Page 7 of Guilty as Sin

It is their confidence that undoes me. Their certainty is as undeniable as the fabric of their tailored suits and the mastery of their sure-footed strides. Karl slips his hand across the small of my back, light and possessive, sending tiny fissures of arousal through the fortress I have built around my independence. Aninternal hum thrums into overdrive, making my heart crash and sputter in helpless response. My cheeks flare, the heat of them announcing what only these two men can make me feel to the world. With an effort, I draw breath. Find my balance, both physically and mentally.

A fresh surge of doubt washes over me, threatening to overwhelm my excitement with fear. These emotions are so unfamiliar that I struggle to categorize them. I've always found it difficult to neatly organize my feelings as if they were specimens in a lab. There's an abundance of butterflies and too much uncertainty. Do they find me as captivating as I see them, or am I a passing novelty, to be easily discarded? The thought makes my ears burn with embarrassment, ashamed of having exposed so much of myself.

I watch the Beckers exchange secret glances above my head, communicating with the precision of a wink, a tilt of the jaw. They're putting on a show, I suspect, flaunting their connection and hinting that maybe, just maybe, there's room for me in their little club. A wild, jittery sensation buzzes through me, making me feel fierce, scared, and more alive than I've felt in my twenty-three years. It's like they're the missing consonants in my alphabet soup—pieces that might finally complete me.

CHAPTER 6

ZOE

Istand between them in the elevator, stuck in the middle, a willing captive to the sexiest men I’ve ever met. It’s an unbelievable turn of events, and although my mind is screaming to hit the brakes, my heart is far too invested to stop it now. This is my wildest fantasy come true. How can I run when I’m so close to the thrill of a lifetime? Who are these men and how did they read me like a book they wrote?

“Are you having second thoughts?” Karl leans closer and the heat of his gaze makes my legs tremble with anticipation.

I shake my head and smile, afraid the tremor in my voice may convince them I’m wholly unprepared for the night that is about to unfold.

“You know you’re safe in our hands—right? We won’t let you regret a moment, little girl,” Rolf purrs, and his confidence steals into my blood like fire. When he kisses me, it's with the ownership of a man unafraid of the penalty.

Before I’ve caught my breath, he hands me to Karl as if offering his younger brother a sip of his drink.

Karl seamlessly continues what Rolf started, drawing me in with the expertise of a skilled lover ready to show this girl thetime of her life. My response is more than unleashed lust—it’s my ultimate surrender.

Rolf pulls me in, tilting my chin with a gentle nudge that feels more like an invitation than a command. His breath swirls around mine, tasting sweet and savory all at once. Who knew a guy could kiss like this? His hands skim over my shoulders so softly that it's almost too much to handle. It's like if I don’t open up, I might just fall apart. This is way better than anything I’ve ever seen in the movies.

He doesn't flinch or second-guess. This isn't a hasty kiss I’ll recount to Harper with a giggle. It’s the real deal, something we both want, and knowing that is a crazy thrill. My breath catches as his fingers dance across my skin, turning caution and longing into something totally wild.

And then there's Karl, oozing confidence like it's his superpower, just as captivating as his brother's boldness. I never thought wanting someone could be so vast and wild, like the ocean's waves crashing through me, full of need and curiosity.

Rolf steps back, like he's done this before, letting his brother take the spotlight with a rehearsed, gentle handover. Karl doesn't hold back, his intensity palpable, even if his face is just a silhouette in the dim light. He kisses me with this calculated restraint, allowing me to unravel at my own dizzying speed, figuring it out as I go. I'm a fast learner. I let go way quicker than I imagined, throwing caution to the wind.

My hesitation morphs into desire, a gentle bloom that quickly turns into something more urgent. Karl holds me at arm's length for what feels like an endless moment, his body like a tight bowstring that doesn't need to bend before letting go. And I'm the arrow, shooting off into a future with no target in sight, and honestly, who needs one? I crash into him with the force of my own chaos, feeling the world implode and explode all atonce, clinging to his chest and the elevator walls like they're my lifelines. He's as cool as a cucumber. I'm anything but.

I thought there might be guilt, shame, or a raw-edged embarrassment at my recklessness. Instead, there is only an aching joy as elemental as air. He moves his lips from my mouth to my neck, the flicker of each breath on my skin like the sparking of fuses that run the length of me, from the crown of my head to the tips of my trembling fingers. They know the rules and the risks of this game. And now, I do, too.

His hands roam over my curves like he's on a treasure hunt. My fingers find his chest, and I trace the unfamiliar terrain. Who knew I had this much want bottled up inside? I lose track of time and forget everything except the pounding of my heartbeat, syncing up with his. And Rolf’s too, I'm sure, somewhere in this cozy, electric bubble.

Then comes a slight slowdown. The floor stops and I start breathing again, the air rushing in with bursts of relief and laughter. I hardly notice the elevator coming to a stop, feeling so free from my own expectations that it’s like I've let go of all restraint and modesty. Mixing passion and letting loose isn't an exact science, but who cares? The result is the same. There's a soft ding, the elevator doors slide open, and the light floods in, carrying my inhibitions away, into the hallway of their high-rise. And this, I can tell, is just the kickoff.

* * *

My breath escapes in a startled gasp, and then I catch it, only to lose it again as I'm swept up by the sheer grandeur of their penthouse. This isn't just a space—it's a bold statement. It’s designed with the arrogance of those who always get what they want. Case in point: me.

Together, they lead me through the two floors with such smooth swagger that I feel entirely at home. They say little, but their confidence is tangible, ushering me from room to room asif the place belongs to me. As if I belong to it. Rolf’s arm skims my waist, Karl’s hand cradles my elbow, and they conduct this tour. They know I’m blown away. That I want to be blown away.

“It’s lovely. You two have excellent taste.” I try to make trivial conversation, hoping to break the awkward silence as we move through the penthouse of my dreams. My heart flutters and floats toward the high ceiling, and I barely notice that I've ended up on the patio until the gentle evening breeze wraps around me.

I feel my heart thunder in my chest—but there’s no time to register embarrassment or wonder what they think of me. I’m so taken by the view of Central Park and the breathtaking skyline that I don’t notice how quiet the brothers have become until Rolf’s breath is against my neck. He puts his arm around my waist, and Karl hovers just a heartbeat away, ready to capture what remains of my composure. They are well-practiced and I’m not about to stop them.

I’m dying to see where this night takes me.

CHAPTER 7

ROLF

Karl guides Zoe toward the patio, pointing to the breathtaking view of the park below. As they approach the ledge, his eyes lock with mine over her shoulder—a silent, smoldering invitation for me to take the lead.

This is the essence of our bond—a connection built on sharing everything.

And tonight, we'll share her.

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