Page 34 of My Favorite Sin

They circle back to me, jogging on the spot while waiting for my recovery.

“Hey, how was your date on the weekend?” Violet asks me.

Killian stops jogging and grins. “You went on a date, baby sis? Ihaveto hear about this.”

I’m surprised he hasn’t heard about it from Dan. The two of them aren’t as close as Dan and Felix, but they still talk regularly. Tyler is the brother who is always left out of the loop.

“Yeah. Dan set me up with a friend’s brother. Liam. It went well. I really like him.”

Mention of Dan forms a shameful swell of arousal low within me, remembering the conversation that took place Saturday night in his car. I’ve lost count of how many orgasms I’ve given myself since that night, hearing him talk about wanting my virginity. The tension between us in that car… It was the most alive I’ve felt since our kiss right before Paris. It would have been so easy to slip back into old patterns. I nearly did, grinding against the car seat in front of him.

But it was wrong and a distraction I don’t need, not when I have an upcoming date with another man. Dan called me as soon as I left him. I didn’t answer, for self-preservation. I haven’t answered any of his texts or phone calls, and I don’t plan to, at least not until I can think straight regarding him.

“Liam?” Killian lifts a confused brow. “As in Theo’s brother?”

“Yeah. You know him?” Killian sometimes plays poker with Dan and Felix. I suppose that would explain the connection.

“Barely. But enough to know Liam only does open relationships.”

“Girl,what?” Violet gasps, giving up the jogging too.

I stand tall, finally having a better hold on my breathing. “It’s not thatbig a deal.”

“You sure?” Killian asks, the protective big brother tone thick in his voice. “You don’t seem like an open relationship kind of girl.”

“I’ve never hadanyrelationship. How do I know what I like without experimenting?”

“Okay, if you’re sure. When are you seeing him again?” Violet asks, not sounding overly convinced.

“I have a solo date with Liam this weekend.”

It feels weird going on a date with Liam when Dan is so hard to shake from my mind. But if Liam is all about open relationships, then I suppose I’m not doing anything wrong. Plus, it’s not like Liam and I are even in a relationship yet. We’re testing the waters and getting to know each other.

“He’s taking me to a jazz club,” I continue, then change the subject to clothes, attempting to form more of a friendship with Violet. “I could use your help picking an outfit again if you’re available.”

“Sure,” she says, but with none of the enthusiasm she showed last week toward my date. “Does this afternoon work?”

Liam

I’ll be at your place in 5 minutes. Can’t wait to see you, beautiful.

I adjust the ribbon in my hair, smiling at Liam’s message. Our Saturday night date has arrived and I’m excited, though nervous. Fears keep entering my mind, that perhaps the double date only went well because I had Dan by myside keeping me calm. What if tonight is a disaster and I freeze up, unable to talk?

Someone knocks on my bedroom door. It could only be Mom or Josh, so I call out for them to enter, still fixated on the position of my hair ribbon.

“Wow.”

I spin around at the sound of Dan’s voice, his unexpected presence sending my stomach into an even tighter ball of nerves. I’m both excited and scared to see him. He’s standing so casually at the entrance to my room, leaning one shoulder against the doorframe and with both hands in his suit pockets. There’s a look in his eyes, complete obsession, as his gaze rakes over me. I’m addicted to how desired he always makes me feel.

I gulp, my voice quiet. “Is that a good wow?”

“Yes.” His answer is coarse and a little pained. “You look beautiful. You always do, but especially tonight.”

“I… um… What are you doing here?”

“You haven’t answered any of my phone calls over the last week. I thought phone calls were our thing.”

“They were until… that conversation in your car. You shouldn’t be here. You know I have a date.” I turn to my mirror and continue fixing my hair ribbon, trying to shift my attention to Liam and looking nice for him. But my fingers are suddenly jittery, knowing that Dan is watching me.

---