My Saving Grace

Chapter 13

Opening the door, I walked into my apartment building and saw Antonio sitting by the fireplace, reading a magazine. For the first time since we'd met, he wasn't wearing his typical professional attire.

Instead, he had dark blue jeans on with a plain gray v-neck tshirt, looking incredibly sexy, and for a moment, I just stood there admiring him from afar. Dark stubble had grown on his jaw, and his mouth was pressed into a thin line. I wondered what was on his mind.

Gathering my courage, I finally began to walk towards him. At the sound of my footsteps, he looked up from his magazine and gazed at me slack-jawed.

"What's wrong?", I asked him, frowning.

"Whose concert did you go to?" His voice was throaty.

"Um, don't I get a hello or something?"

"Just answer the question."

"Drake's. With my older brother."

He quickly sat up straight, the magazine falling off his lap.

"And he let you wear that?" His eyes raked over my abundant cleavage and bare stomach before landing back on mine.

"I'm a grown woman, Antonio, not a little kid."

He stood up, taking me into his arms, and I couldn't help noticing that they were all muscle and sinew.

"I know. It's just that you managed to surprise me yet again."

"I can't help being full of surprises."

"I'm not complaining," he murmured, smiling lazily as he leaned in to kiss the tip of my nose.

Grabbing Antonio's hand, I led him to the elevator then we rode up to the fifth floor where my apartment was. He stood behind me, his presence all-consuming while I dug in my clutch for my keys, controlling my erratic breathing.

God, why was I being such a nervous wreck right now?

Moments later, I inserted the key into the lock and opened the door.

"Come on in," I said to Antonio with a smile.

He walked in, and I shut the door behind him, hanging my keys on the nearby hook.

"Would you like anything to drink?", I asked.

"I'll have whatever you're having," he replied, taking a seat at the kitchen counter.

"Ok. Make yourself comfortable."

"Oh, don't worry, I will." He grinned.

I grabbed two glasses from the cupboard and a tray of ice from the freezer then began preparing a gin and tonic drink.

"So, any particular reason you wanted to see me tonight?", I asked.

"Other than the fact that I miss you, no, not really."

His words tugged at my heartstrings.

"I missed you, too, Antonio." My gaze settled on his gorgeous face.

"I was going to text you sooner, but I was busy preparing my students for their next midterm."

"No worries, I completely understand." I smiled at him.

Once I finished making our drinks, we moved to the living room to sit down on the couch, with my legs draped over his.

"You've got a nice place, Sophia. It feels very homey, too."

"Thank you. I try."

"You play the piano?" He nodded towards my black baby grand piano in the corner of the room by the balcony door.