We were nearing the end of our month-long trip to Spain. Xavier had surprised me with the tickets last Christmas, but we’d waited for the weather to warm up before we came.

Our housekeeper was taking care of Feisty, the Vault was finally running smoothly enough on its own for Xavier to take that much time off, and I’d left Kensington PR in Jillian’s capable hands. I’d promoted her to my Director of Office Operations last year, with a matching pay raise, and I had full confidence in her ability to run the ship while I was gone. I still checked my email compulsively whenever Xavier was in the shower or getting us drinks, but I no longer felt the need to control everything that came across my inbox.

After all, I was on vacation.

So for the past three and a half weeks, Xavier and I had eaten, slept, and drank our way through Madrid, Seville, Valencia, and Barcelona before ending in the place that’d started it all: Mallorca.

The island had marked the first big turning point in our relationship. Since our first vacation here had been cut short, it seemed appropriate to return and finish what we’d started.

“What do you want to do tonight?” Xavier asked, lacing his fingers through mine. “We can go dancing again, or we can stay in.”

“Let’s stay in. If I dance anymore, my feet are going to fall off.” We’d gone to a different club every night for the past three nights, often staying out until the sun rose, and my body was ready to sue.

At least my dancing skills had improved, thanks to Xavier.

We lapsed into comfortable silence as the sun dipped below the horizon, transforming the sky into a palette of tangerines and lavenders. The clouds seemed to catch fire at the edges, a spectacle captured by the tranquil mirror of the ocean.

I waited for a familiar stab of sadness, but it never came. In hindsight, I hadn’t felt it for a while, but I’d never noticed its absence until now.

“Penny for your thoughts,” Xavier said. “You look like you’re surprised about something.”

A smile touched my lips. He always knew me so well.

“I used to hate sunsets,” I admitted. “I thought they were depressing. Sunsets represented endings, and they reminded me that every good thing comes to an end. I always felt sad when I saw one, but now…I don’t think they’re so bad.” I shrugged. “I like nights better than days, anyway.”

Nights meant dinners at home, beneath the chandelier we’d fallen in love with during our last trip to Paris. They meant crackling fires and conversations in bed, the type that meandered easily until one or both of us fell asleep. Nights were love and warmth and moonlight, my safe haven from the world.

Without sunsets, there would be no nights, and just like that, my decades-old animosity toward the otherwise beloved phenomena dissolved as quietly as if it’d never existed.

“Good,” Xavier said softly. “I like nights better, too.”

Later that evening, when we curled up on the couch to watch a movie, I didn’t bother retrieving my review notebook.

I just wanted to enjoy the film, and I did. The office meet-cute, the montage of cute dates, the hero running through the airport for his grand gesture, even the happy ending featuring a pet dog and a ring—I loved it all.

I had no business judging others’ clichés.

After all, I was on a romantic European getaway with my long-term boyfriend, who’d started as a client I hated before we gradually fell in love—only I’d been too stubborn to admit it—and I’d almost lost him before I came to my senses and reconciled with him at the top of the Empire State Building.

Now we lived together in a town house with a pet fish and a rooftop movie theater, and we were nauseatingly, disgustingly blissful.

Who said happily ever afters were unrealistic?

Asher Donovan's story is finally here! Read The Striker for a sizzling sports romance featuring the superstar athlete and the woman who turns his world upside down.

He had everything he could've wanted...except her. Continue your Kings of Sin journey with Vuk & Ayana's story in King of Envy.

Can’t get enough of Xavier & Sloane? Download their bonus scene at www.anahuang.com/bonus-scenes

Thank you for reading King of Sloth! If you enjoyed this book, I would be grateful if you could leave a review on the platform(s) of your choice.

Reviews are like tips for authors, and every one helps!

Much love,

Ana

P.S. Want to discuss my books and other fun shenanigans with like-minded readers? Join my exclusive reader group Ana’s Twisted Squad!

Acknowledgments

One of my beta readers said King of Sloth felt like a love letter to rom-coms, and you know what? It was.

Here’s to “unrealistic” happily ever afters, kisses on top of the Empire State Building, and the idea that love always prevails, even when it’s between the unlikeliest of partners.

Xavier and Sloane have my heart, and I adored every minute I spent with them. However, their story wouldn’t have been possible without some help along the way, so I’m taking this moment to say thank you.

To Becca—What can I say that I haven’t already said? Thank you for being my sounding board and biggest cheerleader. Whether I’m stuck on a plot point or just need someone to talk to, you’re always there, and I’m so grateful to call you my friend.

To my alpha readers Brittney, Rebecca, and Salma—Your reactions and emojis never fail to make me smile, and your feedback helps make my stories shine. Thank you for being my ride or dies!

To Ana and Aliah—Thank you so much for your detailed notes, insights into Colombian culture, and Spanish translation wizardry. I couldn’t have done this without you.

To my beta readers Tori, Theresa, Malia, and Jessica—You each brought something unique to the table that made me see different parts of the story in different lights. Thank you so much for sharing your time and suggestions with me; you helped bring this book to the next level.

To Amy—Thank you for editing this book. Your eye for detail is always appreciated!

To Mary Catherine Gebhard—Thank you for sharing your notes and feedback regarding the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome representation. I deeply appreciate you sharing your time and expertise.

To Cat—We have another cover in the books! (No pun intended). Working with you is always a delight. Thank you for being not only an amazing designer but also an amazing human being.

To the incredible teams at Bloom and Piatkus—Thank you for your endless support. We’ve hit so many milestones together, and I’m excited to see what else the future brings!

To my agent Kimberly and the Brower Literary team—I am so grateful to have you in my corner. You’re all rockstars!

To Nina, Kim, and everyone at Valentine PR—Thank you for making my releases so smooth behind the scenes. I don’t know what I’d do without you.

Finally, to my readers—Thank you for being the best part of my author journey. I never take your time, love, or support for granted, and I hope you loved reading King of Sloth as much as I loved writing it.

Much love,

Ana

GODS OF THE GAME

A series of interconnected standalones