Steamy Brews and Sinful Desires

Chapter 4: The Unveiling Continues

*Italics and bold indicates speech in Italian

Lorenzo stole glances at Mia as he drove, his hands gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly. She sat quietly beside him, her head leaning against the window. The exhaustion was evident in the way her eyelids fluttered, struggling to stay open. She was fighting sleep, but her body was betraying her.

He felt something stir inside him as he watched her. Something protective. Possessive. He hadn't felt this way before, not with any other woman. Women in the past had been there for brief pleasure, nothing more. They would flaunt their looks, eager to please him, knowing he demanded nothing less. But with Mia, it was different.

Her softness, her kindness—it was more than just physical attraction. He was smitten, falling for her heart as much as her beauty. There was something about her that stirred the beast within him, yet at the same time, he knew she could calm it. She was the only one who ever could. And he wasn't going to let her go. Not after tonight. Not after seeing how close she had come to danger.

His mind drifted back to the first time he had laid eyes on her. It had been a little over three months ago, and he'd been passing by her café by chance. He hadn't even planned to stop, but something—someone—had caught his attention. Mia had been helping the courier unload a truck full of milk and other baking ingredients. She had on light blue jeans that hugged her perfectly, and a soft white blouse that made her look effortlessly beautiful. Her hair had been tied up, a few strands falling loose, framing her face. But it was her smile that had captivated him the most—warm, genuine. It had almost made him smile.

He hadn't been able to look away. From that moment, he knew he wanted to know more about her. At first, he could lie to himself, saying it was just for the coffee—the best in town, though not the only reason he kept coming back. For months, he'd steal glances from the back of the café, watching her interact with her staff, her laughter infectious, her energy radiating warmth. She never saw him. Not until that one day when their eyes had met for the first time. That's when he knew—she was his. Whether she realized it or not.

As he glanced over at her again, her breathing had softened, her head gently resting against the seat as she finally let sleep take her. He felt an overwhelming urge to reach out, to touch her hand, to assure her that she was safe now. That he would protect her. But he restrained himself. He needed her trust. And that would take time. Time he was willing to give because she wasn't like the others. She was the one who could change everything for him.

Lorenzo's jaw tightened as he thought about the danger she had faced tonight. He would make sure nothing like that ever happened again. No one would come near her. Not as long as he was around.

Mia stirred in her sleep, her hand brushing against his arm. He felt a spark at the contact, his heart pounding harder in his chest. He knew it then—he needed her. More than anything.

As they pulled up to her house, Mia's eyes fluttered open. She blinked, trying to shake the grogginess from her mind, but one question immediately hit her: How did he know where I live? She glanced at Lorenzo, catching him staring at her intently.

"Mia, baby," he said softly, his voice dripping with sincerity, "I am truly sorry for what you witnessed tonight. Please know I would never put you in danger."

Mia stayed silent, studying his face. The streetlights danced across his sharp features, making him look both dangerous and alluring. Her heart betrayed her for a moment—God, he's beautiful. But the thought of what had just happened lingered in her mind like a dark cloud, reminding her of the brutal reality that followed him.

"Lorenzo," she whispered, her voice laced with conflict, "my father ran from this life to protect me. I can't be a part of it."

Her words seemed to hit him harder than she expected. She saw the flicker of hurt in his eyes before he quickly masked it. Lorenzo was a man who wasn't used to hearing the word "no," especially not from someone like her. But he also wasn't about to give up easily.

"I promise you," he said, his voice firm but gentle, "nothing will ever happen to you, baby. You need to trust me. I will protect you." His tone held a conviction that made her want to believe him, but she couldn't ignore the nagging feeling of danger that clung to him.

Mia took a deep breath, struggling with the pull between her heart and her mind. "If you had not walked into my life, Lorenzo... would we be here?"

Lorenzo's jaw tightened as he leaned closer, knowing full well what she was doing—trying to push him away. And she had every right to. But he wasn't going anywhere.

"Mia," he said, his voice dropping an octave, "I've just started breaking through that wall you've built, and I'm not stopping until I get what I want."

Taken aback, Mia stiffened, her eyes locking onto his. "I am not yours, Lorenzo."

His lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile as he whispered, "You may not be mine, my love... but I am yours."

Her heart skipped a beat. She barely knew this man, yet it felt like he was professing something far deeper than she was ready to comprehend. The intensity of his words left her breathless, and she couldn't deny the pull she felt towards him.

"Lorenzo, I don't know you, and you don't know me," she said, her voice wavering.

"I want to know you," he responded, his fingers gently tracing the outline of her cheek, down to her neck, and towards the top of her breasts. "Every part of you."

Her breath hitched as his hand hovered near her breasts, their faces just inches apart, and the air in the car became heavy, almost suffocating with tension. Mia was too exhausted, too overwhelmed to fight it. Her mind screamed at her to pull away, but her body refused to listen.

Lorenzo leaned closer, his lips barely brushing hers, but instead of kissing her, he moved to her ear, his voice a low growl. "You will be mine, and I'll remind you every night when I get a taste of the ache between your legs."

Heat rushed through her, clouding her thoughts. Just as quickly, he pulled back, the intensity of the moment lingering like a thick fog.

"Go inside, clean up, and take tomorrow off," he instructed, his voice calm and authoritative. "I'll check on you tomorrow morning."

Mia blinked, trying to comprehend what had just happened. One moment, she was fighting to keep her distance, and the next, she was wrapped up in his overwhelming presence. She stepped out of the car, her body still buzzing from their almost-kiss, and took her keys from his hand.

As she turned toward her front door, Lorenzo grabbed her arm gently, spinning her back around. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead, sending shivers down her spine.

"Goodnight, little bunny," he murmured before walking away, leaving her standing there, dazed.

Mia watched as he disappeared into a black SUV she hadn't noticed before. Another man stepped out and opened the door for him, and within moments, the car sped off into the night.

She stood there for a few moments longer, her mind racing. What the hell just happened?

She wasn't sure if she should be angry, scared, or... intrigued. But one thing was certain—Lorenzo had just made her life infinitely more complicated.

And for now, I leave you with the above 🤍 I am so freaking excited to put out chapters, keep your notifications on and know that I will have you all craving more 😉