. “Shall I also update Don Delfino of your reemerging...attachment to the Bianchi boy?”

I startled, sloshing steaming liquid over my knuckles. Lorenzo hesitated, clearly disconcerted also by the man’s biting words - but his ensuing silence extended a beat too long.

The man, Luca, exhaled sharply. “Look, Lorenzo, you know better than anyone how little your father approves of dalliances interfering with the family’s affairs.” Another tense beat. “Especially with men.”

I straightened rigidly, earlier ease vanishing. Lorenzo’s devoted shadow council evidently had opinions about his bedroom proclivities - and their boss fraternizing with someone wholly unimportant like myself. Their disdain stung more than expected, deflating the buoyant high of seeing raw desire flare in Lorenzo’s dark gaze moments earlier. Clearly whatever magnetic pull arced between us didn’t matter outside tempestuous sheets...

I turned back to the sloping city vista beyond floor to ceiling windows, blinking fiercely against the hollow ache expanding beneath my ribs. Of course men like Lorenzo didn't jeopardize billion dollar empires or dynastic duties for fleeting romance - no matter how extreme our initial chemistry.

Quiet footsteps echoed nearer then warm palms smoothed down my rigid spine, scattering tingling sensation everywhere we touched. Lorenzo gently turned me to meet his conflicted stare, ignoring the muffled call of his name through forgotten phone lines.

"Marco..." Uncharacteristic vulnerability etched his masculine features. "What just happened - you don't understand--"

I dragged in an unsteady lungful, willing my composure not to crack fully. "It's fine, Lorenzo. Don't worry about it." My pathetic attempt at a casual tone sounded wobbly even to me. I cleared my throat roughly, smoothing non-existent wrinkles in the silk robe as pretext to step out of his burning grip.

"Clearly you have business to handle. I should get going..." Never Meet Your Heroes 101 - the faster exit always spared the most dignity. I attempted a self deprecating half-smile. "I mean, we both knew I don't belong in this world.”

Before Lorenzo could respond, I pivoted on bare feet, making a beeline for the master suite and my discarded clothing - if I could even salvage the torn remnants from last night. Panic constricted my lungs the further I fled into opulent halls. God, this awkward morning after was exactly why I hated one night stands...

"Marco, wait--" Lorenzo's sharp demand rang out but I slipped into the bedroom, closing the door quickly behind me. Sagging back against the smooth slab, I gulped deep breaths against the gathering pressure strangling my throat while claro voices continued arguing beyond the expensive walls.

Of course I didn’t warrant consideration from Lorenzo's inner circle or his apparent obligations to that powerful family of his - no matter our explosive chemistry between silken sheets. At most I made for a decent night's entertainment and a notch on his bedpost until some socialite bride or dynastic alliance secured Lorenzo's wandering attention next.

Hot embarrassment flooded my veins. He was a virtual stranger so why should dismissal sting so sharply from Lorenzo now?

I ignored the obvious answer my foolish heart clung to as I stumbled toward the attached bath on unsteady legs. Splashing cool water on flushed cheeks helped brace fragile composure but nothing erased the hollow ache beneath my sternum that Lorenzo's magnetic pull was apparently one-sided. Of course he slummed it with me for some excitement before dutifully marrying his rival...

A sharp rap at the door nearly cracked my thin facade again. Lorenzo's muffled baritone called more gently through the barrier between us. "Marco? Tesoro, let me explain..."

"You don't owe me any explanations." I cringed at my splintering tone as footsteps echoed nearer, followed by Lorenzo's weight slumping heavily against the door separating us. "Sorry if I overstepped any boundaries--"

A wounded sound pierced through. "Overstepped how? You’ve done nothing wrong here...” Fabric shifted as he exhaled harshly. “I adore you, Marco.” My lungs seized as his quiet confession bled obvious longing. “Probably too quickly I shouldn’t have let this happen with everything else falling apart right now but I swear what Luca said didn’t matter--”

“Lorenzo...” I rasped, pulse hammering at this sudden glimpse behind his slick veneer. But uncertainty still needled despite fervent words. “What are you saying?” I hesitated. “That you want more than just last night?”

Silence swelled between us, doubt curling insidiously through my fragile hope.

Then, “I want everything with you.” Quiet conviction etched each word. “Everything real and terrifying my world doesn't allow - I know it’s madness this fast but you dismantle all my f*****g walls, Marco.” Fabric shifted nearer again. “Just let me inside so we can talk. Please.”

I wavered painfully on the knife edge of believing his pretty words or protecting myself from inevitable dismissal again...

Until the echo of something solid crashing loudly in the suite beyond propelled me across the cool tile. I wrenched open the door to find Lorenzo sprawled at my feet amidst the splintered ruins of an ornate lamp. He blinked up through the wreckage, chagrin and painful longing darkening his beloved face at once.

I moved without thought, grasping his handsome jaw and crashing my mouth desperately down on his.

Lorenzo surged up as our bodies collided, devouring my gasp of relief. Strong arms banded fiercely around my waist, hauling me tighter against hard muscle and inked skin as we clung to one another among debris.

“Want this - want you - “ I gasped raggedly between hungry kisses until Lorenzo maneuvered us up and stumbled toward an oversized couch without unlocking from my fervent lips.

We collapsed together in a desperate tangle just shy of another priceless furnishing. My fingers speared through Lorenzo’s inky mane, fisting ruthlessly as I claimed him with warring tongues and clacking teeth. I couldn’t get close enough with his burning body pinning mine deep into plush leather.

The sharp blare of Lorenzo’s ringtone cut through our passion-crazed haze once more. He pulled back just far enough for us to gulp air desperately, lips red and slick, pupils blown black with thwarted lust. The savagery in his gaze stole my breath anew - until the damned phone trilled again.

With a venomous snarl Lorenzo flung out a hand, sending the device sailing recklessly across marble to clatter mutedly somewhere out of sight. Chests heaving, we stared wildly at one another as lingering anger slowly banked to simmering desire again.

Lorenzo curved a palm along my jaw, calloused thumb tracing my kiss-swollen bottom lip almost reverently. “You drive me f*****g crazy, you know that?”

Despite ragged longing darkening his tone, sincerity blazed steady in Lorenzo’s tiger-eye stare too. Enough to ease the persistent doubts still needling my thawing veins. I leaned into his burning touch, dusting kisses to the center of his inked palm.

“Likewise,” I confessed roughly against salt-licked skin, heart galloping harder as molten amber bled through Lorenzo’s darkening gaze above me. “Even if this does complicate everything apparently...”

Regret dimmed his striking features before Lorenzo dragged me upright, molding our bodies flush from knees to chest. "You could never complicate things, Marco. If anything your sunlight is the one goddamned thing keeping me sane lately..."

He ventured another scorching kiss, scattering lingering misgivings further. I smiled against Lorenzo's talented lips, letting his ardor carry us back to familiar.