Page 110 of The Young & the Sinner

“Why not?” I was proud about how calm I felt.

“Why not? Because you’re young. And inexperienced. I will not be the monster who destroys all of that.”

“Eighteen is not that young. At what age would you consider me to be old enough? What birthday would suddenly make me an adult, capable of making decisions about my life and my body?”

“No single birthday would be enough. Because now, and in the future, you would still be too good for a bastard like me.”

I scoffed. “You don’t know me very well if that’s what you think. I don’t want anyone making decisions for me. Can’t you see how helpless I felt when Lorenzo took away my ability to consent? Are you going to do that to me?”

Mason blanched, and he shook his head. “Of course not. I know you are capable of making decisions on your own. It still doesn’t mean I don’t want to protect you, even if I’m protecting you from me.”

“Protect me?” I wanted to throw the glass of water in his face. “I don’t need you protect me. I especially don’t need you to protect me from you.”

I stood up and started pacing my room. I needed something to do with myself or I would give into the temptation. The only thing stopping me was this monstrous headache I had.

He watched me with wary eyes, running his fingers through his jet-black hair. “You say that because you don’t understand.”

“Don’t understand what?” I asked quietly. Somehow, I knew I wasn’t going to like his answer. Mason stood up and walked closer to me. I tilted my head back to take in his tall frame and resisted the urge to move back. I wasn’t going to act like a frightened prey.

“You don’t understand how a man like me can ruin you.”

I laughed, the sound cold and without humor. “Ruin me? What are you afraid of? That you might break me?”

“Oh, I know I can.”

I blushed and looked down. “Of course you can. I mean, look at you. But you’ll be careful with me.”

He let out a sigh. “I’m not talking about that, Livie.”

I shrugged, like I wasn’t totally imagining him covering my body with his, or him moving against me in the sweetest way possible. The last time I felt him between my legs was still seared into my memory.

“Look at me, Livie.”

I peeked up at him.

“I would never do anything to hurt you physically. I hope you know that.”

“I do know that. I wouldn’t have slept in your arms for so many nights if I wasn’t sure.”

He smiled a little. “Good. But that doesn’t mean I’m good for you. We shouldn’t do this. You’re far too young, too inexperienced, for the likes of me.”

The anger surged back, and I shoved him. He didn’t even move an inch, which just pissed me off even more. “What do you suggest I do? Go out and gain more experience before I come back to you. Is that it? Would you like me to find someone man enough to take my virginity so you wouldn’t feel so bad whenI finally get into your bed? Huh?” I moved closer, getting into his face. “I can find someone to teach me how to fuck, Mason.”

He grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back, anger marring his all-too-perfect face. “Jesus. Why are you talking like this?”

“How else am I supposed to talk? Like the shy, innocent little girl you want to protect so badly?”

He let go of my shoulders and took a step back, running his fingers through his hair in agitation. I hated that. I hated how much distress this was obviously causing him.

“I’ll kill anyone who dares touch you,” he said in a low voice.

“So you would rather touch me instead.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“So you won’t touch me, but you don’t want anyone else to touch me either?”

“I don’t want anyone to touch you when you’re clearly not ready for it.”

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