9

"What is this?" I asked, stepping out of the changing room and holding up a sexy maid costume. Was it even a costume or lingerie?

I should have known he was plotting something when he whispered to the salesperson when he thought I wasn't looking.

"A maid costume," Lorenzo answered nonchalantly, but he couldn't hide the amused glint in his eyes.

"I know it's a maid costume, but why was it in my stacks of clothes when I didn't pick it?"

"Am I supposed to know?" He raised a brow, and the corner of his lips curled to a mischievous smirk. "But I'm sure it will look... lovely on you."

Electricity tingled in me at his eyes ran up and down my body, appreciating every curve till they stared back into mine. I bit my lips, heat travelling to my core as the seductive glint in his gaze.

"Get your mind out of the gutter. There's no way I'm wearing this in front of you." I scolded, ignoring my desire.

"You seem so sure that that's what I'm thinking. Maybe it's because you were thinking the same thing too." He teased, and my cheeks flushed a soft shade of pink.

"You wish." I smiled and lifted the dress up, admiring the style. "But you're right; I'm sure it will look good on me. Maybe I'll buy it and wear it on one of those nights when I'm thinking of someone special."

His eyes darkened, every trace of amusement wiped off his face, and his entire body turned rigid in less than a millisecond. I stiffened, startled by the sudden malice and bloodlust in the air.

He stood up, and I took a step back for every one he took towards me until I was trapped against the wall.

"And who is this special someone?" Lorenzo growled, glaring at me.

I gulped but pressed my lips together.

"Why do you want to know?" I sassed, swallowing my fear, and I placed my hand on his shoulder. "Jealous that someone was able to snag my attention before you?"

His jaw tightened, and for a few seconds, he stared at me so hard that I feared his eyes were going to pop out from his head.

"Whoever he is, I'll find him, Gwendolyn. And he'll regret ever meeting you." He grabbed my jaw, tilting my head up.

That was the biggest red flag I had ever seen, but dear Lord, it did... thrilling things to me. Jealousy was such a sexy look on him. And also funny. Bro was going to spend a lot of effort searching for someone that doesn't exist.

"A he? What if it's a she? I could be in a relationship with Clara, you know. It would make sense that I would risk my life for her. Would you hurt her?" I teased, pressing my small body against his larger one.

Even with the layer of clothes between us, I could feel his ripped muscles, and I shuddered with delight.

'Imagine what it would feel like to have his body over me or under me, naked... oh, f*ck.' I bit my lips at the wild pictures floating through my mind.

"Clara has had her affection for only one man for years, and I know it hasn't changed." He whispered and brought his lips a hair's breadth away from mine. "You better warn your special someone to say their last prayers because the devil will soon come for their souls."

"Careful, you'll give me the wrong idea and make me lose focus on escaping." I purred, running my fingers through his hair. "Or maybe you should be careful of me wrapping you around my finger and escaping when your guard is down."

"You really think you can do that? So confident." Lorenzo smirked, his face brightening up at the challenge.

"I don't think I can; I know I can." I said, wrapping one leg around his waist and grounding my hips against his. Oh, the huge bulge did things to me. A muffled groan escaped his lips, and I grinned.

"See. I don't even have to try too hard. In—"

"Uhm-hum," someone cleared their throat, and I frowned. I looked above Lorenzo's shoulders and saw Stacy, bright red in the face, standing with some boxes of shoes.

"Sorry for interrupting; I found the shoes you wanted." She squeaked, avoiding our gazes. "I could go and—"

"It's alright." I smiled and wriggled out of his grasp. He caught my arm before I walked away and brought his lips to my ear.

"I'm eagerly expecting whatever seduction skill you have up your sleeves. Don't disappoint me, feisty vixen." He whispered in my ear, and a wonderful chill crawled down my back.

And when I thought the game couldn’t get any more fun.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~

"Enjoy your fake pampered life, b*tch. Very soon it will all be over." Marco spat as he limped past me.

'What happened to him? Did he get into a fight?' I thought, eyeing the bruises littered all over his skin, and I shrugged. 'Not my problem. He can jump off a cliff for all I care.'

I hummed as I walked towards my room, struggling to carry my gazillion shopping bags. But it was worth it. Though I had not emptied Lorenzo's card, I had gotten myself loads of nice things.

I frowned as I saw my door slightly open, and I walked into the room.

"Finally!" Clara gasped, attacking me with a hug. "I was worried sick about you. I thought Lorenzo was mad and had done something to you!"

"I'm fine. We just took more time shopping than I expected. I'm sorry I scared you." I apologised and patted her back.

"You could have at least picked up my calls. Do you know how many times I called you?" She scolded as she let go of me.

"No. Lorenzo took my phone as punishment; can you believe that? I don't care about the phone, but ugh, he didn't tell me he would punish me if I lost." I huffed.

"He's punishing you for losing! This is bad! Very bad!" Clara panicked and tugged at her dress. "We should call off the deal. You should go home—"

"Relax. It's just my phone." I shrugged and dumped my bags on the bed.

"It's not. I know Lorenzo. His punishment always starts out easy to make his victim lose their guard, and then he suddenly snaps and does something extreme. I'm sure he's preparing a torture chamber for you, right? We—"

"You're overthinking this." I said softly, grabbing her shoulder and staring into her eyes. "I don't plan on letting him punish me again. The next time we escape would be our last; don't worry. And honestly, I doubt Lorenzo would change his mind no matter how much you beg. We're already legs deep. The best we can do is finish what we started."

"I hate that you're right." She sighed and pressed her finger against her temple. "I think I have a plan. It's not really polished yet, but—"

"Shh," I clasped my mouth against her lips and cautiously stared around the room. "We're being watched."