My Saving Grace

Chapter 14

Morning sunlight spilled through the large window as I stirred awake, my eyes slowly blinking open. I stretched my sore arms, turning my body to wrap them around the man lying next to me.

Instead, my hands clutched at nothing but wrinkled bedsheets.

I simply stared at the empty space where Antonio's body should have been, blinking twice to make sure my eyes weren't playing tricks on me.

A quick glance at the nightstand revealed that his wallet and car keys were also gone.

I called out his name, but all I got in response was the sound of the ocean breeze lightly rattling my window.

I couldn't believe it...he'd vanished. Again.

The faint smell of his cologne on the pillows was the only proof that he'd been in my bed last night. And of course, the fact that I was deliciously sore between my legs.

Then I recalled him telling me after the mind-blowing sex that he'd slept with a woman just last weekend.

Of course. It all made sense now.

Antonio was a no-strings-attached type of guy. Just like how I'd been back in college.

But when I was around him, it sure didn't feel that way.

Feeling more perplexed than ever, I dragged myself out of bed, stooping down to pick up my clothes where Antonio had tossed them then made my way to the bathroom.

Out of curiosity, I glanced into the mirror, and my eyes widened at the reflection staring back at me. My hair was a tangled mess, my lips had never appeared more swollen, and worst of all, a visible hickey adorned the side of my neck.

To sum everything up nicely, I looked thoroughly fucked.

The depressing part was, being with Antonio had refueled my sex drive that I'd failed to satisfy for two long years, but he wasn't even here at the moment. And I was in desperate need of some hot morning sex.

It wasn't just that, though. I also craved simply being in his company. Talking, laughing, all that good stuff.

With a heavy sigh, I stepped into the shower, washing away the scent of Antonio and the memories of everything he'd done to my body last night.

Afterwards, I threw on an old college tshirt and pair of cotton shorts then strolled to the kitchen to prepare a bowl of cereal for breakfast. Even though the clock on the wall read eleven.

Now with Antonio gone, my apartment felt lonelier than ever. He'd only been here a night, but his presence had definitely left a mark. If I'd known it'd feel like this, I wouldn't have invited him over in the first place. We could've met at a bar or something.

Maybe it was time I got a dog.

But in all honesty, I only liked seeing them in public or at people's houses. I didn't love them enough to consider them a living companion in my apartment.

Once I finished breakfast, I went to brush my teeth then headed outside to sit on the balcony. My next door neighbor, Lisa, was on her balcony as well, and we gave each other a wave in greeting. She was older--in her thirties--and super friendly. On some weekends, we'd head to the pool together or watch movies.

Pulling out my phone, I decided to dial my dad. It'd been a while since I got to talk to him. He picked up on the second ring.

"Hey, pumpkin, what's up?"

"Are you ever going to stop calling me that?"

"Do you want me to?"

"No." I grinned childishly.