Page 50 of The Sins of Silas

His bottom lip protruded, and he nodded. “That’s a good way to put it…” He sipped. “Though I haven’t been in love before, with a male or female, so what do I really know?”

I couldn't help my inquisitiveness. “Have you been with any of the soldiers?”

“You’re awfully curious, aren’t you?” His eyes sparkled. “Just one. Not anyone from our group, obviously.”

I was about to open my mouth to ask another question when Roland held a finger to my lips.

“Now, my turn." His lip curved upward, his voice going low. “What do you prefer, Lena?”

My heart began to race. “What do you mean?”

He trailed his index finger over my bottom lip. “Well, I’m assuming you only like men.”

“That is correct,” I agreed, my eyes getting heavy.

“So, what’s your type?” he asked, leaning back in his seat and crossing his arms. His self-satisfied smile was infuriating.

Damn him for getting me all hot and bothered.

I thought while staring into my second drink. “Tall. Tan. Tattooed. Dark hair.”

Silas. Roland.

I made an internal decision not to think of who else was my type, whose appearance was different from that of the two Otacian men.

“Hmm, it seems I fit the description,” he replied smugly, just as our waiter brought over our food. My mouth watered at the smell, and Roland and I were fairly silent the twenty or so minutes it took us to demolish everything.

“That was so good,” I huffed, leaning back and patting my belly. “Fuck bread, honestly. I want to eat like that every day.”

Roland placed his silverware on his now bare plate. “One day, Ginger Snap, we will be feasting like kings ourselves.”

I grinned and surveyed the bar, and my eyes widened to see Hendry chatting with some woman near the bar top. “Whoa,” I began, and Roland angled himself in his chair to look behind him.

It was rare to see Hendry with any facial expression, but here he was with a smile. Even from our distance, I could see the dimples in his cheeks. He had had a fresh haircut as well, the sides shaved and the hair on top lying at his brows. His mismatched eyes were focused on the woman in front of him.

A woman around the age of my mother.

Roland let out a soft laugh and turned to face me. “Yeah, Hendry has always been into the older ladies.”

My eyes rounded. “No way.”

A glint of amusement shone in his eyes. “We’ve all given him shit here and there. But really, who are we to judge?”

I nodded slowly, my eyes darting back to Hendry. “I suppose you’re right.” I sat back in my chair, still surveying the two: the woman’s hand dragging along Hendry’s toned arm, the slight flush in his cheeks. She was pretty but clearly much older than him.

“You seem more surprised by that than by my confession.” His lips parted playfully. “Or perhaps you’re jealous?”

“Ha-ha.” I rolled my eyes. “He’s obviously handsome.” Very handsome. He had that type of beauty Silas did. Another sip. “But, no, I’m not into him like that.”

He looked back again at Hendry, who then noticed our attention. He narrowed his eyes, then rolled them before leading the lady presumably to his room.

“I had a thing for him before,” Roland commented, eyes on Hendry as he left the bar.

That caught my attention. I sat up in my chair. “For Hendry? You did?”

Roland set his empty glass down. “I did. A small crush. When I was fifteen…before I’d ever been with anybody before.” He laughed, crossing his arms. “Hendry was eighteen at the time. He was strong and clearly the tallest man in any room you walk in.”

It was true. He had to be around 6’6”.

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