Page 217 of The Sins of Silas

My hands slipped away in defeat, even as I asked one more question. “Do you remember my nickname for you?”

The crease between her brows deepened. “A name? No…”

“Fuck, Lena.” I buried my face in my palms. “Fuck.”

The silence was deafening, nothing but crickets singing in the trees. That is until Lena replied, “My nickname was‘Fuck’?”

I glared at her through my fingers. “Not funny,” I muttered.

She crossed her arms. “I always wondered what you’d look like drunk.”

Incredulously, I slapped my palms on my thighs. “I am not drunk!”

She quirked her lips to theside.

“I’m not!”

She giggled, and Gods, if it wasn’t the finest sound. She held her hand above her lips as her chuckling died down, her hand eventually falling to her side. She raised her head to gaze at me.

Something shifted in those beautiful green eyes as she beheld me, something I had seen in them many times before.

Desire.

A smirk spread across my face. “Oh, Flower.” I cocked my head to the side, and her breathing fastened. “You may not remember all that I have done to you,” I purred, stroking her cheek with my fingertips. “But it seems I still affect you the same.”

She blinked rapidly. “Stop fucking with me, Silas,” she breathed. “Where is this coming from?”

I debated my next move. I wanted so badly to drag my tongue along her lips. But I remained quiet, studying her perfect mouth,

“You said…you said we made love?” she asked mutedly.

My eyes flicked back to hers. “We did. Just a few nights ago. I…” I sighed, running my hand through the hair at her neck, cradling her head. “I was an ass afterward because I was hurting. Because I was angry with myself. I shouldn't have taken it out on you.”

“We…” She licked her lips, then swallowed. “You cheated on Era…with me? Why?”

“Because Lena…” I sighed. “I'm in love with you.”

Her widened eyes never faltered, not as she shook her head, her lip curling.

I leaned closer, speaking in her ear. “And you can't comprehend that, can't understand it, because you've forgotten that you're in love with me, too.”

I released her, swallowing down my shame at the look of contempt on her face.

My own lip wobbled as I took her in. This woman I loved more than anything. “Lucky you, I suppose. My peace of mind perished the moment I met you. You've branded my soul, marking it as yours, even after all this time.” I swallowed, Lena's disdain shifting to sorrow as my words poured out of me. “Or perhaps the Goddess Celluna really did forge that bond between us. I sure as hell feel it now more than ever.”

I lifted my fingers, lightly tracing the freckles that danced along her nose, along her cheeks. Her eyes fluttered closed, accepting my gentle touch.

“Nevertheless,” I murmured, “even with all the pain that has come with loving you, I would never choose to forget the beauty of the moments we shared. Because for me, those moments with you are the only beautiful memories I have.”

I let my fingers fall away, my hand drifting back to my side. She stood before me, lips parted, eyes glossy as they opened.

Without her memory, she had no clue how to respond.

I released a shaky sigh, my gaze dropping. “Let's just get back upstairs,” I whispered, nodding toward our destination.

She chewed on her bottom lip, averting her gaze. I kept a tasteful distance as I followed her up the steps, sickened by the distance between us.

It didn't matter what I said. To her, I was a stranger.

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