Chapter 23

"Dangerous Games"

Lorenzo's POV

A long one ( ͡~ ͜ʖ ͡°)

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The penthouse was too quiet that morning, and it wasn't the good kind of quiet. It was the kind that made my chest feel heavy, the kind that carried tension like an unspoken threat.

Vee had been distant since the dinner, her quips fewer, her fire subdued. She wasn't herself, and I hated it. I hated that she wasn't saying anything, that I couldn't fix whatever was eating at her.

I found her in the kitchen, standing by the counter with her arms crossed and her expression locked in a frown. She was wearing one of my shirts again, and it hit differently every time. Seeing her in my clothes—looking like she belonged here—made something in me tighten.

"Morning," I said, trying to sound casual as I leaned against the counter.

She glanced at me briefly before returning her attention to her coffee. "Morning."

"You know, the coffee's not going to apologize," I said, nodding at the cup.

She arched a brow, but there was no real annoyance in her expression. "It's thinking about it."

"Maybe it needs some help," I said, stepping closer.

Her lips twitched, just a little, but the tension in her shoulders didn't ease. She was good at pretending, but I was better at noticing. Something was wrong.

"Get dressed," I said suddenly.

She blinked, her brow furrowing. "Excuse me?"

"Get dressed," I repeated. "We're going out."

"What?," her brows knitted further as it was possible to do so. 

"You've been cooped up here too long," I said. "You need air. Sunshine. People."

"That sounds suspiciously like a nightmare," she deadpanned with a sigh. "Why would I agree to this?"

"Because I said please," I said, my voice dripping with mock sincerity.

She tilted her head, studying me for a moment. "You didn't say please."

"I was about to."

She rolled her eyes but stood anyway. "Fine. But if this is some elaborate plan to psychoanalyze me, I'm out."

"No psychoanalyzing," I promised, smirking as I followed her to the stairs. "Just fun."

She sighed, muttering something under her breath about my persistence, but I saw the flicker of curiosity in her eyes.

When she came back down, I was waiting by the door, pretending like I wasn't completely mesmerized by her. She'd swapped the sweats for dark jeans, a cropped leather jacket, and boots that looked like they'd seen their share of fights. Her hair was tied up, loose strands framing her face, and her lips had the faintest hint of gloss.

She stopped halfway down the stairs, catching me staring. "What?"

"You're... perfect," I said, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

Her cheeks flushed, but she covered it with an exaggerated eye roll. "Keep talking, Moretti. Maybe I'll actually believe you."

The drive was quiet but not awkward. Vee sat with her feet propped up on the dashboard, flipping through songs on the radio like she owned the car. Maybe she does.

She didn't ask where we were going, but I could tell by the way her fingers tapped against her knee that she was curious. 

By the time we pulled up to the fairground, her skepticism was practically radiating off her.

"A fair?" she asked, eyeing the rides and booths with poorly disguised amusement.

"Figured we'd try something different," I said, stepping out of the car. "Unless you're scared of Ferris wheels?"

Her scoff was immediate. "Please. I've hacked into international databases. You think a Ferris wheel scares me?"

"I don't know. You tell me," I teased, offering her my hand as we walked toward the entrance.

To my surprise, she took it.

It didn't take long for her to warm up. Vee liked to pretend she was immune to fun, but I caught the way her eyes lit up when we passed the games and rides.

She stopped at the shooting range, eyeing the targets like they owed her money.

"Think you can handle it?" I teased, nodding toward the air rifles.

She gave me a look that could've burned through steel. "Step aside, Moretti."

I watched as she nailed every target with an ease that made the attendant gape. When she finished, she turned to me with a smug grin.

"You're terrifying," I told her as she collected her oversized stuffed bear prize hugging that damn thing like it's most precious thing in the world. Lucky fucker.

"Jealous?" she asked, batting her lashes in mock innocence.

"Of your aim? A little." I leaned closer, lowering my voice. "But I'm more impressed than anything."

She rolled her eyes but didn't pull away. "You're such a kiss-ass."

"Only for you," I said, grinning.

