Racing For Love

Chapter Nine

Lorenzo places the food down on the desk area of my small room, smiling across at me as he does so. My nerves have not abated as I realise that i've let Lorenzo into my room, complicit to whatever happens next as my resolve to keep my distance from him weakens. I find myself wanting something more than just the flirting that has been going back and forth between us for the last few months and this scares me. "Lorenzo, I don't know if I can do this" I blurt out, my earlier bravado gone because I don't want a lapse in judgment to jeopardise everything else I've got going on at Bianchi.

"What could you mean, Miss Annie? I am just here to feed you, nothing more. Nothing more unless that's what you want..." his eyes dark as he looks at me, and then back to the food, "the chef, he says you must put these...sprinkles on top, and just before you eat, otherwise the texture will be ruined" he offers me a small tub and stands close, the smell of the food mixing with his aftershave in a heady combination as my lips part subconsciously and I look up at him. "Thank you" I manage, unable to break my gaze as I try to take the tub, our fingers touching and wrapping around each other.

We move closer as his head dips and he softly presses his lips against mine, and I give in to the feeling, kissing him back - I can taste red wine as the kiss deepens, his tongue poking into my mouth, exploring, hungry for more. I reach around him, pulling his chest closer as his free hand snakes up my side and underneath the thin layer of my t-shirt, finding the lace edge of my bra. His lips pull away from mine as his mouth explores my neck, kissing softly as his fingers start to pull at the cup of my bra, freeing my nipple from the fabric and making me gasp.

I pull away, taking the tub from him, panting quickly as I try and catch my breath.
"I'm sorry signora" Lorenzo looks down, "I just couldn't resist those lips." He looks chastened, and I see him surreptitiously adjust his trousers, the outline of a bulge still visible, my face flushing at his clear arousal. "Don't apologise, Lorenzo - I kissed you too. Sorry, I just have so much going on at the moment -"

"Yes. I was there today when the press asked about Jono's mystery woman - I saw the photo and noticed it was you. I felt a little jealous until Jono explained what had happened"

"There's that, but also my job, Lorenzo. I need this season to go well for me, and I can't risk any more drama at the moment" my hands tightly gripping the table behind me to stop me going over to him - it's taking all my strength not to give in to these feelings I have for him.

"I understand. Enjoy your dinner, maybe we will do this again soon." He bent down, and placed light kisses on both my cheeks before leaving the room. "I still want to take you out properly, Miss Annie, but only when you're ready" the door closing behind him and leaving me alone to replay what had just happened. I readjust my clothes, and run my hands through my hair. I'm playing a dangerous game here, and I needed to remember that. I can't let my heart rule over my head...

I sniffed at the delicious food and decided that I needed to eat before I made any other decisions, putting the "sprinkles" over the top before taking my first bite. The food was amazing, but I couldn't help wonder what it would have tasted like if I'd been eating it with Lorenzo opposite me instead of alone.