Chapter 25
SYLAS
Standing outside Anna’s door, I stare at the crooked brass number on the frame then down at my lopsided bow tie. When I go to fix it, the door swings open and the world around me ceases to exist.
I breathe in but don’t exhale, the air getting caught and trapped in my lungs.
Anna is striking. I’m in a state of shock, unable to fathom forming a single thought or word to convey just how gorgeous she looks.
“You look…” Her words ebb, eyes trailing down the length of my body and back up, stopping when they reach my neck. She takes a step forward, lifting her hands. “May I?”
“Yeah.” I swallow, nodding. My gaze darts to every inch of her, soaking everything in all at once. “I look what?”
My lungs burn, begging for air, and when I take a breath, I’m drowned in the scent of her perfume: apples, cinnamon, maple, reminding me of the candle sitting on my nightstand.
She gently adjusts my bow tie, peering up at me from her thick black lashes, her dark whiskey eyes boring into mine. When she’s done, she doesn’t move her fingers. They stay on the rounded edges of the black silk.
I trace over the line of her lips, at the red color that paints them, and I watch fixedly as they move when she talks. “You look very handsome.”
That makes me feel good, but it’s hard to focus on the words when I can’t stop replaying the sound of her soft, seductive voice. Or the way her lips parts to speak, teeth just barely grazing the inside of her bottom lip, her tongue shifting with every syllable.
I smile, settling my gaze on her face. I inhale a slow breath, filling my lungs with her perfume. “And you look…” I close my mouth because I still haven’t found an appropriate word for how she looks. “Divine. Mesmerizing.”
They’re not my best work, but they are the only ones that came to mind. I am, though, mesmerized.
She’s wearing a long black dress that hugs her body in a way that’s both modest and sexy.
The straps purposely hang off her shoulders, there’s a small dip in the neckline that exposes just a bit of her cleavage, and the slit on the side of her leg stops mid-thigh, giving me a view of her heels and the thin black straps around her ankles.
Expelling a quiet breath, I force myself to look up at her again.
“Yeah, you are the personification of the word beautiful. I’m sorry.” I grab a wisp of her bang, twirling the black strand around my finger. I eye the gold earrings and the small studs on her ears, the clear lens that covers the surface of her eye, and the tight slicked-back bun.
Her lips part as they curl upward into a demure smile. “What are you sorry for?”
“That those are the only words I was able to come up with. They don’t do you justice.”
Her already pink cheeks darken and her eyes glimmer as they leisurely sweep over my face.
“You said I’m the personification of beautiful.
That’s the nicest compliment I’ve ever received.
Nothing will ever top it. You’ve just set the standard.
” She drops her hands to her sides. “So, it’s safe to say I did good? ”
I’m grinning hard, just as she’s beaming when I grab her hand and spin her around. “More than good. I can’t wait to show you off.”
Anna giggles when I wrap an arm around her back and draw her to my chest. “Because I look good?”
“No, because you’re mine.” My voice deepens, not like it did the other night. It sounds rough and possessive. I should tone it down, but I don’t want to. I don’t want to fake it anymore, and after tonight, I want to take pretend out of our relationship.
“Ready?” I quietly ask as we enter my parents over-the-top Christmas-decorated home. It’s not gaudy but it’s very in your face.
I’d be lying if I said it’s not pretty. I know it is, and I can tell Anna feels the same way as her gaze veers over every decoration in wonderment.
“Yeah.”
“If anyone makes you feel uncomfortable, if they’re pushy, annoying you, being rude, or invasive…touch your earring or say bells, and we’ll get the fuck out of here,” I tell her, but her lips quirk up, eyes shining.
I gave her a rundown of what things would be like when we came here.
The majority of my parents’ friends are pretentious, shallow-minded people.
Anna said she’d be okay because of her working at the restaurant and cleaning homes, but this is different.
These people aren’t just anybody, they’re celebrities—everything from professional athletes, models, actors and actresses, and CEOs.
They’re not worried about wandering eyes or listening ears because what happens here, stays here.
Not that anything bizarre happens other than the drugs, the alcohol, the men bringing their mistresses, and whatever happens in the tucked-away rooms in my parents’ home.
She rubs her thumb over my hand. “I promise to warn you, but don’t worry. I’ll be okay.”
“I know. Everyone here is particular, and I know what they’re like.”
Anna smiles, easing the discomfort in my chest. “I get it. Everything will be okay.”
I can’t help myself so I kiss the top of her head, careful not to mess a strand out of place. “Yeah, it will. I’m happy you came.”
