Page 94 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

“Same thing,” I grumble. Who decided to call a defiler of innocents a gardening tool anyway? As if this English language is not confusing enough.

He shakes his head and laughs.

“Iam a rake? Do you even know what that is?”

“Of course I know!” I burst out, incensed. Getting to my feet, I shoot daggers at him with my eyes. “Rakes are the worst. Flirting with every female and feeding them sweet words to steal their virtue.”

He stops laughing. Leaning against the wall, he assumes a relaxed pose as he lets his gaze slowly roam over my body.

“That is where you’re wrong, tiny darling. I am not flirting with every female. I am only flirting withyou.”

“Aha!” I point at him accusatorially. “So you admit you’re flirting with me.”

“Why would I deny it?” He shrugs. “But you see, I cannot possibly be a rake, since yours is the only virtue I am concerned about,” he adds in a smooth voice.

“And you think that makes it better?” I cry out, my eyes widening at his easy admission.

He shrugs, a stupid grin plastered on his face.

“My virtue is off-limits, you insufferable oaf!”

“To anyone else, yes.” He smiles shamelessly at me.

My nostrils flare in anger as I stare at him.

“Is that why you were feeding me donuts?” I ask, new suspicion entering my mind. “Was that a bribe?”

“Of course not,” he answers, and I’m surprised to hear indignation in his voice. “The donuts were to make you smile. I like it when you smile.”

I blink.

“You d-do?” I whisper.

He nods and takes a step closer.

“You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. And when you smile, you damn near give me a heart attack.”

My lips part, but no sound comes out. I just stare at him, unable to find my words. Of all the things he could have said…

My cheeks are flaming hot. A flush spreads down my body until I’m uncomfortably warm and jittery.

“Stop this,” I whisper. “Stop talking about my smile, or my virtue, or anything indecent like that.”

He smirks. The action folds the skin around his scar, making it seem more prominent. Yet even now, instead of turning me off, his scar only makes him seem more appealing. More…

Bad Minerva!You shouldn’t be noticing his smile.

“I fear that’s impossible, Minnie darling,” he murmurs.

“Not really. Just…don’t think about them. Or me. Or?—”

“Or?”

Why does he have to still be shirtless at this exact moment? And why is he so close to me—so much so that once more I find my brain turning to mush?

“If your plan was to lure me to your tent and have your w-wicked way with me, it w-will n-not work, Mine,” I stammer as I back away. “In fact, if you haveanynefarious plans with me, this”—I motion between the two of us—“will not work.”

“What do you mean?”

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