Page 140 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

How is it that someone who’s known me for mere weeks can believe in me more than my own family ever has?

“It’s the truth. You’re capable of so much more than you realize.”

I snort.

“You don’t believe me?” He appears wounded.

“You don’t need to sing me so many praises, you know. I’ve already allowed you to court me,” I add drily.

“You think I’m singing you praises?” His eyes widen in shock.

“It’s nice that you think so highly of me, but you hardly know me or what I’m capable of. Yes, I might be a goddess, but I happen to be a rather mediocre one.”

He extends his arm in front of me to stop me from walking further. Planting himself in front of me, he stares at me with an odd expression on his face.

“You’re anything but mediocre, Minnie,” he states in a serious tone. “Perhaps no one’s told you this before, but you areextraordinary.”

My lashes flutter in confusion at the vehemence behind his tone.

“You’ve never had anyone tell you this before?” he asks softly.

I lower my chin in a barely perceptible nod.

He smiles.

“Then I will tell you this every day until you believe it. You are extraordinary.”

Once more, I’m rendered speechless. This courtship of his is working because my heart is beating like crazy in my chest.

He takes a step forward until his chest bumps into mine—hisveryhard chest.

A shiver goes down my back.

The wordextraordinaryechoes in my mind while I stare at his plump lips and gulp down nervously.

Oh, something is certainly working, and I’m not sure if it’s his honeyed words or the fact that his body is like an ancient sculpture come to life. Or maybe both.

I’m suddenly dizzy and warm and as he slowly leans toward me, I grow even hotter.

Is he… Is that… Is he going to do that kissing thing with me? That eating of mouths I saw other people do? Is he going to put his lips on mine? Before, I would have said absolutely no—disgusting.

Now, I’m…curious.

Instinctively, my eyes squeeze shut as I hold myself still and…wait.

I wait and wait, convincing myself I’ll tell him offafterthe fact.

But nothing happens.

I blink my eyes open.

Mine is a few steps away from me now, shooting daggers with his eyes to poor Tommy, who is looking back and forth between the two of us.

“Did I interrupt something?” he asks, confused.

“No,” I say at the same time that Mine says, “Yes.”

His nostrils flare as he glares at the ghostly lad. Oh, he was definitely going to do that kissing thing with me. My cheeks heat at the mere mental image of it. Yet Tommy’s arrival proved fortuitous as I am still not sure I can go that far.

---