Page 14 of Make Me Yours

STEELE

The roads glow beneath the streetlights, slick with the remnants of an earlier rain. Chicago is one city that never really sleeps. The hum of traffic in the distance, the faint wail of a siren cutting through the night, the glow of shop signs casting flickering reflections against the wet pavement. It all pulses around me, steady and alive.

Inside the car, there’s nothing but silence.

One hand grips the wheel as the other taps against my thigh. The restless energy buzzing through my veins makes it impossible to sit still. Lilah is huddled in the passenger seat, her body turned slightly toward the window, her face illuminated by the neon red of a passing taillight. She hasn’t said much since we left The Rail Yard.

I’m sure she’s still processing what happened. Overanalyzing everything about their relationship and how it ended.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

Her exhale is barely audible over the smooth glide of the tires against the pavement. “I don’t know.”

That answer doesn’t sit right with me, and my fingers clench around the wheel. “It’ll just take time to make yourpeace with what happened. That’s all. Once the shock wears off, you’ll be fine.”

“You’re right.” She glances at me. “I know I said it before, but I really want you to know how much I appreciate you letting me stay at your place. You’ve always been there when I needed you.” The corners of her lips tip upward. “You’re a good friend.”

Even though her words shouldn’t be a dagger to my heart, that’s exactly what they are. I force a smile in response. Lilah has always been oblivious to my feelings. And I’ve been too chickenshit to put them out there and rock the boat. I’ve been afraid to make her feel uncomfortable. There’s no way I can lose her.

What the hell would I do if that happened?

Her presence in my life is the one thing I’m unwilling to risk.

“No matter what happens, I’ll always be there for you,” I say, flicking my turn signal on just before I pull into the private garage beneath my building. The underground parking structure is dimly lit, and the air is thick with the scent of concrete, oil, and rain carried in from the street.

The elevator ride up to my apartment is made in silence. From the corner of my eye, I watch Lilah fidget, shifting from one foot to the other as she chews her bottom lip. It’s so damn tempting to pull her into my arms and offer comfort.

A few seconds later, the doors slide open, revealing the sprawling penthouse I bought two years ago when I signed another contract with Chicago. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretch across the length of the wall opposite us, displaying a glittering, uninterrupted view of Lake Michigan. The water in the distance is dark and vast, the city skyline reflecting off its surface. From this height, Chicago looks almost peaceful, the noise from the street muted, the flashing lights just tiny specks against the night.

Lilah hesitates in the cavernous entryway as her fingers tighten around the strap of her purse. “Last chance, Sanderson. Are you absolutely sure about this?” she asks. “Evelyn will let me stay with her until I can get my shit together.”

Over my dead body is that happening.

I take her purse and drop it on the credenza near the elevator. “I’ve already told you that I want you here.”

With a sigh, she rubs her arms as her gaze wanders around the space. “I’m serious about not wanting to get in your way.”

I roll my eyes before slipping an arm around her waist and steering her into the living room. I’m almost afraid she’s going to try and make a run for it. Little does she know, I’m not above tackling her to the floor.

As soon as I make contact, a sizzle of electricity zips through my fingers. How doesn’t she feel the energy we always seem to generate?

There’s no damn way this is one-sided.

“You won’t. Look around. There’s plenty of space. Didn’t you tell me when I bought the place that it was roomy enough for a family of six?”

Her lips twitch as I sling her words back at her. “It is.”

“And you love the views of the lake,” I add, trying to throw in any perk I can think of to secure her agreement. “Not to mention the gym on the fifth floor. Did I tell you they added a sauna?”

“Hmm. That does sound nice.”

“I used it the other day. It’s heaven. Especially after a workout.”

“All right. You’ve convinced me. I’ll stay.” She points a finger at me. “But only because of the sauna.”

And just like that, the tension inside me eases. Instead of giving her time to think—or worse, change her mind—I steer her toward the guest room situated directly across from mine.

Would I prefer for Lilah toshare my bed?