Bittersweet Memories (Off-Limits #4)(68)

She looks at me and shakes her head. “You have a girlfriend.”

“Do I? When did we agree to start dating, Alanna? I’m all for it. I just wasn’t aware. This is definitely a pleasant development.”

She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind, and I can’t help but laugh at her expression. I thought I’d set her worries at ease when I told her I wasn’t dating Raven, but her insecurities must have gotten the better of her. She’s always been one to overthink things, and I should’ve anticipated that.

Her gaze turns dreamy all of a sudden, reminding me of the way she used to look at me when she thought I wasn’t looking. “You laughed again.”

“It’s an unfortunate side effect of being around you. You’re ruining my broody imago.”

Alanna stares at me, and I lift my hand to her face, stroking her cheek with the back of my fingers. “I swear to you, Alanna. I don’t have a girlfriend. I’m not seeing anyone. Not now, and not when I took you to bed, either.” From the moment I found her, she’s been all I can see. Even when she brought my brother to my home for dinner, being with someone else never even occurred to me.

“You never took me to bed,” she whispers accusatorially.

I smirk. “I’m happy to remedy that.”

She looks like she’s about to snap at me, so I pull her back to me and hug her tightly. “I’m tired,” I say, my voice soft. “Let’s go to bed.”

I expect her to fight me on this and kick me out, but instead she settles against me and nods. Part of her still wants me, and not just physically. It might take time, but I have no doubt she and I can get back to where we used to be. Day by day, I’m going to steal tiny pieces of her heart, until one day, she’s mine again.





Chapter Forty-Four





Silas



I grin at the text messages Alanna sent me, rereading them for the thousandth time today. We woke up together this morning, and she’s barely looked me in the eye all day. She’s been awkward and tense at the office, yet her texts tell a different story.

Alanna: I was just wondering if there’s any chance you’d make it home for dinner tonight?

Silas: If you want me home, I’ll be home.

Alanna: It’s okay if you’re busy. I just wanted to repay you for consoling me last night. Usually that kind of dream leaves me feeling hurt and upset the entire next day, but thanks to you, I’m feeling fine today.

Silas: I’m never too busy for you, Alanna.

Alanna: Then… would you have dinner with me tonight? I can cook for you, if you’d like?

I chuckle to myself, my heart skipping a beat every time I read this text. It’s been hard, taking things slow with her, but moments like these make it all worth it.

Silas: I’ll see you at home tonight then.

I wonder if she has any idea how many of my mundane fantasies she’s realizing. Simple things like having dinner together in a home of our own… that’s what I’ve always wanted.

I’m smiling as I finally walk through the front door, barely managing to contain my excitement. Amy had to make a lot of changes to my schedule in order to free up tonight, but it’s worth it. I don’t care how long ago some of my meetings were arranged. They aren’t as important as this.

I follow the smell of something delicious to the kitchen and find Alanna standing behind the stove, wearing a loose t-shirt and some cotton shorts. She looks cute as hell.

“Smells good,” I murmur.

She whirls around, her eyes wide. “Silas! You’re home earlier than expected.” She looks down at her clothes and grimaces, making my heart skip yet another beat.

“You look beautiful just the way you are,” I tell her, and she bites down on her lip in an attempt to hide her smile. Fuck. I’ve waited so long for this. She’s kept me at a distance for so long, and for a while I worried I wouldn’t be able to win her over. Watching her cheeks redden over such a simple compliment has me all kinds of excited.

I lean back against the counter and pull my tie loose. “Besides, weren’t you the one who asked me if I’d like to have dinner with you?”

She nods, her cheeks tinged pink. “I lost track of time, and I didn’t actually think you’d say yes. I’ve been here for a few weeks now and I can count the times you had dinner at home on one hand.”

“I’ve spent every evening in the last couple of weeks socializing with clients, but today my schedule was free for once, so this worked out perfectly. What are you cooking?”

She smiles at me awkwardly. “It’s spaghetti bolognese, and I know that sounds a little boring, but I made the sauce myself and it’s going to be amazing.”

I nod, my heart racing as I try my hardest not to stare at her. I wish I could spend more evenings at home with her, but my schedule is jam-packed. I didn’t use to mind it, because I never used to have anyone to come home too, but it’s different now. Somehow, I’m going to have to find a way to work a little less. I want more of this.

I take a seat by the kitchen island and watch her as she cooks, humming a tune I don’t recognize. This was part of our fantasies. We’d work, and then we’d come home and cook dinner together. It’s the simple things in life we wanted most. Does a small part of her remember?