36
SYLAS
I can’t stop smiling.
She’s not made it official, but that doesn’t matter because we’re going to make this work.
“What changed your mind?” I ask as I pull back, still holding her hand because I can’t stop touching her.
“Your insistence wore me down.” She scowls, but I know she’s faking the annoyance.
“I told you I wasn’t giving up. I’m glad you finally came to your senses,” I tease, smirking.
I missed this—the banter, her smart-ass mouth, the way her lips twist and she stares at me like she’s inconvenienced by me. The way her whiskey eyes glimmer and ground me.
The corners of her mouth tug upward and she wistfully sighs.
“I left with Jackson and I was sad it wasn’t you.
It made me realize, it could have been with anyone days, months, years from now and I still would have hated that it wasn’t you.
I wasn’t sure how we’d fix things. All I knew is that I wanted to be with you again. ”
I know her admittance makes her anxious.
She hates being vulnerable, having to concede to needing someone after doing it all alone.
Even when we were together, she didn’t like my help, and she sometimes got annoyed when I’d do or pay for things.
But I know that only happened because she’s used to doing everything all by herself.
That won’t happen anymore.
“I hate that you were with him.” I can’t help the tinge of jealousy that strikes my heart.
She huffs a laugh. “Nothing was ever going to happen. Just like it didn’t happen before.”
“Out of curiosity, for no reason whatsoever, who were they, and what are their numbers? I just want to talk to them.”
She’s beaming now, playfully swatting at my chest. “What about you? Have you been with anyone?”
I don’t want to bring it up, but I don’t want to lie to her either. “Once, but nothing happened. I tried to convince myself I could move on, but there was no moving on from you.”
“Wow, you’re such a romantic.” Her cheek twitches.
“I fucking missed you.” I grab and lift her, getting her to straddle me. I wrap my arms around her waist, hugging her tightly. “And your snarky humor, your smile, your voice, the way you feel and smell.”
I can hear her heart thundering. It races faster with every second that passes by. “I missed everything about you, and then I’d see Rosie and I…” She circles her arms around my neck and hides her face in the crook of it. “God, she looks so much like you.”
We stay quiet, holding each other until she pulls back.
Her brows are furrowed, and she stares at me like she’s deep in thought. “My room is bigger than yours.”
I grin. “It is.”
“I can’t believe you did that.”
I switched over to the guest bedroom the moment I suggested she move in with me. I wasn’t sure if it’d ever happen, but I wanted to be prepared.
“It’s surprising that you’re shocked. You know I like to be ready.”
“The berry-colored duvet makes sense.” She nods to herself, and a twinkle shines in her eyes.
“Your favorite color.” She’d always been specific about it. “I wanted you to feel comfortable and at home. You can do whatever you want to your room, and if you ever want to sleep in mine, you can. Until…yeah.” I kiss her shoulder.
I don’t want her to feel pressured to share a room with me, but I want her to know whenever she’s ready, I’ll be ready.
“Okay.” She nods and smiles, but it fades. “One more thing I almost forgot to mention: your parents. I don’t feel comfortable being around them, and I don’t want Rosie anywhere near them.”
“I’ll do whatever you’re comfortable with, but you don’t have to worry about them ever.
” I tuck her hair behind her ear, my fingers brushing the earrings that decorate it.
“Since the trade, my father hasn’t spoken to me, and my parents haven’t reached out about Rosie.
I’ve no doubt they know that I know what happened.
They’re probably waiting for me to show up, to make a scene in hopes that they can use it against me.
That’s why I haven’t gone to see them, why I haven’t reached out. ”
Her eyes harden, her lips pinch in a flat line, and fury takes over her face.
“Don’t be angry.” I cup her jaw, rubbing the pad of my thumb on my cheek. “I promise I’m going to talk to them soon. I hadn’t because I was afraid I would hit my dad and yell at my mom. But I will confront them. I just didn’t want to be angry when I did. So please, don’t be mad.”
“I’m not mad at you,” she despondently voices. “I’m mad for you.”
“Don’t be.” I can’t stop feeling her skin. “I’m actually not as mad as I used to be. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not over them hiding Rosie from me. I hate that because of them, I missed so much, but you’re both here now. As long as you and I are okay, everything will be okay.”
“It will be.” Her gaze flickers to my lips.
“If you don’t kiss me, I’m going to kiss you,” I tell her, because I’ve been dying to kiss her since she left my room.
“Beg and make it sound desperate,” she purrs, smirking.
“Anna.” I level her with a look and grab her hips, squeezing them. “Meu bem, I need you desperately. I crave your lips on mine. I want to taste them. I need them. Can I have them?”
She wets them, leaning down until her mouth is close to mine. “I missed making you beg.”
“I missed you being mine.” I kiss her hard.