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“That view is what sold me on the house.” Before I could even turn around, Lorenzo had already moved swiftly across the room, his footsteps silent on the wooden floor.

“I can see why.”

He gently swept my hair over my shoulder, the strands slipping like silk between his fingers, before leaning in to place tender, lingering kisses on my bare neck. His breath caressed my skin, as each kiss seemed to ignite a delicate spark, leaving a trail of tingling warmth in its wake.

“You took my breath away from the very first day.” He whispered, the sincerity of his words stronger than ever. He meant it every single one.

"You hid that well," I said, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t even truly let myself see you. I was too blinded by revenge to see what was right in front of me, and I regret that.” He sighed, resting his chin in the crook of my neck. “Please, forgive me.”

“I don’t agree with what you did, Lorenzo. I can’t deny that, but I know you went through some shitty things, and believe it or not, I understand the need you had.” I turned to face him ashe wrapped his arms around my waist. “If you want to sever the alliance with my father, then I support that. I will stand by your side as your wife should, but I will not support your desire to kill him. I can’t stand here and say my father and I have a good relationship, because we don’t, but you need to hear his side of the story before you decide anything else.”

“Fuck,” he groaned, resting his forehead on mine. “I know I do. I just?—”

“You just worry that he’s not the man you thought he was, right? You don’t want to think he could have betrayed the man he called his best friend, do you?” I cupped his face, letting my thumb brush over his scar.

“I already know he was no saint. He was far from it. I guess I just don’t want to hear it from someone else.” He closed his eyes for a second, as if he wanted to erase the thoughts from his mind. “I will hear what Victor has to say, but not right now. Now is about earning your forgiveness, and to show you that I deserve it.”

“I better make you work for it then.”

“I’ll beg on my knees, if that’s what my wife wants.” He rasped, his arms tightening around me.

“I’ve already had you on your knees once today, and I plan on seeing you on them later, but for now I have another idea.”

“Name it. I’m good with whatever.” His eyes lit up as he spoke, enjoying the moment rather than dwelling on the past.

“Let’s go swimming.”

25

I stoodon the stone patio, captivated by the sight of my wife gracefully descending the steps into the shimmering pool. Each step she took was a dance, her hips swaying with an entrancing rhythm that held my gaze. Her hair flowed down her back in soft waves ending just above the delicate ties of her barely-there bikini. The tiny garment clung to her body, the thin fabric offering little disguise for the way her nipples responded, tightening against the cool embrace of the water as it slowly enveloped her body.

Holy fuck, she was a vision.

I stalked her every move, my gaze relentless as I thought of ripping that bikini off her body and claiming every inch of her on the edge of the pool. The water lapped around her waist before she submerged herself completely, all of her disappearing beneath the surface.

When she came back up, droplets clung to her skin, highlighting the curves of her breasts. Shaking her hair back, her piercing blue eyes locked onto mine with a challenge in her gaze. “Aren’t you going to join your wife?” She smiled with playful innocence as droplets trickled past her lips.

I peeled off my shirt as her eyes dropped slightly, breathing me in. “My eyes are up here, you know?” I chuckled.

“I know where your eyes are, but right now, I’m not interested in those.” She winked, and I had to admit, it felt good to have her back. I missed her banter and witty comebacks. No matter how much I expressed that I hated the way she spoke to me, or the way she acted, I never truly did. I used to silently and secretly love it. I could easily go as far as saying that it was the best part of my day.

I stepped into the pool as the water cooled my heated skin. She watched me approach, never tearing her gaze from me. Her breath quickened as I closed the distance between us, commanding her attention.

I never understood what people meant when they said they were drawn to someone. It never made any sense to me. That was, until now.

Seeing my wife standing in the glistening water as the sun reflected around her caused something to stir within me, something different and new, something I wanted to feel for the rest of my life. I didn’t just want it. Ineededit.

“I think you might be trying to put me into an early grave.” I pointed out, my voice breaking the silence.

“It wouldn’t be the first time, would it?”

I gripped her hips, pulling her flush against me as the water swirled around us. “No, it wouldn’t, although I can’t say I truly minded all the times you’ve tried.” I brushed my thumb across her lower lip, removing the droplets that clung to her skin. “Fuck, you’re so beautiful.”

“I bet you never thought you’d compliment me, did you?” she whispered, before pressing a kiss against the pad of my thumb.

“I’ve done many things recently that I never thought I’d do.” I cupped her ass as she let out a squeal of delight.