The tension between us shifted then—lighter, easier. Vee laughed, a genuine sound that made my chest ache. For the first time in what felt like forever, she wasn't on edge. She was just... Vee.

"Come on," I said, dragging her further in the fair.

As we went on, I turned to look at the angel when I felt her stalling behind me.

Her gaze flitted from the brightly lit rides to the game booths, lingering on a cotton candy stand.

"You want one?" I asked, already steering us toward it.

"No," she said quickly, but her eyes betrayed her.

I handed her the pink fluff anyway. She hesitated for a moment before tearing off a piece, popping it into her mouth.

"Good?" I asked, watching her closely.

She nodded, her lips twitching into a reluctant smile. "It's fine."

"Just fine?" I teased.

"Don't push it," she said, but there was no heat in her words.

I couldn't take my eyes off her—the way her fingers tore at the candy like she was dissecting it, the way her nose crinkled when a piece stuck to her lip, the way she tried to act unimpressed even as she devoured the entire thing.

"What?" she said, catching me staring.

"Nothing," I said, smirking. "Just enjoying the view."

She huffed, but I saw the way her cheeks warmed.

I walked beside her, watching the way her eyes lit up at every stall and ride we passed, pretending not to notice the way she occasionally glanced at me when she thought I wasn't looking.

"You're grinning," I said, smirking as she turned her head sharply to hide her face.

"No, I'm not," she muttered, but the blush creeping up her cheeks gave her away.

We stopped at a food stall, the scent of fried everything wafting through the air. She eyed the corndogs suspiciously, her nose crinkling in that way I was starting to adore.

"You have to try one," I urged, already ordering two.

"Fine," she said, holding out her hand like this was some great sacrifice. I handed her one, and she bit into it cautiously, her expression shifting as she chewed.

"Well?" I asked, leaning closer.

She tilted her head, her lips twitching. "Greasy but acceptable."

I laughed, watching as she took another bite, this time less hesitant. There was something so disarming about her like this—free of her usual defenses, just enjoying the moment.

As we wandered further, the lights of the carousel caught her attention, and I saw her slow down, her gaze lingering on the spinning horses.

"Don't even think about it," she said when she caught me watching her.

"Think about what?" I asked innocently.

"You're going to suggest we ride that thing," she said, narrowing her eyes.

I grinned. "Well, now I have to."

Before she could argue, I grabbed her hand and led her to the line. She protested the entire time, but I could see the way her eyes kept drifting back to the carousel, her tough exterior cracking just enough to let me glimpse the girl beneath.

When we climbed onto the ride, she chose a white horse with a golden mane, sitting stiffly as the music started. I leaned against the pole of a nearby horse, unable to take my eyes off her.

"Stop staring," she said, trying to sound annoyed but failing miserably.

"Can't help it," I replied, my voice softer than I intended.

Her cheeks flushed, and she turned her head sharply, pretending to focus on the carousel ahead. But then the horse jolted forward, and she let out a startled laugh, gripping the pole tighter.

"Did it just move?!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of surprise and amusement.

"That's kind of the point," I teased, nudging my horse forward to match hers.

"Shut up, Moretti," she said, but there was no heat in her voice. Instead, she leaned into the moment, her lips curling into a genuine smile as the ride gained momentum.

I let out a low chuckle as she started to relax, even letting one hand hover off the pole like she was testing her courage.

"You look like you're having fun," I said, nudging her lightly.

"Yeah, well, don't get used to it," she shot back, though her grin betrayed her.

The music played louder, the lights above us spinning in a golden blur, and for a moment, we were just two people on a carousel, laughing like kids.

As the ride began to slow, I caught the sparkle in her eyes and couldn't stop myself from leaning closer. "Admit it—you loved every second."

She rolled her eyes dramatically, but the smile stayed on her face. "It was tolerable."

I laughed, jumping off my horse as the ride came to a stop and holding out my hand to help her down.

"Come on, tough girl," I said, wiggling my fingers.

She hesitated, her eyes flicking to my hand, before placing hers in mine. Her grip was firm, and the brief contact sent a jolt through me that I tried—and failed—not to show.

