Page 242 of Lorenzo

It takes a few minutes for us to come back to ourselves, for the world to stop spinning and our breathing to return to something close to normal. Lorenzo finally lifts himself onto his elbows, looking down at me with a tenderness that makes my chest ache.

"You're going to be the death of me, Donatella Costa," he murmurs. He brushes a sweat-dampened strand of hair away from my face.

"But you love me anyway?" I say, reaching up to trace the line of his jaw, feeling the rough stubble under my fingertips. He's so handsome, so strong, and he's all mine.

He leans into my touch, closing his eyes for a second. "I do," he whispers, the words barely audible. "More than you'll ever know."

He captures my hand in his, bringing it to his lips and kissing my palm, his eyes never leaving mine.

The look in his eyes is so intense, so full of love and desire, it takes my breath away. It's a look I've seen before, but it never fails to send a thrill through me.

To be loved like this, so completely, so unconditionally, by a man like Lorenzo...

It's more than I ever thought I'd have, more than I ever thought I deserved.

I never thought I'd find someone who saw past the tough exterior, the sarcasm, the control issues, and saw the real me. The me I rarely let anyone see.

Lorenzo does.

He sees everything. And he loves me anyway.

He shifts slightly, and the movement reminds me that he's still inside me. I clamp down around him, and he groans, his eyes fluttering shut.

"Donna," he warns. "Don't start something you're not ready to finish."

"I'm always ready," I say with a smirk. "Are you?"

His eyes fly open, a dangerous glint in them. "Never doubt it." He kisses me hard, giving me ideas... "But we have to go to Mario's soon."

I flop back and groan. "Right. Family dinner."

I know I shouldn't be annoyed. Mario's family dinner is where we are going to finalize the plan to draw Marcello out.

But after what just happened...

I want more of this.

I want more of him.

He chuckles. "Don't sound so enthusiastic."

"Normally, I would have no problem with it. In fact, I love me a good strategy session. But tonight..." I trace patterns on his chest with my fingers.

"I know," he murmurs, nuzzling my neck. "Me too. But it’s important.”

I sigh. “I know.”

He kisses me again, soft and sweet, a lingering touch of lips that leaves me wanting more.

“Besides,” he says slyly, pulling back slightly. “I’m looking forward to watching you spar with my brother." He smirks. "I always enjoy watching the two most stubborn people I know try to one-up each other."

I snort. "Spoken as if he's not one of the most stubborn people he knows," I say to an imaginary third person in the room. Then, I look at him. "At least I have the decency to be right when I'm being stubborn."

"He's my older brother. He's never wrong," Lorenzo says with a straight face, though I can see the amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Right," I say sarcastically. "And you're the humble, obedient younger brother who always does what he's told."

"I am a model of filial devotion."