Page 74 of Sinner's Obsession

To the side of it is a small place with a short paragraph and Dani’s name.

“It’s the one I asked you if I could submit,” she explains in a hushed voice, her fingers wrapping around my elbow as she brings her cheek close to my arm. “It won the best spot in the showcase,” she adds with pride.

Looking down at Dani, I don’t know what to say. I’m speechless in the presence of her talent. Because there’s no doubt about it. The picture is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. She managed to capture me better than a photographer working with a professional model could.

And blazing in my gray-toned eyes is all the intense passion I have for this beautiful, artistic girl.

Stepping around me and bringing us more fully in front of my image, Dani takes both my hands. And as she peers up at me, her eyes shine. “What I feel for you, Efrem, is unlike anything I’ve felt before. I’ve spent my life trying to be what my parents expect of me. But then you came along and unlocked something inside me that I can’t ignore. You inspire me to live for myself, and I want to do that with you. Starting now.”

A hush falls over the room as I stand motionless, my heart swelling inside my chest. This is better than any kind of reconciliation I might have hoped we could find. And Dani’s profession moves something deep inside of me.

In awe of Dani, I step slowly toward her, my eyes intent on hers. Then I cradle the back of her head and lean in to kiss her right there in front of the roomful of gallerygoers.

26

DANI

Electricity jolts through me as our lips collide, and throwing caution to the wind, I melt into Efrem’s arms. It feels so good to be near him once more. Our connection has always been undeniable, the pull magnetic despite all the barriers that have stood between us. And this time, I’m determined not to let anything get in the way.

His warm lips move with mine, his kiss passionate and yet chaste, and though I crave more, I also appreciate that he doesn’t take it further right here in the gallery. Because if he did, I might not be able to stop.

A smattering of applause breaks out, and Efrem lifts his head, ending the kiss as he keeps me snugly against his chest.

“Encore!” someone calls from the back, and Efrem and I laugh as my cheeks flame with embarrassment.

Not for being with Efrem, because after kissing him again, I know without a shadow of a doubt that I made the right decision. But I hadn’t anticipated sharing such a personal moment with an audience.

Flashing me a brilliant smile, Efrem grabs my hand and leads me from the room, seeming to know it’s time to go, though I haven’t said a word. Eyes follow us as we weave through the crowd, people interested to see who I’m with, I’m sure.

Because I know at least half the people in this room. And they’re sure to tell my parents exactly what happened.

But I don’t care. My plan worked, and from the passion behind Efrem’s kiss, he’s forgiven me for being such an idiot.

We’re back outside within minutes, and my heart hammers in my chest as he flags down a taxi before ushering me inside. Tension crackles between us for the short ride back to his apartment. And while I desperately want to kiss him, I don’t dare until we’re somewhere I won’t have to stop again.

Efrem pays the cabbie without a word, and taking my hand, he guides me into his building and into the elevator.

As soon as the doors shut, he’s on me, his fingers caressing my face as he leans in to kiss me deeply. Throwing my arms around his neck, I respond enthusiastically. Nearly a week without it has left me starved for his touch.

Pressing me against the wall of the elevator, Efrem cages me between his strong arms, his tongue stroking between my lips to taste me. I respond in kind, my tongue dancing out to meet his in a lustful entanglement.

The doors ding open onto the twenty-seventh floor, and Efrem doesn’t miss a beat. Guiding me with his hands on my hips, he walks me backward toward his apartment so we don’t have to stop kissing.

“I missed you,” I breathe against his lips, and he moans as his arms wrap tightly around my waist, pulling me close.

My back meets the wood of his door a moment later, and I pant as he breaks the kiss for just a moment to fish his keys from his pocket. With one hand, he slides it into the lock, twists, then opens the door.

His other arm holds me close to his chest, silently telling me what his voice won’t. He missed me too. Even though he was clearly still carrying his anger all this time.

In a flash, we’re back in his chic modern apartment, which I took the time to admire when I first showed up at his door. It’s decorated functionally with a small granite dining table in the eating area, an L-shaped couch that wraps around a coffee table, and a simple side table. Little else fills the open-concept space of his kitchen/dining/living room.

But that’s not where we’re headed. As soon as the door’s locked, Efrem scoops me up in his arms, his hands wrapping my legs around his waist as he carries me toward the bedroom.

Combing my fingers into his soft blond locks, I cling to him, never wanting to let go.

His hands trail up beneath my flowing top, his fingers splaying across my back as he kisses me more fiercely, his teeth nipping playfully at my lips. And then our weight shifts as he leans forward to lay me on his bed.

I gasp into his mouth as his weight presses down on me, pushing me into the soft sheets and firm, quality mattress.

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