Page 12 of The Sinner’s Desire (The Sinner’s Touch #1)

Lilly is a girl.

She may be wrapped in the mouthwatering body of a woman, but every time she speaks, it becomes more obvious—she’s a blank slate. That draws me in and pushes me away in equal measure, because even if Ethan weren’t part of the picture, she’s far too innocent for me.

There’s a dark part of me that wants to ruin that purity. But if I ever touched her—if I took what I wanted—my forbidden angel would come out broken.

We’re stopped at a red light, and she’s pretending to sleep.

Yeah. Pretending .

Her chest is rising and falling too quickly, and I’ve been around long enough to know why.

Lilly senses I’m no good, and she knows she should keep her distance—but the physical pull between us is too strong to ignore.

Her profile is breathtaking, and paired with that quirky personality of hers, it’s a goddamn problem.

She’s delicate—but not sugary sweet. There’s a sharpness in her mind that keeps her from being anyone’s obedient little lamb.

Maybe the world sees her as just another dainty blonde. But even in the short time we’ve been together, I’ve noticed what’s simmering inside her—Lilly burns.

Another thing that fascinates me? She doesn’t play games. She doesn’t flirt. Lillyana is authentic to a fault. Her thoughts come rushing out, sometimes embarrassing her—like when she commented on my eyes.

I’ve learned some women can lie as easily as they breathe. But not Lilly. She blurts out whatever comes to mind—even if it means tearing herself down in the process.

I never thought a girl this innocent would catch my attention.

I’m a filthy bastard who likes his sex rough—hours of it, days sometimes.

Always with experienced women. Women who know what they’re in for.

And yet here I am, focused on everything about her—what she says, the way she twists her hair in both hands into a pretend ponytail before making a point.

It’s like an invisible web has formed around us.

I want her. I want to taste her innocence. But if I do . . . I’ll destroy her.

Half an hour later, we pull into the garage.

“Lilly, you can stop pretending. We’re here.”

She lets out a soft huff.”You knew?”

“Yes. Your breathing gave you away.”

“I’m always breathing fast. It’s who I am,” she says, reaching for the door handle.

“No.”

“No what?”

“I’ll open it for you.”

She stares at me. But like a good girl, she places her hands back in her lap.

I leave the bags for later and come around to help her out.

She takes the hand I offer but stands too quickly, stumbling and falling straight into my arms. Her breath catches when I pull her close.

It wasn’t planned. But I don’t want to let go just yet.

We’re pressed together so tightly I can feel every curve of her body against mine. And she doesn’t make it any easier—she leans into me, brushing against me like she doesn’t even realize what she’s doing.

She’s transparent. Her desire is obvious. But I don’t think she’s doing it on purpose.

Her reactions are like a drug in my veins, making me crave more.

Lilly trembles in my arms, and a jolt of pure lust shoots through me.

It’s like opening the case of a pristine musical instrument—one I’ve mastered—begging to be played.

I can tell how badly she wants a kiss by the way she runs her tongue over her lower lip, eyes fixed on my mouth. The urge to bite her right there is almost painful.

I have to pull away.

I’m hanging on by a thread, respecting her innocence and the fact that she’s Ethan’s sister, but I’m not the kind of man who lusts after a woman without taking her.

And Lilly? She’s not for me.

I know if I took the first step . . . she’d give in.

In her innocence, she’s offering herself—but she has no idea what—or who—she’s offering it to.

“We should go,” I say, releasing her slowly.

“I didn’t get startled this time.”

“What?”

“When you touched my lower back at the airport, I jumped. Not now. I think my body’s getting used to you.” She says it without malice—just like she’s surprised by the realization.

Fuck. What kind of sheltered life has this girl had?

“You shouldn’t trust strangers. The moment I helped you up, you should’ve shoved me away.”

“Why? I know you wouldn’t hurt me.”

“How can you be so sure? We barely know each other. I’m a man, Lilly—not one of the boys you hung around with in fashion school.”

Goddamn it —where the hell is my control? She’s been here a few hours, and my head’s already fucked.

She pulls back now. “Are you trying to scare me?”

“No. Just making it clear—whatever this is between us? It’s not happening.”

Her cheeks flush. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I don’t let her off the hook. “Yes, you do. And if you’re expecting me to treat you like some fairy-tale princess stuck in a bubble, you’re wrong.

I am exactly what you see. I don’t wrap my words in pretty packaging.

So pay attention: I’m attracted to you. But the kind of things I do in bed would terrify you.

I’m vulgar. I’m rough. You’re a sweet little thing who doesn’t fit into my world. ”

Those pretty blue eyes spark now. “You’re full of yourself. I’ve never even kissed a guy, and you think I’d just throw myself at you? I’m not inter—” She cuts off the lie we both know was coming.

She’s boiling over, and her anger is fucking sexy.

I shouldn't—but I lean in anyway. I have to bend way down. The height difference between us is ridiculous. “Lying’s a sin, angel.”

She tilts her chin defiantly. “ You are the sin. And I don’t sin.”

“What you mean is you haven’t sinned. Doesn’t mean you won’t.”

“Oh, I will. Just not with you.”

An hour and a half later, I’m still asking myself what the hell possessed me to provoke her like that.

Sweet little baby girl? Clearly, Ethan doesn’t know his sister anymore.

Lilly is fire. Pure flame. And her sparks are everywhere.

My blood is pumping like never before. I’m hard. Hungry. Ready to claim.

And this was only day one of thirty with her under my roof.

At this rate, the smartest thing I can do is keep my distance.

Because I know exactly where this is headed.