CHAPTER 197: CHAPTER 197 WITHOUT SUGAR

Danica laid in the afterglow of their lovemaking.

Lorenzo had his head on her stomach, his arms around her, as she ran her fingers idly through his hair. She loved the feel of his hair beneath her fingers.

She never thought that the sexual act could be so pleasurable.

The books she had read really didn’t dive into the sexual act of a man and a woman. Those kind of books were surely not allowed at the orphanage.

So experiencing all these with Lorenzo was all so new and so all-consuming.

Lorenzo never hesitates to hold her hand or kiss her in public. And he talked to her. When had she ever sat for an evening and had a proper conversation with a man?

She had been scared of men ever since that incident with Julio.

But how, she was certain Lorenzo was different.

She glanced at the little light-up dragon on the nightstand, a beacon in the darkness. He bought this for her because he knew she was scared of the dark. He brought her here to protect her. He cooked for her. He bought her clothes. He made love to her....

Tears prick the corners of her eyes, and her heart overflowed with uncertainty and longing, burning her throat with unspoken emotion.

She loves him.

Her fingers tighten in his hair as she was overwhelmed by her feelings for him.

He had been so patient with her, so understanding, so kind.

Oh. My heart is yours, Lorenzo.

And he was shocked that she thought he might hurt her. Her hand went automatically and instinctively to her cheek; even if she had greatly fought against Julio that day, he had dealt slaps and punches on her face.

She ran her fingers over Lorenzo’s shoulder and traced the outline of his tattoo. She wanted to know him better.

Perhaps she should ask him more questions. He was evasive about his job.

Maybe he had many? She shook her head. It was not her place to question him.

For now she will enjoy the little bubble that they share together in this village.

Lorenzo nuzzles her belly and kisses it, distracting Danica from her unsettling thoughts. He looks up at her, his eyes a vibrant emerald in the soft glow from the little dragon. “Stay with me,” he says.

She smooths his hair off his forehead and frowns. “I am staying with you.”

“Good,” he says, and he kisses her belly again, but his time his mouth moves lower...and lower.

*************

I open my eyes as early-morning light seeps through the gaps in the blinds. I’m wrapped around Danica. My head on her chest, my arm around her waist. The warmth and sweet smell of her skin invades my senses, and my body rises to greet her.

Gently I nuzzle her neck, leaving drowsy kisses at her throat.

She rouses, her eyelids fluttering open.

“Good morning, princess,” I whisper.

She smiles, a sleepy, sated look on her face. “Good morning...Lorenzo.” Her tone is tender, and I think I hear her love in the way she says my name. Or maybe I’m imagining it because I want to hear it.

There. I want her love.

All of it.

I’m prepared to admit it to myself.

But can I admit it to her?

The whole day extends before us, open and free, and I’m with her. “Let’s spend the day in bed.” My voice is husky with sleep.

Her fingers skim my chin. “Are you tired?” I grin. “No...”

“Oh,” she says, and her smile mirrors mine.

*************

His tongue. His mouth. What he does to her. Danica is lost in a storm of sensation.

Her hands tighten on his wrists as she hangs on a precipice. She’s close. So close.

He teases her again and again with his able tongue and gradually eases a finger inside her, and she falls, her orgasm ripping through her as she cries out.

Lorenzo kisses her belly, her breasts, as he inches up her body and stills above her.

“That is a fantastic sound,” he whispers, and he rolls on a condom and oh, so slowly sinks into her.

***************

*LORENZO*

When I return from the bathroom, her side of the bed is empty.

Oh.

The disappointment is real. I’m ready for more. I don’t ever think I’ll have enough of Danica.

Judging by the gray light seeping into the room, it must be midmorning. And it’s raining. I raise the blinds, and then I hear her, so I scramble back into bed. Crockery rattling, she enters the bedroom. She’s wearing my pajama top and carrying breakfast on a tray.

“Good morning again,” she says with a radiant smile, her hair flowing down over her shoulders.

“Well, hello, coffee!” The aroma is mouthwatering. I love proper coffee. I sit up, and she places the tray on my lap. Eggs. Coffee. Toast.

“This is a treat.”

“You said you wanted to stay in bed.” She climbs in beside me and steals a piece of buttered toast.

“Here.” I scoop up some scrambled eggs on a fork and offer it to her. She opens her mouth, and I feed her.

“Mmm...” she says, and closes her eyes in appreciation. My dick rouses at the sight.

Steady. Let’s eat first.

The eggs are amazing. She’s added feta cheese, I think. “This is heaven on a plate, Danica!”

Her cheeks pink, and she takes a sip of coffee. “I wanted to play some music.”

“On the piano?”

“No...I mean, to listen.”

“Oh. You need a phone. Here.” I reach over and grab my iPhone.

I really must get her a phone.

“This is the code.” I punch in my security code to unlock it. “And I use this app. Sonos. You can have music anywhere in the house.” I hand it to her.

She starts flicking through the app. “You have so much music.” “I like music.”

She shoots me a quick smile. “Me, too.”

I take a sip of coffee.

Ugh!

“How much sugar did you put in this?” I splutter.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot you don’t like sugar.” And she screws up her face, and I think it’s because she cannot contemplate coffee without sugar.

“Is this how you drink it?”