emotion in his eyes for her than I have for a passing stranger on the street.
“Thanks, he wasn't much of a challenge. I thought you'd get me more of a fight.”
Daniel tips his head back and lets out a gruff laugh. “Well, the good news is that you both can end this little tryst and call it quits.” Flipping a finger between us, he dips his head. “There's no need for you guys to play this game anymore, I think we've given you enough space, Phade, you're safe for at least another year. All I'm going to need is your signature.”
Every instinct in my body is screaming to just knock this guy out. My hands ball instantly, my muscles tighten, ready to strike. I'm not leaving her. Not now, not ever. And he's done giving us orders.
My mouth opens to tell him to go fuck himself, but I don't get the chance to make a sound.
“End it?” Sylvia asks, stepping in between us. I have never seen so much fire in her eyes. “We're not ending anything. I'm sorry, but this isn't over. You know I'm pregnant.”
Veering his stare, he runs his fingers over his mouth. “I know a lot of things about you, Sylvia, but your stupidity bothers me most. You've needed me to hold your hand through life up to this point, and you're going to need me after. Never have you ever been so reckless, you've ruined your life.” His thick jaw rocks back and forth as his eyes jitter side to side. “You're going to regret getting pregnant, but you're going to need me if you still want a job to support the baby.”
Sylvia frowns, her eyes turning to slits as thick, angry lines crease her forehead. “I'm not a child anymore, Daniel, I'm not going to let you keep treating me like one. You've made me think my entire my life that I was the reason for my father leaving, that I'm the one at fault. I'm not doing it anymore.” Shaking her head, she steps into my side and snuggles up close. “You can either move forward with me, or you can stay right here. I don't give a shit. But I choose Phade and the family we're building, I'm not choosing you.”
Slipping her hand down my arm, Sylvia braids our fingers together. I kiss her forehead, smirking at Daniel because he looks shocked.
Pulling me along, we both walk into the locker room, leaving Daniel to stew in his own silence. I'm proud of her. She needed to stand up to him a long time ago, and she finally did, that makes her stronger than I could have imagined.
Spinning around on her heels, she has a huge smile on her face. “Did you see his face?” she asks, pleased with herself. “He looked like a deer in headlights.”
She's peering up at me, her eyes sparkling in happiness. I smile back, simply holding her face in my hands.
Touching the outside of my wrists softly, her eyes settle on mine. “Well, say something. Anything.”
I have no words to give. She doesn't need me to reinforce that I was happy she stood up for herself. She doesn't need to hear me sprinkle her with compliments about having a backbone.
I'll let her feel it. Brushing my fingers lightly over her skin, she looks down shyly at the floor. I draw small circles on the curve of her jawline, causing her to suck in a quick breath.
Sylvia knows what I think, she knows what I feel, and she knows I'm proud of her.
Pulling her face up to mine, I crush my lips onto hers. Her lips part easily, giving me ample room to slip my tongue into her mouth.
Her tongue meets mine, spiraling around like a snake up a tree. Licking and lapping, tracing ridges and slipping over teeth.
Exploring her scalp, my fingers work into her hair, taking fistfuls in each hand. Sylvia groans into my mouth as I give her hair a light tug. Kissing me deeper, harder, I feel her entire body unhinge.
Her eyes change, the deep brown now burning with amber and gold highlights. They flicker like hot sparks from a fire. Pushing her chest against mine, she glides her hands up my stomach.
Sylvia explores my abs, gently tracing each one as she moves her hands higher. It's my turn to groan as she flicks the tip of her tongue across my bottom lip and sucks it into her mouth.
My hand finds her tit, squeezing and