Page 91 of Through You
She shakes her head.
“All right. Good night, Martha.”
I take a seat in the living room and wait. I take off my jacket. I scroll through emails on my phone. When the clock strikes midnight, I go outside and sit on the front steps, hoping this change in location will speed up her return.
Eventually, a car pulls up and parks in front of the house.
I can spot Claudia inside. She’s saying good-bye to someone.
Is that Daniel? Is she dating Ares’s teammate? I restrain myself before jealousy spoils my chance to tell her what needs to be said. Claudia gets out of the car and waves. She’s wearing a casual minidress with a floral pattern that’s flattering, and she stops in her tracks when she sees me waiting. As usual, my thoughts get all mixed up when I’m in her presence, and my head fills with doubt. Her gaze is on me, and I can read in her expression the questions running through her mind.What are you doing here?
What do you want now?
“Did you have a good time?” I don’t bother adjusting my tone.
“That’s none of your business.”
“I was waiting for you.”
She walks over, and folds her arms over her chest. “Why?”
I rub the back of my neck with my hand and begin my explanation, choosing my words carefully. “Cristina and I are finished.”
She doesn’t seem affected by the news; it could be that she she’s good at hiding her emotions.
“What does that have to do with me?
“It has a lot to do with you.” I take a step closer to her. “I want . . . I want to be with you, Claudia.”
But the cold-eyed stare remains in place. Why?
“Tonight,” she begins. “So you want to spend the night with me, then tomorrow you can get back together with your girlfriend like nothing ever happened? I’m tired of your games, Artemis.”
“I’m not playing a game,” I assure her. “The engagement is over.”
“And why should I believe you?”
I inch closer until she’s forced to look up and meet my eyes.
“Because it’s you. Because you’re the only person who can see through me.”
She slowly parts her lips and I conjure all my inner strength to keep myself from kissing her. I don’t want to scare her. Besides, she says she has a boyfriend. Even though I don’t want to believe it, I wouldn’t want to put her in a difficult situation. I’ve already caused enough problems. It’s obvious she’s not sure what to say, so I speak instead.
“I’m not asking you to be with me right this moment. First, I want to win your trust.” I cup her face with both hands, feeling the softness of her skin under my touch. “I don’t want to act like a coward anymore, Claudia. There are no more obstacles impeding me from being with you.”
She licks her lips. “I told you, I’m seeing someone.”
“We both know that no one makes you feel the way I do.”
A smile plays on her lips. “You’re conceited.”
“And you’re a dummy for dating someone else.”
She puts her hands over mine on her face. “You’re way dumber I am.”
The silence settles between us. And I lose myself in that beautiful pair of jet-black eyes. How can they be this intense and mesmerizing? I run my thumb along her lips, imagining how they would feel pressed against mine. She takes a step back, breaking the connection between us.
“Fine. If you want to fight for me, go ahead. But I make no promises.” She walks past me, heading for the door. She turns around just as she’s about to go inside. “By the way, I don’t have a boyfriend. I wasn’t telling the truth. I just said it to annoy you.”
