Emilio sucked his teeth. “I told you to come in, do what I said, and then leave.”
Cassie laughed, “Kinda hard to leave when I see who’s tied up.”
Getting to my feet, I said, “I’m going to use the restroom before I go.”
I stumbled a bit, but Emilio caught me in time before I fell. “I’m taking both of you home.”
I managed to get myself to the bathroom and back in one piece but stopped in the hallway when I heard Emilio and Cassie speaking. They whispered but it echoed through the room, and they must’ve not realized I would be able to hear them. Standing in the hallway, I listened.
“You’re a sucker for chicks with big tits,” Cassie said.
“Relax, Cass. It’s just sex.”
“Does she know that?”
“Of course.”
“Girls like her get attached. If you break her heart, you’re screwed. End it. Now.”
I remained silent the entire car ride, playing on being drunk. My head leaned onto the window as I watched the buildings pass by. Emilio drove up the private ramp to reach the parking garage on my floor. He parked and exited the car to open the door for me. The summer heat entered the AC-filled car.
Helping me out of the car, I force a smile, “You don’t need to walk me to my door.”
“A gentleman always walks a lady to her door.”
It was a nice gesture, even though Cassie’s words buzzed in my head. Did people think I was that fragile-minded? A ball of emotion was stuck in my throat. I knew this was just sex, and I knew one day it would end, but the thought that it would happen sooner than expected was making me sad.
“You’re a quiet drunk,” Emilio said as we walked down the hall.
“Just not feeling well,” I replied, forcing another smile. We reach my door, and I turn to face him. “Thanks for the ride.”
“I’ll have your car parked in your spot before you need it for tomorrow.” Emilio pulls me in and places a kiss on my forehead. His lips were plump, and the softness against my skin felt soothing. “Goodnight, Bethany.”
He waited until I let myself in. As I shut the door, I lean against it, my head tilted upward. Shit. I was that girl. When did it happen? Like a rug pulled out from under me, nothing was there to break my fall. The end was coming. I could feel it, and I wasn’t ready.
Chapter 27
Aria was due to leave for New York tomorrow, so I planned to make tonight one that Emilio would thoroughly enjoy. I began dreading when Aria would leave Chicago, knowing Emilio would no longer come around. He was adamant about keeping his distance when she wasn’t distracting Luca.
While shopping for some new lingerie, Emilio calls me.
“Lucky you, I’m at your favorite store,” I answer.
“Tonight isn’t going to happen.”
“What? Why?”
“Aria is leaving earlier than planned. Your brother and I have a little meeting at Chaos tonight.”
“Okay,” I replied. “You can’t just come later?”
“Don’t hold your breath.”
We got off the phone, and I couldn’t help but be disappointed. Tossing what I had in hand back onto the rack, I walked out and did some retail therapy instead. This month flew by, and I hadn’t realized how attached I had become to Emilio. He’s all I thought about, and I got butterflies anytime he came into sight. My phone rang again; this time, it was Alfie. Sometimes, I wished that I didn’t know the truth about him. I didn’t know how to act and somehow, I couldn’t remember how I treated him beforehand.
“Hey, Alfie,” Ianswer.
“B, I’m back.”
