Page 52 of The Sinner’s Desire (The Sinner’s Touch #1)
I want to deny what he just said—but that would make me a liar.
I’m still kind of crazy because of his arrogant ways since he showed up at Nora’s party, but the truth is, a lot of the things that irritate me about him also fascinate me. His possessiveness turns me on so much.
At least when we’re face-to-face, Amos never leaves any doubt about how much he wants me.
But for how long, Lilly? Until he gets tired of this cat-and-mouse game again?
Maybe it’s just the thrill of the chase that brought him here today. The fact that I left without telling him or didn’t bow to his orders—since I still haven’t gotten over how cold he was in those messages.
The memory of how easily he distanced himself from me is the only thing helping me keep some control.
A very fragile control, of course, because despite the hurt, our bodies are practically pressed together and his scent is driving me wild.
I’ve never cared much about scents in general—but Amos has one that’s uniquely his.
Masculine. Strong.
I’m shaking all over because right now, he’s inhaling me like a wild animal hunting its prey—and my entire body is responding furiously to his demand.
Finally, we reach my floor. After giving me one last look, he steps aside so I can pass in front of him. While I’m typing the code to open the door, every molecule in me is begging to surrender to his power.
I walk in without bothering to close the door. I know Amos will handle that. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that I’m always safe when he’s around.
“And now?” I ask.
“You tell me. Are you going to keep pretending you don’t want me to strip you naked?”
He’s not delicate at all—and call me crazy, but I love that about him. I feel like I’m fighting as an equal. To Amos, I’m a woman—not some sweet, fragile girl.
We’re staring each other down like two enemies at the start of a battle.
Part of me wants to kick him out—tell him it’s best if we end this now, because I know I’ll get hurt if we keep going down this road.
But the other half, the one trembling and burning at the thought of surrendering to him again, wants to give in to his control.
“You shouldn’t have treated Ben like that. I basically left him standing there talking to himself.” I’m clinging to anything I can to keep my anger front and center. It’s the only way to stop myself from running into his arms.
“He wants you. And you’re mine.”
“He’s just a childhood friend. He doesn’t want me; we’ve talked about it. But even if I was into him, it wouldn’t be your business. We’re over.”
His body immediately tenses at my words—completely alert.
God, why am I teasing him?
I don’t have much experience, but I already know my Amos well enough to predict exactly what those words will trigger.
“Everything about you is my business, Lilly.”
“Don’t say that.” I force myself to argue—because it’s easier to fight than to deal with the wave of raw sensuality drowning me in a sea of need, making it impossible to think. “I don’t want you saying things that’ll fuck with my head again. I know how fast you can change your mind.”
Faster than I ever imagined a man his size could move, he’s already in front of me. If it were anyone else, our physical difference might scare me—but despite the aggressiveness that seems to be an integral part of his nature, Amos doesn’t scare me.
“I haven’t changed my mind,” he says softly, right by my ear—sending chills over every inch of my skin. “I know exactly what I want.”
“And what do you want?”
He doesn’t hesitate for a second. Placing his hands on my ass, he pulls me against him so I can feel the hardness of his erection. “All of you. Again and again, I’ll take you until I become your religion and your sustenance, Lilly.”
I shake my head—not really knowing what I’m saying no to. To his promise, which offers no guarantees? Or to the fact that I’m rapidly losing the battle between mind and body?
“No.”
The word barely escapes before his mouth takes mine with demand. And much to my dismay, it only takes a moment before I surrender.
Even so, I’m still so upset that, despite kissing him back with everything I have, I tangle my fingers in his hair—turning my giant into a prisoner in my hands.
My body moves against his as if it has a will of its own—and it takes me a moment to realize the desperate moans are coming from me. Embarrassed, I try to pull away—but he follows the movement.
“No. Keep going. Show me everything. I want that dirty little girl who begs for more when I’m deep inside her pussy. I want your screams before you come and your nails clawing my back. Let me see you, Lilly. Don’t hide from me.”
His words make my body burn—and I consider giving in completely. But the memory of how he ignored me during our text exchange returns—putting me back on guard.
“I don’t want to—”
“Forget what you don’t want for a second. Tell me what you do want,” he orders, and every part of me trembles in response.
He takes a step back, and I miss his heat instantly.
Amos seems to know exactly what I’m feeling, because he says, “I won’t touch you until you ask me to.”
Despite what he just said, he starts taking off his tux jacket. When he loosens his tie and unbuttons the first two buttons of his shirt, my pulse goes crazy.
“Why? So when my brother shows up, you can change your mind again? So when Ethan tells you to choose between us, you’ll toss me aside like I mean nothing?
I know that’s what happened, Amos. You two talked about me, because when I told Ethan I was moving out, he didn’t even blink.
He wanted me away from your place. Away from you.
And maybe he even did you a favor in the end, gave you the perfect excuse to end things with me.
” The words spill from my mouth like poison—my last desperate attempt at sanity.
His expression quickly shifts from desire to anger, but I can see, from the surprise on his face, that I’ve hit very close to the truth. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I?” I scoff, feeling a little more sure of myself now. “From where I’m standing, it looks like that’s exactly what happened.”
It’s only when he gives up trying to unbutton his shirt and instead rips it open with both hands—sending the buttons flying—that I realize maybe pushing him wasn’t such a great idea.