“Thanks for invit—”
“Oh, hi, Anna dear.” Mom cuts her off mid-sentence, snaking her arms around her, catching us off guard. “Just look at you.” She keeps her hands on her shoulders and sweeps her gaze over Anna’s dress, hair, and makeup. “You look beautiful.” She flashes her a prim smile.
“Thank you, and thank you for having me here.” She returns a friendly smile of her own.
Mom waves a dismissive hand. “No, don’t thank me. You’re Sylas’s girlfriend. We’re so glad you’re here.”
I hear the tightness in her voice, but it’s gone before it settles in the space between us. I don’t doubt Anna heard it too, but she’s good about keeping her smile pasted on her face.
Surprisingly, my parents haven’t asked about Anna or made comments about our relationship. I thought by now they would have. It’s hard to believe they’re one hundred percent okay with it, considering just a few weeks ago, Mom was desperately trying to make Florence and me happen.
“Sy, sweetheart.” Mom directs her attention to me. “Can I speak to you for a moment?”
“I don’t want to leave—”
“Don’t worry. I won’t take you away from her for long.” Now she looks at Anna, lips stretched impossibly wide. “Anna will be okay alone for a few minutes. Isn’t that right, dear?”
“Uh…” She wavers before she nods. “Yeah, I’ll be okay.”
I cock a brow, grabbing her hand. Mom tracks the movement, the faintest crease forming between her smooth skin.
Disregarding that, I look at Anna. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” She stands on her tiptoes and places a chaste kiss on my cheek, then rubs the spot to clean the lipstick she probably left behind. “Take your time. I’ll be here.” She squeezes then lets go of my hand.
Mom stands there, watching us keenly, but still I hesitate. “I won’t take long.”
“I promise I’ll make it quick.” She ushers me away, but I look over my shoulder at Anna. She gives me a thumbs-up before she disappears from view.
We step into the office where I expect to find Dad, but it’s just us.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” she candidly asks.
I breathe in, willing for all the patience in the world. I know what she’s asking, but I need to hear her say it. “Sure about what?”
“You and Anna. Sy, she’s a beautiful girl, smart too, but she’s not Florence.”
“And thank God for that. If I wanted Florence, I’d be with Florence, but there is nothing there.
I want and like Anna. Please…” I pinch the bridge of my nose, exhaling sharply.
“Accept it, but even if you don’t, it isn’t going to change anything.
Anna is my girlfriend and it’s going to stay that way. ”
“I just wanted to make sure. If she’s who you want to be with, I’ll accept it.
” She squares her shoulders, her lips thinning in a flat line, the corners of her eyes strained.
“As promised, I told you I wouldn’t take long.
Go be with Anna.” She places a stiff palm on my cheek, rubbing her thumb in circles on it.
“Will we see you tomorrow morning for the pictures?”
“I’ll be here.” I smile.
“Good.” She drops her hand.
As soon as she guides me outside, I search for Anna.
It takes me a little longer to find her because I keep getting stopped and asked questions about hockey, school, and more hockey.
When I do find her, she’s surrounded by my friends and sister.
She’s smiling at whatever Frost’s just said, then laughing at Berlin.
I immediately stand next to her, wrapping my arm around her waist and tugging her to my side.
Frost smirks at the motion, knowing I’m telling him to fuck off.
“Sorry for taking a while,” I say in her ear.
“It’s okay. I found Thea and then the guys showed up,” she replies.
“Don’t worry, Sy. We were keeping her company. She wasn’t lonely,” Frost chimes in.
I pin him with an irked look, my fingers clutching her hip. “I—”
“No, but I’m glad you’re back,” Anna supplies, nuzzling closer to me so our bodies are flush.
That slaps away the stupid smirk on Frost’s face.
It dawns on him, as well as Berlin. Meanwhile, Marc is looking altogether too smug, and I know there’s a “told you so” on the tip of his tongue.
I’m sure they figured it was fake because they know how pushy Mom has been about Florence.
They’re smart enough to add two plus two, but I’m sure they didn’t expect how naturally we look and act.
But it’s not acting, at least not anymore.
“Did he coerce you, Anna? Don’t be scared. We’re here for you,” Berlin teases. “If you need help getting out of this, say the word and we’ll help you. Don’t feel like you need to deal with this on your own.”
I roll my eyes, but Anna laughs. “No, I really like this—Sylas. I like us. I’m all right.”
My cheeks warm because she sounds sincere and squeezes my hand as if she were reassuring me.
Marc cocks his head to the side, the expression on his face saying If that isn’t a sign, I don’t know what is.
I nod in return, letting him know it’s going to happen.