The next morning Lorenzo laid there in the bed with Elena still wrapped in his arms. Sometime during the night she must have shifted in their sleep. He woke up about an hour ago to the feel of her breathing on his chest. This had been something he never thought would happen so he stood still not wanting to wake her. He had things that needed to be done and should have been out of bed and walking out of the door at least twenty minutes ago but this felt too right to ruin. Once Lorenzo felt her eye lashes flutter against his chest then her body tense he knew she was awake. Lorenzo gave her a few moments to silently freak out before letting her know he was awake also.

"Did you sleep alright?" Lorenzo asked feeling her completely freeze and even held her breath. "Sweetheart I feel your eye lashes moving I know you're awake."

Elena wanted to let out a groan but kept it to herself. When she fell asleep last night he had still been in the shower. She didn't remember him climbing in the bed or couldn't even remember them cuddling with each other like this. This new side of Lorenzo scared her immensely... she knew somehow someway he would break her heart if she let her guard down with him. This had been the first night she slept without nightmares waking her since she witnessed Lorenzo kill the man at the warehouse. She didn't want to say she felt safe in his arms because she honestly didn't know what to feel with him.

When she went to pull away from him his arms tighten for a moment but then he let them fall away. Elena sat up and quickly combed her fingers through her hair before turning to face him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to crowd you like that."

Lorenzo looked up at her in shock and quickly sat up just as she quickly climbed out of the bed. "Elena stop." He said quickly before she could walk away, Elena froze but didn't turn back to him. "You didn't crowd me, I loved waking up with you in my arms, it's something I have wanted for a while now."

"How many times have you said that line?" Elena whispered under her breath to herself, she wanted to believe this new side of him was different especially after what he done to her... for her yesterday but she was scared to let him in.

Elena heard a growl escape Lorenzo's throat and when she looked over her shoulder he glared at her as he climbed out of bed. "I didn't feed some fucking line to you." He snapped at her as he walked to the closet their clothes were hanging in and Elena gasped when she realized he heard what she said. "And to put your mind at ease, you're the only person I have ever said that too."

"Lorenzo I didn't..." She began to say as she turned to face him but he cut her off.

"Yeah I know; you didn't mean for me to hear that." He said with anger as he grabbed his things and walked to the bathroom. "But I did." He said slamming the door shut.

"Damnit." Elena snapped as she dropped herself back on the bed.

Elena thought her words had been too low for him to hear but now knew she was wrong and he was mad. She looked up from where she was laying over to the door he was behind. When the shower started Elena sucked in a deep breath then climbed out of the bed and went out the bedroom and to the living area of the suite. After making a cup of coffee Elena went over towards the window and glanced out towards the ocean. When Lorenzo was done with his shower and dressed he came out the room. The two of them locked eyes for a moment then he shook his head and walked out leaving her there alone.

Over the next few days Lorenzo kept busy with meetings and looking over things at the hotel and casino. Elena would spend a little time at the casino or out by the pool relaxing to keep her own day busy. Most morning Lorenzo was gone before she even opened her eyes. They had dinner together every night but dinner was either done in silence or others joined them. The tension between them was back but when others were around you couldn't tell there was even a problem.

Elena was lounging near the pool flipping through a magazine when she heard someone call out her name or what used to be her name. "Elena... Elena Russo?" a slightly familiar voice said and Elena looked up from the magazine to see an old friend from school coming towards her. "Oh my god it is you."

"Melody Smith." Elena said with a smile as she stood up and they hugged. "I haven't seen you since we graduated."

"It's Melody Davidson now." Melody said smiling as she flashed her wedding ring to Elena. "I moved to California a couple of weeks after graduation and met a handsome doctor, we finally got married... we're here on our honeymoon."

"That is so nice." Elena said with a smile. "Congratulations."

"Are you here on business or pleasure?" she asked Elena.

"I guess you could say a little of both." Elena said shrugging her shoulders.

"We should do lunch right now." Melody said with a beaming smile and Elena was hesitant. "It's been so long and I would really love to catch up."

"Alright." Elena said giving in. "I'll meet you in the restaurant in one hour."

"Awesome... maybe I can even get Daniel to stop by so you can meet him. Lunch will be my treat." She said smiling.

"That is not necessary." Elena said shaking her head, she wanted to tell Melody that they wouldn't even pay for the meal in the first place because of who she was but Melody spoke first cutting her off.

"Don't be silly, I have plenty of money now. I'm going to get changed, this is such an elegant place and I don't want to go in there in my bathing suit."

"Ok." Elena said with a smile and watched as Melody left in a hurry.

Elena went back to her suite and when she got off the elevator she was surprised to see a few of the guys standing in the hall. They all nodded as she walked pass them to the door of her suite. Being at the resort Elena didn't have to have a guard with her as long as she didn't leave the resort. There were cameras all around that kept tabs of her and she knew it so them standing there was a little odd. When she went into the room it was empty and she figure they were there for either Gino or Tony who were staying across the hall from them.

