Page 125 of Beneath the Shadows

“I’m not sure,” I admit, glancing at Antonio.

“This is all you,” he says, gracing me with a sexy smile that makes my insides melt.

“Can we discuss it, and I’ll call you?” I ask.

“That works,” she replies, her eyes sparkling. “It’s going to be perfect.”

As we leave the gallery, I turn to Antonio, still stunned. “You really think I should do this?”

He looks down at me, his eyes sincere. “Absolutely. I’ve always known how talented you are, Alessia. It’s time the whole world knows.”

His words fill me with warmth, but something in his expression shifts. “What’s wrong?” I ask, suddenly uneasy. “Is it my father?”

“No, nothing like that,” he says, leading me to a quieter spot in the park. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

“You’re making me nervous.”

He takes a deep breath. “I’ve been buying your photos for the past few years,” he admits. “At first, I didn’t know they were yours. But when I found out, it only made me love them more.”

I stare at him, unsure how to feel. “Why?” I ask after a moment.

“At first, I was drawn to them because they captured something raw and real, something I rarely see. Something about them spoke to me,” he says, his voice low, thoughtful. “When I found out they were yours, it deepened the connection. Knowing they were a part of you, the only part I could have. It made me love them even more.”

I swallow hard, his words settling deep inside me, leaving me unsure of what to say. “What did you do with them?”

“They’re still in my apartment,” he admits, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. “I hadn’t exactly planned on moving, but, then I went to Alabama to get you and things changed rather quickly.”

A sense of curiosity blooms inside me. I want to see this part of him—his world before everything changed. The place where he kept pieces of me. “Will you take me there?”

Antonio’s eyes darken slightly. “Of course,tesoro.” He pulls me close, his lips brushing my temple. “I’d love to show you.”

Alessia

We walkin silence through downtown toward South 9th Street. I’ve been to the restaurant countless times and knew Antonio lived above it, but I’ve never been inside his apartment. My mind races with questions—what will it reveal about him? Will it feel like the person I know, or something entirely different? As we step through the door, I’m caught off guard by how personal the space feels.

The sophistication of the apartment surprises me. It’s open, bathed in natural light that reflects off the rich, dark wood floors, creating a striking contrast with the soft, neutral tones of the walls. The sleek, modern furniture exudes masculine elegance, yet the plush pillows and cozy area rugs add a warmth that makes it feel like a home. Everything is in its place, neat and orderly, but lived in.

“I’m surprised,” I admit, glancing around. “It’s nothing like I pictured.”

Antonio chuckles, his eyes softening. “I have to give all the credit to Cecilia. She refused to let me live in a place that looked like a college dorm room.” He laughs, a rare sound, filled with warmth as he speaks of his sister. “When she puts her mind to something, she’s unstoppable. Kind of like someone else I know,” he adds with a smirk.

He leads me to the end of a hallway, his hand resting on the doorknob. There’s a momentary pause as he looks back at me with a small smile before opening the door and stepping inside. This room is starkly different from the rest of the apartment—minimalist and bare. A simple dresser, a small bedside table, and a bed. The walls are a deep, somber gray.

Antonio moves to the closet, reaching up to pull down a box from the top shelf. It’s labeledAlessia’s Photographyin thick, black marker. He sets it down on the bed and opens it, revealing neatly stacked photos. My breath catches as I lean in to look. These are the images I’ve taken over the years, but now, seeing them here, they feel different—more personal.

“This is more than just a collection,” I whisper, running my fingers over the edges of the photos. “It’s like you’ve kept a part of me with you all this time.”

He steps behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, his breath warm against my neck. “Even before I knew they were yours, I felt a connection to these photos,” he murmurs. “One I couldn’t ignore.”

This isn’t simply about the photos—it’s about the connection that kept us tethered even when we were forced to be apart.

“Back in high school, when you stopped speaking to me, I thought you got bored,” I say, my throat tightening with emotion. “I assumed you were like all the other men in this world.”

Antonio’s expression deepens, his gaze never leaving mine. “It was never like that. Things were complicated, beyond either of our control. As much as it killed me, I had no choice but to stay away.” He brushes a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch tender. “But I could never be bored with you. You’re all I ever wanted.”

“Show me,” I whisper, my voice trembling with anticipation.

He captures my lips in a searing kiss, pulling me closer as everything else fades away. His hands move over my body, each touch igniting something deep inside me. I cling to him, feeling the urgency in his movements, the raw desire between us impossible to deny.

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