Bittersweet Memories (Off-Limits #4)(102)

“What if someday I remember that I had a boyfriend I loved more than anything, and I leave you for him?”

Silas chuckles and runs his hand through my hair. “Then you’ll still find yourself back in my arms, Alanna. There’s no escaping us.”

I narrow my eyes at him, annoyed he’s not even remotely jealous. It broke my heart when I heard him whisper Ray, and here he is, not caring a single bit that the thoughtful gift I gave him isn’t truly his at all.

“You’re awfully confident. I wouldn’t be, if I were you. If a single memory can make me feel that much love, what would happen if I run into him? I’d probably remember him instantly and fall into his arms, and we’d live happily ever after.”

Silas bursts out laughing. “If only, huh?” he mutters, and I push against his chest, glaring at him as I climb off his lap.

“Don’t think I won’t do it, Silas! Just you wait until I meet the love of my life. You’ll regret your indifference!”

He just smirks at me and runs a hand through his hair. I hate that he looks so goddamned sexy sitting there like that, his legs spread, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up so the veins on his forearms are on display.

“Wait,” he says. “I thought I was the love of your life?”

I grit my teeth and turn to walk away. “I never said I loved you!”

“Oh, but you did. You said it with the thousand paper cranes, with the way you look at me, and the way you kiss me.”

I huff and storm off, Silas’s laughter ringing through the house. “Hey!” he shouts. “I thought I was the one that was supposed to be mad? Weren’t you leaving me for your former lover?”

I roll my eyes as I walk into the bedroom, slamming the door closed. He’s right. Why am I the one that’s so mad?





Chapter Sixty-Five





Alanna



Silas parks the car in his designated spot at the office and turns toward me. “Still mad?”

I glare at him and shake my head. “Nope.”

“You sound mad.”

“Why would I be mad?”

“If I’m understanding it correctly, you’re mad because you’re going to leave me for your first love and you two are going to live happily ever after.”

I side-eye him and get out of the car. Silas chuckles, and his laughter just grates on me. He’s so incredibly annoying. It’s maddening enough that he isn’t jealous in the slightest, but now he’s mocking me, too. “Just wait till it happens,” I mutter under my breath. “You won’t be laughing then.”

“What’s that?”

“Nothing!”

I walk toward the elevator that leads up to the office, and Silas runs after me. “Alanna,” he says, and I pause as I turn back to him, pouting.

He holds up one of my paper cranes and smirks at me. “You know what? I think the thought of you running into your first love’s arms and riding off into the sunset does upset me a little, so I’m going to open this one.”

“You… why… why are you carrying that around?”

He grins at me as he moves the crane through the air, pretending to make it fly. “This is my new superpower,” he informs me. “It’s my ammunition against that first love of yours that’s going to steal you away.”

I walk up to him and reach for it, intending to snatch it out of his hand, but he holds it over my head. “I’m opening it. The more I think about it, the more upset I get, you know?”

“You really don’t seem upset.”

“I really am.”

“Si, none of those are appropriate for use outside of the house.”

He shrugs. “You said I could use one of these if you upset me. I’m merely following your instructions.”

He unfolds it and grins slyly. “Let’s see if you can stay mad at me after this.”

Silas turns the unfolded piece of paper my way triumphantly. Kiss for a minute, it says, and my cheeks flush. What was I thinking, writing that?

“You said it was an IOU,” he reminds me. “I’m collecting.”

I sigh and step up to him, my hands on his chest, slowly sliding up, until I’ve got them wrapped around his neck. “I can’t give you a full minute, not here in the parking lot. What if someone sees us?”

“I don’t care. I’m ready for the world to know you’re mine, Alanna. I don’t want to hide it.”

I shake my head and rise to my tiptoes. “You say that now, but once it happens, the rumors and ridicule will make both of us uncomfortable.”

“Kiss,” he says, his tone petulant. “I unfolded the crane, so you have to keep your promise.”

I smile reluctantly and lean in, my lips brushing over his chastely. Before I can pull away, Silas tangles his hand through my hair and pulls me flush against him roughly, his touch desperate and intoxicating. Every thought falls away as his hands roam over my body, his tongue tangling with mine.

The sound of something falling to the floor near us makes me jump away, my heart racing and my breathing irregular. I turn toward the sound to find Josh staring at us in shock. He bends down to pick up his car keys, his expression tinged with disgust. My heart sinks and I look at Silas in alarm, but he looks calm and unfazed.