Page 33 of An Anomaly of Sunlight

Skyler Ashford... is mine.

The thought was meant as a question but came across as certainty from a part of me I’ve never felt before — the wolf in me. Any response is chased away by the familiar red light of the Burrow’s sign leaking through the windows, reality drenching me in icy water.

Skyler Ashford may be mine but in this moment, he is still my boss. We are still in Vrynthis on business. And I still need to figure out how to get out of my commitment to Burrow’s.

“At least for tonight let’s keep our semi-professional relationship?” My voice cracks at the end, a joyful laugh slipping out. Skyler tilts his head with a playful grin tugging at his lips. “We have a relationship? No take backs!” He reaches out, taking my cheek in his hand. With a brush of his thumb, he closes the distance.

Sparks explode behind my eyelids. Fire dances through my body. I feel his kiss everywhere. It’s too much. Not enough.

Nothing has ever felt this right. His lips pressed against mine. Entirely perfect. Every choice has led to this moment. It was always meant to be this way. Any path would have led me back home.

To him.

My hands thread into his hair. I need him closer. I need more of him.

Somehow, I manage to formulate a thought.

You’re at work.

“Skyler,” I breathe against his lips, “I said semi-professional.” Without pulling back, he answers, “Exactly, semi-professional. We aren’t inside the store and no one’s here to witness.” On a soft exhale, I melt into him.

He deepens the kiss, pulling my bottom lip between his teeth. A deep need stirs within me. My hand moves on instinct, sliding down Skyler’s chest. I clutch his black polo to pull him closer to me. More than happy to oblige, his free hand finds my waist.

I have never felt this way before. The world has blurred and dissolved away. Every inch of my body hums with desire. Allowing my hands to explore him, letting my tongue dance with his, this is all that matters.

Skyler is all that matters.

His fingers barely dip under my sweater and brush the bare skin of my side. The electric contact pulls a gasp from me. Breaking the kiss, I drown in the hazy longing in his eyes. As I try to catch my breath, the warmth in my chest is like gravity. Pulling me toward him; planting the thought that I need his mouth on me there.

Mustering every ounce of my willpower, I try to steer us back on track. “Shall we finish this shift?” I ask, breath still shaky from our kiss. Skyler’s eyes tell a different story, but reluctantly, he agrees. “If you say so, Boss.” He winks and I feel it between my legs. I grab my phone and slip it in my pocket. Reaching for the door handle, my thoughts wander.

Do I say so? Because at this point, I’d rather climb in his lap and continue exploring his body.

“You’re torturing me with those eyes, Sunlight. My professionalism is hanging on by a very fragile thread.”

Skyler’s voice breaks through my internal monologue. Clearing my throat, I try my best to calm the desire buzzing through my veins. “Right. Let’s do this.”

Twenty-One

Amethyst

The chill of midnight hangs in the air as we head into the hotel. We probably spent a little too much time at the local burger joint. I can’t find any regret for it, though. The food was delicious, with even better company.

Skyler traces circles on the small of my back as we walk, carrying both of our bags over his other shoulder. Reaching out for the door, my hand freezes, barely having touched the handle when he gasps. Over my shoulder I find him clutching his chest looking positively offended.

“Clearly, you’re unaware of the rules of this relationship. Doors will absolutely not feel the pleasure of your touch.” Arguably the most delightful laugh of my life fills the air. It rattles in my chest reviving some of the innocence I’d lost over the years. Nearly doubling over, I brace myself on his shoulder. “Semi-professional relationship,” I remind him, “and are you jealous of a door?”

He pulls it open with a devious smirk. “Very jealous, love.” With a smile that hurts my cheeks, I enter the lobby with Skyler close behind. An older woman sits behind the desk with her glasses falling down her nose as she appears to be dozing off with a book in hand.

Her head dips and a small snore escapes startling her awake. She jumps up, pushing her glasses back in place. “Welcome in, how may I help you?” Skyler briefs a message on his phone. “Seems we have two rooms booked. Under Maeve Monroe.” He curls his lip at Maeve’s name like it leaves a bad taste in his mouth.

“Ah, yes. I’ve got it, dear.” She taps a few keys on the laptop then hands Skyler two key cards. She waves us off and returns to her book. “Have a good stay.”

Staring at the door numbered 136, I can’t help biting a fingernail as anxious thoughts invade my mind. “Amethyst, what’s wrong?”

Shit, am I that obvious? I try to think of a not as childish way to say I’m scared of the dark but come up short.

“Just...” I draw in a defeated breath. “I’m nervous. Monsters in the closet?” I shrug humorously but the joke falls flat. Probably because it isn’t a joke at all. Every time I’m alone, I’m afraid. I wish we didn’t have to stay apart. If anyone found out, though, I can guarantee Skyler would be jobless.