Page 140 of Sinner's Salvation

“Don’t get used to it. This is me trying to woo you.”

“So you’re the type who wouldn’t put in any effort after?” I ask, pointing the spoon at him, brow raised in challenge.

“When it comes to chocolate lava cake?” He feigns outrage, and I can’t help but smile.

“You have a point.”

“Half and half?”

“A compromise. Didn’t think you had it in you.”

“Your trust in me is humbling.” He puts a hand on his heart, pouting. I moan when the first bite hits my taste buds and notice him shift in his seat. Knowing I have this effect on him is a powerful confidence booster. Now, I intentionally prolong each bite, and he leans in across the table.

“If you keep that up, I can’t be held accountable.”

How can he switch from a teddy bear to molten lava? I behave because I know he would do just that and I would enjoy it, but now is not the time. Everything between us at the moment is too fragile.

His thumb caresses the corner of my lips. “You had something there.”

He licks his thumb, which makes me even hotter. Heat rushes straight between my legs, his touch unleashing fire.

“Thank you,” I say just above a whisper.

He winks at me, finishing his dessert before he continues with his questions. “So, was it the illness that caused your fear of germs?”

“More like a combination. Most of the time I was in treatment, I was isolated. Then, I didn’t want to put my sister in that position again of having to donate more marrow.”

“Something tells me that’s not all.”

“This stays between us or I will kill you.”

“I’m good with secrets.”

Don’t I know it.

“I was around thirteen, going through another treatment, and there was this boy.”

He rolls his eyes at me, groaning low. I giggle, not believing he’s jealous. “I thought he was cute, and we kissed. Shortly after, my immune system crashed.”

“That must have been some mighty kiss.”

I laugh so hard, my eyes water. I can’t believe he took something this traumatic and made it seem lighter.

“You kiss a tad better,” I say in a flirtatious tone.

“A tad?” He gasps, horror and shock transforming his face. Until now, I hadn’t realized how funny Cameron is. I don’t stand a chance. Zero. I’m having so much fun, that my belly constricts so hard from laughter that I might pee myself. I would have never imagined things between us could also be like this.

“I’ll show you ‘a tad’ in ways you’ve never imagined.”

“Stop it, please. I can’t,” I say through another fit of laughter.

He continues to mumble. I knew he was dangerous for my heart, but seeing him act goofy to make me feel better is my kryptonite.

We spend the next hour chatting about everything, from how I came to love gaming to his career in politics to my fascination with K-dramas. With all the changes that happened, I haven’t indulged at all in my secret pleasure. Then to his penchant for fighting—both to keep in shape and let off steam. When he tells me he got his dick pierced because he thought he’d never have sex again, I feel special, as if I am his first in a lot of ways too.

When we leave, I don’t hold his hand because of the people watching; I hold it because I feel close to him.

“I like seeing you like this,” he says, kissing my temple before we slip into the car.

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