Game of Love and Deception: The Billionaire's Ex Wife
Chapter 85: The flame

Chapter 85: The flame

There was no boat. Just an endless stretch of blue water. Ashley noticed it right after Lorenzo dropped her off.

"What are we going to do? Swim?"

"How did you know?" Lorenzo asked, taking two steps closer to the bank.

"I didn’t. I meant that as a joke," she said, surprised he was already taking off his shirt. "Actually, I thought there was going to be a boat... like last time."

Lorenzo strolled toward her, nearly naked, except for his briefs. Ashley swallowed hard at the sight that made her want to drop to her knees and sin.

"There wasn’t enough time to bring the boat down here, but swimming is just what you need right now." He stood before her, holding her shoulders. "Do you know why?"

Ashley shook her head. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from that ripped body—especially the tattoos—even though she’d seen him shirtless so many times.

"The calming nature of water can be highly therapeutic. And swimming triggers the release of endorphins—natural ’feel-good’ hormones that help reduce stress and anxiety," Lorenzo lectured.

If only he knew she’d stopped hearing him after the "nature" part.

"Did you even hear what I just said?" he laughed when he caught her eyes slicing through his skin.

Ashley blinked, embarrassed, her cheeks burning.

"Can I feel it?" she still foolishly asked.

Lorenzo’s mind immediately went to the gutter. "Huh?"

"I’ve always wanted to feel your tattoos," she clarified. His stomach too. In fact, she wanted to run her hands all over him.

"Interesting, princess. That’s really good to know," he mused. "But how about I let you fulfill that long-time fantasy of yours once we get in the water?"

He let go of her, took a couple of steps back, turned around, and dove into the water. He flapped his arms, creating more splashes than necessary. Ashley couldn’t help laughing at the childish action.

"I’m waiting, princess," he shouted, brushing a hand through his wet hair.

Goddamn, she was tired of constantly going on about how good he looked. No—sexy was the better word. Or hot as hell.

"I don’t have anything to wear," she muttered. Honestly, she just wanted to sit and watch him. She could drown just from staring at that hot body dipped in water.

"My shirt’s there. Wear it."

Ashley’s eyes flicked to the black shirt lying on a pair of jeans in the grass, then back—just in time to catch him rising from the water. Her gaze stupidly dropped to his huge bulge, made even more obvious by the wet briefs clinging too tightly to his waist.

She swallowed hard before managing a quiet, "Turn around."

He obeyed.

Grabbing the shirt and turning the other way, she quickly slipped off her gown. Or rather, Genevieve’s.

Lorenzo stole a glance—admiring her curves, her flawless skin, that round ass... perfect body. He felt himself harden under the water.

"You can look now," Ashley said once she’d put on his shirt.

A mischievous smirk crossed his lips; she didn’t realize he’d been watching all along.

He moved closer to the bank, took her hand, and guided her into the river.

Ashley took a deep breath, savoring the cool sensation of the water against her skin.

"Hold your breath. I want to show you something," he said after they had swum back and forth for a while.

She gave him a curious look, but did as he said.

"Close your eyes."

She obeyed again.

Lorenzo gently pulled her underwater. They lingered for a moment before he brought her back up. She gasped softly.

"Did you feel that?"

She nodded like a child. "It was so peaceful."

He smiled, gaze drifting to her taut nipples—he’d tried not to notice, but with his shirt plastered against her skin, it was impossible. This was definitely his new favorite piece of clothing.

"I want you to savor that feeling," he said. "It’s why I brought you here."

Ashley felt a strange emotion bloom in her chest.

Before she could unpack it, he took her hand and twirled her, pulling her back so her body rested against his chest.

She gasped—then giggled.

It was the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard.

"Still want to feel the tattoos, princess?" he leaned in, voice low. Hearing she’d always wanted to made something warm settle in his chest. Mostly, he just felt like the luckiest man alive.

"What do you think?" Ashley teased, her voice barely a whisper.

Lorenzo turned her to face him. Her hand landed naturally on his chest.

"I think I’d really love to have these tiny hands all over me, princess."

Her heart skipped.

He took her remaining hand and placed it on his firm chest, his own tightening around her waist.

"Let them travel anywhere they can, love," he whispered, his deep voice sounding like the devil handing her a candy.

Under the weight of his gaze, she began to move them, feeling the ink, the dips and contours of his stomach, the line cutting like a razor. How was he so perfect? Like God had taken his time with him.

"About earlier... the drugs... my reaction..." She whispered the words, losing control of her movement, and so did the devil tempting her. "I’m really sorry. I should’ve given you a chance to explain, and I was worse for not doing so. Please don’t stay mad at me." The rest of the words came out as strained, soft pants.

Lorenzo pulled her even closer, and her breath caught when she felt his hand sneak under the shirt, cupping her ass cheeks.

"I can’t even if I want to, sunshine," he breathed, his hand crawling up, moving across her stomach. "You’ve long stolen that strength from me."

But he was glad, still, that she acknowledged her mistake. He hated being seen as a criminal by those he loved; it broke him. But now, not only did he feel some of the wounds in his heart begin to seal up, but he also learned something more important.

Sometimes, those we love don’t turn out exactly as we imagine, or act the way we expect. But it’s in those moments that we need to be the bigger person and, through loving actions, change their focus.

Their lips crashed together in a frenzy. He tilted her head back, deepening the kiss, devouring her lips, tasting every corner. He couldn’t stop, not when he couldn’t get enough. He didn’t think he ever would. He was addicted to the taste.

Ashley’s hands moved all over him with the same urgency, scrambling for support. The river always seemed to wash away their sanity, but this time, she didn’t think she wanted it back.

When their lips disconnected, she couldn’t catch her breath. How could she, when his mouth latched onto her neck –so needy, desperate– his hand squeezing her breasts with rough urgency? She was supposed to be worried about someone seeing them, or at least thinking about her daughter—not fucking some man, especially not this particular man. But she couldn’t help herself in that moment.

She ached to quench the flame engulfing her, and unfortunately the water wasn’t helping.

Her legs snaked around him as soon as he lifted her, just enough to feel the bulge begging to be freed from its cage.

"I want you... right now," she demanded shamelessly, biting his neck, shoulder—any place her teeth could reach.

How did they get here? That was the wrong question because she knew exactly how.

What she meant to ask was: What was this feeling? Because it was consuming. And this merciless man... was the flame.