Page 58 of The Sins of Silas

My breathing picked up as he leaned in closer, his lips now grazing my ear. “You can’t actually be surprised that I’m angry.”

I let out a shaky breath, my eyes falling shut. The dreamy scent of pine and citrus overwhelmed my senses. If I turned my head even slightly, my lips would graze the inked skin of his neck.

“I'm not, Silas…but am I not entitled to feel anger, too?” I whispered.

He stayed close for a beat longer, chills spreading across my body at the feel of his breath against my ear. I flinched as his fingertips trailed up my forearm, my chest rising and falling, my eyes squeezing tightly. I wondered if he would keep touching me under this tree…if his hands would find other places.

But then he drew away, and I thought I would faint at the lazy smile he gave me—Gods, how I have missed that face. Unlike before, though, his smile didn’t reach his eyes.

His smiles never reached his eyes anymore.

The expression faded as quickly as it came and went back to that stony look. “You can obviously do as you wish, Lena. But for the love of the Gods, please keep the flirting to a minimum. Unless you want Roland dead.”

His audacity was mind-blowing. I let out an incredulous laugh. “Very well,” I replied. “So long as you keep your flirting and groping and kissing to a minimum as well.” I walked in close, and it was me who whispered in his ear this time, my voice low and sweet. “Or perhaps I'll make a public display and fuck Roland right in front of you.”

I pulled my face back, and Silas’s pupils were dilated as he stared down at me and wet his lips. There was heat in his gaze…but it wasn't as much anger now as it was hunger.

The corner of his lip tilted up. “Cruel siren,” he murmured, and I shuddered as his fingertips grazed my cheek. “You drive me insane.”

Holy hell, my entire body was fuckingvibrating.

“Did he please you as I have?” he purred.

It went against every feeling I had. What I wanted was to say,‘fuck it’and pull his lips to mine. I wanted to taste him again. Feel his bare body pressed against my naked skin.

But I was upset. So, in typical Lena fashion, I lied.

“He pleased me even better.”

The words tasted foul as they came out, and the flickering of Silas’s expression nearly had me calling my bluff. But his hurt only shone for a moment before he cocked his head to the side.

“Then I suppose it’s better for us both that we have moved on,” he said quietly. He turned away, pushing through the hanging willow branches, and Ravaiana, damn me, I wanted to reach for him. But I resisted, even as it ate me alive.

I waited a few moments, collecting myself, steadying my breathing so my heated cheeks would fade before I returned to my friends.

I hated that he affected me this way. Half a decade later and my traitorous body still responded the same to him. Perhaps even more so, knowing just how much I couldn’t have him.

I suppose everyone desires what they cannot have, right?

I shook off my nerves, wandering back into the dining hall. I sat down at the table immediately after entering, shoving another forkful of now-cold pancakes in my mouth.

“Everything okay?” Roland asked me with a raised brow, and then he glanced at Silas, who wrapped his arm around Era’s waist.

“Yeah,” I said after I swallowed a mouthful. “Just peachy.”

My eyes darted to the opening double door, and in walked Dani. Her blue hair was up in a high pony, and she wore a tight navy shirt and black leather pants. The straps of her top crossed over herchest and wrapped around her neck, her cleavage visible through the opening.

“Good morning,” she greeted, a bright smile on her face as she crossed her arms. “I’m here to take the girls shopping.”

I raised a brow, looking over to Erabella, then El, then Viola, all of us equally surprised.

“Shopping?” Viola asked skeptically.

Dani’s blue eyes sparkled. “Hell yeah, shopping.” She plopped down next to her, resting her elbows on the tabletop. “After you eat, of course.”

“What about me?” Roland pouted.

Dani shot him a smirk. “Ladies only, I’m afraid. But don’t worry, Leroy will take you guys out to get some clothes, too. ‘Cause these—” She motioned to our outfits. “—beautiful as they are, are not fitting for The Freak Show.”

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