Page 13 of Protected by the Sinner (The Sinner’s Touch #2)

The Next Day

Beau must have left really early. Way before I woke up.

Did he not want to see me?

The way we parted yesterday was way too weird. But what do I know about what happens between a couple?

I look around the all-white apartment. Now I get why he brought me here.

The place is completely barren. Nothing personal about it.

No picture frames. No souvenirs. Nothing.

Sure, it screams luxury. Everything looks expensive but also cold. And from what I’ve seen of Beau so far, I’m pretty sure he paid a decorator to do whatever they wanted.

Maybe we’re more alike than I first thought.

He said he doesn’t like hotels, and maybe that’s because of security. I did notice yesterday, on the way here, that there were cars escorting us.

But in reality, this place is a hotel.

A very luxurious one, pricey—but still a hotel.

I’ve looked around, trying to find anything that might tell me more about him, but so far, I’ve found nothing.

I sit in the living room, staring at my hands, trying to organize my thoughts.

How the hell did I end up here?

Elodie and I were planning to move again, this time out of the country, to somewhere in Europe, probably, to start over for good.

And then, one day, just over a week ago, my sister simply didn’t come home.

Just like that. No warning. Someone took her away from me.

For the first forty-eight hours, I didn’t eat or sleep. I couldn’t, not until I had news about my Elodie. I thought maybe our childhood tormentors had finally found us, until I got the first call with instructions.

Then came the clothes I was supposed to wear—no doubt left about the kind of role I was expected to play. And then, that horrible man wanted to see me.

My stomach turns at the memory of our encounter. He didn’t touch me, but he didn’t hide the fact that he wanted to.

I sigh, exhausted by life. I’m only twenty-five, and I know so much and yet nothing at all about the world. My experiences mostly involve running from perverted psychos.

Lying and acting isn’t hard for either of us. When you grow up worrying about your own survival, you’ll do anything to stay free.

We’ve had so many different last names that sometimes I even get confused.

But things had calmed down two years ago, and we ended up back in Texas. We always used our real first names, even if the last name kept changing. Today I’m Amber Martin, tomorrow I might be Amber Douglas, and in a few years, I could be Martin again.

I’m nobody, completely invisible to people with their perfect families, people who have no idea how cruel the world can be.

And you know what’s worse about all this madness? Until yesterday, I thought all I wanted was for my sister to come home. But now that I know Elodie is safe—as safe as someone like us can ever be—I also want to spend more time with Beau.

How stupid can I be to want a man I know is at the very least dangerous?

All night long I tossed and turned in bed, replaying what happened between us yesterday.

Why didn’t he go all the way? Why didn’t he even let me touch him? Did I do something wrong?

When the men who took my sister gave me this assignment, I thought I’d be exposed right away. Even after all the roles we’ve had to play to survive, I’d never acted as a sexy femme fatale.

I went to Hazard terrified they wouldn’t even let me through the door, but after so many years pretending to be confident, convincing the hostess wasn’t that hard.

Still, when I finally stood in front of Beau, I was shaking.

No one needed to tell me that I was in the presence of someone who ruled his own world. My total opposite, since I’m just playing a supporting role, on a planet where I trust no one but my sister.

Neither of us ever had time for long-term boyfriends.

We never stayed anywhere long enough—maybe that is one of the few truths I actually told Beau.

So I wasn’t prepared for the powerful attraction that hit me the moment I saw him.

The moment I stood face-to-face with him, it was like my body recognized his. I wanted to touch him and be touched.

I craved his kisses and his mouth on my skin.

I wasn’t ashamed. I didn’t hold back. I wanted more.

He made me feel alive. Made me experience a real, uncontrollable desire. And worse, he made me feel safe.

If it weren’t for what Elodie told me yesterday, I’d have run far away by now because I’m scared as hell. Beau needed just minutes to gain full control of my body. And he didn’t even seem fazed by what we shared.

He stopped the moment he gave me an orgasm, got up like it was nothing, and left. Meanwhile, I was struggling to come back down from orbit, because I’d spent long minutes lost among the stars.

If I stay near him, I’m afraid I’ll get in too deep. That I’ll lose myself forever.

I get up and start pacing.

After what Elodie said yesterday, I can’t even leave the building. But I need a phone.

What do I do?

As if my thoughts echoed into the room, the landline rings.

Should I answer?

You know what? He brought me here and left this morning without giving me any instructions, so no, I’m not going to play psychic.

“Hello?”

“Amber, are you still willing to leave Texas with me?”

For a second, I lose my breath.

How can he sound so casual after what happened yesterday? And by the way he says it, I’d bet he’s hoping I’ll say no.

My pride really wants me to do just that. Chasing after a man is not my life goal.

The problem is I don’t have a choice.

I think about how to answer.

“Just say yes or no,” he says, like he can read my mind.

“You don’t sound too willing to take me. Do you regret asking me to come?” My stomach ties itself in knots while I try to keep my voice calm. What if he says yes—that he regrets it? Those men are out there, and if what my sister said is true, they want to hurt us.

“Why is nothing ever simple with you, girl? Just say yes or no.”

I swallow my pride, even though I feel a little exposed. “If you haven’t changed your mind about wanting me around, then my answer is yes.”

“Be ready in two hours.”

“Okay.”