Page 138 of Sins (The Sins Trilogy 1)
Chapter Sixty-Three
Iris
The rest of the week passes in lovely routine. Get up and get dressed for work, share a quick breakfast with Tony, ride to the foundation in the Cullinan with our hands linked, then nine to five and back home in his car to the penthouse, where we have dinner. I practice the piano for about an hour, and then we go to bed, where we drive each other crazy with lust.
I enjoy my new life much more than I expected. Having structure to my days makes things easier, somehow. I tried to maintain as much as possible during my travels, doing my best to stay in the same city for at least a month so I could set up some kind of routine. It’s nice to know what’s happening each day, so I don’t feel like I’m spending time wondering what I should be doing and frittering my life away.
Then there’s Tony. He makes my week brighter, more fun. Every time I’m around him, I feel protected and cherished. Sometimes I wonder if it’s love. Neither of us has said the word, of course. It seems a bit premature, but…
“We should celebrate your first week at work,” Tony says on our way to the foundation on Friday.
“Oh? What do you have in mind?” I lean closer so TJ won’t overhear. “Other than nocturnal activities.”
Tony laughs. “How about a weekend trip to Napa?”
“Really?”
He nods.
“I’d love to! I’ve never been.”
“We can leave after work.”
“That’s perfect.” I lift our linked hand and kiss his. “You’re perfect.”
I’ve been on more trips in the last six years than most people take in a lifetime, but this one feels special because it’s my first with Tony.
“I’ll pick you up at five,” he says as the Cullinan stops in front of my office.
Impulsively, I kiss him, blurt out, “Love you,” and jump out of the car before he can respond. I run toward the lobby.
My face is hot and my heart is racing like crazy, but my reaction has nothing to do with my little sprint in low heels. It’s got everything to do with the fact that I said the L-word.
Maybe you shouldn’t have run off right after like he’s Typhoid Tony, part of me chides.
Yeah, it’s immature, but I’m inexplicably feeling shy. I’ve never said that to a man before. And even though it seems early, I wanted Tony to know.
I’m reaching into my purse for my employee badge when a large hand takes my arm and spins me around. I blink up at Tony, who’s looking at me with an emotion so intense, it’s positively riveting.
“You can’t just leave like that,” he says, his voice thick.
I’m searching for something to say when he says, “I love you too,” and kisses me, just a soft brush of his lips over mine.
My heart swells, knocks against my chest with such force, I can’t speak…or breathe.
“Now. Have a good day at work,” he says, squeezing my hand like he can’t bear to let go.
“You too.” I smile, then watch him walk backward toward the Cullinan.
When he finally slips inside the car and vanishes, I go to the office, my step so light that I feel like I’m floating.
Tolyan gives me a coolly appraising glance. “You seem happy.”
“Yes. Isn’t today beautiful?” I look out the windows. “Sunny, too.”
“It’s always sunny in Los Angeles.”
“I know, but today’s extra-special sunny.”
