Page 70 of Through You
That wasn’t my intention.”
I look him straight in the eye. “So what do you want now?”
He closes his eyes and bites his lips, unsure. I let go of his face and take a step back.
“You want to stay with her.”
Artemis remains silent. I take that as his answer, and force a smile.
“It’s fine, I understand. I appreciate that you’ve cleared things up about what happened. And now we can get back to keeping things civil between us without me wanting to murder you every time we run into each other.” I wave. “Good night, Artemis.”
I leave him in the living room. His shoulders are slumped and he looks like he lost a battle against a far superior adversary before it even started.
Twenty
This was a bad idea.
ARTEMIS
I can’t stop looking at her.
I’ve tried to distract myself by discussing business with my father or talking about public relations with my mother. I even tried to start a conversation with Ares. Despite my best efforts, the moment Claudia walks into the room, I can’t peel my eyes off her no matter how hard I try. And I don’t like feeling this way. I can’t stand not being in control of my emotions.
We’re on our traditional family trip to Greece for the Christmas holiday. As customary, Claudia and her mother have come along. However, this time it’s out of necessity, since Claudia is performing the role of caregiver to my grandfather. She seems quite at ease in his company, and they appear to have a close rapport. I’ve never been able to have that kind of relationship with him. I respect him greatly, and he’s a role model I look up to, but we haven’t deepened our bond.
On the hotel terrace, the late-afternoon sun paints the surroundings warm orange. Sitting at a long table, my mother is drinking her favorite wine, my father is occupied drawing graphs on his tablet, and Ares and Apolo are on their phones, chatting about a picture we took earlier that has apparently gone viral on social media.
Our grandfather has gone to take a nap, and Claudia is sitting across from me. She has on a blue bathing suit and a cover-up that doesn’t really cover that much. In any case, I have a clear view of her cleavage. Her skin looks soft, and I can’t help but imagine my tongue gliding along her neck and making its way down to her breasts. I shake my head.
Stop being a pervert, Artemis.
This woman is going to be the death of me. Ever since the night in the kitchen, my mind has become more depraved after having kissed her, tasted her, felt her . . . The sound of her moans has made me want more of her.
But you can’t have her, so you need to stop fantasizing abouther.
Claudia wraps her lips around a large piece of watermelon before taking a bite. Her soft lips become slightly redder while she eats the piece of fruit. I have the urge to get up, pull her closer by the neck, kiss her, and suck on lips covered in sweet watermelon juices. I can’t concentrate when she’s around.
Claudia notices the way I’m looking at her. She frowns and whispers, “What?”
I was just fantasizing about the many ways I want to fuck you.
“Nothing.”
Her light tan brings out the freckles on her cheeks and nose.
Claudia looks at me, puzzled, before continuing to eat. I need air, so I get up from my seat before my wild imagination turns into a hard-on right here in plain view of my family.
I take the elevator up to our suite, sticking my hands in the pockets of my shorts. A group of female resort staff get on at the same time. I hear them whispering and giggling after they check me out. I’m used to getting attention from women, but I know the fact that I’m attractive doesn’t make me a better person. It makes it easier when it comes to the opposite sex, that’s all. Still, it hasn’t been much help in my efforts to win the girl who matters most to me.
In the suite, I find my grandfather sitting on the sofa. He’s holding a bowl of popcorn and watching a movie. I greet him with a smile as I walk by, heading to my room. The hotel suite we occupy is immense.
“Artemis.” My grandfather’s voice brings me to a halt, and I turn around.
“Yes? Do you need something?”
He addresses me without making eye contact. “Cowardice is a flaw unbecoming to us Hidalgos.”
“What are you talking about?”
