Page 51 of The Sins of Silas

“He easily could’ve beaten the shit out of me for coming on to him. But he was kind. He didn’t humiliate me or treat me differently. He just apologized and said he didn’t return the feeling.” Roland gazed at the dance floor again, a band now setting up, and a small smile crept its way on his face. “He still wished to remain friends, though. I appreciated that.”

“Do you still havefeelings—”

“Gods, no.” Roland chuckled and gave a shiver of disgust. “I view him now as a brother. Edmund, too.” His smile fell, eyes dropping to the ground. “Same as Silas…even though he hates my guts.” Before I could interject, he continued, “But what about you, Ginger Snap?” His hazel eyes became half-lidded as he studied me. “Do you have any feelings for someone?”

My heartbeat quickened, and I smiled bashfully before chugging the remainder of my drink.

As I placed my empty glass down, the lights went off, and loud, sensual music began to play from the band on stage. People began cheering, making their way to the dance floor, moving against each other in dances I had never seen before. The women were slowly rubbing their hips on the men behind them.

The lights started to flash, and the woman singer on stage began to belt. I stared in wonder.

Roland stood, reaching for me. Without exchanging words, I placed my hand in his, and we wandered into the crowd.

Normally, I would be way too shy to attempt anything like this, and if I did, I would be apologetic the entire time. But the drinks made me confident, so I turned my back to Roland. Whether it be liquid courage or Roland’s natural confidence, I didn’t know, but he placed his hands on my hips, sliding them down my thighs. As I felt the bass vibrating in my chest, I began dancing, grinding up on him and not caring who saw.

I leaned my head back, resting it on his chest as we continued to dance against one another, and I let my eyes shut, savoring the feel. Not two enemies. Not two fugitives on the run. Just two friends living in the moment.

I let out a soft moan as I felt him harden against me. “Roland,” I breathed, though I wasn’t sure if he heard over the blaring music.Chills spread across my body as his lips pressed against my neck. A soft kiss followed by a light nip of my skin.

I smelled him now…vanilla and sandalwood. It was intoxicating.

I ground against him harder, and he groaned, turning me to face him. His eyes met mine with profound fixation before focusing on my lips. My heartbeat quickened, and before I knew it, Roland’s hand slid behind my neck, angling my face up to him.

He whispered into my ear, “You were headed to me before I knocked on your door, weren’t you, Lena?” There he went, using my name as a sexual weapon.

Why did I love it so much?

I nodded.

“Why?” he purred.

“You know why,” I murmured, our breaths now mingling.

Those beautiful lips curved into a half-grin. “Not good enough, Ginger Snap. Tell me.”

I swallowed. “I want to fuck you,” I confessed.

Roland’s eyes widened at my bluntness, and I couldn’t help the giggle that bubbled in my chest. My laughs quickly evaporated as Roland pressed his mouth to mine, his free hand snaking around my body to grip my ass through the soft fabric.

He grunted into my mouth, then pulled away. “My room. Now.”

I left with him. We drunkenly stumbled up the steps in the inn, giggling like children as we made our way to his room when we passed Era in the hallway. Her eyes enlarged just as a knowing smile crossed her face.

I guess what we were about to do was obvious.

Chapter Fifteen

LENA

We tripped over one another as we rushed into his room and kicked off our shoes. Roland quickly turned on the oil lamp beside his bed, then reached behind and pulled off his shirt. My heart sped up at the sight of his perfect, bronzed body.

With no time to lose, his hungry lips captured mine again, then trailed down, his tongue gliding along my neck.

It felt wonderful, and I desperately wanted to be intimate with him, but despite it, I felt myself start to panic as my eyes found the bed. Images flooded my brain of Rurik violating me—of those soldiers beating me and then watching him force himself inside of me.

I took in a shaky breath. I knew Roland wasn’t like those men…not even close. But my body didn’t.

I am safe. I am safe. I am safe. I am safe. I am safe.

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