Page 62 of Sinful Scars

“Tell me somethingreal.”

His shadow moves as he leans back against the wall, shrouded in darkness, and I resist the urge to lean over and switch on my lamp, only because I know if I did, he would leave and never come back.

The thought of never getting to talk to him again makes me feel uneasy.

He’s oddly the one constant in my life right now that brings me comfort. Knowing he’s always near if I were to need him brings me a sense of peace I’ve not felt in a very long time.

“I’ve…” He takes a breath, and I hold my own as I wait for him to continue.

His voice, while deep and rough, is soothing.

“I’ve only ever been in love once.”

His words hang heavy in the darkness between us.

That was the last thing I was expecting him to say, and I’m curious to know why he felt the need to tell me that.

Is it because he’s referring to me?

Does he love me?

He can’t love me. He doesn’tknowme.

Then again, I have no idea how much he knows about me…

I should be freaking the fuck out at this. I should be calling the police or at the very least Lucia, or even Mikhail.

I should be doing a lot of things, but from the way my skin flushes and a dull ache starts to build between my thighs, it’s clear that his words are having the opposite effect on my body.

“Turn the light on,” I whisper, shifting so that I’m kneeling on the bed. “I want to see your face.”

“No.”

I’m taken aback by his abrupt answer. I thought we were starting to make some progress, that he was beginning to trust me.

“Why?” I don’t bother hiding my irritation. “Do you have something to hide?”

“Everyone has something to hide.”

“Not me.”

“Really?”

“Nope. I’m an open book.”

“So, your cousin knows you’re letting a strange man get you off in your bedroom in the middle of the night?”

A choked sound escapes me, and he chuckles under his breath.

“I thought so.”

I huff. “That’s different.”

“Is it? Tell me, Elle, why are you keeping our conversationsa secret?”

“I’m not ashamed of you if that’s what you’re worried about…” I rub my hands up and down my bare thighs.

“I’m not worried. I’m just…curious.”

---