“Hiya Ren, I just wanted to hear your voice before I went to bed. Do I sound needy? Oh well, whatever. I love you. Call me tomorrow.”
Angelina didn’t think she’d be able to sleep, but, blessedly, when her head hit the pillow, she felt more relaxed than she’d anticipated, and sleep came easy. All the excitement and the security she felt in her parents’ home combined, lulled, and soothed.
****
Lorenzo stared at the sleeping woman who held his heart. It had taken some talking and a little begging to get past her parents, but he’d finally convinced them he had honorable intentions. Hell, he’d actually asked Angel’s father for permission to marry his daughter.
His lips twitched at the memory of her dad’s chest puffing out. He had no doubt Mr. Rugiero would have thrown him out of the house if he didn’t like what Lorenzo had to say. It was more than luck that had put the diamond ring in his pocket.
After he’d seen Ando off at the airport, he’d called a jeweler his father knew. It was easier than he’d ever thought to buy a ring that meant a lifelong commitment to one woman, as long as that woman was Angelina Rugiero. The other man had listened as Lorenzo described what he wanted, and, by the time he reached the shop, there were several trays with rings set out.
Not wanting to rush, Lorenzo had spent a few minutes on each tray, until he’d finally caught sight of the perfect ring. Without blinking an eye, he’d handed over his black Amex card, with a promise to bring Angelina in for a proper fit if the standard one didn’t work.
Staring down at the most beautiful woman in the world, he experienced his first twinge of doubt. She had just been almost engaged, and then beaten up, and now he wanted to ask her to marry him. What if she said no? He shook off the doubts.
He eased down onto the bed and brushed a lock of hair off her face to get a clear view of her bruised cheek. Rage threatened to choke him.
“Angel,” he whispered.
She smiled and murmured his name, rolling to her back. Her eyes blinked open and love shone brightly up at him.
“I thought I was dreaming.” Angel grabbed Lorenzo’s hand, placing it over her heart.
He bent his head and brushed his lips across her mouth, taking her lips in a soft, gentle kiss. “You’re my waking dream, Angel mine,” Lorenzo murmured against her jaw as he kissed his way across the fading bruise, taking care not to put any pressure on the area.
Angelina snaked her slim arms around his shoulders, trying to draw him down on top of her.
“Make love to me, Ren.”
Where he found the strength to pull back and remove her hands, he had no clue, when he wanted to do just what she asked. “There is nothing I’d like more than to climb into that bed with you.” He took a deep breath. “However, I like my balls attached to my body.”
“What are you talking about?” She seemed to realize where they were, and tried to scramble away. “Oh, crap! You need to leave. If my dad caught you here…”
Lorenzo laughed and stilled her frantic movements as she tried to push him off the bed. “Ssh. It’s okay, Angel. Your parents know I am here.”
Her eyes widened comically, making him laugh.
“What are you laughing at? It’s not every day that a man is in my childhood bedroom.” Angel crossed her arms over her breasts, pushing her cleavage up to an almost dangerous level.
Lorenzo’s gaze was drawn to the beautiful mounds. He wanted to trace them with his tongue, ached to find the hard tip with his lips. The images playing through his mind had him shifting to alleviate his erection.
“I’m the first for many things with you, my love.” He leaned down, caging her head between his hands. “I plan to be the last of even more.” Lorenzo swooped down to silence any more conversation, covering her mouth with his, promising to love with more than words.
He sat back up, flicked the lamp on, and pulled her with him.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m taking you home with me.”
The way she scrambled out of bed had him jumping to his feet. Angel racing around the room in a pair of tiny boy-short panties and matching tank top, had his cock jumping when she bent to pick up her discarded yoga pants.
The woman had the best ass in the world.
“Why are you still standing there? Help me find my shoes.” He loved it when she put her hands on her hips and demanded.
Her parents knew he planned to take her home with him. He’d agreed to let the bodyguard follow them, and even arranged to let the big man have a guest room on the far side of his home. Not that he didn’t think he could protect Angel, but it kept Mr. Rugiero from worrying. The man blamed his wife, but Lorenzo saw real fear etched on the older man’s face when he spoke of his daughter’s assault. If it got Angelina in his bed, he’d agree to almost anything. The fact it alleviated her parents’ doubts and got Lorenzo what he wanted, too? A win-win in his mind.