Chapter 5: The make out

Sylvia*

“Dave… can you come get me? I can’t last another night here.”

The words left my mouth before pride could stop them. I sent him the address and dragged my bags outside, sitting in front of the house with everything I managed to gather, waiting.

As if the universe itself had chosen a side, rain began to fall—heavy, relentless drops soaking through my clothes. The cold biting my skin was nothing compared to the ache lodged in my chest. Maybe the rain would wash away whatever feelings I still had left for Greg.

Headlights cut through the darkness, pulling me out of my thoughts.

Dave stepped out of the car and crossed the distance in seconds, pulling me straight into his arms.

“Did he lock you out?” he growled, feeling how badly I was shaking. “Look at you… how could he?”

“No,” I said softly. “I came outside before the rain started. My heart was too heavy to stay in there.”

“Where is he?”

“With his lover,” I replied flatly.

“Come on,” he said firmly. “You need a hot bath.”

“What about my luggage?”

“Grab the important things. Actually—get everything. We’ll sort it out at the hotel.”

“Hotel?” My heart skipped.

“I know what you’re thinking,” he said quickly. “Nothing like that will happen. I already told my mum about you—she’s eager to meet you—but it’s late, and I don’t want her seeing you like this. I booked a hotel on my way here. I just want you to rest. If you want, I can leave after dropping you off.”

“Let’s go first,” I murmured, unsure what else to say.

At the hotel, I bathed and changed into my nightwear. When I stepped out, the way Dave looked at me made my breath hitch—slow, intense, like he was seeing something precious.

He stood up and reached for the towel.

“Let me dry your hair.”

I let him.

His fingers worked through my hair, gentle but deliberate, and electricity shot straight through me. My body reacted before my mind could catch up. My pussy tightened, then throbbed, already wet.

He finished and I turned to face him. My nipples were hard, betraying me completely.

“Should I?” he asked quietly, searching my face for permission.

I hadn’t been touched properly in a long time. Even if I wanted to resist, my pussy was already dripping. I nodded.

His lips claimed mine, slow and deep. One hand slid to my neck as his mouth covered mine, warm and demanding. The world narrowed to skin and breath. We ended up on the bed, bodies moving together, desperate and fast. I was too breathless to describe anything — only sensation, heat, release.

Reality crashed back in and I sat up abruptly, embarrassment flooding me.

“I don’t want you to think I’m cheap,” I said shakily. “We just met yesterday and already— I—”

He stopped me gently. “You are not cheap. And I don’t see you that way. We both knew what we wanted. I want you. I want to marry you. I want to treat you right—always.”

It sounded too unreal.

Greg had always made me feel like an option. Like something easily replaced. And now this man—powerful, wanted, capable of having anyone—was choosing me.

“You’re from a powerful family,” I whispered. “You can have any woman you want. Why me?”

“Because my heart chose you,” he said simply. “I felt something I’ve never felt before.”

“Same,” I admitted.

“I’ll book the hotel for a week,” he continued. “You’ll finalize the divorce. We’ll get our marriage certificate and start preparing for the wedding. You’ll meet my parents when the planning begins. You’re safe now. My family will treat you right.”

Safe.

The word felt unfamiliar… and comforting.

“Is there anything you want?” he asked. “Anything at all.”

“I want to work.”

He blinked. “Just that?”

“Yes.”

“Any company in mind?”

“I always dreamed of working in your family’s company.”

He laughed. “That’s easy. Manager… or even CEO.”

We laughed together.

“My lady—”

“Sylvia,” I corrected gently.

“My Sylvia,” he smiled. “I call you my lady because you’re royalty now. But darling works too—better?”

“Yes.”

My lady sounds like something from the past.

“I’ll take you shopping tomorrow,” he said. “Get whatever you need.”

My phone rang. Greg.

“Aren’t you going to answer?” Dave asked.

“I don’t want anything to do with him.”

“Let me,” he said, putting it on speaker.

“Sylvia, you really left?” Greg yelled. “I’m not taking you back even if you beg—do you hear me?”

“I don’t think you should be saying that,” Dave replied calmly. “Send the divorce papers and leave my woman alone.”

“Your woman?” Greg scoffed. “Wait—the thug from the hospital?” I ended the call.

“Why is he still disturbing you?” Dave asked, irritation clear in his voice.

“Are you jealous?” I teased.

“Of course,” he said. “I don’t tolerate fools around my woman.”

“This feels new,” I admitted.

“What does?”

“Someone protecting me.”

The phone rang again. I ignored it.

“Come here, my—”

“Darling,” I cut in.

He laughed. “Darling.”

“It’s late,” he said softly. “Tomorrow will be busy.”

He pulled me into his arms, my head resting against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat as sleep crept in.

“You’re safe now,” he murmured.

Yes, I thought, closing my eyes. I am.