Page 84 of Masked Sins
Neither of us would ever admit it, but I remember, even now, the way his eyes would linger. The way I’d stare at his neck while he chewed his food and swallowed, the way he gripped utensils with his large hands, and the way he’d do pull-ups while I did barre.
The air around me changed whenever he was around, and I’d be stupid if I couldn’t admit that it hadalwaysbeen that way.
Even when I said I hated him.
Especiallywhen I said I hated him.
And that kiss a few months ago? Itsmoldered.I’d never been kissed like that—never been held like that or touched like that.
It was like he revered me at that moment.
And the look in his eyes…
I squeeze my eyes shut tighter as my chest aches.
Starboy, on the other hand, isn’t my stepbrother. It should be an easy choice.
The sun beats down on my stomach and chest, and when I open my eyes, Orion stands above me on the side of the pool—darkened eyes onme.
I quickly stand upright and dunk underneath the water.
How did this all get so confusing so quickly? How did my feelings with Orion become so muddled with my feelings for Starboy?
It would be great if the universe could space things out. Nearly three years of celibacy and thenbam!Here are two hot guys, and you can only choose one of them.
Talk about not fair.
I walk to the stairs of the pool and climb out, reaching for my towel. I dry off, and when I look over at Orion, he’s walking away.
I head into the cool apartment, and Sparrow comes running over to me, sliding between my legs.
“This place is nice, huh?” I ask, squatting down and petting him along his spine. He arches his back and lets out a loud meow. “I know. I like it here, too.”
Wrapping the towel around my waist, I walk into the kitchen and see Orion scooping out some of Sparrow’s wet food.
“I figured he was hungry,” he says, placing the food bowl on the floor.
I lean against the counter as the cold water from my hair drips down between my breasts. Orion glances up at me, and I swear I see something shutter behind his eyes before they flick down to my chest and back up in half a second.
His right hand twitches at his side.
“I’m going to shower,” he says, his voice low.
As he brushes past me, his arm briefly touches my shoulder, and it feels like a million fireworks go off inside me all at once as a full-body shiver works through me.
The pulsing between my legs gets worse, and I bite my lower lip.
I should not be thinking things like this about him.
Not only is he completely off-limits, but he’s dating someone.
And there’s Starboy, too.
I hang around for a few minutes, inspecting his kitchen. The fully stocked fridge and pantry are filled with healthy stuff, albeit there are a few treats here and there. Professional-looking pots and pans. Enough sparkling water to last a lifetime—strawberry flavored. The living room is basic with almost nothing personal, except a couple of pictures in frames on the fireplace mantel. I walk closer, smiling when I see an old picture of Orion withhis brothers. He can’t be older than eight or nine—he’s tall and lanky with floppy, dark hair. Chase stands next to him, a knuckle in his hair, causing Orion to laugh in the photo. Liam and Miles look like they don’t want to be there, and Kai is smirking at Orion and Chase—ever the middle child.
My eyes wander to the other photo, and my heart nearly stops.
It’s me—the morning of my audition with the Paris School of Ballet.
