Page 141 of Sinner's Salvation

It was an unforgettable night. At home, his gentlemanly behavior continues. Standing at the bottom of the staircase, he dips his chin and places soft kisses on my cheek and the corner of my mouth, lingering just a moment longer. I climb the stairs, legs shaky and a growing need inside of me.

***

I wake up the same way I fell asleep, with a grin on my lips. Rolling out of bed, I change into a ruffled top and skirt paired with long boots and go downstairs with a pep in my step. When Cameron sees me, he chokes on his coffee. I could get addicted to seeing his reactions.

“Where are you going?”

That hint of possessiveness should bother me, but it has the opposite effect, making my blood heat.

“Nowhere. I have to get ready for the championship.”

“You know the answer to that.”

“No, because you said I could go if I wore that outfit.”

“Violet . . .”

“No one knows who I am.”

“They could find out. No. And that’s final.”

I plop down in the chair, my good mood evaporating. All the progress we made last night is gone.

When I finish my breakfast, I storm upstairs, intending to spend the entire day in my gaming room. Just as I settle in, he’s there, swiveling my chair around to face him.

“It’s dangerous, Violet. There is a lot of attention on you now.”

He drags in a lungful of air and drags a hand down his face. “I told you everything. To be honest, I don’t know if you’re trying to make me mad on purpose.”

My head drops at his refusal to compromise. “It’s about my freedom, Cameron...”

He lifts my chin and says, “I never said that life with me would be easy.”

I sigh, and he scoops me up. He carries me toward the sofa, his fingers stroking down my back.

“Let’s do something today,” he suggests as I lie in his arms.

My eyes light up. “Like what?”

“Swimming and a barbecue later at Kieran and Aurora’s house.” He places a kiss on top of my head. “Safety will always come first, but I will do my best so you can enjoy the life you deserve.” A life in a spacious and luxurious cage.

“Go change,” he says, setting me back on my feet and smacking my ass on his way out, making me giggle.

I slip into a red bikini and slip on a cover up before heading to the indoor pool. Sunlight fills the space through walls made of glass, highlighting the Olympic-sized pool, and offering a spectacular view over the backyard. On the left side of the pool is the lounge area where I take off my cover up.

Cameron is already in the water, doing laps. I sit on the pool’s edge, my feet dangling in the water, drooling over his toned body. Rays of sunlight dance over the surface in blinding shades of blue. Something catches my attention on the horizon—I see something small and brown.

His fingers curl around my calves, and suddenly I’m submerged. When the cold water hits my heated skin, I swallow the shriek down, palming his chest.

“What were you doing? Because you were definitely not admiring me.”

I was doing that until I saw a baby deer by itself. Emotions twist my insides, tears welling up in my eyes.

“My darling, what happened?” he asks softly, holding my face between his hands.

I point toward where I saw the deer. Cameron’s entire body goes rigid.

“I saw a baby deer. Alone.”

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