Page 37 of Through You
“I need to eat something so I can sleep,” he says.
“Were you awake the whole time? I thought when I left you hours ago you were sleeping.”
“I woke up at the crack of dawn.” He fesses up. “As soon as the sun rose, I went to see her.”
I can tell by his expression that the expedition didn’t go well.
“Is everything okay?”
He lets out a deep sigh. “Clau, to be honest, I don’t understand her. She . . . I just don’t get her.”
“Did you tell her how you feel?”
He nods.
“And?” I feel terrible for questioning him but I want to know what happened. The curiosity is killing me.
He grimaces. “She laughed.”
Ouch.
I sense he doesn’t want to talk about it. I know him well, and he’ll share when he feels ready, so I busy myself preparing breakfast.
I serve him and watch him eat absentmindedly. His thoughts are elsewhere. Before he leaves, he hugs me and kisses the side of my head.
“Clau, thanks for looking after me.”
“You’re welcome.” I smile as I watch him leave. “Ares, please get some rest.”
After I take breakfast to my mother, I return to the rest of my duties in the kitchen. There isn’t too much to do, except for preparing breakfast for Mr. or Mrs. Hidalgo, in case they choose to eat at home on a Sunday. Occasionally, my eyes dart to the door, expecting Artemis to show up, since he’s usually one of the first to come down for breakfast on weekends. I want to see him so I can get over these nerves. I turn on the coffee machine and prepare an espresso. On cue, Artemis makes his entrance, just when I least expect it. He’s shirtless again, slightly sweaty and wearing shorts.
I gather he just finished his workout. I freeze right in front of the coffee machine, and look at him out of the corner of my eye.
Artemis sits across the table, and he has his eyes squarely on me. “Good morning, sexy.”
I manage to contain a smile from spreading across my lips, and turn around. “Good morning, sir.” I tease him.
Artemis shoots me a charming grin that makes my heart race. His eyes have a mischievous twinkle that I’ve never seen before.
“What would you like to eat for breakfast?” I ask in a friendly tone.
He arches a brow. “Are you on the menu?”
I become short of breath. And the sexual tension is back on, as intense or more so than before.
“I don’t believe so.”
He sighs deeply. “That’s a pity.”
Artemis gets up and comes around the table. I’m rooted to the spot and watch him move, like prey watching a predator approach.
As he stands in front of me, I can see clearly every muscle and ripple defining his arms, chest, and abs.
“Last night you left me in a terrible state, Claudia.”
“Oh, is that so?” I play dumb, pretending I don’t understand.
He licks his lips.
