Page 53 of Saint

Slowing my pace, I trace my fingers along one of the doors, along the Sigma House insignia carved into it.

“Which one is your room?” I pause, my fingers stopping at the center of the Sigma symbol.

Kole freezes, his entire body tensing when he looks over his shoulder at me. His icy façade cracks the slightest as I wet my lips.

“This one?” I point a single finger at the door, toying with the design on it.

Static electrifies the air. It stings my skin. A current of energy Kole tries to bury, but I’m tapping into it.

“Why?” he asks.

That tone. It vibrates the earth like thunder. Seeps through my bones and rattles around inside my chest.

One word—one question—and I realize why I didn’t recognize Kole’s voice when he slipped into his Saint mask. When he’s Saint, he’s a raw nerve. Anger crackedopen, and a fire that’s been lit. Kole is the opposite. He’s careful and measured. Calm even.

This particular voice that sends goosebumps up my arms only comes out of hiding when he’s Saint.

It comes out for me.

“Liam and I are over, you know.” I push off the door and step toward Kole, tipping my head back to look up at him as I plant a hand on his chest.

Pure heat radiates out of him. Electricity that lights me up on the spot. He’s the sun drawing me in, defying Earth’s gravity, and forcing me to cave in on myself.

Skating my hand down his chest, my heart races at the feel of his muscles tensing beneath his T-shirt. His jaw clenches, but he doesn’t break my gaze or flinch.

I’m playing with fire, and it’s working. Even if a little too well with how I can’t help the reaction it blooms inside me.

The path of my hand is a match striking. I’m turning the stove up and setting Saint’s rage to full boil to draw him out. To him, I’m touching another man, even if they are ultimately one and the same. And he’s looking at me like he wants to carve himself open with his own knife as a result.

My fingers pause when I reach the firm center of Kole’s stomach, his abs tensing.

“Why did you really want to come upstairs, Violet?” Kole ticks his head to the side. “You don’t actually have anything in Liam’s room, do you?”

“Maybe not. Can’t remember.” I shrug, brushing off his question. “But does it matter? You’re not seeing anyone, are you?”

I sweep my ponytail off my shoulder, and his dark eyes follow the movement. His gaze traces my collarbone, my throat, up to my lips. But he doesn’t look at me like Declan did—like a piece of meat. Kole eyes me with fascination. Like he’s memorizing every inch.

It might be him envisioning peeling the skin from my bones since I’m intentionally trying to piss him off, but a part of me doesn’t mind. A part of me wants to stand here and watch that darkness come to the surface as he flays me open.

Kole’s eyes narrow as he watches me with intent. “I am, actually.”

“Oh.” His response catches me off guard.

I take a step back, eyebrows pinched and not sure what to make of his answer. I assumed with how closely Saint’s been watching me he wouldn’t have time for anyone else. It shouldn’t sting as much as it does, knowing that’s not true.

Finding out Liam was messing around on me didn’t make me so much as blink. But Kole seeing someone else while he’s been pursuing me might as well be knives in my chest.

What does that say about me?

I shouldn’t want the attention of my murderous stalker.

“Sorry, I should—” I take another step back in an attempt to escape.

This was a mistake. I’m in over my head, and there’s no way out. Sigma Sin breeds nothing but trouble, and I’m tempting a beast.

But Kole doesn’t give me the chance. He grabs my ponytail with one hand and winds the other around my waist to pull my back against his chest, preventing me from getting away.

“Don’t act so offended. You already know that, kitten.” He dips his mouth to my ear and licks the length of it, tightening his grip on my hair to force my neck back until our gazes meet. “So, tell me, when did you figure me out?”

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