Chapter 8
When I see the tall, thin blonde in designer clothes grab Lorenzo by the neck, I’ll admit—I don’t like it.
A wave of anger washes over me, directed at both of them.
I want to march over there, slap him, and tell her to leave and never come back.
Lorenzo heads into the office with the woman, and I’ll admit I’m dying to know what’s happening in there.
But they come out soon enough, and he tells me to wait for him in the office.
I go without hesitation. I don’t want to see him with that woman in front of me for one more second.
He walks into the office and looks me up and down.
“Who gave you permission to go to the beach?”
“I didn’t realize I was your prisoner, that I needed permission to go to the beach.”
“Are you wearing a bikini under that cover-up?” His eyes roam over my body, hungry.
“Yes.”
“Take it off,” he says abruptly.
“What?” I ask, incredulous.
“Take off the cover-up.”
“Why?”
“Because I said so!” He shoves the chair between us aside, agitated.
“I’m not taking it off.” I cross my arms. Lorenzo walks up to me and grabs the collar of my cover-up, which opens in the front. He tugs it down over my shoulders and arms.
He moves in close and breathes in the scent of my shoulder and neck.
“I love your scent.”
“Get away from me,” I say.
Lorenzo tugs at my cover-up and steps back, pulling it off my shoulders. He circles around me and stops behind me.
“Are you out of your mind? You want me to kill every guy at the beach? A thong bikini, Lola. No way—you’re taking that off.”
“I don’t have any other bikinis.”
“Then buy some. You’re not leaving here like that.”
I push him gently, my heart racing. I take a deep breath, faking a calm I’m nowhere near feeling. He steps back, running his hands through his hair, and my eyes go straight to the bulge in his pants. Embarrassed, I slip the cover-up back on and close it like a dress.
“I’m going to the beach. I promised Sofia I’d take her to see the ocean, and your sister’s coming with us.”
“You’re not going anywhere in that thing, riding up on you like that. Your whole ass is on display.”
“You don’t control me, Lorenzo.”
“Yes, I do. You know what? I’m coming with you. That way I can keep an eye on you and gouge out the eyes of anyone who dares look at you.”
“That’s such an exaggeration. I can take care of myself.”
“Exaggeration or not, I’m coming with you.”
I storm out of the office, and he follows me, heading straight to his room. His attitude irritates me, but it also gives me a certain satisfaction. What’s with all this concern for me, for my body? He seems jealous.
He comes down soon after wearing shorts that don’t suit him at all. I want to laugh but hold it in as we head to the beach.
As soon as we arrive, we pick a more secluded spot. Lorenzo rents some chairs, and we sit down together.
Sofia and Sara head into the water. He looks at me.
“Aren’t you going in the water?”
“Not right now.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t feel like it. What, are you going to force me into the ocean too?”
“Lola, you don’t have to be so defensive with me. I only want what’s best for you.”
I stare at him and feel a twinge between my legs. Lorenzo is incredibly handsome with a gorgeous body. He’s tall, dark-haired, with broad shoulders. His muscles strain against his shirt, and he must have abs that would take your breath away under those clothes. His legs are thick and sculpted.
His slightly wavy brown hair and full, well-trimmed beard frame a chiseled jawline with striking features. To top it off, he has a captivating gaze that radiates self-confidence and charm. That cocky half-smile of his drives me crazy.
Remembering him hard and staring at me gives me a sense of power I enjoy. The blonde flashes through my mind. I ask, gazing at the ocean:
“Who is she?”
“Who?” He looks into my eyes.
“The blonde. At your house today.”
He presses his lips together, thinking for a moment.
“That’s Veronica, my ex-fiancée.”
“Why did you two break up?”
“She broke up with me and left with another man. She cheated on me.”
“Are you sure she cheated?”
“I don’t have proof, but I believe so. Whoever told me knew exactly what they were talking about.”
“Hmm, but are you going to let her into the mansion again?”
“She’ll always try to get back in, but not if I have anything to say about it. And if she does manage to, she’ll find exactly what she’s looking for.”
“There’s no going back?”
“No.”
“Are you sure? She’s a beautiful, interesting woman. Don’t you miss her? Don’t you want her?”
He looks into my eyes, his gaze serious.
“The only woman I want in this world doesn’t want me. She’s the one I want to lose myself in, without holding back.”
I choke up, getting to my feet and holding myself together so it doesn’t show how much this affects me. I look at him and feel the urge to know what kissing him would be like. Even behind the dark sunglasses he just put on, I can feel his eyes watching me. When I walk away, he stares at my ass.
At the end of the day, we head back to the mansion. When we arrive, there’s a young man standing in front of the house. When he sees us, he extends his hand, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Sir, I’m here for the gardener position. My name is Mike.”
“Pleasure, Mike. Follow me.”
The young man leaves with Lorenzo. I watch them go, then head upstairs to my room with Sofia and Sara. I hop in the shower feeling cheerful, get dressed, and linger there for a bit.
Weeks later...
I walk through the garden, taking in how the new gardener has transformed the mansion’s grounds.
I stop at the rose bed. They’re all in full bloom, bursting with color.
I hear a voice behind me.
“Can I help you? Mike, at your service.”
I jump, bringing my hand to my chest, and smile.
“You scared me. I don’t need anything—I’m just admiring the roses. They’re beautiful.”
“Have you seen the orchids yet?”
“No, I didn’t even know there were orchids here.”
“You don’t know there’s an orchid house here?”
“No.”
“Come with me, I’ll show you.”
I follow Mike to a part of the house I’ve never been to before. Further back, there’s a structure made of rustic wood and glass with large doors. It’s a beautiful greenhouse, and the flowers seem to shimmer in the sun.
We go inside and I’m enchanted. There are so many orchids in different colors—I’m amazed. There’s a white one with purple spots, and I feel myself getting emotional. Mike looks at me.
“What’s wrong? Please don’t cry or Don Lorenzo will kill me. He’ll think I did something to you.”
“No, Mike, I’m just emotional. My mother had an orchid like this one at home. She left, and the orchid died. I guess we didn’t know how to take care of it.”
“Hmm.” He goes to a fenced area on the side and picks up a small pot—one the same color, just smaller. “Here, take this as a gift. Put it in your room.”
“I don’t know how to take care of it.”
“It’s simple. It needs soft, indirect light and a moderate temperature.
Water it once a week. If you notice it’s dry, mist it to add some moisture.
Keep it somewhere ventilated, but not in a direct draft—like near a window.
Every two weeks, fertilize it with a specific fertilizer. Just ask me and I’ll give you some.”
“Okay. I’ll try.”
“If you need anything, I’m here.”
“Thank you.”
“What’s your name?”
“Lola.”
“Well then, there you go. Take good care of it, Lola.”
“Okay, I will.”
I leave carrying the flower and head to my room.