Page 28 of Sin

With effort, I maintain a blank expression. “I was never that annoyed with you. This is just what my face looks like all the time. It’s called resting joy vacuum.”

She grins. “And what a handsome joy vacuum you are.”

When she reaches out and pinches my cheek, heat shoots into my gut. Fuck, this isn’t good. Even a playful touch from her sets my body on fire.

I’ll need to sit on the other end of the couch when we watch our movie.

I take a step back. “Why don’t you scroll through Netflix and pick out a movie? We’ll be watching it in my room, because I have the biggest TV in the house. When you go upstairs, it’s the first door on your right.”

An almost naughty smile plays at her full lips. “Will I be the first girl to enter Ethan Harrington’s sacred space?”

I snort. “I live in a damn frat house, Lily. So no, you won’t be.”

Though she is the first woman I’ve ever planned to spend an evening with alone in my bedroom, and the thought makes my stomach twist with nerves.

What am I afraid of? I’ll never touch her again. My recent attraction to her might be messing with my head, but my self-control is stronger.

Chapter Eleven

Ethan

I walk into my bedroom with a large bag under my arm and an ice-cold drink in my hand. When I glance at the couch, Lily is sitting with her gaze fixed on the TV. The ice pack is notably resting on the coffee table with drops of condensation forming around it.

My instinct is to tell her to put it on her left wrist, but that can wait. I don’t want to remind her of what happened today when she looks so peaceful.

I stride over to the couch and set the bag on top of the coffee table. “Did you pick out a movie?”

“Not yet.” A playful gleam appears in her eyes as I sit down beside her. “I’ve been trying to find something torturous for you—which, as you know, is my favorite pastime—but I have no idea where to start. First, I looked for a boring black and white French film, but then I thought you might like that. You’re all about improving your mind, so maybe you like intellectual, artsy movies.”

My stomach sinks at her words. I do strive to improve my mind, but it’s never bothered me before. Until this moment, I’ve never felt so much like a stereotypical wellness gym rat.

Do I even have a favorite movie? I can’t remember the last time I watched one all the way through. I usually spend my evenings looking at replays of our latest game, critiquing my own performance.

I try to smile, but it feels more like a grimace. “I can assure you that I don’t spend the little time I have watching boring French movies. My favorite movie is Remember the Titans,” I lie, choosing the only movie I’ve seen more than once.

Here I am, creating a personality to please a girl who claims I don’t have one.

What has gotten into me?

“I hate sports movies,” Lily says with a frown. “I’ve seen every single one, thanks to Noah, and they’re all the same. Will they win the big game of the season? Spoiler alert, they will, and I’ll have to suffer through all their whining until they finally pull it off. And the romance will suck, because the female lead’s life will completely revolve around the star athlete.” She cringes. “There is no universe in which I’d pick a sports movie.”

“What would be the point of picking one? Your goal is to torture me.”

Her eyes probe into mine as she sets her hand on my arm. The small touch sends a ripple of electricity over my skin.

Fuck, I really can’t let her touch me. I’ll need to discreetly scoot myself to the other end of this couch when she isn’t looking

“I just thought of a movie,” she says, “and I hate to admit it, but I’m really hoping it won’t be torture for you. It’s my favorite of all time.”

I lean toward her, genuinely curious. I’ve known her for over two years, but since I’ve kept my distance, I don’t know much about her. “What is it?”

“Jurassic Park.”

I chuckle, mostly at the delight in learning something I never would have predicted. “That’s your favorite movie?”

She scowls. “How dare you laugh? It’s a perfect movie. Two hours long without a single boring moment.”

Warmth fills my chest. “Without a single boring moment.” How quintessentially Lily. Of course, Jurassic Park would be her favorite movie.

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