Page 20 of Only ever you-Ana & Byron (Blindsided #2)

S he sat there a little shellshocked, of half a mind to get out and run. She tried the door only to find he had locked her in!

WTF!

Minutes later, he was back with her bags, which he dumped in the backseat.

"Don't even think about leggin' it," he said, tossing her bags in the boot. "I'll catch you and drag you back, swear down. No takebacks, Ana Banana."

She smiled despite herself at the old teasing nickname, one of many that Byron had for her.

"Yes, to all your conditions." Ana opened her mouth to say something, but Byron interrupted her through gritted teeth, "Except the exclusivity clause. Not a chance. I had a health check-up, and I have an all clear. While you are with me, there is not going to be anyone else. "

Ana tried to interrupt again when Byron started the car. But he sat back again.

"You know what? Nah. Bollocks to this." He turned to her, eyes blazing. "How fuckin' dare you, eh? I've waited years and years for a shot. And now you wanna play games?"

He snorted. "Open relationship, my arse. When I am finished with you, you won’t have the energy to remember your own name, let alone an 'open relationship' ," he mimicked her tone.

They were both quiet through the short ride to his apartment, though they kept throwing wary glances at each other.

The tyres hissed softly as Byron eased the Porsche into the underground garage, the engine's growl reverberating off concrete pillars. The building was all quiet opulence-shadowed lines, polished metal, and hushed wealth. He cut the engine, stepped out, and came around to Ana's side.

Without a word, he opened her door and took her hand.

His palm was warm, steady. She let him pull her into the lift, their reflections flickering in the brushed steel.

They stood on opposite sides, eyes locked in a silent conversation.

Her lips were parted as if she meant to speak, but then she closed them again.

Tension coiled like a spring wound up tight.

Ana watched as he seemed to make a decision and closed the distance between them in record time.

In a blur, his mouth was on hers, lips sealing hers shut as his hands gripped her hips.

He lifted her easily, pressing her back into the corner of the lift, her heels skimming the wall.

One hand slid under her, fingers curving beneath the crease of her arse, grazing the fabric layers to press against the slick heat of her centre.

She sucked on his tongue like it was her favourite sweet treat while mapping his massive shoulders.

He tore his mouth from hers, breathing hard .

"Are you sure, Ana, love?" he asked, voice gravel rough.

"Are you positive about this? I want to do this right."

She nodded jerkily and tried to speak but the elevator dinged.

They sprang apart just as the doors opened.

An elderly woman stepped in, a tiny cockapoo tugging at its leash. She gave them both a mild nod.

The dog, however, had other plans.

It trotted straight over and shoved its snout into Byron's crotch.

"Good lad," he said awkwardly as the cockapoo buried its face in his crotch.

Then, deadpan "Oh, for fuck's sake. Get off, yer pervy little sod."

The woman gave him a scandalised, wide-eyed look over her gold-rimmed glasses. When the doors opened again, she practically fled, dog in tow.

Ana let out a helpless laugh, bracing herself against the lift wall as the doors slid shut again. The sound echoed like bells in a church.

Byron didn't wait. He lifted her again and pressed her against the glass wall, her breath fogging it as she looked out at the glittering city

"What if the glass shatters and we fall to our deaths?" she asked breathlessly against his lips.

He grinned against her neck. "You've been doing your job too long, sweetheart. What a way to go."

The elevator dinged.

This time, he carried her through the hallway without pause.

The path was meandering as Ana's hands burrowed under his shirt to run a possessive hand over his muscled back.

A neighbour stepping out of her door froze mid-step and pressed herself flat to the wall as Byron strode past with Ana clinging to him like an octopus.

He fumbled with the keypad.

"Thank fuck," he muttered when the door opened and he kicked it shut behind them.

***