Page 41 of Loving My Enemy

The orgasm was magical, filled with colors and sensations that were new to me, even as Antonio pounded into me, harder and harder as his own orgasm barreled down on him.

I clung to him in that moment of oneness. I closed my eyes and held on as the last remnants of pleasure worked their way to the surface. I let myself have this one moment of pure, perfect bliss.

Then I let him go.

Because I had to.

He wasn’t mine.

Would never be mine.

Sleepingwith Antonio was an excellent workout, not to mention a great way to relieve stress. But above all else, wrapping my naked body around his was absolutely addicting. I couldn’t get enough of him, of the way he made me feel, and the things he did to my body. The way he looked at me in those quiet, unguarded moments made me feel things I shouldn’t.

But I did.

“That’s entirely too much thinkin’ this early in the morning.” I smiled when his strong arms wrapped around me and my body shivered at his warm breath and thick early-morning Texas accent. “What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?”

“I was just wondering if it would ever stop feeling so good. You’re the expert—is it always like this?” I had to know because for more than a week now, I felt like I couldn’t get enough of him.

“Not like this, no.” His words were reluctant, like he was hoping as much as I was that this thing burned so hot because of its newness. “I think I’m addicted to you.”

“Oh, thank goodness, because I was feeling the same way.” I turned in his arms so we were face to face, so I could see the little threads of gold that gave his eyes a heavenly appearance. “This is … different.”

“For me too,” he confirmed and pulled me close. I inhaled his scent, feeling like I was in too deep but unable to pull myself away. Then, because I could, my tongue darted out for a small taste of his skin, salty and sweaty, a satisfying mixture of both of us. “Elka,” he moaned and pushed his hips into me.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand and I ignored it, happy I’d given my parents a dedicated ringtone. “Antonio, please.”

“Since you asked so nicely.” He dipped his head in low, wrapping his mouth around my nipple until I arched into him.

The phone rang again and I was determined to ignore it, spearing my fingers through his hair to hold him right where I wanted him. “No, don’t stop.”

“Maybe you should get that.”

I rolled my eyes, confident he couldn’t see me and we wouldn’t fight. “Maybe you should get back to what you were doing.”

He froze and pulled back and my body howled with disappointment that its hunger would be left unsatisfied. For now. “Elka, I’m serious. What if they’re calling because something’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong, Antonio. Why can’t you just trust me on this?” He was just like everybody else, thinking they knew what was best for me.

“I do trust you, but why else would they keep calling?”

I slid back until I nearly fell off the foot of the bed and stared at him. “Because they’re hoping I’ll answer so they can browbeat me into doing what they want me to do. That’s not happening.” Not ever again.

“Maybe they just miss you.”

I stood, knowing this morning wasn’t going where I thought it was just minutes before. “They don’t miss me, Antonio. You don’t know what you’re talking about.” I shook my head, feeling stupid. “I should have known you weren’t done with this.”

“I’m only asking because—”

“Because it’s your job. I get that now.” It hurt like hell, but I got it. He reached out to me to make sure my feelings weren’t hurt but I ignored that and started pacing the room. “Fine. Here it is. I know they don’t miss me because they never wanted me. They had me to be spare parts for Austin because genetically we were as close to a perfect match as people could be without being twins. My whole life was lived in a bubble. It wasn’t mine; it was Austin’s. Always. The moment he was dead, they were done with me.”

“I’m sure that’s not true,” he said softly. Kindly.

I snorted, harsh and bitter. “They forgot about me at the wake, Antonio. Left the funeral home and made it all the way home before they realized, and do you think they came back for me?” He looked terrified now, like he was regretting bringing it up. Good. “No, they sent a car. So please don’t tell me how much they’re missing me because it just pisses me off.” I managed to make it to the bathroom before the tears fell, but it was a close call.

Feeling stupid and drained before eight o’clock in the morning wasn’t a good look for me. I stepped into the hot shower, hoping to wash it all away and start the day right. At some point, the curtain was pulled back and Antonio joined me.

Silently.

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