Page 32 of My Favorite Sin

“Yeah. I’ll drive you back to the beach tomorrow.”

“Um... Okay. Let me say goodbye to Liam.” My answer feels dangerous. The last time I was at Dan’s apartment, my resolve to treat him as a brother weakened and I ended up giving myself an orgasm in his bed. After seeing him with Chelsea, my insides are purring that he’s chosen me over her.

Dan leans one shoulder against the restaurant’s brick wall, once again shuffling the neon cards as he waits for me to say goodbye to Liam. The purring grows stronger. I’m desperate to ask whether the deck still holds the same sentiment for Dan, but that would entail opening the door to our past which I’m working so hard to shut.

“So, Ally.” Liam lowers his voice, though I’m not sure how private this conversation is with Dan only a few feet away. “I had a really good time with you tonight.”

“I did too.”

“If you’re free next Saturday night, I’d like to take you out on a proper date. Just the two of us.”

“Yeah, I’d like that,” I tell him, and it’s the truth, regardless of how much effort it’s taking to be present with Liam,distracted by those cards. Liam and I got along well tonight—when does that ever happen for me? I’d like to get to know him better. Regarding Liam’s appearance, he’s more my type than I originally thought. Liam could be the guy that helps me let go of this obsession with Dan.

“There’s something I should first tell you.” His tone shifts to serious. “And look, perhaps I should have mentioned this the first time we spoke, but I wanted to meet you and see if we got along.”

The deck of cards vanishes from my mind, replaced with a red flag alert. “Wow, great way to make a girl nervous. You’re a serial killer or something?”

He laughs. “No, nothing like that. I just want to let you know that I only do open relationships.”

“Oh.”

The red flag intensifies. This is just my luck—I meet a guy I could genuinely see as my future boyfriend, and yet he doesn’t do monogamous commitment. By the wall, Dan’s shuffling comes to an abrupt stop.

“I know open relationships can be a deal breaker for some people,” Liam says. “I understand if it’s not your thing. I just want to be transparent with you.”

“Um…” A nervous laugh leaves my mouth. I don’t know how I’m meant to answer him. “It’s something for me to think about. Are you currently seeing other people?”

“Not currently, and if that were to change, I’ll tell you. This is just a lifestyle that works best for me.”

I shift back and forth on my feet. My fingers find the end of my hair and start twisting. “Um… thank you for being honest.”

“You don’t need to say anything right now. Just know I had fun with you tonight, and I hope to see you again.” Hescoops me into a hug and kisses my cheek. “I’ll call you, okay?”

Liam releases me from his arms and I’m too speechless to say anything other than goodbye.

Dan and I don’t exchange words for the entire drive back to his apartment, partly because I’m still seething over Chelsea and that Dan thought she would be an appropriate date. The deck of cards also keeps plaguing me, reminding me of the connection Dan and I had before Paris, how intoxicating and all-consuming we were together, and that the past is fighting hard to not be buried. Then there’s the curveball Liam threw at me at the end of our date.

Whenever we stop at a set of traffic lights, I feel Dan’s eyes lingering on me. I pretend not to notice, occupying myself with my phone, but there’s no denying the thrill that runs through me, tightening my tummy. I’m questioning my sanity and why I agreed to spend the night at his place. Nothing good will come of it, not when the anticipation of us being alone together already has me aroused.

When Dan pulls up in front of his apartment, I spot the car service I hired waiting in front of us. I can still return to The Hamptons tonight as originally planned. Going home would be a far safer option than spending the night with Dan.

The engine switches off and I make a move to exit the car, reaching for the door handle and gasping when Dan’s hand slips into mine.

“Tell me what’s going on.”

“With what?” I ask, peering back at him in the dark car, lit only by the surrounding streetlights.

“You’ve been quiet the entire drive.”

I gulp, gazing down at my hand that Dan still holds. The heat of his touch spreads through me. I never want him to let go, which is exactly why I pull my hand free. But his grip tightens. His free hand tilts my chin up so that I have nowhere to hide. I don’t know why it excites me so much when he handles me like this, controlling my body. His breath brushes against my face, he’s so close. My mind swirls and I can’t think straight, intoxicated by the thought of him leaning forward and kissing me.

“Are you seeing Chelsea again?” I answer his question, reminding myself why I’m frustrated with him.

“What’s it to you?”

“General curiosity.” I shrug, trying to sound more confident than I am. “I feel pathetic beside her, considering how much sex appeal she has. That’s the kind of woman you’re into?”

He raises an eyebrow. “This is what’s got you upset?”

---