Page 36 of Yearner

She remained seated, making no move to get out of the car. Silas let out a quiet breath, then reached inside and took her hand in his. With a gentle tug, he drew her out of the car.

Allison stumbled slightly as she stepped onto the ground. Silas immediately slipped an arm around her waist, steadying her before she could lose her balance. Keeping her close to his side, he led her toward the house.

The moment Allison stepped inside, she found herself looking around in astonishment.

From the outside, it looked like a palace, but she had expected the interior to resemble the usual modern luxury homes she had seen. Instead, the house was far more personalized, with rich colors and elaborate designs that gave every space its own character.

As she entered the living room, her gaze traveled upward to the ceiling, which was painted red and decorated with intricate patterns and three-dimensional designs. The colors throughout the room were carefully coordinated, from the blue-painted walls to the designer sofas, whose covers and patterns complemented the overall decor. Every detail seemed to have been chosen to match the house's distinctive style, making the space colorful and striking rather than cold or impersonal.

The kitchen was situated on one side of the living room, partially concealed from view, with only a single doorway providing access. A staircase led to the upper floor, where there were several rooms, though not as many as she might have expected in a house of this size.

Another door in the living room opened toward the back garden. As Allison stepped farther inside and approached the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, she caught sight of the garden beyond the surrounding wall. Flowers bloomed throughout the space, while different kinds of trees added greenery and beauty to the landscape.

It was breathtaking.

This was nothing like the lifeless, completely empty house she had imagined. Despite its grand exterior, the interior felt warm and personal, filled with color and carefully chosen details.

As she continued looking around, another realization struck her. During their drive, they had passed enormous stretches of land on either side of the road, with very few other houses in sight. She had assumed they were entering a residential colony, but now she understood that they hadn't been driving through a neighborhood at all.

They had been approaching Silas's private property.

To her utter surprise, the entire expanse belonged to him.

Allison was still looking around in wonder when she reached the end of the corridor and stopped in front of a bedroom door. The moment she stepped inside, her eyes widened in surprise.

The room was even more beautiful than she had imagined. A massive glass window covered almost the entire wall, offering an unobstructed view of the vast stretch of land behind the house. Trees and flowers filled the grounds, creating a beautiful landscape that seemed to extend endlessly into the distance.

Only then did Allison realize how large the property really was. The garden was merely one part of it. Silas had an enormous expanse of land surrounding his house, giving him the privacy he needed while keeping unwanted visitors at a distance. The entire property was secluded from public view, its vast grounds serving as a natural barrier against anyone who might try to approach the house.

Considering his occupation and the risks that came with it, she supposed it made sense that he would choose somewhere so secure to live. Still, the sheer size of the property surprised her.

She turned her attention to the bedroom, taking in its luxurious interior. It was just as beautiful as the living room downstairs, but there was something far more intimate about it. A large bed stood in the middle of the room, while elaborate designs adorned the ceiling. Several statues and decorative pieces added to the room's elegance, and a gorgeous lamp cast a warm glow across the space.

Outside the windows, the evening sky had darkened, and night was beginning to settle over the grounds. The light from the lamps illuminated the bedroom, making the luxurious surroundings feel even more inviting.

Allison stepped closer to admire the view through the enormous glass window when, without warning, she felt a hand catch her and pull her backward.

A startled gasp escaped her as Silas drew her against the wall. She looked up at him, only to realize that his body was pressed close to hers, leaving barely any distance between them.

Her heart skipped a beat.

The sudden intimacy left her struggling to think clearly. She needed an excuse to get away before she lost her composure completely.

“I should get changed,” she murmured, hoping to slip past him.

But Silas caught her before she could move away, keeping her gently pinned against the wall. He leaned closer, bringing his face within inches of hers, and she felt the warmth of his breath brush across her skin.

Allison lifted her gaze to his, feeling the weight of his intense stare that held her captive.

“You can’t escape me now,” he murmured, his voice low and husky.

Before she could respond, he leaned in, capturing her lips with his.

A gasp escaped her as his kiss deepened, igniting a fire within her. She struggled to steady her breathing, but the closeness of him and the fervor of his kiss made it nearly impossible to think of anything else. His hands found their way to the small of her back, drawing her closer until she felt herself melting against him.

When he finally pulled away, Allison gasped for air, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She attempted to regain her composure, but the tension etched on her face revealed just how profoundly the kiss had affected her.

Silas studied her intently, his gaze softening as he noticed the swirl of emotions in her eyes. “Can we do it?” he asked gently, his voice barely above a whisper.