For one horrifying, heart-stopping second, I thought I was staring at all of Lorenzo... I meant his weenie, you know.
My eyes dropped instinctively, and thanked every saint in heaven, he was wearing boxers. Black, fitted, and leaving far too little to the imagination. His length pressed boldly against the fabric, full and thick, a sight that made my breath stutter.
I jerked away, my cheeks flaming hot.
"Oh my God!" I gasped, shoving against his chest like he was fire. "Why would you... why are you—"
"Relax Alessia," his voice interrupted me, almost amused. "It's just a towel."
Just a towel? He looked like temptation personified, water still dripping from his hair, abs with sexy six ridges. My body betrayed me, tingling in places I had no business acknowledging. I stumbled back, grabbing the counter for balance.
"You... you should at least warn me before you walk around like that!" I blurted, my voice embarrassingly high.
"Do I need to remind you this is my home?" he replied evenly, bending to pick up the towel without the faintest shame. "I wasn't expecting you to raid the kitchen in the middle of the night."
I made a strangled sound, whirled around, and bolted down the hallway like a criminal escaping the scene of her own crime. My heart hammered in my chest as I slammed my bedroom door shut and pressed my back against it, gasping for air.
The image of him... broad shoulders, dripping abs, that bulge in his boxers—was branded into my mind. I covered my face with both hands, groaning into my palms.
"What is wrong with me?" I whispered.
I flopped onto the bed, burying my face into the pillow. Every nerve in my body felt alive, humming with forbidden want. For years I'd tried to bury my feelings for him, but seeing him like that--half naked, his arm around me, his body heat enveloping mine... was too much.
Then a knock jolted me upright.
"Alessia." Lorenzo's voice floated through the door, calm but insistent. "Are you alright?"
I scrambled to sound normal, though my heart was still racing. "I'm fine! Totally fine! Go away."
There was a pause. "You sure?"
"Yes! Goodnight!"
Another silence, then a soft, resigned, "Goodnight, Alessia."
I pressed my face back into the pillow, groaning until exhaustion finally dragged me into uneasy sleep.
★★★
Morning came with another knock.
I blinked at the sunlight spilling into my room, hair a tangled mess, my heart not yet recovered from last night's humiliation.
"Alessia?"
His voice again. Why did it always have to be him? Oh, I'm in his house.
I opened the door cautiously, peeping through the slightly ajar space. Lorenzo stood there, already dressed in black joggers, a fitted gray shirt clinging to his chest, his hair slightly damp from an early shower. He looked unfairly good for someone who'd nearly killed me with embarrassment twelve hours ago.
"Get ready," he said matter-of-factly. "We're leaving in ten minutes."
I blinked. "Leaving where?"
"The gym."
My mouth dropped. "The gym? On a Sunday morning?"
"Discipline doesn't take weekends off." His eyes flicked over me, the barest trace of a smirk playing at his lips. "Wear something comfortable, I'll be waiting in the car."
And just like that, he turned and walked away, leaving me with my jaw hanging open.
Ten minutes later, I stood in front of the mirror, regretting every clothing choice I owned.
I ended up in black leggings and a fitted sports bra under a cropped tank top, my blonde hair pulled into a high ponytail. It was practical, comfortable, maybe too… flattering. I tugged at the hem, wishing it was longer.
When I finally slid into his car, I avoided his gaze, staring determinedly out the window.
"You're quiet," he observed after a moment, steering smoothly into traffic. "Are you still thinking about last night?"
Heat rushed to my cheeks. "No!" I said quickly, a little too quickly. "I'm just… tired."
His mouth curved faintly, but he didn't push. Instead, his tone shifted into businesslike. "Tell me again why you chose International Business as your major."
The sudden pivot helped calm me. "Because I want to work in corporate law. I like structure, contracts, and negotiations. It's strategic."
"Good answer," he said, nodding. "And where do you see yourself five years from now?"
"In a law firm. Partner track, hopefully. Maybe running my own practice one day."
"Ambitious, I like that." He glanced at me briefly. "That's good. Just don't burn out before you get there."
I fidgeted with my water bottle, half grateful, half flustered. "I'll try not to."
He didn't say more, and the car filled with soft music until we pulled up to the gym... a luxurious modern building with tinted glass.
Inside, the scent of iron and sweat filled the air. Lorenzo led me past the rows of treadmills to a quieter area with weights and mats.
"Wait!" Realization dawned on me. "You're not just dropping me off?"
"No." He set down his bag, pulling out gloves. "I'll be your trainer."
"You?" My jaw dropped. "But... you're the CEO of an empire. You don't have time to babysit me at the gym."
"It's not babysitting, Alessia," his lips twitched. "It's called discipline. And if you're going to work at my company, you need stamina, focus, and strength. So yes, I'm training you."
I groaned dramatically. "This is cruel and unusual punishment."
He ignored me, adjusting the weights. "Start with squats. Ten reps."
I obeyed, though my legs wobbled embarrassingly after five. He stood close, correcting my posture, his large hands brushing lightly against my bare waist, my shoulders. Every touch sent sparks through me, my brain short-circuiting.
"Keep your back straight," he murmured near my ear, his breath warm against my neck.
I nearly dropped the barbell.
Every exercise after that was torture. Pushups with his hand steadying my back, stretches with his fingers guiding my arms. I could barely focus on the movements; all I felt was him. The heat of his body, the strength of his hands, and the sound of his voice giving commands I wanted to both obey and defy.
By the time he handed me a towel, I was flushed, sweaty, and more than a little dazed.
"You did well," he said softly, his gaze on my chest. "Better than I expected."
I opened my mouth to reply, but a sudden feminine voice came from behind; "Lorenzo, my love!"