Chapter 23 Falling in Love
 
 
 
 
 
 
Antonio’s face lit with a mischievous grin, his eyes gleaming with a playfulness that contrasted sharply with Rose’s wary expression. If he finished his sentence, she might have frozen in place—or bolted out of the room.
“Alright, I’m joking,” Antonio admitted with a chuckle, stepping back and sighing. He unbuttoned his suit jacket, though the lingering pain from his wound made the motion slow and cumbersome.
Rose, noticing his difficulty, stepped forward hesitantly. She reached out to help him remove the outer layer of his suit.
“Thank you,” Antonio said, taking the jacket from her hands and placing it neatly on the edge of the bed.
“You can wait outside if you want—or stay and watch me undress,” he teased, smirking as Rose glared at him, her cheeks flushing crimson.
He turned his back to her and began unbuttoning his shirt, but the task proved challenging. The strain of movement tugged at the wound, causing him to pause.
“Let me help,” Rose offered, her voice soft but resolute as she stepped closer.
Antonio allowed her to undo the last buttons and slip the shirt from his shoulders. Rose’s eyes were drawn to his well-defined chest and sculpted muscles, but the bandaged quickly captured her attention wound on his abdomen.
“Thank you,” he murmured, noticing her concern. “Now, you can go wait outside while I—” He grabbed a towel from the wardrobe. “—take care of this.”
Rose hesitated, guilt gnawing at her. She couldn’t bring herself to leave him in such a state.
“Mr. Sofph,” she began, her voice tinged with embarrassment.
Antonio raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her tone.
“Let me help you,” she said, lowering her gaze to avoid his piercing eyes.
Her words surprised him, but they also pleased him in ways he couldn’t explain. He watched as she gathered a small towel and filled a basin with water in the bathroom. Returning to his side, she placed the items on a chair by the bed.
Antonio smiled, warmth blooming in his chest. He didn’t remember the last time he’d felt this content. The way Rose moved with care made him feel something deeper—something he’d never anticipated.
“Sit down,” she instructed gently, gesturing toward the edge of the bed.
Antonio complied, still curious about her sudden change of heart.
“I was just going to take my time with it,” he explained.
“I couldn’t leave knowing you’d struggle,” she replied, wringing out the damp towel.
The cool fabric brushed against his arm, sending a shiver down his spine. He watched her closely, captivated by her delicate features and the tenderness in her movements.
“Why don’t you ask?” Antonio’s voice broke the silence.
“Ask what?”
“Why I was shot?” he clarified.
Rose continued her task, her gaze focused on the towel in her hands. “That’s your personal business.”
“You’re not curious?” he asked, almost wistfully.
“I don’t pry into people’s lives,” she replied simply.
Antonio sighed, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Rose was unlike anyone he’d ever met. Her quiet integrity and respect for boundaries intrigued him, drawing him closer.
As she worked, Antonio reached out, gently placing his hand over hers.
“Do you feel the same way I do?” he asked, his voice low and earnest.
Rose froze, her heart pounding as she lifted her gaze to meet his.
“The way I’m falling for you,” he confessed, his words laced with sincerity.
Her breath hitched. She turned her face away, her mind swirling with emotions she wasn’t ready to face.
Antonio tilted her chin upward, coaxing her to meet his gaze once more. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world seemed to fall away. His thumb brushed lightly across her bottom lip, and she instinctively closed her eyes, leaning into his touch.
Antonio leaned closer, his lips trailing a gentle path from her cheek to her neck. His hand moved to the nape of her neck, holding her steady as he captured her lips with his.
Rose gasped softly, her hands instinctively pressing against his chest. The kiss deepened, stirring sensations she had never experienced before. Antonio’s lips moved with a practiced confidence, yet there was an unmistakable tenderness in the way he held her.
Time seemed to stand still until he finally pulled away, his eyes searching hers for answers.
Rose’s face was flushed, her breathing uneven. She couldn’t bring herself to look directly at him, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment.
“Listen,” Antonio said, taking her hand and placing it over his heart. “Do you hear that? It beats for you.”
Her heart skipped a beat at his words.
“My heart belongs to you now,” he continued, his voice unwavering. “Can you take care of it?”
Rose hesitated, her own emotions swirling. She wanted to keep her guard up, to maintain the walls she’d built around her heart, but Antonio’s vulnerability was disarming.
“Are you sure it’s me?” she whispered, her voice trembling.
“More than anything,” he affirmed, his sincerity shining through.
Before she could respond, Antonio scooped her into his arms, placing her gently on his lap. She let out a startled cry, her hands pressing against his chest in protest.
“Call me Nicks,” he murmured with a playful smirk. “It’s what I want to hear from you.”