Chapter 26
ANNA
Sylas has been weird since we arrived back at his penthouse.
He was fine all night, laughing, smiling, throwing jokes with his friends, Thea, and anyone he spoke with.
Although aside from his friends and sister, I could tell he was—for the most part—playing nice.
He didn’t tell me, but I could hear the faux enthusiasm in his voice, see the corners of his mouth curl in a tight smile, and notice his stance was slightly rigid anytime he spoke with his father’s closest friends about hockey.
I could see the pressure strain his shoulders, like their words were heavy on him. It was bad when his father would show up and force himself into the conversation, adding stress I could visibly see on Sylas.
It was extra, but I’d insert myself in the conversation or ask Sylas for a drink. I could tell the men didn’t care for me or like it, but it helped Sylas. He was back to being himself, arrogant and smiley.
Until Florence showed up. Sylas warned me that she would be there and around him a lot.
He also mentioned that she’d probably say something to him or me, but she hardly paid us any attention.
Her gaze was solely trained on one of his friends on the team, and surprisingly enough, when she wasn’t looking, he was looking at her.
So why he’s being weird is beyond me when she hardly acknowledged or cared to talk to us.
We stop just outside the elevator. He holds my hand and doesn’t let me walk any farther.
“Everything okay?” I hedge, feeling a little nervous because despite tonight not being so bad, I hardly spoke to his parents.
It felt like they were intentionally avoiding me.
I’m not complaining, but who knows what his mom could’ve told him.
“We’ve been spending a lot of time together.
If this is your way of telling me you don’t—”
Sylas cups my face, leans down, and seals the space between our lips.
He softly and slowly kisses me, shocking me and making the rest of my words dwindle.
A moment later, I’m snapping out of my stupor and meeting his tongue with mine, letting him take his time as I do the same.
I lose myself in him and I feel he’s doing the same because one hand stays cupped on my cheek but the other slips around my waist, drawing me in as close as he can.
He releases a shaky breath when his lips slip from mine, and he rests his forehead against mine. “No.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “I don’t want you to go, Anna. I want you to stay here as my girlfriend. I mean that as my real, not pretend girlfriend.”
I take a few steps back, letting his hands drop to his sides. “What?” I blink repeatedly, in disbelief.
“Don’t what? me.” He grins as if he were finding my reaction amusing.
“You’re smart enough to understand exactly what.
But…” He studies the still-shocked expression on my face, sees that my smile is even wider than before.
“In case you don’t, let me bluntly put it like this: I like you, Anna.
I like you a lot. I can’t stop thinking about you.
I can’t stop dreaming about you. I can’t stop wanting you.
No, this isn’t pretend, fake, or whatever you may think it is.
This is real and so fucking honest. I want to make this real. Please tell me you do too.”
My mouth parts and closes, unsure of what to say other than to smile and laugh. Sylas’s lips crack into one, but he stares at me, confused.
“Is this your way of turning me down?” he jokes, but I can hear the disappointment beneath the humor.
“No.” I shake my head and take a step toward him. “I was going to—I was thinking—I like you too.”
There is no point in acting like he’s not what I want, that I don’t like him, because I do, I like him a lot. There isn’t a moment I’m not thinking about him or wishing I was with him.
“Really?” He cocks a brow, taking two steps forward.
I inch closer and then he does until we’re so close, his chest touches mine. He cups the side of my neck, tilting my head back. My body warms, flutters rippling all over, and my heart thunders in my ears.
“Yeah. I do.”
He stares at me so endearingly, so his. “I know it’s probably fast, but I don’t want to wait for the moment that should define when the time is right for us to be together.
This moment, you being here, feels right, too right, Anna.
I want you.” He drags his thumb over my jaw, repeatedly, gently. “What do you say?”
I suck in a breath, my hands going to the lapels on his tuxedo jacket. “I say this moment feels right.”
“Yeah?” he asks, his voice lowering.
“Yeah.” I’m smiling so big my cheeks start to ache.
He kisses me. “Remember when you told me to fuck off?”
I laugh as he pulls away and threads his thick fingers through mine, guiding me to his living room.
“Yeah, and I still don’t regret it,” I state proudly, feeling so giddy I’m practically bouncing as we walk, but I stop when I notice the bare enormous Christmas tree. “What’s with the tree and…” My voice wavers when I notice the many bags filled with what look like decorations spilling out of them.
“I want you to have a good Christmas.”
“B-but,” I blubber. “You don’t like this stuff and—”
“But you do. I didn’t put anything up but the tree because I figured we could do it together,” he sheepishly says, cheeks staining red.
Is he blushing? Is he nervous? “I know Christmas is about to be over, but I don’t mind keeping them up for a while.
For as long as you want. I know this isn’t anything like you spending Christmas with your family, but we can try. ”
My eyes prick and the bridge of my nose stings. “No, it’s not, but I don’t want that. I just want whatever we do. This is all I care about.”
Yeah, it sucks that I haven’t spoken to my parents since the last time I talked to Mom.
I saw the pictures Maya posted on her socials with our parents and the entire family spending Christmas Eve together, partying and having a good time without me.
It hurt but then I forgot about the ache when Sylas picked me up earlier.
It didn’t matter what we did or who was around.
I was happy knowing I was going to be with him.
His cheeks burn brighter, and his dimples deepen. “I hope you like what I bought.”
“It could’ve been just the tree and that would’ve been enough.
” I clear my throat, hiding the emotions thickening it.
“Thank you.” I spin, standing on my tiptoes, wrapping my arms around his neck as he circles his around me.
I hear the sound of his rapidly beating heart, and I inhale his cologne. “This is the best Christmas ever.”
“Yeah?” There’s no arrogance in the tone of his voice. He just sounds proud and elated.
“Yes,” I breathe, brushing my lips against his. “Wait.” I jerk back. “I still haven’t baked something for you.”
He laughs, tugging me back to his chest. “We have all the time in the world for you to do that whenever you want. Do you want to put up the decorations now, or tomorrow?”
“Now!” I reply a little too quickly, too ecstatically. “If you’re not tired. We can def—”
“No, let’s do it now.” He squeezes me tight, whispering against my ear, “I’m happy you told me to fuck off.”
I laugh, my chest vibrating against his. “I’ll do it again.”
He takes my hand in his, guiding me toward the stairs. “Yeah, how about you do that while I help you out of this dress. It’d give me a reason to test the ball gag.”
The pulse between my thighs picks up, and my body buzzes with anticipation.
“Merry Christmas, Anna.” He smirks.
I roll my eyes, but I can’t look annoyed because I’m too happy. “Merry Christmas, Sylas.”