Page 22 of Through You
“Is that so?”
She raises her chin defiantly. “Yes.”
I tilt my head forward and closer to hers, leaving very little space between us. It allows me the perfect view of every single detail of her face.
“If I’m not your boss, then, what am I?” I can tell she’s hesitating. Her lips are so close. I just need to move an inch and I’ll find out how they taste, how they feel against mine. For too brief a second her vulnerability is exposed. She doesn’t seem as sure of herself or as in control as per her usual. She looks indecisive, and I have to admit that I enjoy seeing her like this. I want her to come undone the way I do whenever she’s near me. I simply don’t know why I say and do the things that I say and do to her. We’re breathing hard, and the heat from our bodies mingles. Claudia is looking directly at me.
“I’ve told you. You’re just my boss’s son.”
But the conviction in her tone has evaporated. She doesn’t sound as determined as the first time she made the same proclamation. She pushes one of my arms with her hand in an attempt to escape from my trap. Before she can run too far, I catch up and quickly take her arm. I trap her between my body and the kitchen table.
“That’s all I am, huh?” I grab her chin. “Just the son of the boss. I don’t believe you, Claudia.”
“I don’t care if you don’t believe me.” She frees her chin from my hold.
“If that’s the case, why are you always evading me? What are you so afraid of?” I’m not quite sure why I’m asking these questions, or where they’re coming from. I place my hands against the tabletop on either side of her waist. Our gazes are locked, and the urge to investigate, explore, and uncover creeps in. I used to know all her vulnerabilities but now she keeps me on the outside looking in. All I get from her is defensiveness and coldness. I don’t want that.
“I’m not afraid of anything. And I’m not evading you.”
“Liar.”
She purses her lips, and her gaze leaves mine, moving to my chest.
“Artemis, you don’t matter that much to me,” she says.
“I want you to look at me in the eyes and say it one more time.” She looks at me and appears to hesitate. We are so damn close that her breasts brush against my bare chest every time she takes in and lets out a breath.
“You . . .” She can’t finish the sentence. I inadvertently brush my thumb against her lips, which she immediately opens to release short, rapid breaths.
Damn it, I am dying to kiss her.
The one thing stopping me is Cristina. She’s very special to me, and I don’t want to be unfaithful. It is inexcusable that I’ve let this interaction get this far. I don’t want to be like my mother.
Claudia is watching me in silence, unsure of what is about to happen. Or perhaps, in anticipation of what she hopes may happen.
And I know what I want; it infuriates and baffles me at the same time. I hate not feeling in control.
I don’t know how but I manage to separate myself from Claudia and make a quick exit from the kitchen before I do something I’ll regret. I foolishly believed I was no longer attracted to her, and now it’s clear I must proceed with caution.
Maybe I should be with her once so that I can finally leave her behind, in the past. Perhaps having always thought of her as unattainable presents a challenge, or something to that effect.
What is plain and clear now is that I won’t be able to move on until I have her. I need to possess every one of the groans, whimpers, and moans that must come out of her mouth in the throes of passion.
I always get what I want. That Fourth of July years ago, Claudia became the exception. But this time, she won’t be the exception. Not again.
Eight
You are too easy to please.
CLAUDIA
I need to stay away from Artemis.
The distance I was able to establish between us wasn’t enough; this is evident in light of our most recent encounters. What was that moment in the kitchen all about? Why was my heart beating like that? I suppose it’s because I’m still adjusting to how much he’s grown and changed—maybe that’s all there is to it.
Nevertheless, I can’t get out of my head the image of his face so close to mine. I got lost in his eyes, and was able to appreciate every detail of his scruffy beard and strong jaw.
I’d rather not think about what happened. It was difficult to hide the effect he had on me when he walked into the kitchen shirtless. He’s so fit, and he knows it. I can’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me stunned by his good looks.
