Page 51 of Through You
My mind flashes to the way the wrinkles on his face appear more evident when he smiles.
He is the closest thing I have to a father figure, something I never had in my life.
I love you so much, you stubborn old man. Please get well.
Fifteen
My god, I am so sorry!
CLAUDIA
Anthony Hidalgo is stable.
The results from the MRI show that he sustained minimal damage, which is a relief. However, the doctor said something about having to keep him sedated and resting until the swelling in his brain comes down. After a couple of days of keeping vigil at the hospital, we were all sent home with the promise that they would contact us the moment he’s conscious. I feel like I can finally breathe, though I won’t be completely at ease until I’m able to speak with him. But at least now I know he’ll be okay. Life at the house has almost returned to normal.
I bring my mother her supper after I’m done tending to Ares and his guests, which include Raquel, a boy with an infectious smile, and a girl who resembles Daniel. When I go back to the rec room with the refreshments Ares requested, I find it empty.
Where did they go?
I go up to Ares’s room and knock on his door.
“Come in.”
Inside, I find that he’s not alone—Apolo is with him, and I can tell something is going on by their expressions.
“I brought the drinks you asked for but your guests aren’t there.”
The disappointment on Ares’s face is clear as the light of day.
“Have they all gone?” He knows I’m asking if Raquel has left.
“Yes. Everyone,” he confirms, with a sigh. A flash of sadness appears in Ares’s eyes, though he tries to hide it. Apolo smiles at him and leaves.
I gently rub my tense shoulders and make my way down the stairs. I have one last task to complete before turning in: I have to collect the dirty towels from the gym and put them in the washer.
Now that Artemis is living in this house, I have to do it more often since he works out every day.
I slide open the door to the gymnasium and walk past the exercise machines, making my way to the entrance of the washroom located at the end of the hallway. I yawn as I pick up the used towels from the basket placed right outside the shower stall, and check inside the stall to see if there are any towels in there.
The stall is huge and long, and the shower is right at the end. I fantasize about Artemis having a shower, and suddenly I feel hot.
I should not be thinking about that idiot.
In the laundry room, I place half the towels in the machine and start it up, putting the rest on the floor. I’m exhausted. I slide down until I come to rest on the pile of fluffy towels.
I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I know, I wake from a scorching wet dream. I couldn’t make out the face of the man in my dream, but he was giving me the best fuck I’ve had in my entire life. My frustration grows when I realize I’m drenched. Damn it.
Come to think of it, when was the last time I had sex? I can’t even recall. No wonder my hormones are in overdrive. I can’t even remember the last time I helped myself ease some of this tension. I open my legs and push up my skirt, and my eager hand slides inside my stockings. I shouldn’t be doing this here, but I can’t take care of it in the room I share with my mother.
I’m completely soaked and my fingers easily slide inside my most intimate place. A moan escapes my lips; I had forgotten how good this feels. I shift my stocking to one side so I can have better access. I know exactly what I like and my fingers move accordingly, deep inside. I close my eyes, drowning in a flurry of sensations.
I bite my lower lip and let out a few whimpers, which become louder as my fingers increase their tempo. I open my eyes and instead of finding the door closed, I see Apolo standing across from me.
I jump to my feet, roll my skirt back down into place, and try to stand, but my legs are shaky.
“Oh my god. I’m so sorry!”
I lower my gaze, mortified beyond belief. I wait for him to leave but he doesn’t. Instead, I hear him close the door behind him and move farther into this small space. I look up to watch him but remain speechless. My breathing is in complete shambles. In all the years I’ve known him, I’ve never seen this expression on Apolo’s face. It’s neither innocent nor childish. It’s pure lust. His eyes are shining bright, and show the determination of a man. He approaches slowly, as if he knows a sudden move could scare me.
