Page 71 of The Young & the Sinner

Mason moved closer to me. Our eyes met through the reflection, and I was held immobile where I stood. “With good reason.”

I turned to him then. He was so close that I could feel the heat coming off his body in waves. I wanted to move closer to his warmth. To be engulfed in his strong arms and arousing scent.

And I almost forgot how tall he was compared to me. Compared to anyone, really. Being this close to him, my eyes were level with his chest. I didn’t even reach his shoulders standing at my full height. I had to lean my head back to look at him in the eyes.

Our eyes locked, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

“What good reason?” I asked, my voice coming out in stuttered breath.

“That… it shouldn’t have happened.”

I hated that he couldn’t even say the word. “That kiss, you mean?”

He flinched. “Yes. That kiss. It shouldn’t have happened. I know better, and I took advantage of you.”

Now he looked ashamed. Which just pissed me off. “I kissed you first.”

“But that wasn’t your intention, was it, little one?”

I glared at him. “Does calling me ‘little one’ serve as a reminder to yourself that I’m young?”

He looked away and didn’t answer. Of course it did. I scoffed. “I’m not that young. Trust me, I knew what I was doing when I kissed you that third time. I wanted it to happen. I enjoyed it.” I looked down, now feeling a little unsure. “Did you not enjoy it?”

Mason was experienced, way more experienced than me, I knew that much. That man literally exuded sex appeal from every pore. That was one of the many reasons I was so drawn to him. And he was probably used to someone who had the same level of experience as him.

He groaned and closed his eyes. “That is beside the point.”

“Then what is the point?”

“The point is, you’re young. And you’re Max’s ward.”

“Not really.” According to the state of Illinois and the United State of America, I was a legal adult.

He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. You’ll always be Max’s family. And you should be mine as well. I should do everything I can to protect you, even if I’m protecting you from myself.”

I scowled. “I don’t need you to protect me. I’m not a child incapable of making my own decisions. I know what I want.” And I wanted him. I didn’t say it, but surely it was implied.

Mason looked away, his jaw ticking. I bit my lip and shifted on my feet. We were at an impasse. Somehow, I assumed this would be easier. I naively thought talking to him would solve all of our problems, but Mason interpreted the problem as being much bigger than I did.

My shoulders sagged and I leaned against the cold window, taking him in. “Look, I know where you’re coming from. And I can respect that. But can’t we go back to before? You know, when you weren’t avoiding me.”

He briefly met my eyes and I could see guilt in them. Then one corner of his lips curled up in a half smile. “Caught on, did ya?”

“Well, yeah. I went from seeing you almost every day to not seeing you at all. I don’t like it, Mason. I don’t like not seeing you or talking to you.”

He took a deep breath and blew it out. “I’m sorry, Livie. I could have handled the situation better. I know.”

“So that means you’ll stop avoiding me?” He nodded. “And we can hang out like before?” Although, I didn’t want us to “hang out” like before. If I had it my way, I would be seeing Mason a lot more than before.

“Yeah, sweetheart. We can hang out like before.”

I frowned. “You’re not mocking my word choice again, are you?”

He laughed. “I wouldn’t dare.”

I took that as a yes. Ignoring it, I walked away from the living room and further into the large apartment. I didn’t get to take it in fully before, but now that I had, I was both impressed and a little sad about the state of it. Impressed with how big it was, with all the newer amenities, a large island taking up most of the space in his kitchen, the gas fireplace surrounded by gray stone wall, and even the dark hardwood floors.

I always thought living in an apartment meant you could hear what your next-door neighbor was doing, but I hadn’t heard anything since I got here. Either he had really quiet neighbors or the walls were well insulated.

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