Chapter 2
Lorenzo didn't come home. The next day, he called me.
I sent him an address.
Soon, his confused voice came through the phone.
“Why a dress shop?”
I didn't explain, just hung up and continued trying on dresses.
In less than half an hour, Lorenzo rushed over.
He clearly hadn't slept all night, his face unshaven.
He looked slightly weary.
He sat on the leather sofa, drinking whiskey.
But his gaze remained locked on me.
No matter how much he'd resisted coming, the moment he saw me in a gown, something stirred deep within him.
“How do I look?”
“Not bad.”
I went to change into another gown, and Lorenzo went to freshen up at the sink.
I cast aside my usual style, choosing the most daring design in the entire shop.
A blood-red mermaid gown, daringly cut from my chest to my ankle.
I had put on sultry makeup, and the moment I pulled back the curtain, I met Lorenzo's gaze.
The man who had been looking for an excuse to leave now rushed toward me, all caution thrown to the wind.
This man, usually so gentle and refined, now curled his finger with the confidence of someone who knew exactly how to conquer a woman's heart.
“You're a little different today.”
Lorenzo's Adam's apple bobbed.
The desire in the depths of his eyes told me he wanted to devour me completely.
His kisses were restrained, questioning, as they fell upon my lips again and again.
I pressed my hands against his chest.
“Your stubble is scratching me.”
“Do you like it?”
He leaned in again. “Much more than those pristine white gowns, I prefer you in this.”
I looked down and smiled softly.
He thought I was being shy.
In truth, I was calculating just which woman had tried on a gown for him at night.
Apparently, it had happened more than once.
So much so that he had grown tiresome of it.
I pressed my hands on his shoulders. “Since you love it so much, why don't we get married?”
At my words, his expression shifted instantly.
He stared into my eyes in disbelief.
I watched as all the desire drained out of him, and he took several steps back.
“The family business is expanding over the next two years. Getting married now would interfere with our growth.”
In an instant, the fierce beast had turned into a timid rabbit.
The phrase “suave scoundrel” could have been invented just for Lorenzo.
A perfect fit.
Lorenzo pulled a black card from his wallet. “We'll take this dress.”
“Of course, sir. You have excellent taste.”
Little did Lorenzo know that in three days, I would wear this very dress to marry another man."