Game of Love and Deception: The Billionaire's Ex Wife
Chapter 61: It’s late

Chapter 61: It’s late

Ashley’s eyes darted in confusion as Lorenzo’s car turned away from the road leading to her house.

She glanced at him. "Where are we going?"

"Relax," he said, casting her a quick glance before focusing back on the road. "I want to show you something."

They drove on until the pavement faded, replaced by narrow, uneven paths. Towering trees rose around them, and the golden evening sun filtered through the branches like soft clouds. The surroundings grew quieter, more secluded. Ashley’s heart started to thump.

Were they entering the woods?

Her body tensed.

She looked at Lorenzo again, calm and unreadable behind the wheel. Could this be a kidnap? Her stomach twisted.

"Tell me where we’re going right now or I’m not getting out of this car," she warned as the vehicle rolled to a slow stop.

Lorenzo sighed and stepped out, circling to the passenger side where she sat, already bracing herself in case she had to fight.

"Since your grandparents are away, I figured you wouldn’t be rushing home," he said, leaning in through the open glass.

Ashley blinked. How did he know that? Michelle had traveled earlier today... Did she tell his mom? Or did she tell him?

"So," Lorenzo continued, "I brought you here to give you an eventful evening before I finally drop you off."

Eventful? Ashley glanced around at the dense trees and creeping cold. How could being in the bush at dusk be anything close to eventful?

Lorenzo opened the door fully and stretched out a hand. "Just trust me."

Ashley looked at his large palm. "Trust you?"

"Yes, cookie. Trust me."

She took in a deep breath of the crisp air, then stepped out—ignoring his outstretched hand. There was no way she was putting her trust in a man who just drove her into the middle of nowhere. Especially not this particular man.

Lorenzo slowly dropped his hand, then brushed it off on his white shirt with exaggerated sarcasm.

"Thanks for the trust. It really warms my heart," he said, dryly. He rolled up his sleeves, revealing more tattoos and those veins that always made Ashley’s stomach flutter.

She swallowed hard. How does he always manage to look so good without much as an effort?

Lorenzo leaned into the car again and pulled out his suit jacket, draping it over her shoulders. Then he looked at her. "Ready?"

Of course she wasn’t. Something about this didn’t sit right. Alone with him, in the woods? Every warning bell was ringing. Still, like a zombie, she nodded.

It was hard to walk through the grass in her heels, and Lorenzo noticed.

"I could carry you..." he began.

"Nope." Ashley cut him off before he could finish.

Holding hands with him was already doing too much to her senses. His scent—like some minted drenched earth was all around her, especially with his jacket draped over her shoulders. She felt drunk on it.

But it didn’t take long before her heel caught on a shred of wood. She stumbled, tumbling forward, but Lorenzo caught her by the waist before she could hit the ground.

Ashley panted, heart racing. Not from the near fall—but because of how dangerously close their faces were now.

"I’m fine. Thanks," she muttered quickly, trying to pull away.

Yet, Lorenzo’s grip tightened around her. He seemed slightly vexed by her stubbornness, but she didn’t care.

"You really think I’m letting you keep walking after that?"

Before Ashley could argue, he swept her off the ground like she weighed nothing and started walking.

"Put me down—I want to walk!" she screamed, flailing her legs, her voice loud enough to send every bird in the wood scampering away.

The childlike attitude only made Lorenzo laugh. A deep, sexy sound that sent butterflies warring in Ashley’s stomach.

"You’re so stubborn," he smirked, clearly enjoying himself. "But I really love it."

"I’m not," Ashley snapped. "I just prefer using my legs, not being carried like I’m crippled."

That was a lie. Being in his arms felt way too good—and her legs were already sore from wearing heels all day. But she’d rather chew rocks and swallow hot coals than admit that.

"Tell me you don’t love the way I’m carrying you right now," Lorenzo teased.

She shot him a glare. "I’m supposed to be in my house resting, not in some creepy woods risking being eaten by lions."

Lorenzo scoffed. "There are no lions here, sunshine."

"Then maybe _," she muttered.

At that moment, Lorenzo pretended to stumble.

Ashley gasped, heart leaping into her throat. Her arms flew around his neck as she clung to him in panic.

Lorenzo laughed again—clearly proud of himself.

"That wasn’t funny," she grumbled.

They soon reached the bank of a small river.

"Here we are," Lorenzo said, grinning as he gently set her down.

Ashley looked around in awe. This man was full of surprises. Of all the things she’d guessed on the way, a river hadn’t been one of them.

The water shimmered under the fading light. A sleek white boat floated nearby, luxurious and out of place in the quiet setting.

"Where is this place?" she asked. "Is that... a boat?"

"No, that’s a carriage," Lorenzo replied, the obvious sarcasm in his tone making Ashley roll her eyes.

"This is my peaceful place..." he added. "The silence and seclusion help take my mind off things."

An emotion flickered in his eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it came.

