Chapter 39

Ariana came to pick us up immediately, eyeing the two of us skeptically.

“Would you need me to call up your butler, Mr. Alexakis-Caron.”

“Please don’t.” he sighed dreadfully, “I’m a thirty-year-old man who hasn’t needed him in five years.”

“As you wish.”

The ride was silent but warm. I’d shed the overcoat and placed it neatly on the backrest of the passenger seat. I sat in the back with Cristo with him to my left. Our arms were so close, almost touching. I could feel my arm and neck heating up, remembering how sensual his light touches were, and the strength of just his hand. The warmth of his palm replayed on my cheek, and I wanted nothing more that for that to be a forever.

“Ariana,” I said, “could you head towards the second main plaza uphill?”

She looked back at me confused, but nodded and turned into a street slanting upwards. We rode in silence until the places started to look familiar.

“Yes, stop here.” I said, “Do you have a coin?”

“Of course.” Ariana reached into the dashboar