Page 78 of Lorenzo

My desire fuels his. And within moments he’s rocking against me. I can tell he’s using restraint, trying to prolong the experience

His free hand grasps my breast. Pinching my nipple so it hurts. Really hurts, not just a gentle pinch.

“Ouch!” I blurt by accident.

“Up to naming any colors?” he says.

Colors?

Now I remember. The safe word, pinkie.

“No colors.”

“Come for me,” he commands.

Needing no further encouragement, I explode in a spasm of pleasure.

A few moments later I feel Lorenzo climax with a powerful growl.

We stand together for a moment before he leads me back to the bench. Then he takes out a pack of moist towelettes. He uses a wet cloth on my inner thighs and a fresh one for my sex. Then he cleans himself.

When we’re dressed, his dark eyes meet mine.

“So we have an agreement?”

I nod.

“This time I was gentle. I can’t always promise that would be the case.”

“I will submit,” I say, meeting his eyes. “I will submit.”

CHAPTER 33

EMILY

Who said makeup was easy?

It’s my third attempt to apply cosmetics since I became Lorenzo’s wife.

All of the women in his family I’ve met so far are experts at this craft.

At the wedding, every woman had expertly applied eyeliner, eyeshadow, and blush. Their lipstick was such a vivid red you’d swear they were vampires who just feasted on fresh blood.

I’ve always been a no-cosmetics kind of girl, proud of my New England complexion. Pale unless a ruddy color from surviving one of our famous Nor’easter storms.

But now since I’ve lived in New York City, I must look frumpy. Like a tourist from what New Yorkers dismissively call a flyover state.

“Miss Emily, do you require any assistance?” says Ciro, after rapping on the closed bedroom door.

“No thanks,” I call out, turning the YouTube make-up tutorial on my iPad louder.

I get as far as lipstick primer when my phone rings. It’s Angie.

“Did I catch you at a bad time?” she asks.

“No. Well actually, yes. I’m trying to get ready for my lunch with Lorenzo. He warned me to look gorgeous.”

“You always look gorgeous,” says Angie. Then she pauses. “Well, gorgeous for Emily.