No, that’d be too soon. I don’t understand a crush, so how would I understand what love is?
She tips her head back, a full laugh expelling from her mouth. I can’t help but take her in and appreciate how fucking beautiful she is.
“You’d really be exclusive to me for the rest of the semester? No having sex with other girls? No flirting? No nothing? Because if you still want to, we can fake it in front of your parents, but?—”
“No. None of that. I swear.” I earnestly reply, hoping she believes me because I’d never do anything to break her trust or hurt her.
She studies it and exhales a deep sigh. “Sy—ahhh…fuck it. Okay. What’s the worst that could happen?”
“That’s the spirit.” I’m fucking beaming. I’ve never been this elated in December. “I’m not trying to be a control freak, but I don’t want you to be?—”
She scowls. “I’m your girlfriend. I only wantyou.”
Anna only wants me. God, I’m so obsessed with the sound of that.
My heart races. “Right, yeah. Just making sure we’re on the same page.”
She’s grinning now. “We are. You really don’t want me to clean?”
I look over my shoulder. “Nah.” Then I peer down at her.
“So…now what?”
“Do you know how to skate?”
20
ANNA
Monday, December 16
“You promiseyou won’t let me fall?” I glance hesitantly at the glistening iced floor, then at the people who swiftly and deftly skate in circles.
Sylas grabs my hands, softly squeezing and tugging them to get me to look up at him. A beguiling smile curls his lips, his dimples denting his cheeks. “Do you not know who you’re skating next to? You’re in the greatest hands.”
“So what…you like…skate or something?” I satirically say, the nerves lessen at the unimpressed expression on his face. “You’re already conceited enough as it is. Someone has to keep your ego in check.”
“Ha ha, funny.” He grins. “I promise you’ll be okay.”
We came to Wollman Rink in Central Park. Because it’s still very early, a little past noon, there’s not a lot of people, and the sun is brightly shining down on us. It shouldn’t be too bad, but I’ve never been the strongest skater. I’ve ice skated before, but it’s been a while, and when I did, I was either holding hands with Jenny or holding on to the railing for support.
He steps on the ice, standing comfortably and steadily while he guides me to follow behind him until I’m also on the ice. My feet slip beneath me, but Sylas keeps his hands firm on me, until the blades stop skidding on the ice.
“You’re okay, I’ve got you.” He twines his fingers through my cold ones. “Don’t tense up. Just relax and follow my lead. I promise you’ll be okay.”
And I do, not easily, but he holds me, effortlessly and slowly—for my sake—as he leads me along the sleek ice.
Beams of light reflect off it onto his face, making his already sparkling smile burn bright. “Just look at you. You’re a natural.”
I test out a smile. “You don’t have to be nice. I’m shit. Those littles kids over there”—I tip my head in the direction of the boys who look like they’re eleven and skating with ease—“have skated laps around us.Laps,” I emphasize.
“You want me to trip one of those little shits for you?”
I laugh, shaking my head at the serious tone in his voice. They did almost run into us a few times and have been little shits, but they’re kids and there’s policemen around. “No…or maybe when no one is looking.”
“Okay.” He winks at me. It should be illegal how ridiculously ethereal his green eyes look beneath the sun. They’re pale but translucent and airy.
“So…” I begin, gliding more comfortably on the ice. “Why do they call you the Punisher? Does the fight have something to do with it?”
