Page 109 of Let's Be Forever

“You can stay with me,” Sylas murmurs, his voice rough, dry from sleep.Now is not the time to focus on how hot he sounds, I tell myself. “Come here,querida.” He yawns and sits up, careful that the blanket I put over him doesn’t fall.

She gets giddy, lifting her arms for him to pick her up. When he does and sets her on his lap, I swear her entire being glows. Her eyes glitter, and the corners of her mouth could be touching her ears from how big she’s smiling.

I set the bowl down and pad over to them. “You know, now she’s going to expect you to wake up whenever she wants.”

They look at each other as if they’re sharing a secret with hearts in their eyes. “That’s okay with me. I’ll wake up whenever she wants.” He glances my way, a drugging smirk on his lips. “Same goes for you.”

I’m blushing. I feel like I did when I first fell for him. Shy, happy flutters in my stomach.

“How’d you sleep?” I drop down next to him just as Rosie has decided she’s had enough and climbs off.

Sylas yawns again. “Good, I really needed that.” He grabs me, scooting me closer to him. “I hate when there is space between us.”

I want to say something sarcastic, but I’m grinning stupidly. “It was about two inches of space.”

“Space is still space,” he states in a matter-of-fact voice. “Wait, not that I’m not happy you’re here, but aren’t you supposed to be at work?”

“The girls insisted I take the day off. Maya is with Em and I’m here trying to watch TV and cook. They also suggested sex. Well, Em did. Maya said we better not be doing anything when she gets here. Or if we do, to wait until she has her headphones on.”

He smirks, perking his brows up. “I really love that suggestion. I think we should also have sex. I miss you sitting on my face.”

My eyes widen. “Rosie isrightthere.”

He leans down, lips close to my ear, and whispers, “I miss you sitting on my face.”

I swat his shoulder, squeezing my thighs together. “I genuinely can’t stand you. You know we can’t do that right now.”

“Not right now…”

I roll my eyes, biting back my smile. “How are you feeling?”

His eyes dull, and the playful aura he was exuding wanes. He shrugs, chest expanding on an inhale.

“Like I can finally breathe.” Sylas pauses, twining our fingers before his attention is drawn to Rosie. “I hate that that’s what I had to do, but it was my last resort. They weren’t ever going to stop. And even if you were out of my life, they were going to continue to control it.”

“I’m sorry you had to do that.” I squeeze his hand and he squeezes back.

“I’m not. You’re my family.” He stares resolutely at me, like he solved a puzzle he’d been struggling to finish. There’s a difference in the way he talks, how his shoulders don’t appear tight and his eyes aren’t frayed with tension. “And as long as I’m breathing, I’m going to protect you and take care of you.”

He looks so happy and that makes me happy.

“Did your parents say anything about the post?” I ask cautiously.

“Yes. They’ve been calling nonstop and threatening to sue me.”

I sit up, gaping at him. “What? Can they?—”

He chuckles. “Don’t worry, they can’t do anything about it. I had legal look over my statement, and I’m supported by Harlow and many other people. I’m not worried about them, and you shouldn’t be either.”

That doesn’t make me feel any less stressed. “But?—”

“They brought this upon themselves. I don’t feel bad—well, only that you were brought into this mess.” His jaw clenches. “They know there’s nothing they can do. I didn’t sign an NDA. They had everyone but their own kids sign one. I guess that’s the only thing they did right. They’re going to threaten and say a bunch of shit, but they’ll drop it, try to disappear for a little, and come back as though nothing happened.”

My heart aches for him. He looks fine, like he’s over it, but they’re still his parents.

I wrap my arms around him, dropping my chin on his shoulder. “I’m so sorry. You don’t deserve this.” I tighten my hold. “I hate that this is happening, that they’re putting you through this.”

“It was a long time coming.” He exhales, fatigued. “Everything is going to be okay. I have you and Rosie, Thea supported me doing this, I have my friends, Harlow, and the team on my side. And even if I didn’t have anyone, as long as I have you, I’m okay.”