AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw it was Silas and lifted the bag. “Taking out the garbage.”
“Are you here alone?” he asked as he stepped out of his vehicle, which was a sleek black sports car.
I shrugged. “I had to clean up.”
“Does your family know you’re here by yourself?” Silas asked as he took the bag from me and threw it effortlessly into the large dumpster.
“Why does that matter?”
His jaw tightened. “They wouldn’t like it.”
“My family doesn’t like a lot of what I do. I stopped caring a long time ago.” I turned and went into the restaurant to wash my hands. That was a little harsher than reality.
When I was finished, Silas took off his suit jacket, laid it carefully on the counter, and took his time rolling up his shirt, revealing sinewy muscles and a dusting of hair. He washed his hands and dried them on the towel I offered him.
When he was done, he turned to face me. “You don’t mean that.”
“Don’t mean what?” I asked, a little distracted by his exposed forearms.
He crossed his arms over his chest and cocked a hip against the counter. “That you don’t care what your family thinks.”
“I care too much.” That’s why I worked so hard. Not that my father ever noticed. He was allLeo did this, andCarlo did that. It was hard to be seen in a sea of men.
Silas considered me and then finally said, “You’re trying to prove yourself to your father.”
“Then the joke’s on me because it’s not possible to get his approval. At least not for me.” I wasn’t sure why I was being so honest with Silas. He was my enemy, not a confidant.
“He’s proud of you,” Silas said softly as he moved closer to me.
“How do you know? You might be friends with my brothers, but you don’t know my father.” I lifted my chin to maintain his gaze as he moved ever closer.
“How could he not be? You run a successful business. You’re courageous.” His voice was deep and smooth, lulling me into believing him.
I liked how he’d described me, but I never thought Silas would be complimenting me.
He stopped when he was inches from touching me, and I licked my lips in anticipation of him kissing me. “How could anyone not be impressed?”
“That’s what I’d like to know,” I said breathlessly.
He touched my chin, tipping it up farther. “I am.”
Then he lowered his lips to mine. It was a confirmation of everything we’d already shared and a testament to everything we could be.
His hand cupped my jaw as he stepped into me, my body pressed against his, soft against hard. I melted into him, wanting to get lost in his words and his touch.
Silas Sharpe was addicting. I’d craved this since the last time we were together, and I had no plans to walk away from him this time.
He kissed me tentatively, as if it was our first kiss instead of one of many. One brush, then two. My entire body was warm all over, lit up for him. When he pulled back, I followed him, hoping to catch his lips again.
Silas stepped back. “Are you finished here?”
“I’ll just do a quick run-through to make sure I didn’t forget anything.” I couldn’t believe I’d been so lost in him.
I was thankful he’d put a stop to it. I left the kitchen, needing as much space as I could get. I shouldn’t take him up on his offer to work with him. Unfortunately, I’d already agreed, and I didn’t want him to think that I was worried I couldn’t control myself around him, even if it was the truth. The very uncomfortable truth.
Silas followed me through the restaurant.
“Everything’s in order. I’m going to head out,” I said brightly.
