Page 71 of Let's Be Forever

“They’re talking shit about me,” she fills in.

“Yes and no. You know how the tabloids are. They like to lie and exaggerate things. But don’t worry, my team is working on it.” I drum my fingers on the railing and sigh. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for all of this to happen.”

“Don’t be. It’s not your fault.” She tilts her head back to look up at me. She offers me the faintest smile, but even without it, the tone of her voice would be enough for me to understand that she’s not mad. But I know she’s exhausted. I hear it and see the fatigue weighing in her eyes. “We knew it was bound to happen, right? Considering who your parents are and who you are, the world was bound to find out.”

“You’re taking this so well. You can yell at me, hit me, I don’t know, do anything. I don’t blame you for being angry.”

She shifts on her heels, raking her fingers through her hair. “I knew what the risks were when I let you be in Rosie’s life.” She releases a resigned sigh and lifts a shoulder. “If we can prevent Rosie being online, that would be great. I don’t care what they say about me. I just don’t want her face splashed everywhere.”

The pounding in my head wanes as does my hammering heart. “I can do that. I’ll make sure of it, but I’ll also do my best to make sure your name?—”

“It’s social media. You can’t make anyone do anything. Like I said, I don’t care. There isn’t anything anyone can say that’ll upset me. The worst has already happened,” she supplies indifferently, raising her shoulder in a half shrug.

“Doesn’t matter. I’m going to take care of it. I’m going to protect you and Rosie. I promise.” I speak with determination, holding her stare. “I mean it, Anna.”

I expect her to counter it, to tell me not to worry about it, but she nods and stares straight ahead.

Unable to look away, I extend my pinky, wanting to touch her, but I draw it back. All I can do is stare, because despite everything I want to say and what I want to do, I don’t want to overwhelm her.

She looks fine, but that’s no surprise. Anna’s so strong and independent; she was always going to handle the news well. But in spite of that, I need her to understand she’s not alone.

“I know you can handle it. I know what you’re capable of, but I’m here. In every way that I can, I’m going to be here.”

She grips the railing, exhaling a sharp breath. “I know, Sylas. You haven’t stopped reminding me of that. I know you’re here, and I know you’ll help.” She pivots, turning her body completely to face me. “But sometimes I don’t know how to feel about it. Sometimes it’s overwhelming, and sometimes I just really want you to shut up and let me think because it’s hard to do that around you.”

“I overwhelm you?” I step closer, sliding my hand on the railing so it’s next to hers. My heart races, and anxiety dances over my bones and winds around my brain.

Anna doesn’t move it when our fingers brush, when I lift my index and rest it on top of hers. She stands taller, jaw tight, eyes hardened and full of heat.

“All the time!” she huffs. “With your words and the way you look at me and touch me!” She removes her hand from mine and jabs a finger hard on my chest. “You’re making it impossible to breathe, to think, to sleep, Sylas. I need you to stop. I need space, I need—” She abruptly stops talking, grunting harshly, gaze dipping to my mouth. “Kiss me.”

My heart careens. I almost think I heard her wrong, that I made it all up, until she repeats herself.

“Kiss me. Do it.”

I don’t give it a second thought as I cup her face, lean down, and erase the space between our mouths. She fists my shirt, tugging me closer as I thrust my tongue into her mouth, swallowing the gasp that expels from the back of her throat.

She sounds divine, tastes as good as I remember. I can’t get enough of her. I kiss her greedily, my tongue massaging her, drawing in her saliva. I swallow it and hear her soft pants. I keep one hand on her jaw; the other, I slip it around her waist, pulling her flush against my body.

She slides her hands under my shirt and grips my waist, her fingernails digging into my skin and scratching my back.

I break the kiss, only to tell her, “I can’t get enough of you.” I pant, tugging her lip into my mouth, nipping it. “I never will. Don’t ask me to stop, don’t ask me to move on, don’t ask?—”

“Sylas, enough.” She shakes her head, kissing me desperately, our tongues clashing. She’s sucking my lip, moaning and grasping on to my back.

I hiss, meeting each stroke of her tongue, pressing her against my erection, reveling in the way she rubs against it. I groan, slipping my palm down to her ass, cupping it hard.

She moans loud, breaking the kiss, and stares up at me with wide eyes, her pupils blown, lips swollen and wet.

“Do you want me to stop?”

“No, don’t,” she pleads, voice wanton and rough. “Don’t stop.”

“Good.” I clutch her hips, shift my leg, and place it between her parted ones. “You want this, don’t you?”

Anna nods, sinking her teeth into her plush bottom lip as I hold her down against my thigh. She whimpers, shuddering as I guide her to rub herself on me.

“Sy…” She muffles her moans, bucking her hips forward. “Fuck.” Her head lolls.