To Be Yours Again-Chapter 203 My pleasure
Danica holds up the little dragon, a lantern in the darkness as they lie in bed.
“Thank you,” she whispers. “For today. For yesterday. For this.”
“It’s my pleasure, Danica,” Lorenzo responds. “I’ve had a wonderful day.”
“I did, too. I don’t want it to end. This has been the very best day.”
Lorenzo strokes her cheek with his index finger. “The very best day. I’m glad I got to spend it with you. You really are lovely.”
She swallows, glad that the fading light will hide her blush. “I’m not sore anymore,” she whispers.
Lorenzo stills, his eyes searching hers.
“Oh, baby,” he says and suddenly his mouth swoops down on hers.
*************
*LORENZO*
It’s after midnight, and Danica dozes beside me. I must tell her about who I am.
Heir to Moretti Empire.
Fuck.
She deserves to know. I rub my face.
Why am I so reluctant to come clean?
Because I don’t know how she feels about me.
And also, apart from my title, there’s the small matter of my wealth.
My mother’s suspicious nature has left its mark.
Women will only want you for your wealth, Lorenzo. Remember that. God.
She always said that to me since I was a freaking teenager.
Gently, in order not to wake her, I lift a strand of Danica’s hair and wind it around my finger. She was reluctant to let me buy her clothes, reluctant when she has nothing. She doesn’t want me to buy her a phone, and she always chooses the cheapest item on the menu. This is not the modus operandi of a gold digger.
Is it?
And the other day she said that I have no rivals. I think she cares for me. If she does, I wish she’d tell me. It would make this so much easier. She’s talented, bright, and brave, and eager. I smile thinking about her carnal appreciation. Yes. Eager. I lean over and kiss her hair.
“I love you, Danica,” I whisper, and I lay my head on my pillow and gaze at her...this beguiling woman. My beautiful, precious girl.
I’m woken by my phone. It’s morning, and too bloody early judging by the dim light seeping through the space between the blinds.
Danica is wrapped around me as I reach across and pick up my phone. It’s Mrs. Becca, my neighbor back in town.
Why the hell is she calling me?
“Hello, Mrs. Becca. Is everything all right?” My voice is low so I don’t wake Danica.
“Ah, Lorenzo. There you are. I am sorry to call you so early, but I think you’ve been burgled.”
“What?” A chill sweeps across my skin as every hair on my body stands to attention, and suddenly I’m fully awake. I run my fingernails over my scalp.
Burgled? How? When?
My mind and heart are racing.
“Yes. I was taking Heracles for a morning walk. I do so love a walk beside the river early in the morning, whatever the weather. It’s so quiet and restful.”
I roll my eyes. Get on with it, Mrs. B.
“Your front door is open. It may have been open for a few days. I don’t know. But I thought it odd. So today I had a peek inside, and of course you’re not there.”
Did I lock the flat in my panic to leave and go search for Danica?
I can’t remember.
“I’m afraid the place is a frightful mess.”
Fuck.
“I was going to call the police, but I thought I’d call you instead, dear.”
“Well. Thank you. I appreciate it. I’ll deal with this.”
“I am so sorry to be the bearer of bad news.”
“It’s okay, Mrs. B. Thank you.” I hang up.
Shit!
What have the fuckers stolen? I don’t have much, all the important stuff is in the safe. I hope they haven’t found that.
Fuck!
What a fucking nuisance. I may have to go back to town, and I don’t want to go. I’m having way too much fun with Danica. I sit up in bed and look down at her. She’s blinking up at me sleepily, and I give her a reassuring smile.
“I’ve got to make a call.” I don’t want to worry her with these details, so I get up, wrap the throw around my waist, and head into the spare room with my phone.
I call Dante as I pace the floor.
Why didn’t the alarm go off?
Did I set it? Shit! I left in such a rush. I don’t know.
“Sir.” He’s surprised to hear from me. “Everything okay?”
“Good morning. My neighbor’s just called me. She says I’ve been burgled.”
“Oh, shit.”
“Precisely.”
“I’ll get around there right away. Shouldn’t take me more than fifteen minutes at this time.”
“Great. I’ll ring you back in about twenty.”
I hang up. My mood has nosedived, and I start to think about what I’d really miss if it was taken. My cameras. My decks. My computer...
Shit! My precious cameras!
What a fucking pain in the arse this is, some fucking lowlife addict or maybe some feral teenage kids wrecking my place.
Damn it!
I had plans to spend the day with Danica, maybe go down to the Eden Project. Well, I might still be able to do so, but I need to assess the damage, and I don’t want to do it from my phone. If I FaceTime Dante from the iPad up at the mansion, I’ll get a better view; he can show me via his phone what’s happened.
Feeling fucked off and with a heavy heart, I head back into the bedroom, where Danica is still in bed.
“What is wrong?” she asks, sitting up, her hair falling over her breasts. She looks rumpled and sexy and eminently fuckable.
The sight of her is a balm that immediately makes me feel better. But, sadly, I’ll have to leave her for a short while. I don’t want to burden her with this news. She’s had enough to deal with over the last few weeks.
“I’ve got to pop out and take care of something. We may even have to go back to town. But you stay in bed. Sleep. I know you’re tired. I’ll be back soon.” She pulls the quilt up, her brow furrowed in concern. I give her a swift kiss and go grab a shower.
When I come out of the bathroom, she’s gone. I dress quickly in jeans and a white shirt. I find her downstairs in the kitchen, wearing only my pajama top and clearing up our dishes from the night before. She hands me a cup of espresso.
“To wake you up,” she says with an adoring smile, though her eyes are wide, wary. She’s anxious.
I swallow it down. It’s hot, strong, and delicious. A little like Danica.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be back before you know it.” I kiss her once more, grab my coat, and I’m out the door, dodging the raindrops and bolting up the steps. I climb into the car and speed off along the lane.
