Page 76 of Sinner's Obsession

“Of course. I’ll be in town a few days longer.”

Hayden must be desperate to keep his money safe. They all are. Still, my gut tells me there’s more. There’s always more.

“Meet me at eight at the address my assistant gives you.”

I hang up and Cameron says, “I don’t like this.”

“Me neither, but our team couldn’t find anything. Maybe I can dig something up.”

“No one is that clean.”

I nod in agreement. When he leaves, I’m already on the stairs when Tamara gives me a cautious look.

“I’m not in the mood for a sermon.”

“Just, this could be a cornerstone.”

I know, and I will not fuck this up. Because I want Aurora so badly, my insides ripple with all my suppressed feelings. Fuck, I care about her so much. I am not ready to pinpoint exactly what this onslaught of feelings means.

I tiptoe inside the bedroom. She peels her eyes open and her lips curl up. Her timid smile undoes me, revealing all my layers as if I am a Matryoshka doll.

“Can we go outside now?”

There is nothing I wouldn’t do to see her happy.

She dresses on her own. I don’t take my eyes off her, relieved to see her strength returning.

Hand in hand, we go downstairs. When she sees Tamara, she hugs her. “Thank you.”

“Your well-being is all that matters,” she says, but the emotions are clear in her watery eyes.

We stroll around the garden and even a bit in the forest.

We find a bench and take a seat. Aurora tilts her face up to the sky.

“Thank you for taking care of me.”

“I’m sorry. So damn sorry.”

My head drops, and she leans her cheek on my shoulders. When did we go from the mess we were to a mess that needs each other? But I don’t care. She’s in my arms, safe and well. And all mine.

“So, college?” she says and lifts my chin.

“I told you I would give you anything you want.”

“What about you?”

“Do you even still want me, after everything that’s happened?” Never in my life have I experienced such insecurity; now it’s embedded in me like a second skin.

“Is it stupid if I say yes?”

I gather her in my arms, the meaning of my life, and hold her with all that I am. All my insecurities, all my wrongdoings, all of my hopes, and all of my love.I love her.It’s clear, like my blood pumping through my veins keeping me alive.

“I want you so much in my life. The thought of you not in it had me going crazy.” A beat of silence follows. “What’s your idea of freedom, Aurora?”

Her eyebrows draw together, and she fidgets with a button on my shirt.

“To be able do what I want, when I want.”

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