Page 13 of Drowning in Sins
“These are for you.” He passed me the small bouquet of flowers.
I stared at the colorful wildflowers before smiling at him. “Thank you, Simon.” His blue eyes reminded me of John. There wasn’t anything wrong with Simon. He was kind and handsome. Realistically, I knew my life could be good with him. I could be happy.
If I’d met him first, maybe love could’ve even blossomed. But my heart already belonged to another. Questions clouded my mind. Could we pull it off? Would John and I be able to get away and live happily together for the rest of our days? If it didn’t work out, would Simon still be there?
It was selfish of me to even consider them both in my future. I didn’t love Simon. Yet, as my eyes took the time to watch his face, I could see it there. The softness in his smile. The way it reached his gaze. The laugh lines. Kind eyes.
What if I’d met him first?
Chapter Twelve
FREDERICK
My hands shook as I manned the crank—one on the button to lower things securely for the storm as my other gripped the handle nearby to keep myself steady. The hair on the back of my neck was standing as every nerve in my body lit up.
This job better be worth it.
I’d do anything for the Pirate Kings MC, including face my fucking greatest fears apparently. Stuck on a boat in the middle of the ocean during a storm was at the top of that list. This was my living nightmare that I couldn’t tell a soul. All I could do was hope I wouldn’t have another panic attack. Nobody would understand. If they didn’t believe me when I was a boy, they certainly wouldn’t now. I couldn’t stand being out on the water.
The storm wasn’t helping. It came from nowhere, just like that day. I couldn’t even look over the edge this time. I knew I wouldn’t be able to see the reality of what was hiding in the depths. The monsters below the surface.
I wanted it to be a figment of my imagination. More than anything, I wanted to believe it was all in my head, as if I could prove younger me wrong. But I wasn’t that creative. There was no way I could dream up what I saw that day.
If my body weren’t already soaked from the rain, the wave of water that made its way up and over the deck would’ve done it. As soon as I finished lowering and securing things, I stumbled and slid my way inside. The rocking of the boat continued as I attempted to get below deck.
My feet had barely hit the bottom step before the rocking had me ungracefully sliding across the floor and into someone else. The coconut scent from her hair hit me right as I twisted us to keep from landing directly on top of her. Her soft body pressed on top of mine as the storm surged around us.
The chaotic weather only magnified whatever was already happening between the pair of us. Her eyes flickered from mine to my lips before she shook her head and slowly stood.
“Sorry.” Rosalyn backed herself up to a wall.
I couldn’t contain the smirk that crossed my face as I stood up and approached her. The static in the air forced us together, like unfinished business from the kitchen the other night. She would be mine.
Her eyes met mine as thunder rumbled the walls. I watched her chest rise and fall, a single droplet of rain running between her breasts, and I found myself wanting to follow the path with my tongue. Her lips parted slightly with a small gulp as she struggled to catch her breath.
I couldn’t let her.
If I couldn’t breathe, neither should she. I’d swallow every bit she gave me and then some. I needed to feel her lips on mine. Were they as plush as they looked? Would her body feel as good as I imagined it, pressed up against mine? It certainly did on the floor mere moments ago. Did she feel this too? Like when we were back in the kitchen, before we were interrupted.
Nothing would stop me this time, even if my brother walked through this hall. I took three large steps to be in her personal space. Her head tilted up, eyes pleading. My lips crashed to herswith the thunder, lighting up my body faster than any lightning seen from the window.
We were swept up in a storm of our own as I pulled her into my room nearby. I kicked the door closed, and her lips stayed on mine. The gentle tease of her fingers along my side where my damp shirt had risen and clung to me was intoxicating.
I braced my hands on either side of her head, flat against the wall, and leaned in so only my forehead was resting on hers. Her hands moved up my chest until she was gripping my neck to pull my face to hers. Her soft lips touched mine, and it took all my willpower not to lift her into my arms, remove her clothes, and sink right into her.
Would it help? Was she an itch I needed to scratch?
Rosalyn made the decision for me as she spread her legs and let me step closer. I lifted her legs to wrap around me and deepened the kiss. Tired of the wet clothes clinging to our bodies, I gripped the side of my shirt and pulled it up and over my head.
Her eyes met mine, and it made me freeze. She slowly untied the strap of her top around her neck. Never once breaking eye contact, and I swear on everything she saw a part of me that nobody had seen before. It freaked me the fuck out.
I wanted her more than I wanted to live. The way she looked at me would only bring self-destruction. I couldn’t do this. As much as I wanted to be with her at this moment, nothing good would come of it. She wasn’t the type of woman I could leave the next morning. Rosalyn was the type that lit up the dark corners where all my demons and secrets carefully hid.
“Wait.” I stepped back and let her slide down my body. Releasing my grip on her, I took another step back. “This was a mistake. I’m sorry.”
Her brows pushed together, and her nose scrunched up. Her tongue tapped her top teeth, then she shook her head in disbelief.
I didn’t believe myself either. I’d stepped away, and already I was gravitating closer to her.
