Page 4 of Protected by the Sinner (The Sinner’s Touch #2)

“I thought we were staying where the fun was,” she says. I can tell from my peripheral vision that she’s turned toward me.

I don’t look at her as we walk, though. The woman smells incredible, and for someone who’s never considered themselves impulsive, I have the sudden urge to sink my teeth into that neck. “And how do you know I’m not taking you somewhere even better?”

Her body moves suggestively closer to mine. “Are you?”

“You ask a lot of questions for a party crasher, Amber Martin.”

“If that’s what you think I am, why didn’t you throw me out?”

We reach the glass-walled mezzanine, an exact replica of the one in all my clubs. There’s no one else here—this area is strictly reserved for me.

I motion to a couch for her to sit, watching her measured movements as she does.

Despite the bold attitude, there are subtle contradictions in her behavior.

With so many years in the game, I know the dance of seduction by heart—how to perform it and how to receive it—but this stunning woman with me is contradicting herself, even if she doesn’t realize it.

Again, instinct tells me to send her away. But I don’t want to. Not yet.

I sit beside her, not too close.

Amber Martin has a strange effect on me. A kind of power that scrambles my senses.

She mirrors my posture but crosses her legs, and her miniskirt hikes up. I force myself to look away, one arm resting on the back of the couch. All it would take is a simple stretch of my hand and I’d be touching her shoulder and neck.

I clench my fist to deny myself that indulgence. I don’t like losing control in any area. Over the years, I’ve mastered the art of controlling both myself and others—no one changes that.

She stares at me with those unique irises, long made-up lashes casting a mysterious look.

“What color are your eyes?”

The question seems to catch her completely off-guard. “What?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever met someone with eyes that color.”

“Can you even see them?” she asks, looking a bit confused.

I lean forward to test her reaction and notice a change in her breathing.

“Maybe not that clearly,” I say and take her chin between my fingers, forcing her to look at me. “Ah, there you go.”

I get the clear sense she wants to bolt, which is the opposite of how she’s acted until now.

She runs her tongue over her bottom lip, and I’m not sure if she’s trying to seduce me.

Doesn’t matter. Either way, the effect is explosive on my arousal.

“I think they’re yellow,” she says.

I pull out my phone and shine the light on her flawless face. “Yeah, they are yellow.”

I pull back again. I don’t usually deny myself pleasure, but it’s been a long time since I’ve met someone like Amber and I want to savor her company before having her.

Because there’s no doubt in my mind that it’s going to happen.

“Who are you?”

She quickly snaps back into seductress mode. “Amber Martin.”

“I wasn’t asking your name; I meant what you’re doing here.” I shift tactics. “Do you know who I am?” I already know the answer, but I want to see if she’s a good liar.

Again, she surprises me. “Everyone knows who you are, Mr. LeBlanc.”

I raise an eyebrow, even more turned on by the subtle taunt. “ Mr. LeBlanc? ”

“We haven’t been formally introduced yet.”

I don’t play along. “Where are you from, Amber Martin? You’re not from Texas.”

“Actually, I grew up in Texas,” she says but doesn’t elaborate. “These days, I’m from a lot of places.”

Before I can ask more, a waitress approaches.

“Mr. LeBlanc, can I get you anything?” Her tone makes it obvious that “anything” could range from a drink to a dirty fuck right now.

I memorize her face to tell Nolan to fire her.

I don’t hook up with staff, but more than that, I don’t appreciate someone hired to work for me making their intentions so obvious during our first interaction.

I stop looking at her, and when I turn back to Amber, I notice she’s watching me.

“What would you like, Miss Martin?” I ask, deliberately using her last name.

“What do you suggest?”

“Are you used to drinking?”

She hesitates before answering. “Um . . . not really.”

“ Dom Pérignon Rosé Gold for my guest,” I tell the waitress without looking at her.

“And for you, sir?”

“Nothing, thank you. Now leave us.” I wait for her to go before picking up where I left off. “Tell me more about what you said about being from a lot of places.”

“I’m not sure I should spill my life story to a stranger.”

I run a single fingertip along her arm in a barely-there caress. “Are you trying to make me curious, Amber?”

“Am I succeeding, Mr. LeBlanc?”

I wrap my fingers around her slender wrist. “Do you have any idea what it means to catch the attention of a man like me?”

She bites her bright red lip and shakes her head. Incredibly, it feels like the first honest moment she’s given me tonight. “Are you telling me you’re a dangerous man, Mr. LeBlanc?”

There’s a mix of challenge and vulnerability in her question that fills me with an unexpected sensation, while an exciting energy sparks through my chest.

The waitress returns with the champagne and, this time, is smart enough to make a discreet exit after serving it.

I take the glass and hand it to Amber. “Try it.”

“Are you always this bossy?”

“Much worse. I’m being nice since we just met.”

I watch her small fingers curl around the stem of the glass. Her movements are slow, and I can’t tell if it’s deliberate sensuality or nervousness.

“Look at me while you drink. I want your eyes on mine the moment the champagne hits your tongue.”

She gasps, and the sound excites me.

Amber’s playing a game. I have no doubt. But at the same time, she seems unable to control her own attraction. Watching her lose control of her body is driving me wild.

She brings the glass to her lips—without breaking eye contact, just like I ordered—and takes a small sip.

“Good?”

“Yes.” And then, surprising me, she asks, “Want a taste?”

Before I can respond, she kneels on the couch and leans in. Her mouth is inches from mine.

I know this is my last chance to push her away, but desire has taken over every cell of my body.

I slide my hand into her long hair, but I don’t pull her closer. Not yet.

I watch her reaction.

Warm breath against my skin. Those beautiful eyes, pupils blown wide.

I tighten my grip on her hair to keep her head still, and her breathing quickens.

When I finally pull her toward me, the moment our lips meet, I know I’ve stepped onto a path I’ve never walked before. The imbalance she causes in my body is something I want to explore deeply.

At first, this delicious woman keeps her lips shut, as if unsure what to do.

I drop my hand and grip her waist, hard, without pulling her onto my lap. She responds by opening her mouth, granting me access to what’s behind those plump lips.

I slide my tongue inside, coaxing her to surrender, already desperate to taste the rest of her like I’m doing now with her warm, eager mouth.

She moves with me, melting into the hungry kiss, and the sounds she makes only add to the painful hardness I’ve been enduring.

Overwhelmed by the ferocity of my lust, I pull back. “You were right. Delicious,” I say, standing and offering her my hand. “But now I remember you mentioned something about having fun. Show me what you like, Amber.”