CHAPTER 68 – CASPIAN
I run Antonio’s bath and bring him a glass of water and a cookie.
He’s sprawled on the bed, eyes closed, cheeks flushed.
“I came too hard,” he complains.
“Here. Eat this.”
Without opening his eyes, his hand shoots out. I place the cookie on it.
“The bath is ready.”
His eyes open and he takes a small bite.
“My legs don’t work.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
“Can you carry me?”
“You want me to carry you to the bathroom?”
“It’s your fault I overcame,” he says, then bursts into laughter at his accidental joke. He laughs so hard he almost chokes on cookie crumbs.
I hand him the water.
“Of course I’ll carry you, sweetheart. I’d carry you to the edge of the world and back if you wanted me to.”
“It’s the least you can do after giving me too much pleasure.”
Another bite, another sip of water.
He studies me thoughtfully.
“You look very smug. Just because you can make me come by saying I’m your good boy doesn’t mean…”
He yawns.
“I forgot what I was saying.”
He nibbles the cookie.
“But I know it was a very deep thought.”
“I’m sure it was.”
I lift him up and he wraps himself around me with surprising agility, considering his legs were supposedly malfunctioning.
I lower him into the bath and head downstairs to make us smoothies.
Smiling, I think about how Antonio stormed into my life and gave me a purpose.
He taught me how to love and be loved in return.
Unlike my family.
My father taught me what angry hands can do.
My mother taught me how silence can hurt just as much.
My sister taught me to aim for perfection.
I taught myself to manage.
The doorbell rings, interrupting my thoughts.
I pull on a T-shirt and go open the door.
Usually people in Baywood just walk in, so whoever rang the bell is either
lost, too polite, or—
Oh.
Speak of the devil.
It’s Penelope.
“Sorry to interrupt your lounging,” she says, her eyes flicking over my sweatpants and old gray shirt.
“You look sharp enough for both of us,” I reply, stepping aside.
She walks in. “I tried calling.”
“I was busy.”
My mind flashes to Antonio toweling himself upstairs. I should probably warn him that Penelope’s here.
My sister’s gaze lands on the two glasses beside the blender.
“You have company?”
I open my mouth to answer—but it’s already too late.
“I’m not company,” Antonio calls from the stairs.
We both look up.
“I’m the boyfriend.”
He’s wrapped in one of my old sweaters and absolutely nothing else. His hair is still damp, his curls a dark, beautiful chaos.
He looks unreal. So goddamn gorgeous.
My stomach flips. We just had sex, and I’m already getting hot all over again.
Penelope inclines her head with perfect professional politeness.
“Nice to meet you.”
Then she turns back to me. Back to business.
“I spoke to Dr. Bennett,” she says. “I apologized. It was comprehensive.”
“Good.”
“I’m holding a press conference tomorrow morning. I’ll clear everything up.”
“Really?” Antonio blurts, bright with relief. Then he catches himself, scowls, and folds his arms. “I mean—it’s about time.”
Penelope’s mouth twitches. Slightly.
“Yes,” she says crisply. “The board meets at eight. The press conference is at nine.”
She hesitates. If this were anyone else, I’d say she was nervous. But this is Penelope. She’s probably just performing an internal reboot.
“Are you going to be there?” she asks.
“Of course,” I say.
“We will all be there,” Antonio declares from the staircase, as grand as a prince addressing his subjects. “Now excuse me. I’m going to call Mom so she can prepare snacks.”
He pivots and ascends the stairs with impressive dignity.
I watch him go, helplessly in love.
Penelope exhales.
“So,” she says, her gaze lingering on the staircase. “That’s the boyfriend.”
I nod.
“That’s the boyfriend.”