Page 6 of Sinful Chains

“Fine.” I crossed my arms in front of me like a petulant child. “And that’s why I’m selling the house. I can’t live in the past, holding onto shit that doesn’t make sensefor me anymore. It’s better for the school. It’s better for everyb—“

“Foryou, maybe.” His eyes narrowed. “Not for us.”

“Why does it matter so much?” I pressed. “What is it about that house?”

The air between us shifted, tension laced through the silence. Storm, as always, was an expert at deflection and keeping the walls erected high when it came to anything real. It was a skill the way he could always shift the focus to where he wanted it.

“You seeing somebody right now?” he asked, cracking a smile.

I nearly choked on my wine. “Actually, yes. Three fine, hardheaded negroes who drive me crazy.”

“You know what I mean.”

I blew out a sigh. “The last guy was boring.”

I don't know why, but the professor liked asking me about other men. Sometimes, it felt like it might even be foreplay for him.

“Boring how?”

Lacy returned just then, but Storm’s dark eyes stayed locked on me. He murmured, “Thanks,” to her, then raised his eyebrows, urging me to answer.

“He did everything right,” I said. “Nice. Polite. Pleasant conversation.” I picked at my napkin. “I was bored out of mind.”

Storm smirked. “I noticed something about you, San.”

I lifted my eyebrows.

“You like trouble.”

“Clearly,” I muttered, watching him take a sip.

He swallowed, then leaned in closer to me. “Keep on. You gon’ get exactly what you asked for.”

Heat pooled in my stomach, spreading downward to land squarely between my legs.

This thing with him, andthem, was…untenable. And what I couldn’t say was that no man could possibly measure up. None could satisfy me the way Storm, Cruz, Titan did. They each gave me something different, something I needed, and no individual man could ever be all of it.

"The other night," he said slowly. "That was the first time we made love."

"I know. I was there."

He chuckled, his eyes darkening as they roamed my face. "It was fucking amazing."

"I agree," I said, my cheeks heating.

"A little crowded, though."

I watched him take a drink. Even something so simple as imbibing a glass of whisky was sexy when he did it. He had that kind of presence, like a strong command over everything around him, even inanimate objects.

"Have you ever slept with one of your students?"

A slow grin spread across his face as he set his glass on the table. "Santari Lake," he said, low and deep. "You curious, or jealous?"

I shrugged a shoulder. "Maybe a little bit of both?"

Our seafood tower arrived just then, decadent and full. The shiny silver stand was packed with crushed ice, oysters nestled in their shells, plump shrimp, and lobster claws cracked just enough to expose a glimpse of sweet, white flesh.

My mouth watered as I lay my napkin across my lap. Storm rolled up his sleeves, exposing the strong lines of his forearms,giving me a brief glimpse of the brand on the inside of his right arm.

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