Page 44 of Sinner's Obsession

He lifts my chin, his eyes seeking mine. “We knew what would come, and we had to protect you.”

I believe him, I do. Wholeheartedly.

“I need to kiss you,” he says, voice thick with emotion.

I raise on my tiptoes and his eyes widen in surprise, but then his lips curl up in a smile, relieved. And that’s how my lips meet his, with a smile.

Oh, heart, stay guarded. His eyes must have magic to compel me. It’s no wonder those hands have a way of playing the chords of my heart and body. The kiss starts a sweet, languorous exploration that shifts into hunger as it deepens. Goose bumps erupt, an open field of poppies as a breeze sweeps over, and he glides his hands up and down my arms.

“Cold?” He suppresses a knowing grin, and I pin him with an annoyed stare I can’t hold on to for long.

As he guides me back in the room, I replay the kiss. God, his kisses have the power to melt my synapses.

In bed, he puts his arm around me and presses me to him.

“I guess you’re not afraid of me anymore?”

“Oh, if anything scares me, it’s you.”

“You liar.”

I smile at him over my shoulder, but it freezes when I catch his face transform, his gaze serious.

What if he’s right? Should I give this a chance? Cocooned in his arms, I fall asleep, experiencing a sense of belonging so strong it swallows me whole.

The next morning, I wake up in his arms, my face pressed into his chest.

Careful not to wake him, I slide from between his arms and lean my head against the headboard. I miss Chiara so much.Needing to talk with my best friend, I can’t hold my tears back and they roll down my cheeks. He opens his eyes and immediately stiffens, his face drawn in confusion. His thumb gently wipes my tears away.

“What is it, sweetheart?” His voice is soft, filled with care.

“I miss my friend so much. She doesn’t even know I’m getting married.”

He grabs his phone from the nightstand and gives it to me. It’s a small gesture. It shouldn’t mean so much to me, but my heart gets bigger in my chest.

With shaking hands, I dial her number. When I hear her voice, I let out a long exhale. “Hi, bestie.”

“I was worried sick. Are you okay?”

I slide from the bed and slip outside to the balcony. “I don’t even know where to begin.”

“Are you all right?”

That is such a heavy-laden question.

I tell her how my father wanted to sell me and how I am now at Kieran’s place and about to marry him. She gasps, as if she can’t find the words.

“Fucking men.”

My mouth breaks into a small smile.

“When is it?”

“Tomorrow.”

We hang up and for a second I think of calling my uncle. Before I change my mind, I am already dialing his number.

“Hi. It’s me, Aurora.”

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