"I could've managed, you know," she said as she stepped off.

"I know," I replied, my voice softer now. "But where's the fun in that?"

She didn't answer, but the way her lips quirked told me she didn't mind. We walked away from the carousel, still laughing under the warm glow of the fair lights, and I felt something settle in my chest—something that felt a hell of a lot like happiness.

When we passed a photo booth, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her inside before she could protest.

"Seriously?" she said as I stuffed a few bills into the machine.

"Just go with it," I said, grinning.

The first photo was normal enough—a forced smile from her and a goofy grin from me. By the second, she was laughing as I leaned in to make a ridiculous face. By the third, she was pushing me away, her laughter filling the tiny booth.

The final photo was quiet, our faces close as the camera clicked. Her smile softened, and for a moment, the world outside the booth didn't exist.

When the strip of photos printed, she snatched them before I could. "These are terrible," she said, but she didn't let go of them. 

That is more then enough. 

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

The night had a way of wrapping itself around us, the quiet hum of the fairgrounds melting into the distant breeze. We sat on the blanket, the soft glow of the stars above casting a gentle light over her face. She looked peaceful, her guard lowered for once, and I found myself unable to focus on anything but her.

"This is... nice," she said, her voice carrying a softness that made my chest ache.

"Just nice?" I teased, my smirk tugging at the corner of my lips.

She turned her head, giving me a mock glare. "Don't ruin it, Moretti."

I chuckled, leaning back on my elbows, but I couldn't stop myself from sneaking another glance at her. The way her sweater slipped slightly off one shoulder, the delicate curve of her neck, the way her lips parted ever so slightly as she sighed—it was like watching art come to life.

"You're staring again," she said, catching me red-handed.

"Observing," I corrected, my tone smooth but honest.

She rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched in a faint smile. "Do I have something on my face, or are you just that annoying?"

"Neither," I said softly, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face. My fingers lingered near her cheek, the warmth of her skin sending a jolt through me.

Her breath hitched, her eyes locking with mine. "Ren," she murmured, her voice uncertain but steady.

"Darling," I replied, my voice a little rougher, the weight of her name grounding me.

For a moment, we just sat there, the world shrinking until it was just the two of us, the faint rustling of the trees and the distant murmur of laughter fading into nothing. I leaned in, my hand sliding to the back of her neck, my thumb brushing against her jaw.

"Are you going to kiss me, or just sit there like an idiot?" she asked, her tone a mix of sass and breathlessness.

I couldn't help but laugh, the sound low and deep. "Oh, I'm definitely kissing you."

And then I did.

The kiss started slow, my lips barely grazing hers, like testing the waters before diving in. But the second she tilted her head and pressed closer, everything else fell away. Her hand came up to grip the front of my jacket, tugging me closer, and I obliged, deepening the kiss with a hunger I didn't know I had.

Her lips were soft, her breath warm, and the way she moved against me sent a shiver down my spine. I poured everything into that kiss—the admiration, the frustration, the damn near obsession I had with her.

When we finally broke apart, her eyes were half-lidded, her cheeks flushed. Her fingers still clutched my jacket, and I didn't move, didn't dare ruin the moment by pulling away too soon.

"You're trouble," she whispered, her voice shaky but laced with something tender.

"The best kind," I murmured, brushing my lips against her forehead in a lingering kiss.

She sighed, her head resting briefly against my chest before she pulled back, her usual defenses creeping back into place. But not completely.

"Don't think this changes anything," she said, but her tone lacked the usual edge.

I smirked, leaning back slightly. "Wouldn't dream of it."

But as she glanced up at the stars, her fingers still loosely tangled with mine, I couldn't help but think that everything had already changed.

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˗ˏˋ Author's note ˎˊ˗

Heyy (✿◡‿◡)

Well.... ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Now tell me guys, are we moving too fast?

Please Vote and comment to make another insignificant human happy (^◕.◕^)

Question of chapter:

spaghetti arms or jelly legs?

jelly legs are kinda cool ngl

It gets better <3

*hug*

Byeeee

Izel

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