"But we’re not staying here."

Ashley raised a brow.

"Have you ever seen the sea at night?" Lorenzo asked.

Ashley shook her head, eyes wide like a child.

"I guess we’re about to change that," he said, smiling, clearly pleased to be the first to show her. "Well, a little—since it’s not completely nighttime yet... and this is just a river, much smaller than the sea. But sometimes it feels just as endless."

He rolled his trousers up to his knees, and before Ashley could finish admiring his muscular, hairy legs, he crouched and began tying up her dress so it wouldn’t get wet.

She giggled at the absurdity of it all. There they were, standing in a river, dressed like they had come from a gala. It was obvious Lorenzo had come up with the idea on a whim. And yet, despite the strangeness of it, she was beginning to feel excited.

Lorenzo helped her into the boat. Her heart raced—not from fear, but from the thought of being alone with him in such a quiet, intimate place. But then, she quickly pushed the wariness aside and focused on the moment.

"Do you always have this beauty just lying here?" she asked, settling into the soft cushions, her legs dangling off the side, toes skimming the cool water. She shivered at the contact.

They were both barefoot now, and for some reason, that made the moment feel even more surreal.

"No," Lorenzo said, unbuttoning his shirt halfway, his voice relaxed. "I had someone bring it while we were on our way here."

He fastened her life jacket, his fingers brushing her sides, then slipped on his own before guiding the boat away from the shore. It moved slowly at first, then gradually picked up speed.

Once they were cruising, Lorenzo switched on the autopilot and came to sit beside her. Every slight touch, an arm brushing, fingers grazing, made Ashley jumpy. Her senses were on high alert.

"Why did you bring me here?" she asked suddenly, her voice softer than she intended, trying to fill the silence.

"Because I thought you’d love it," Lorenzo said, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

Ashley released a soft, involuntary sigh. She did.

She turned her gaze away, letting it linger over the darkening water. The surface shimmered, reflecting the stars above and the boat’s soft golden lights. The waves were gentle, the breeze soothing, and the silence comforting—everything about the night was designed to melt tension away.

Everything except the man beside her, whose presence was doing the exact opposite.

"Are you cold?" Lorenzo’s voice broke the stillness.

It rumbled low and deep, and it sent a fresh wave of shivers down Ashley’s spine—none of which had anything to do with the temperature.

"A little," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. It was true—though she didn’t mention she also felt incredible hot, from how close he was.

To her shock, Lorenzo pulled off the rest of his shirt.

"What are you doing? I can’t wear all your clothes. You’ll get cold."

A cocky smirk tugged at his lips under the night light. "Fortunately, the sight of you is making that impossible," he whispered. He helped her up and slipped the shirt over her shoulders, right on top of his jacket.

She looked... ridiculous. But she didn’t hate it one bit.

Ashley’s heart thundered in her chest, her breath coming faster. Lorenzo’s bare chest was breathtaking, inked and sculpted, shadows dancing over the dips and ridges. She could see most of his tattoo now, except for where it disappeared beneath the waistband of his pants. Her fingers itched to trace it, but she held back.

"Now come here," Lorenzo said, pulling her gently into him, his arms wrapping around her waist. "Let’s make this night a little more interesting."

"What are you doing?" Ashley asked, breathless, overwhelmed by his scent, his warmth. God, she wanted to lick him.

Lorenzo brushed her hair behind her ear. "Asking for a dance," he murmured.

"But... there’s no music," Ashley whispered. Except for the wild rhythm of their hearts.

"That makes it more melodic, don’t you think?" Lorenzo replied, his fingers lacing with hers as he began to move—slowly, smoothly.

Ashley followed instinctively, placing her free hand on his shoulder. It was ridiculous—dancing on a boat, surrounded by open water with no sound except the crashing of waves—but she didn’t want to stop. Couldn’t. Every slow sway weakened her knees. Every brush of his skin against hers made her ache. She wanted to kiss him. Devour him. Punish him for ever leaving. Torture him like he was torturing her now.

Memories came flooding back–times they made love under the moonlight, breathless kisses, laughters and whispered promises. With a shaky breath, she bit the inside of her cheek, trying to banish them, but her heart beat louder.

They stopped dancing without realizing it, their foreheads now touching, lips barely a breath apart.

Ashley was panting. And so was Lorenzo.

How had they gotten here?

So close, yet still apart. They both badly wanted the kiss—perhaps more than just a kiss—but each clung desperately to their last shred of self-control. Every second felt like a punishment.

Lorenzo felt like he was drowning in her sapphire eyes, now shimmering with something raw and intense. He brushed his nose against hers, feeling her shudder against his touch.

"I miss you, sunshine," he suddenly whispered, his voice low, gravelly, pained. The words slipped out before he could stop it.

But the moment they escaped, he regretted them. Because that was all it took for Ashley to pull away, turning her back to him.

"It’s late," she whispered. "We should head back."