After taking a shower and getting dressed Elena came out of the bathroom and was shock to see Lorenzo standing there looking out the window. When he heard the bathroom door open Lorenzo slowly turned around and was surprised to see her dressed like she was going somewhere.

"I didn't realize you were here." Elena said in a low voice as she slipped on a pair of heels.

"I was across the hall and when I came out the guys told me you were in here." He said as he watched her walk towards the dresser and lift a necklace he had bought her from the top of it. Lorenzo walked towards her and held his hand out in front of her. "Let me." Elena nodded as she placed it in his hand and he walked behind her.

Elena slid her hair over her shoulder so it was out of the way. She closed her eyes when she felt his fingers brush the nape of her neck. When he clasped the ends together his fingers traced the necklace around to the front smoothing it out. Her breath hitched and he watched as the goosebumps rose on her soft skin.

"I have to meet with someone in a few minutes but I would like to see you after." Lorenzo said in a low voice as he moved his hands to her hips and leaned closer. "I've been an asshole these last few days and I'm sorry about that."

"An old friend of mine from school happens to being stay here on her honeymoon and I'm meeting her for lunch..." Elena said as she looked over her shoulder at him and didn't realize how close he was until their lips almost touched. "In the restaurant." She said breathlessly.

"Ok." He said still remaining close to her. "We can meet in the lobby when you're done."

Elena nodded her head then he closed the small distance between their lips and placed a soft kiss on hers. He smiled as he pulled away then walked out of the room. Elena stood frozen to her spot until she her the suite door close. Once she recovered from her shock state Elena quickly grabbed her clutch and phone and went to leave but stopped when she saw Gino standing outside the door waiting.

"What are you doing here?" she asked raising her eyebrow at him.

"Just escorting you to lunch." He said with a smile. "I'll stay off to the side and not in your way."

"Does he not trust me?" Elena asked in a shock voice.

"It's not like that, Elena." Gino said as they walked towards the elevator and he hit the button. "The boss had a bit of a disagreement with some men earlier and just wants me to keep an eye on you for a bit."

"Is there something I should be worried about?" Elena asked as they got on the elevator and he shook his head no but didn't say anything further. "If there was would you tell me?"

"Yes I would." Gino said with a smile. "You knowing there is trouble makes it easier for me to protect you. There is no threat right now, it's just precaution."

Elena nodded her head and they went silent with each other. When they got to the restaurant Gino hung back as Elena went over to her friend's table. After greeting each other again Melody rant and raved about her life in California and about her perfect rich husband. Elena sat there quiet with a forced smile and Gino shook his head because he could hear everything the lady was saying to her.

Gino knew Elena could have easily trumped everything Melody was saying just with this one resort alone but she stood silent. Elena nodded and smiled but stood silent through most of the conversation. As they sat there waiting for service Melody's husband end up joining them at the table. At first Gino tensed and moved forward when the man walked up but he stepped back when Melody hugged him.

"Elena Russo I like you to meet my husband Dr. Daniel Davidson." She said with another beaming smile that was beginning to really irk Elena. "Isn't he perfect."

Elena was at her wits end with Melody rubbing her perfect little life in her face. She looked at Melody's 'perfect' husband and wanted to laugh at the middle age man that had to be at least fifteen years older than them. Elena compared the man Melody was raving about to Lorenzo and knew Lorenzo blew him away hands down with just his looks alone, add his money and power, the man didn't stand a chance. She couldn't keep the smirk from her face as she stood up to greet him.

"It's actually not Russo anymore." Elena said shaking the man's hand and watched as Melody's eyes went wide. "It's nice to meet you." She said as they sat down.

Just as Melody opened her mouth to say something the waitress interrupted her. "Mrs. Moretti I'm sorry to bother you but Mr. Moretti has asked me to move you and your guests to your table and said he would arrive very shortly."

"Alright, thank you." Elena said with smile but felt confused because he didn't mention coming to lunch.

Gino stepped over to the table with a smirk on his face. "Right this way." He said gesturing for them to follow him.

Melody and her husband quickly stood up and silently followed Gino and Elena towards the back of the room. Once they were again comfortable the waitress brought over a bottle of champagne and filled their glasses. When she walked away Melody once again looked over at Elena with wide eyes.

"I didn't know you were married."

"I have been for over three years now." Elena said with smile and watched as Gino smirked while he stood off to the side of them.

"Would you happen to be related to the owners of this fine establishment?" Daniel asked as he took a drink of his champagne. "In-laws... maybe?"

"Yes but actually my husband owns the resort." Elena said nodding her head.

Lorenzo had received a call from Gino telling him that Elena's friend had been a bit uptight and was flaunting her life to his wife. That didn't sit very with Lorenzo and he knew that Elena would be more reserved with flaunting her own because of his lifestyle so he decided to give her a push.

