Page 54 of Merciless Attraction

“I’m not ready,” I whisper to Antonio as he ushers me into the thruway.

He stops, waits, then turns to face me. The way those devil-arched eyebrows nestle over his soft green eyes are a stark reminder of the man who loves me. Wait a minute...

Loves me?

Why do I feel that?

Why do I know that feeling to be true?

If I’ve been in a coma, dreaming of him and his tentacle dick as a figment of my imagination, why does it feel indisputable that his love for me is absolute?

Before he can say anything to coax me to leave this building, I stop him as if no one else is around us. The sounds of people meandering through the soft eggshell white hallways of the hospital don’t mean anything when I stop to look at him in those eyes I’ve grown to adore in my dreams.

“Do you love me, Antonio?” I ask him while searching his eyes for the answer before his lips can reply.

“I love you more than anyone I’ve ever loved before in my life,” he admits with his eyes on the ground. A breath catches in my throat. I don’t know what to say. I don’t know if I’m ready to say that back.

However, when he lifts his gaze to meet mine, I feel every aching pang of guilt and love intwining with his words when he says, “I could never love anyone the way I love you. When they put you under, I loved you. When they said they couldn’t wake you, I loved you. When it was a possibility you’d never wake up, I loved you. And I know no one will ever fill the place that I’ve carved out of my heart for you.”

I’m speechless from his proclamation and allow him to lead me outside where a brand-new SUV is waiting at the curb. It’s the perfect time to get my mind off this Pandora’s Box of emotion I just opened.

The attendant at the podium hurries toward us with the keys in hand and an expression of utter delight stretching across his face as he says, “Dr. Calisi, here are the keys. If you need anything else, please let me know.”

Antonio nods as he tips the valet with a few bills and leads me to a car that’s far too expensive to be a rental. A shiny black SUV with tints so dark, the NYPD would fly across the country to give me a ticket.

“I see someone’s been shopping.” I smile as he helps me into the passenger seat.

“It’s yours,” he says before walking to the driver’s side and taking me home to his condo.

“What do you mean, it’s mine?” I ask with a smile spreading across my face while running my hands over the dashboard. The new car smell swarms around me. It’s immaculately clean, and the leather is so soft to the touch.

“Natalie came back here to handle the insurance stuff. Your car was totaled. Damian said he’d take care of her transportation, and I agreed to take care of yours. If you don’t like it, I can take you to buy something different.”

“No, this is beautiful. Thank you, Antonio.” I don’t want to be ungrateful, but it’s a reminder that life went on while I was sleeping mostly peacefully after surviving a horrific car crash.

He grins and picks up my hand to kiss the back of it. We drive in silence with the music playing as my mind wanders endlessly. Visions of traffic lights and pedestrians remind me of the world I left behind.

When we get back to Antonio’s place, his bed is sitting in the center of the living room. His sofa is in the loft and things look awkwardly frustrating.

“I haven’t had a chance to put everything back,” he says.

I grab his hands. “It’s okay. I can only imagine what you were going through. Does anyone know what happened to my car?”

“The police are dragging their feet a bit, but we’re supposed to be getting a report back soon. Those two boxes have everything that was in your car. Your phone and bag are in the office. How are you feeling?” he asks.

“I feel more like myself and being able to walk around is something I didn’t realize I could take for granted. I was pulled out of that wreck with a few bruises and a punctured lung. Things are a bit fuzzy, but I’m happy to be home.”

Antonio embraces me with his voice low, “I’m happy you’re home, too. I just want you to know that no matter what happens, I’ll be here for you. I meant every word of what I said earlier. I love you because with you I feel safe enough to sleep through the night. You don’t have to say anything. If you don’t feel the same way, that’s okay, too. I just wanted you to know I’m going to work on myself so this stops.” He gestures to the living room where his bed is facing the large windows with sweeping views, and I rest my head on his shoulder.

“I think this is a great spot to fall asleep.”

He kisses the top of my head before shuffling into the kitchen. “I’m going to make you a huge dinner. Eggplant parmesan, roasted carrots, chicken cutlets, a salad, and some garlic bread.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Rest and relax. Let me take care of dinner.”

I don’t argue because the bed is in the living room. Antonio’s stress levels must have been through the roof these past few weeks. For now, I’ll let him do what makes him feel better, and it doesn’t hurt that the man can cook.

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