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Allison smiled warmly at her enthusiasm.

“Of course. I'll send you the address, and you can come over.”

The day passed in a blur. Summer spent the night at Allison and Silas’s estate, and she was absolutely delighted when she saw the massive property. Her excitement only grew as she noticed how many people were around to take care of everything. She kept staring at Allison, raising her eyebrows repeatedly as if she couldn't believe her friend was living in such a place.

The following day, Summer was busy with her own arrangements for an upcoming private party at the diner, while Allison had to take care of her business. They were occupied with their respective responsibilities and didn't see each other again until the evening. Once they returned home, they had dinner together before finally heading to bed.

Summer was given her own room in the guest wing. Since they were both exhausted, she had suggested sleeping separately, explaining that she tossed and turned a lot in her sleep and didn't want to disturb Allison.

It was midnight when Allison woke up, still drowsy from sleep. She reached toward the bedside table for water, only to realize there was no glass there. With a sleepy sigh, she pushed back the covers and made her way downstairs.

The entire house was dark, with only a few dim lights illuminating the living room and kitchen. Allison was grateful for the faint glow, which allowed her to find her way without having to turn on the brighter lights and wake herself up completely.

Still half asleep, she continued through the living room and disappeared into the kitchen to get some water. She filled a glass, then carried it back toward the dining table in the living room. After setting it down and taking a few sips, she suddenly felt a pair of arms wrap around her from behind.

Startled, Allison turned around at once.

“Silas?” she whispered, her sleepy voice filled with disbelief.

The remnants of her drowsiness vanished the moment she realized he was really standing there. Her eyes widened as she stared up at him, barely managing to draw another breath before he lowered his face and kissed her.

His mouth moved over hers with such urgency that she was left breathless, her fingers instinctively clutching his shirt as he pulled her closer.

“I missed you,” he whispered against her lips.

Allison was still trying to catch her breath when she murmured, “You came back early.”

Silas cupped her face, his gaze fixed on hers. “I couldn't stay away any longer. I returned as soon as the meeting was over.”

Before she could respond, he leaned down and kissed her again. His lips moved over hers repeatedly, leaving her little opportunity to speak. When she tried to pull back to say something, he only drew her closer, unwilling to let the moment end.

His hand slid to her thigh as he began lifting her, intending to settle her on the dining table.

“Silas, wait!” Allison tried to push against his shoulders, turning her face away to get a moment to speak, but he refused to give her the chance. His kisses only grew more insistent as he followed her lips, then moved to her cheek and down to her neck.

She tried to tell him something, but he kept interrupting her with another kiss. His mouth moved over her skin with increasing hunger, leaving her struggling to get a word out.

“I have something to tell you,” she managed to say between kisses.

Silas barely paused. He captured her lips again, kissing her until her words dissolved into a soft protest. When he finally pulled back enough to speak, his voice was low and full of longing.

“I want to taste you first. Then we can have whatever conversation you want.” He brushed his lips over hers again. “I’ve missed you for two days, Allison. I need you.”

He showered her with more kisses, moving from her mouth to her cheek, then down her neck and toward her ear. His lips lingered against her skin, kissing and teasing her until she found it increasingly difficult to remember what she had been trying to tell him.

Just then, another sound came from behind them.

Both of them turned toward the staircase.

The moment they saw Summer standing on the stairs, Allison froze. Her eyes widened, and a startled gasp escaped her before she could stop it.

Summer looked at them for a brief moment, then immediately turned away with an awkward smile.

“Oh, I just came down to get some water,” she said quickly. “I’m going back to sleep. Don’t mind me!”

Without waiting for either of them to respond, she hurried back upstairs and disappeared.

Silas and Allison watched her go, their gazes following her until she was out of sight. Then Silas slowly turned back to his wife, his expression shifting into one of shock.