Page 26 of When Sinners Fall
The snitch and click of the lighter continue, and I force my mind to clear. I imagine I’m at my window again, and I see that flash of orange.
“At first, it was fun. I made myself believe I was part of my own internal fantasy world. It was a thrill that had just the right amount of danger weaved in. I enjoyed it. And then it grew into some sort of obsession. In my head, the danger morphed into desire – into a fantasy – and I wanted to play it out. It was sexy and reckless, and the possibilities fed a part of my mind that’s a little darker than others.” I spin around and see he’s still not moved. “Is that enough for you?”
He finally steps out from behind his bar. He meets me in the middle of the room, and just his proximity sparks my adrenalin. Like it did when I felt his gaze on me.
“And the junkie? Didn’t that teach you a lesson?” His eyes scan my face as if he’s looking for something.
“It did. Until you saved me. That proved to me that I wouldn’t be in any real danger. But…” It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask.
“Say it.” He prompts, just as his hand wraps around my upper arm. He’s not gentle in his grip.
“What happened to him?” It’s only a whisper.
“Same as anybody else who dares touch you from now on.” My mind begins to race, but he halts my train of thought by smashing his lips against mine. He’s harsh and rough, and he grips my neck with his other hand. It’s delicious and captivating, and the edge of fear simmers under my skin, making it even sexier.
Just as I’m internally begging for him to touch me, he stops, letting me go, and I have to tense to keep myself from slumping. His tongue slowly rolls over his lips, and he waits there. Not speaking. Not moving. Just solid and sexy and moody. I'm about to move toward him - to do something - when he shakes his head.
“I’ll have secrets I won’t betray, Wren. And keeping you from my family will be a necessity I don’t want you to challenge. You hearing that?” Something about that makes me swallow, but I nod lightly. “Half measures aren’t something I'll tolerate. We'll be all in, and I'll want to explore just how dark that side of you goes cause nothing about me is light anymore.” He pauses, drawing his gaze over me slowly before lighting a cigarette and walking towards the window. “I'll expect things from you. Demand them. You won't like all of them either. That’s what I’m offering.”
“Offering?” I question, looking at his back.
“Yeah. You can either accept that, or I'll take you home now, and we won't see each other again.”
“Does it have to be so defined?” I close the distance between us, get back in front of him, and run my hands over his shirt and up to his collar. There’s black ink I can see creeping at the edge of his shirt, and I’m suddenly desperate to see what it is. “Can’t we see how it goes?”
“No.”
“This isn’t a business arrangement. It’s a… possible relationship.” I scowl at the word as it doesn’t feel right just yet, especially with his stipulations. There are so many questions from his little speech, but my head can’t think properly when he’s right in front of me.
“It’s nothing until you agree with the rules.”
Fuck.
He pulls my hands away and heads back to the bar to drain his tumbler.
“Do I have to give you an answer now?” The fact that he’s so upfront with things is kinda sexy, but also a little terrifying. I have an idea of what I could be getting into, but not really, and there’s a sliver of fear mixed in with all the obvious temptation.
“No. You can think on it.”
“Right." I frown and look around, unsure of what happens now. “It’s getting late.”
“Yeah.”
“And we’ve both had too much to drink. Will staying over break any of those rules of yours?” I smile at him, hoping.
He chuckles quietly. “I’m not touching you again until you agree, Wren.”
“Seriously?” I protest.
“Deadly.”
“You’re going to lie next to me. Naked. And not touch me? Not fuck me? When I clearly want it?”
“If you’re that desperate, you can show me how you get yourself off again. My view was obstructed last time.” His lips twitch, and I’m caught between wanting to smack him and kiss him.
I stand and just shake my head before storming from the room, part embarrassed, part infuriated. Either way, it can’t be too hard to find the bedroom.
“Urghhh.” I moan as I undress in record time.
