Page 109 of Sinister

No one has ever looked at me like that before.

And what he says . . . it rings true. He has shown me time and time again that he’ll go against anything—rules, tradition, even sanity—to get to me.

And what terrifies me most?

I want him back.

I don’t even need to say it. Because when he leans in and kisses me, I don’t push him off me. The warmth of his lips is startling at first, but as he draws back, I feel instantly bereft.

He gazes at me with concern and almost apprehension. Unlike before, he’s waiting for my cue to continue, and that gives me enough courage to lean forward and press my lips against his. I wrap my arms around his neck, drawing him closer. His scent drifts everywhere around me, earthy and spicy, a combination that makes my head spin.

We slowly fall back until I’m lying on the narrow bed, his big frame looming over me, blanketing my body. And yet, he’s surprisingly careful not to crush me.

Resting his forearms on the mattress on either side of my face, he pulls back to look at me.

“Petra,” he rasps in a harsh voice. “My Petra.”

I stare into his eyes, my heart beating loudly in my chest. I recognize the vulnerable position I find myself in, but there is something oddly calming about it, about the way his presence makes me feel safe and protected.

I raise a hand and press it against his cheek, caressing his skin.

His blue eyes never leave mine, their color deepening with intensity. He lets out a sigh as he nuzzles further into my touch.

“Tell me you want this as much as I do,” he murmurs.

“I . . .” I press my lips together, not even knowing what ‘this’ is.

“No more bartering,” he whispers. “I only want what is freely given, Petra.”

I raise a brow at him, surprised by his words. “I am at your mercy, Sin. You could do anything you want to me, and I would be helpless to fight you.”

His features tense, and he shakes his head. “No, no, no,” he mutters. “Never.”

“Never?” I whisper.

“I want you to want me as badly as I do, Petra. I realize my past behavior might have been . . . intense. But it was only so because I burn for you. You have no idea . . .” he takes a deep breath. “I want you like I’ve never wanted anything in my life. Anything!”

“Then here I am,” I whisper as I continue to caress his cheek. “I—” I gulp down nervously. “I want you, too, though I have no idea what that means.”

His first reaction is shock. It spreads across his features like wildfire. But soon his lips spread into a brilliant smile, and he leans in and presses a soft kiss to my lips. Then my nose. Then my eyes. He peppers a flurry of small kisses all over my face, his reaction giddy and unrestrained.

“We can find out together,” he says.

I give him a small nod, and he captures my lips again, this time with renewed fire. His tongue brushes against my own. I respond in kind, meeting him stroke for stroke.

I’m not sure where this boldness is coming from, but as I give myself to the kiss, all my worries disappear. I forget about who I am, who he is, and the circumstances surrounding our meeting. There’s nothing else but his sensual embrace that makes my head spin.

His lips trail lower down my neck until he reaches the edge of my bodice.

“Can I?” he whispers as he reaches the buttons.

A flicker of uncertainty crosses over my features, but he’s quick to assuage my worries.

“I won’t take your virginity tonight, Petra. Not like this. Not until you’re absolutely comfortable with me.”

“Oh,” I whisper.

“I just want to touch you, taste you, learn you . . . will you let me?”