Page 127 of The Sins of Silas

No!

Torrin held out his palms and swirled them before angling my flame to the lake behind us, successfully extinguishing it as the bolt hit the water.

Before I could apologize, Torrin grabbed my waist and hurled me into the water. I landed with a splash; the move catching me by surprise meant water shot up my nose. It burned, but not as bad as my body did.

I emerged, choking for air, brushing the water from my eyes. I blinked a few times, staring at Torrin, who examined me with both fear and worry. The moonlight cast on him made his white-blonde hair appear as if it glowed. His brown eyes were dark and concerned.

“Torrin, I amso—”

He made his way into the lake and, in a few seconds, was standing in front of me. I noticed he didn’t even flinch. In fact, the water had warmed from me simply being in here.

I already felt ten times better.

With hesitation, Torrin lifted his hand and softly traced his fingers along my cheek. My eyes fluttered shut, and I let out a soft sigh.

“That’s better,” he murmured.

He was so close to me. All the horrid emotions I felt were fading, still ever present, but his body…his hand on my face, grounded me.

“Calm the flames, baby,” he whispered.

Those words…his voice…this man.

This man who had taken care of me since the moment I met him.

This man whose hand bore scars because he saved me from myself.

It was all I needed.

I leaned forward, pressing my mouth against his, savoring the feeling of his lips on mine.

My body buzzed at the feeling, a whole different type of warmth now spreading through me.

Torrin held the kiss for only a moment before he quickly pulled away, wide-eyed and in shock. My cheeks heated in embarrassment at what I had just done, crossing that line we’d danced around for quite some time now.

Did I just ruin everything?

His eyes bounced between mine, his breathing quick, and an instant later, he pulled me close and kissed me back. My lips parted,as did his, and our tongues began to circle around one another in slow, torturous circles. He tasted so good.

Torrin’s strong arms were wrapped around my torso, holding me close, and my hands trailed past his pointed ears and into his platinum hair, my fingers weaving through.

Gods, this feels so good.

I hadn’t kissed anyone since the last time I kissed Silas. Even though some men in the village had shown interest, it was never reciprocated. Even Merrick admitted feelings at one point, and as much as I loved him, I couldn't do it.

But Torrin…Gods, I have had feelings for him for a while now. While I always thought he was handsome, I didn’t begin desiring him until the last year or so…or at least admitting it to myself. Even still, with my feelings for Silas and our history, the guilt I felt kept me from trying anything with anyone.

But Silas was married now. It was over. It didn’t matter that he was my apparent “Soul-Tie”.

I had to move on.

I wanted to.

Ineeded to.

I could tell myself I wanted a distraction. But the truth was, I wanted Torrin. I neededhim.

Torrin kissed me with hunger, with desperation, and I did the same, clinging to his body under the water and wrapping my arms around his waist. He held me up, his hands gliding down to my ass.

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