Page 72 of Sins and Virtue

“Of course because I’m trying to confess my deepest secrets and you’re distracting—”

“So then are you really mad at me or at yourself?”

Wow, never in my life had I been put on the spot, and as much as I loved to deny it, I couldn’t because that was nothing more than the truth.

I shook my head, deciding it was best to end things here when Father Andrea rose from his seat; an anxious bead of sweat brimmed at my temple while he came around. Breaking the tradition and oath of secrecy. How strange. Why—

But when his scarred handsome face, dark midnight eyes, and seductively dominant aura came into sight, the world froze. Hewas in an all-black button-down shirt and trousers and Oxfords as he began to undo his tie with one hand.

“Well, tell me, sister.” He enticed me as the wind howled outside.

“Konstantin!” Gasping his name loudly, I covered my mouth. Absolutely stunned.

What was he doing here? Why him out of all people? Wait, was he the one hearing and manipulating my conversation?

My hand fell to the side as my nails scratched along the wooden box. Restraining myself so I didn’t use physical force as I shouted, “You bastard! How dare you?”

“How dare I? How dare you?” He grunted, and a calculating glint passed over his dark blue eye like he thought of all the infinite ways to defile me. The corner of his scarred lips held a sardonic smile. “You’ve been so bad, sister. So, so bad. You deserve to be punished, don’t you think so?”

My mouth went dry, the intense achy haze blurring any rationale. “Go to hell.”

He leaned over, pressing his hand on both sides of the chair as he invaded my personal space and breathed the same air. “I waited for so long, I came crawling back to you.”

His sea salt musk scent fell over me, making my mouth go dry, my brain go all haywire. He was all I could see. All I can breathe. All I felt.

It was suffocating.

The pressure in the air increased tenfold as I felt my heartbeat beneath the surface of my skin.

I placed a hand on his chest, shoving him back. “Get away.”

He lapped his hand over mine, intertwining them together, preventing me from leaving. The beat of his chest rapidly uncontrolled. Just like…mine.

He darkly chuckled, deeply whispering. “Do you really want me to leave, or are you just telling yourself that?”

“Shut. Up.” By some miracle, I pushed out through my teeth.

This wasn’t a reality I wanted to confront nor something up for discussion.

“Ah, but didn’t you want to talk about your sins?”

“Now is not that time or place.”

“Then when is the right time or place?” Konstantin insisted as he moved my hand through the muscles of his chest.

My cheeks grew increasingly warm, avoiding thinking about how good and masculine he felt. Wow, it had been really long since I’d been with a man, huh?

“When you disappear from my life,” I retorted, needing to get as far away as possible from him— before I’d lose control.

He clicked his tongue in disapproval. “Do you really want me gone, or do you want me to seep into your skin, mind, body, and soul?”

My breath hitched. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Oh really, kotyonok?” His eyes were all starry before a deceptive grin took over his face. “Tell me then, why are you in such a hurry to get away? Is it because you’re scared of me or rather scared of what you want me to do to you?”

“I—I …”

“Remember, you’re sworn to the truth; if you deny it, you shall be punished for your sins.”