Page 40 of Born Sinner
Obsession.
I know because it courses through my own veins, too.
I think of his cool demeanor and that midnight black hair, wild and a little long—as reckless and chaotic as the man himself.
He’s a silent predator, stalking with beauty and grace and then devouring with the appetite of an entire pack.Just like he did in the alley when he blurred the line between desire and death.
He saved me that night from Troy Davis. I can’t remember it or prove it, but I know in my soul he did.
As if pulled by a magnetic force, my fingers trail down my dress, between my breasts, down my stomach, and hover just inside of my hip. I trace the still tender S with the tip of my finger. Over and over, I trace the brand he gave me, each pass hardening my nipples to stiff peaks.
I wonder if he’s outside this window watching me right now?
“What game are you playing, Sam?” I muse, imagining him standing in the parking lot looking up at me through the window.
When the mouse strays, she gets punished.
Maybe in another lifetime, yes, but in half an hour, I’ll be on a plane to Mexico. Our cat and mouse game is over. There will be no punishment. No begging. No hunt.
No more butterflies to catch.
I’ll never see him again, and he’ll never see me again.
Unless I let him see me now.
I don’t know what possesses me to unbutton the first button at the top of my dress, but the moment I do, a rush of heat pools between my legs so unbearably strong, I can’t control myself. I unbutton another…then another…then another…until the entire thing is barely hanging onto my shoulders. I can’t see anything outside the window. It’s too dark, but I feel him. He’s out there watching…waiting.
What I’m doing is dangerous. RJ could have left with Santi, or he could be standing guard right outside cataloging my every move. I don’t see him lurking about, but that’s hardly comforting. Cousin or no cousin, as my brother’s right-hand man, he wouldn’t hesitate to throw me under the bus.
Electricity sizzles down my spine at the contradiction. Two dark knights—one here to protect my purity, the other here to destroy it.
Thisis what being a Carrera means. Daring to walk into fire. Balancing on the thin wires tracing my name. Risking the fall just to satiate an innate need to shatter society’s perfect ideals.
If I’m going to be convicted, I might as well commit the crime.
My fingers travel up my arm and curl around the strap resting on my shoulder. I’m lightheaded as it slides down my skin, ashamed of my own wantonness, but too far gone to stop. Trailing my hand across my chest, I reach for the strap clinging to my other shoulder, when a faint ringing sound catches my attention.
Turning, I stare across the room at the cell phone lying face down on the floor by my purse, and my stomach clenches.
I don’t have to look to know it’s RJ. There’s no doubt in my mind he’s caught an unintentional glimpse of Sam’s private show, and he’s calling to warn me of my brother’s impending wrath.
My heavy footsteps carry me across the room, where I pick up my phone, my indiscretion searing the metal into my palm. The screen is blank, save two words.
Unknown Caller.
Of course. My family uses burner phones. Always helpful when avoiding the DEA. Sighing, I hit the accept button. “RJ, come on… I thought we had a deal? I’m already in enough trouble. Can we just keep this between—?”
A rough breath hisses through the line, licking my ear with its forbidden tongue.
“RJ?”
He doesn’t answer, but the breathing grows heavier…lethal…more insistent. There’s an underlying growl hidden in the silence that ignites my skin.
It’s him.
I don’t know how I know; I just do.
Closing my eyes, I imagine his gaze following my every move as that wicked tongue licks his full lips.
