Page 42 of Sin

After getting to know him better, it’s become so much more than a crush.

I trust this man. I know in my soul he would upend the whole world to shield me from harm. Because he has integrity.

It’s a quality I underrated until that night with Mason.

Chapter Seventeen

Ethan

She trusts me. My God, she trusts me. Enough to let me cuddle with her during the night without pulling away.

The thought alone is like a drug pumping through my veins. It’s even more potent than the pleasure of waking up with her soft body in my arms last night, for the brief moment I indulged in it before pulling away.

Should I be this exhilarated? Gaining her trust was supposed to be for her sake, not mine. I was called by God to help her because she’s in a dark place. Mason hurt her. I know he did. I need her to open up to me so that I can help her take action. To protect herself from being hurt by him in the future.

But her trust feels like so much more somehow. Like the beginning of something bright and beautiful.

When I glance over at Lily, she’s nibbling on her burrito, looking lost in thought. I lean back onto the lawn, letting the afternoon sunlight warm my face. The breeze toys with her fiery-red hair that seems almost too intense to be real, too vivid.

Just like her.

“Is that your natural hair color?” I ask.

Lily raises an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging on her lips. “Is that a roundabout way of asking me if the carpets match the drapes?”

I grimace, though my gut clenches. “Gross. I’d never ask a question like that, which you well know.”

It is a gross question, but the image that floods into my mind isn’t. I see her sitting with her legs spread. I’ll bet she has a beautiful pussy—pink and glistening…

I have to stop thinking this way. I’m going to lose my mind.

Lily twists a lock of her hair around her finger. “I’m actually more of a reddish-blond naturally. But I started dyeing it bright red in high school. I think it fits my personality.”

I chuckle. “You’re right about that. You’re a firecracker.”

“Do you like that I’m a firecracker, Ethan?”

“You know I do.” The words flow out of my mouth, as if they have a will of their own.

Our eyes lock, and my heart thumps against my chest. This is a dangerous conversation, teasing words to my lips that I can never utter.

You make it seem worth it to throw my whole religion away and worship you instead.

God, forgive me for that wicked thought.

“I just remembered something,” Lily says. “You should know that the carpets don’t match the drapes because you’ve seen me naked before. Remember? I took all my clothes off at that beer pong tournament.”

Heat suffuses my skin. As if I’d ever forget. Except I don’t have a clear image of her body. I forced myself to keep my eyes fixed on her face when I scolded her.

I regretted that when I reflected back on it later. In fact, I’ve called that fuzzy image of her bare, delicate curves to mind, straining to remember every blurred detail.

That should have been a sign that my body was secretly burning for her, but I’ve been in deep denial.

Lily giggles. “You were ready to kill me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so pissed off.”

“I was pissed off. You put me in a really awkward position. No one wants to be caught staring at his best friend’s sister’s naked body.”

Or being caught in a jealous rage because of all the other guys staring at her naked body.

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