Page 157 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

He dives after me, grabs me—tighter this time—and he finally takes me to the shore.

Bad, bad idea.

At least the water was covering us before. Now?

My eyes widen as I look him up and down. Water drips down his muscled body, emphasizing every curvature. He looks like one of those marble statues, all hard angles and chiseled flesh. But the man before me is full of life, not an immobile statue. And as my eyes dip lower, I feel my heart thudding louder and louder.

I’m curious when I shouldn’t be.

Luckily—or not—he’s still wearing his underwear. But they’re white. And soaking wet. That means I can see the contour of something.

Why am I suddenly this feverish? Why am I both hot and shivery at the same time?

There’s something there. Something that arouses my interest. But before I can investigate further, he leans over to me.

“Minnie, Minnie.” He tsks at me. “What am I going to do with you?”

“What do you mean?” I ask slowly, confused.

He smiles.

“I wonder…will I get a kiss in this lifetime?”

“A k-kiss? You want a k-kiss?” I stammer.

My pulse echoes in my ears, both at his suggestion and his nearness.

“Not just a kiss. I wantallyour kisses.”

I gasp.

“All?” I repeat weakly.

“All.”

I bite my lip as I stare into his eyes.

“I’ve never done this kissing thing before,” I whisper.

“Me neither.”

Giddiness erupts in my chest.

“Never?” I ask in a low voice.

His lips are pulled up in a smile as he shakes his head.

“I’ve been waiting for the only lips I’ll ever kiss.”

Then he leans in, and I close my eyes.

TWENTY-ONE

His hot breathis on my lips, his clean scent invading my nostrils. I tilt my head back, giving him unspoken consent to continue with this kissing business. Forbidden or not, I’m far too curious about it. And seeing how many rules I’ve already broken, what’s one more? A small one at that.

It’s only one kiss.

To assuage my curiosity.

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