Page 120 of Through You
She smiles at me. The dim yellow light coming from the candles illuminates her bare skin, and I’m moved by the need to repeat the words again.
I love you.
But I hold back. I don’t want to put her on the spot. The last thing I want is to make her feel uncomfortable. Seeing her lying here naked next to me, with a bright smile that lights up her face, makes me realize how much I love everything about her. What began as affection between children who protected and looked after each other has evolved into a growing attraction that has culminated in the feelings I have for her today. Feelings so overwhelming they terrify me.
“What are you thinking about?” she asks, as her hand cups my cheek.
How much you mean to me. That I love you, and I’d like toshout it from the mountaintops. And that the intensity of what I’mfeeling frightens me.
“What do you think?” I conceal my thoughts with a provocative smile.
She laughs, and I stare at her like a fool in love.
“I guess sir enjoyed his surprise.” She winks at me.
“Call me sir again, and I’ll screw you again.”
“Oh, I’m scared!” she teases me, and I climb on top of her.
Our warm, naked bodies fit each other to perfection.
“You should be afraid of me,” I tell her before kissing her softly, enjoying the taste of her lips and slowly savoring the way they feel. Claudia takes my lower lip between her teeth and smiles.
“I’m terrified.”
I keep kissing her. The rubbing of our wet lips intensifies little by little. Her breathing accelerates. I rest one hand on the mattress while I caress her breasts with the other.
“Artemis.” She moans against my lips, and I know I’ve got her where I want her.
“Spread your legs for sir,” I order, teasing her.
She obeys, and gives herself to me all over again with unbridled passion. And though she still hasn’t said she loves me, I feel love in every kiss, in each caress, in every glance—and that’s more than enough.
Thirty-three
I did something stupid.
CLAUDIA
I’ve never been a sound sleeper.
I blame it on all those restless nights from my childhood, back when I was always on alert in case something might happen.
And now the smallest sound wakes me up, like the beep from a notification on my phone.
I ignore the first message because I’m wrapped in Artemis’s arms, who sleeps soundly behind me. I don’t want to move. But I open my eyes to look at my phone on the nightstand when it beeps for a second time, then a third, and a fourth. The alarm clock next to it indicates it’s 3:45 a.m.
Who is texting me at this hour?
I carefully extend my hand and grab my phone. I look at the screen, which is lit up with notifications. It’s Daniel. I scowl as I read his messages.
3:40
Daniel: Claudia, I miss you.
3:41
Daniel: I’m drunk and I can’t stop thinking about you.