"Good afternoon." Lorenzo said walking up to them and the three of them quickly stood up when they saw him. He smiled at the gaping couple then turned to Elena and leaned towards her giving her a soft kiss. "My meeting didn't take long so I figured I would join you for lunch, I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not." Elena smiled at him then turned towards Melody and Daniel. "Melody, Daniel Davidson this is my husband Lorenzo Moretti."

"Nice to meet you." Lorenzo said with a smile and shook hands with both of them.

They all sat down after exchanging greetings with each other. Melody had stood staring at Lorenzo as he spoke to her husband about the type of medical practice he was in. Throughout lunch the conversation was kept light and they even spoke about the different businesses Lorenzo owned. The thing that got him was the way Melody would barely look away from him even as she spoke to Elena. He knew that it wasn't right so he found different reasons to touch or hold Elena close.

When Lorenzo felt a foot slide up his pant leg he quickly sat up straight and moved his legs back. He knew it wasn't Elena because she was sitting next to him. When he looked over at Melody she had a wicked smile on her face aimed right at him. A few moments later Gino walked over and lean down to talk with Lorenzo in a low voice. They had slight situation in the casino and Tony needed him.

"Tell him to handle it and I'll be there in twenty minutes." Lorenzo said answering Gino nodded and walked away.

"Do you have to leave?" Elena asked in a low voice and Lorenzo nodded at her.

"I'm sorry to cut lunch short but I am needed." Lorenzo said looking over at the couple. "Lunch is on the house."

"Thank you for having us." Daniel said as he stood up and Melody follow his movement. "It was a pleasure meeting the both of you."

The four of them shook hands and the couple left but Lorenzo and Elena stood at the table. He leaned towards Elena with a smirk on his face. "Your friend was practically eye fucking me." he whispered as he placed a kiss to her ear.

"Is that your way of telling me you want her?" Elena snapped at him in a low voice.

Lorenzo angled his body towards her draping one arm around her shoulders and dropped his other hand from the top of the table down to her thigh. He felt her tense up as she looked at him with wide eyes when it moved up her thigh and under her skirt. The table cloth kept his hand well-hidden and with no other table being close to their own he knew no one could see what he was doing.

"I meant what I said our first day here." He said as his hand moved further up her thigh until his finger grazed her mound and she gasped as she squeezed her legs together trapping his hand between them. "I only want you and no one else. If I have to rub one out myself every night until you're ready then I will but I will not touch another woman."

"Lorenzo?!" Elena said in a low shock voice as she dropped her hand on top of his.

"I told you about her because you need to know that she is not a friend." Lorenzo said giving her thigh a firm squeeze. "A friend would not flirt with your husband while she is sitting a table with you."

"Why did you suddenly sit up straight right before Gino came over to us?" Elena asked.

"We should go; I'm needed in the casino." Lorenzo said as he stood up and fix his suit coat then held his hand out to her.

"Alright."

Elena didn't want to make a scene in the restaurant so she forced a smile to her face as she placed her hand in his and stood up. She allowed Lorenzo to lead her out of the restaurant. When they were standing in the lobby he came to a stop and turned to face her.

"Where will you be?" Lorenzo asked and Elena shrugged her shoulders. "I want Gino to stay with you."

"Alright." Elena said and Lorenzo smiled at her as he leaned forward to place a kiss on her lips. Just as his lips were about to touch hers Elena turned away causing his lips to land on her cheek instead. "You should go you are needed somewhere else."

"What the hell was that about?" he growled at her in a low voice as he glared down at her.

The look on his face would have on any other day scared her but this time she was irritated with him and knew he was keeping something from her. "I think I'm going to go into town to do some shopping seeing as I have Gino with me." she said ignoring his question.

"I don't want you leaving the resort." Lorenzo snapped at her.

"And I don't want to stay here." Elena said calmly to him and watched as his anger rose even more. "I either go to town with Gino or I go alone but I am going."

Lorenzo turned from her and looked over at Gino. "Stay with her at all times and take Rob with you."

"Got it boss." Gino said quickly as he pulled his phone to call Rob.

"We will talk about this when you return." Lorenzo said looking back at Elena as he pulled her phone out of his pocket and held it out to her. "You want to leave the resort you have to take this back."

"I told you to keep it." Elena said shaking her head at him.

"Then your ass is not leaving this damn resort." He growled at her in a low menacing voice. "I suggest you make a decision."

"Fine!" she snapped as she snatched the phone from his hand and he smirked at her as he walked away.

With the casino's opening night party being just a couple nights away Elena knew she needed to get the right kind of dress for it. Considering it was being called the Black and White Ball she wanted something that would turn heads... well something that would drive Lorenzo crazy. She was tired of the way he drove her body crazy just by him being near but yet he seemed to have no effect from her other than the one time that she knew of.