Page 141 of Masked Sins
I do as he says, facing the island. I expect him to take me from behind, but I only feel his hand on my backside, smoothing over the sore spots from earlier.
“I branded you with my initial,” he murmurs, hand smoothing over the skin of my hips, like he can’t stop touching me.
“Good,” I tell him, twisting around and placing both hands around his neck. “Because I’ve been yours for a very long time without even realizing it.”
His throat bobs as he looks down at me, and I can’t get enough of this man—of this sadistic, sweet, caring, teasing,arrogantman. It feels like I’m being shown paradise for the first time. How did I never know it could be like this between us? How did I never know it was possible to feel like this about another person? To adore them and also want them to touch you forever.
It’s a brand-new feeling for me.
I’ve never been in love. Not even close. But this? I swallow as he kisses my forehead.
This is something close to love.
It has to be.
“Let’s get you cleaned up,” he says. “And then we have dessert.”
I perk up. “Oh?”
“You’ll never guess what kind of ice cream I got us.”
I laugh as he drags us toward his bedroom, and then into his en suite bathroom. I stand there like a deer in the headlights as he turns the shower on. The glass steams up instantly, and then he tugs his T-shirt off.
I watch as he pulls his sweatpants down his legs, and just as I’m about to ask him if we’re going to have sex again, he clicks his tongue.
“Just a shower, Layla. Come on. We have the rest of our lives to fuck. Let me wash your hair.”
I take his hand and follow him into his shower, feeling like I’m stepping into something real and raw and uncharted.
His hands are gentle as he guides me under the spray, his fingers threading through my hair, massaging my scalp with a tenderness that takes me by surprise. There’s an intimacy at this moment that feels deeper than anything we’ve shared before.
The rhythm of his movements is calming, almost hypnotic, as if he’s washing away more than just the day’s events.
It’s like he’s cleansing away all of our doubts, fears, and the walls I’ve built by telling myself I’d never have this with another person.
And the walls he built—telling himself that he’d never haveme.
I close my eyes and lean into his touch, surrendering to the sensation. The water runs down my face, and it feels really good after the long day I’ve had. I relax into his touch fully.
This isn’t just about washing my hair.
It’s about trust, vulnerability, and letting someone else see the parts that are usually hidden from other people.
And Orion has seen every single part of me.
Somehow, he’s managed to effortlessly carve out a space in my heart without me even realizing it.
Like he’s always belonged there, quietly and patiently finding his way in.
Like he’s been waiting for me to catch up.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
THE CLOSURE
Layla
“Okay, so should we get our nails done first or wait until after we do a bit of shopping?” I ask, looking down at Bradleigh. We’re at the mall for the morning, and then I’m going to my dad’s house for lunch before my performance at seven.
