Page 49 of The Sinner’s Desire (The Sinner’s Touch #1)
I feel sick just thinking about seeing Nora again, but it’ll be even harder to control myself being in the same room as Ramon, knowing for a fact now that there’s a file with Lilly’s name among his things.
Yeah, I just got confirmation from Blood in a message: the bastard was the one going into her room at night. There are multiple videos of her and folders with her name on her stepfather’s computer.
I don’t know all the details yet, but my killer instinct is right at the surface.
I told my guy not to open the files—because I already have a pretty good idea of what we’ll find—and I’ll do whatever it takes not to expose her.
As much as I hate having to get this close to that sick fuck without being able to punish him yet, my priority is protecting her. For that, I’d walk through hell and strike a deal with the devil himself.
I walk into the mansion—a place I’ve only been once—and can’t hide my disgust.
I’ve always avoided the high society crowd. For the most part, they’re nothing but a bunch of shallow bastards—men and women who think money can buy anything or anyone.
But all of that fades the moment I start making my way into the ballroom, because I know I’ll see her any minute now. Right now, all my energy is focused on Lilly, and my entire body is tense with anticipation.
Her reply to my message wasn’t exactly enthusiastic—but then again, I was direct. Maybe I should’ve been more subtle, but I didn’t want to give her any room to reject me, so I kicked the damn door wide open.
I scan the room, like I always do when I enter any space, and notice there are more security guards than usual for this kind of party. I wonder if it’s because of all the celebrities here tonight—or because the host is afraid someone might come for him.
Men like Ramon never live in peace. They might have more money than they can spend, but when your life is built on exploiting other people’s suffering, you never know when a father, brother, boyfriend, or friend will show up looking for payback.
And from what I’ve seen so far, this bastard has plenty of reasons to be afraid.
The background music is pleasant enough, but the place is way too crowded for my taste.
I hate crowds.
As I move through the room, I dodge middle-aged men and their trophy wives—who aren’t even trying to hide their interest in me.
Finally, I reach the main hall, and my eyes immediately start scanning the room for my personal heaven.
The first thing I see is that beautiful hair that’s always bewitched me.
I let my eyes slowly roam over her—because I’m starving.
I want to savor every inch of my delicious woman.
The red dress she’s wearing is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen—and it’s such a contrast from what I’m used to that it takes me a moment to reconcile this sultry vixen with my sweet girlfriend.
The Lilly I left behind when I went away was charming in her innocence and beauty—but this version is waking up my most primal instincts.
That ass I’m dying to claim, hugged by that tight dress, is a perfect round shape right below the low back—and her bare skin makes me want to kiss and bite every inch of her.
I’m trying to stay focused on why I’m here, but my desire is clouding everything.
Her posture looks stiff, and I wonder whether she senses me. She’s standing near the curve of the room, talking to someone I can’t see yet. I pick up my pace, determined to take back what’s mine—but my thoughts are completely derailed when I see who she’s talking to.
Ramon.
What the hell is she doing so close to him when I told her not to come here alone? Does she have any idea how dangerous this is? How can she stand there and talk to this piece of shit like it’s nothing?
Where the hell is Theodoro? He’s supposed to be looking out for her.
“Lilly.” Just like when I approached her on campus with that Benjamin guy, I call her while her back is still turned.
This time, though, I’m not so subtle. I wrap my arm around her waist and press a kiss to the top of her head.
She shivers—and the heat of her skin, her unique scent, and the pull of her incredible body hit me like a drug. Her hand rests on the arm around her, but only for a moment. Then she turns, finally letting me feast on the sight I’ve missed so badly.
“Amos.”
For a moment, neither of us speaks—both trying to read the other’s mind. Then, my need for control takes over any good sense I might have, and I lean in, pressing a chaste kiss to her lips.
At first, it’s just to mark my territory, to show that bastard she’s not some helpless girl he can easily approach.
But there’s nothing rational about me when it comes to Lilly, and I kiss her again, this time letting my hand tighten around her waist as my tongue teases her lips open, wanting a deeper taste.
“What are you doing here?” her mother snaps, barely hiding her anger.
Of course she’s talking to me.
Nora’s never forgiven me for rejecting her that Christmas.
“I invited him,” Lilly says, pulling back slightly from my mouth.
Nora glances around, probably worried someone might be watching. When she’s confident enough no one will overhear, she hisses, “You should’ve told me.”
“Nora, darling . . .” Ramon pretends to smooth things over. “One more guest doesn’t matter.”
I stare him down without blinking—and slowly, the fake calm on his face is replaced by fear. A monster knows another monster when he sees one. Even if our crimes are different, I have no doubt this man is capable of killing too.
“Don’t worry, ma’am. We’re leaving soon.”
“I don’t know if I’m ready to go,” Lilly contradicts me.
The defiance, which I’ve come to expect from her, surprises me and then pisses me off, because this is not the time for games.
She shouldn’t even be here if what I suspect about Ramon’s obsession is true. I know she’s trying to avoid being alone with me.
What she doesn’t realize is that playing games with me right now isn’t safe.
“Last night, you said you couldn’t wait to be alone with me,” I bluff, letting the words drip slowly as I move in closer, my body sending a very clear signal of possession.
Her cheeks flush deep red when she looks up at me—but she still doesn’t give in. “Let’s dance,” she mutters, pulling me toward the dance floor.
My arousal spikes at her temper coming to the surface. “You’re not going to get away from me, baby.”
“Get away from you? How dare you?” she hisses as we walk to where the other couples are dancing. “You can’t just show up and drag me out of here like I can’t think for myself.”
She’s mad as hell, and I get the feeling that if my hand weren’t holding hers tightly, guiding her toward the orchestra, she’d be running for the nearest exit.
“The sooner we leave, the sooner we can talk.”
“You think you can treat me like I’m nothing and then come back and pick up where we left off?”
As we move, I spot the guy I know is Theodoro Argyros. He flashes Lilly a knowing smile and a wink—which seems to infuriate her even more.
“I think I changed my mind,” she says, trying to subtly pull her fingers from mine. “I don’t want to dance anymore.”
“No.”
The single word makes her shiver—but I know her too well by now to mistake it for fear. Lilly is turned on.
“I’ll tell you exactly what we’re going to do,” I continue calmly. “We’re going to that damn dance floor to satisfy the curiosity of all these parasites watching us like lab rats. And then, you’re coming with me.”
“I don’t want to go anywhere—”
“I’m hanging by a thread, Lilly. You really don’t want to keep pushing right now.” The raw emotion in my voice seems to steal her breath—and she softens against me, letting me pull her in as we move to the music.
My fingers rest on her bare back, and I go crazy when I see the goosebumps on her arms and her nipples hardening against the thin fabric.
She shivers and presses her body to mine. I tighten my hold, letting her feel just how hard I am for her.
Lilly snuggles into my arms, resting her head against my chest. It’s the first moment of peace I’ve had in days—because she’s safe, protected, and in my arms.
Just when I think everything might finally be okay between us, she lifts her head, her posture going rigid again.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, almost repeating her mother’s question.
Instead of answering, I pull her even closer—letting her know that no matter how long this standoff lasts, it’s going to end with both of us naked—because that’s what we both want.
She parts her lips, and the raw desire I see in her eyes makes me want to drag her out of this party right now.
“I’m not going to pretend I don’t want you, Amos,” she says. “But I’m not giving you free rein to play with my body and my head whenever it’s convenient for you.”