Page 13 of The Young & the Sinner

Mason’s eyes were on me, and I pretended to study my coffee intently while becoming increasingly aware of his close proximity, his hard body, and even his delicious smell. I had never been around anyone who smelled as good as him. The boys at school could use a lesson or two in personal hygiene.

I cleared my throat. “So, Max tells me you were in New York?”

He nodded thoughtfully, but I didn’t think his expression had anything to do with my question. He answered, “Yeah. I was helping my ex-girlfriend move.”

“Your ex-girlfriend?”

He shifted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable. “Yeah. But let’s not get into that. Why don’t you tell me about yourself, Olivia?”

“Oh, okay.” I looked up and met his eyes, and he shot me a reassuring smile. I smiled back at him again, suddenly feeling way too shy. I had always been reserved, even as a child. But I didn’t think I was shy. Mason made me feel things I didn’t want to examine too closely.

The attraction I felt for him was insane, especially since this was our first meeting, yet I couldn’t help but both want to lean in closer to him andpull away at the same time. And he was at least a decade older than me. He was also my guardian’s brother.

Ah, hell.

“There’s not much to tell. Did Max tell you about why I’m living with him?”

Mason nodded, and I saw a flash of sympathy in his eyes, as well as something else I couldn’t identify, right before he masked his expression with mild curiosity. “Yes. I’m sorry for all that you’re going through.”

I shrugged like it was no big deal. “That’s okay. It’s not your fault. And besides, I have Max. He’s more than enough.”

Mason grinned. “Yes, my brother is definitely something. He absolutely adores you, Olivia.” He paused, his gaze shifting a little to my left, before he brought his eyes back to me. “I know he loves your mom, and it kills him just thinking about what she did to you, but I’m glad he has you.”

“Thank you.”

I took a sip of my coffee, not knowing what else to say. Mason’s praise made me feel like I’d done more than I really had, when it was Max who had done everything for me. Not the other way around.

Clearing my throat, I looked back at Mason and found his eyes still on me. He looked at me like he couldn’t quite figure me out. And I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to. I had never reacted to anyone the way I reacted to Mason in my short seventeen years of life, yet I knew this wasn’t something that happened often.

I doubt I would ever find anyone who could evoked these strong emotions from me with a single glance.

“Do you live here?” I asked. Considering he wasn’t close with my mom, it made sense that we had never met until now—and yet, how could that be? How could I be so close to Max and not know about this other important person in his life? The only explanation was that he didn’t live here.

He surprised me, however, when he answered, “Yes. I live about twenty minutes away from here, closer to downtown.”

My eyes widened and his grin grew. “I can’t believe we’ve never met before.”

Though the smile was still on his face, the light in his eyes dimmed considerably. “Actually, we met many years back.”

“Really? How come I don’t remember you?”

He laughed, and a shiver worked its way up my spine. I loved the sound of his laugh. He should do it more often. “Probably because when I met you, you were barely out of diapers.”

“Really?”

He looked at me, his eyes softening, and his smile was almost… affectionate.

“Yes. But I keep myself pretty busy with work. And I’ve been living in New York for the past six years. I just moved back a couple of months ago. That would explain why we haven’t met again until now.”

“What do you do?” I asked.

“I’m a lawyer.”

I nodded, impressed. I didn’t really know the extent of what being a lawyer meant, besides arguing with people in court, but I knew it was a prestigious career. And here I was, still trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I was going off to college soon at the University of Chicago, but I had yet to decide on a major.

Max always said I had an old soul, but sitting next to Mason, I felt juvenile.

Mason took a sip of his coffee and my eyes followed his movement. He had stubbles, especially around his jawline. I had never met anyone who had facial hair like him, aside from Max.

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