Page 45 of Sinner

“Don’t you mean a mask?”

I cocked my head, studying his eyes. He was being elusive on purpose, trying to bring out something in me that didn’t exist.

I refused to even think it could.

“To each their own.” He truly had no idea who I was. There was no hint of recognition, so it became easy to play the name gamewith him. Did I feel guilty? Not in the least. He wouldn’t learn my true identity until it was too late.

Sadly, I wanted so much to hate him, but I found his personality engaging. Although I had a good sense he was a tough leader and a true predator at heart. What had my sister seen in the man?

“Yes, perhaps you’re right.”

I took a chance and one I hoped I wouldn’t regret. “I think love is the ultimate path of gaining one’s self. It empowers you to be able to take those risks. At least that’s true in my mind since I’ve never felt anything other than familial love.”

While he barely reflected my statement, his eyes darkened, a slight flare occurring in his nostrils. “As I’m sure you’ve heard before, there is no place in a competitive world such as ours for love. What do you enjoy other than games?”

“Very little.” I was surprised I’d admitted it. And I was furious that he acted as if what he’d shared with my sister had meant nothing to him. I did everything I could to tamp down my anger.

I’d been right about him. He was a true bastard. It would be such a joy to rip him to shreds.

“How very sad, Desdemona. One cannot find true happiness without experimenting with the unknown, the risky adventure of facing a fear threatening to consume us. If you gain the ability to do so, I assure you that one day you’ll find the right balance in combining light and darkness.”

The words were even more profound.

“Have you, Mr. Blackwell?”

He lifted his glass, holding the rim close to his lips and for a brief second, my mind wandered as to what it would be like to be kissed by them. “Yes, I believe I have and be careful, sweet Desdemona. I’m very good at reading other people’s thoughts. One piece of advice. Let your guard down. Once you do, there is no end to sheer, passionate enjoyment.”

CHAPTER 14

Jessica

There were no masked men hiding in my closet.

There was nothing out of place or any indication someone had gone through my things. I’d even brought out the baseball bat I’d purchased for protection the day I moved into the house, keeping it close.

At least I didn’t have as much of the creepy crawlies tonight.

No, I felt alive with energy, awash with gaming ideas, but I’d decided to take the entire night off. To refresh my mind. If only it wouldn’t continue wandering to the man dressed in black. Although it did suit his dark personality far too well.

Damn it. I hated the man.

Except he was far too charming, too polished, and too seductive to be able to do so easily. He was also even more intelligent than he’d been portrayed as being. I could listen to him talking about his world and the build process for hours.

I’d spent almost three hours with the man. It hadn’t seemed possible I’d be able to stand his heavy line of questioning that long. I’d found myself more engaged in sharing aspects of my life, including hopes and dreams, than I’d intended.

In turn, he’d asked me about the games I’d created.

For some reason, after coming home and changing into my nightgown, I’d sat in the dark with a glass of wine. No game. No television. I’d even avoided music. Xander Blackwell had consumed three hours of my time and I’d found myself enjoying it.

Now that was truly twisted.

I laughed softly to myself as I thought about what it would be like to kiss such a powerful man all over again. I was certainly not going to find out, but fantasizing wouldn’t do me any harm. Besides, I had the feeling I wouldn’t be called to join in the last test, whatever it might be. I’d been too vocal, too opinionated. That was my personality to a T. My father had at least taught me that during his throes of sadness.

With work in the morning, I needed to try to get some sleep, even if I wasn’t certain I’d have any success doing so. I left the last few sips of wine in the glass on the coffee table, checking one last time the front and back doors were locked before heading into my bedroom. I flicked on the lamp on my nightstand, once again sweeping the room with my eyes as I’d already done twice before.

Damn it. I hated being skittish in my own home. That’s what the masked bastard had reduced me to.

It was chilly in the room or maybe I was still unnerved from my reaction to the game. Sindom had yet to move into the world ofartificial intelligence. While mentioned a few times, it would add another dimension that would take careful planning and design, let alone the money required to do it right.

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