Page 15 of Protected By the Sinner

I brush my lips against her earlobe. “Most of the time, no, Amber. But I liked knowing your performance belonged to me.”

Her breath hitches, and her small hands land on my chest. She doesn’t push me away, so I pull her in tighter. I can feel the heat of her sex pressing against my thigh.

“Aren’t you assuming too much?” she asks, slightly breathless.

I nibble her ear, and she shivers. “Am I?”

“No. I was dancing for you. I like the way you look at me.” Despite the provocative words, she doesn’t sound entirely confident—as if she’s surprised by my desire.

“And how do I look at you?” I take one of her hands and guide her middle finger to my mouth, sucking on it.

She lets out a soft moan, and—maybe without realizing it—her body grinds slightly against my leg. “Like you can’t wait to touch me.”

I slide my hand down, squeezing her ass and letting my fingers trail along her bare thighs. “I want a lot more than to touch you. But not here. Come with me tonight.”

She pulls back a bit to look at me. “Where to?”

“You’ll have to trust me.”

“I don’t trust easily,” she says.

“Neither do I.”

“Then how did I get this close to you so quickly?”

“Only because I chose not to throw you out. I wanted you to stay. Besides, for what we’re going to do, trust isn’t exactly required.” I decide to lay it all out, make it clear that wherever this is going, it’s about physical satisfaction. Nothing more.

I’ve never lied or made promises just to sleep with a woman. I’m not about to start now.

I expect one of two reactions: softness from her thinking she can change me, or outrage at my bluntness.

But once again, Amber proves she’s not like the others.

She pulls out of my arms and takes a step back. “Good to get that straight from the beginning. We’ll both be using each other. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to the restroom.”

Chapter 6

I go down the stairs without looking back, bumping into a few people on the way.

The first floor of the club is packed, and maybe I’m just being paranoid, but I feel like everyone’s staring at me.

It took more courage than I even knew I had to walk into a place so far removed from my reality. At the time, I think it was the fear they’d actually hurt her that made me put her safety first.

Now that things have calmed down, though, I can’t stop wondering how they knew Beau would be interested in me.

I was given a script.

Be bold and confident.

Sexy and open to him.

I just had to stay there for a set amount of time.

Well, I followed my role to the letter—or at least I think I did.

It’s one in the morning, and my mission is over.

I’m shaking—partly from adrenaline at this escape, because that’s exactly what it is after that conversation dripping with double meanings, partly from what just happened.