Falling for your sisters match was not something you'd ever find yourself doing.

Your entire life, you spent so much time with your mother on finding the perfect man for your younger sister. She was perfect in every way, and you'd much prefer she find a match before you even think about it.

Though at first, Silas Oakley was not the perfect match.

With his wealth and acts of honour, alongside the well-known and honourable history of his family name, you'd think he would be. Yet, you were protective of your sister. You challenged him, in ways he'd never been challenged before.

Each scenario the two of you found yourselves in ended in competition or bickering, leading you to believe he wouldn't be a good match for your sister. That was, until you seen how kindly he spoke and acted toward her. Maybe he was good for her.

Yet there has been lingering tensions between you and Silas.

Each time you'd pick up his bad habits, or you'd compete with him in silly conversations of how he shall treat your sister in future; he'd end up staring too long, or you'd find yourself breathing just the slightest bit heavier.

Yet you could not even think of courting this man. He was for your sister, a great match between two great families. You hated him, and he disliked you.

Or so you thought.

Once your mother had broken the news to him that you would be sailing back to Italy once the engagement had commenced, his blood felt like it was boiling. How could you leave? Just like that?

He did not quite understand why he was so angry with you for choosing to do so, nor why he was storming down the wet streets in harsh weather conditions just to see you.

Yet here he stood, amidst the quiet of your chambers in the temporary apartment you were residing in. Once you had confirmed you truly were to return to Italy, he snapped.

"It is not far enough." He snaps, though his voice is kept low and calm, even in his impulsive choice of words. He glares at you, his jaw clenched.

"Do you think that there is a corner of this earth that you could travel to far enough to free me from this torment?" His voice comes out quiet now, almost gravelly. What is he talking about?

He pauses, swallowing thickly as he stares across your entire body. "I am a gentleman. My father raised me to act with honour, but that honour is hanging by a thread that grows more precarious with every moment I spend in your presence."

Silas would be a liar to say he did not want you to leave. But he'd be a fool to ask you to stay - he would be marrying your sister, not you. Your kind sister, the girl who never questioned him nor competed against him.

Yet maybe that was why he enjoyed your presence so dearly.

"You are the bane of my existence." He states, his tone harsh yet passionate. "And the object of all my desires." Those words come out quieter than the rest, almost breathed out from between his lips.