Page 7 of Eternally Yours
I notice this is the first time he brought up his work voluntarily, so I decide to take that as an opening. I’m hoping he’ll be more comfortable talking about it now, and if he isn’t, I’m fine with that, too. I don’t really care what he does, I just want toknowhim.
“So, hockey, huh?”Subtle, Cecilia, very subtle.
He rubs the back of his neck with his free palm, clearly still edgy about the whole topic. “Yeah, I’ve been playing pro for about ten years now, here in New York.”
I answer with a simple, “Wow.” Which catches his attention. He glances my way with raised eyebrows as if he was expecting more from me.
I let out a soft chuckle at his reaction. “Sorry, I don’t really know much about the sport. Would you hate me if I said I’m not really a hockey fan?” I say only half joking.I don’t want him to hate me.
Now it’s his turn to chuckle. “Nah, we’ll change that. Don’t worry.”
An incredulous laugh breaks out of me instantly. “WOW! You really are arrogant,” I say, zero spite lacing my voice.
“What can I say? I like getting my way... and Ialwaysget my way,” he delivers with a wink, satisfied with himself.
I can’t help the smile that overtakes me as I look at him. I must admit, his overconfidence is pretty sexy. But I won’t make it that easy for him. After all, I like a man who works for it. “Mhmm, we’ll see about that.”
He bends to the side slightly, bringing his lips to my ear. His breath, a featherlike caress against my earlobe, makes a shiver run its course through my body as he whispers seductively, “Is that a challenge, Miss Rose? Because if that’s the case... I accept.”
He returns to his full height as I bump my shoulder against his arm, shaking my head as we both laugh off the ridiculousness of the conversation.
We reach the exit to the park and stand along the sidewalk, his large hand still holding my small one. “Can I walk you home? I wouldn’t feel right leaving you alone this late at night.”
Warmth spreads through my veins at his declaration. To anyone else, it might be just a simple statement, but to me, the fact that he cares means the world.
“I’d like that,” I reply coyly, tucking my hair behind my ear before turning down the sidewalk and guiding him toward the condo I share with Emma.
The closer we get to my condo, the more the curious look on his face intensifies. He peeks at me with every turn we make until we reach our destination, where his expression of curiosity transforms into a full-blown frown, his hand tightening around mine.
Rattled by his sudden change of mood, I question internally what could have transpired in his mind from our time at the park to my place of residence.
“Well... this is me,” I declare with a wave of the hand toward the entrance of thelavish high-rise.
He studies me acutely, eyes roaming over every corner of my face. Feeling discombobulated with his reaction, I retrieve my hand from his and take a step back. I’m prepared to wish him a goodnight and leave this strange ending, but he speaks up before I get the chance.
“You’re joking, right?”
I narrow my eyes in confusion. “Excuse me?” He looks from the building, then back to me, stating his point but not granting me a verbal response.Why would he think I’m lying about where I live?
Okay, yes, the high-rise is extremely luxurious and probably costs way more than I make in a year to live in, hence why I have a very wealthy and generous roommate. But that wouldn’t be a good enough reason to lie to him.
“Umm... no.”
He continues to stare at me as he considers my response. Having had enough with this odd encounter, I decide to just leave it at that and turn to the steps leading into the building. I’ve made it up two out of the three when this deep, unexpected laugh has me jumping on the spot and whipping around.
I find Silas with his head thrown back, that well-pronounced Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. A hand clutches his abdomen like it physically pains him to laugh so hard.What the heck is going on!?
“What the hell is so—” But before I can finish my sentence, I’m interrupted by the doorman stepping out and holding the door open.
“Good evening, Mr. Hayes, Miss. Are we heading in for the night?”
Silas stops laughing to acknowledge the new presence. He walks up, joining my side on the step, but keeps his gaze on the elderly man still holding the door for us.
“Good evening, Stanley. I think we are,” he says, ending his statement with a flirtatious wink in my direction.
He goes to continue his way toward Stanley, but I quickly grab his forearm to stop his movements. “Wait, how do you know his name? And what does he mean by‘heading in’?” I look at him confusedly.
All he does is throw a sly grin my way, and suddenly all the dots start to form in my head. The reason his mood suddenly changed, his weird behavior only minutes ago, and why he thought I was messing with him.He lives here.
