Page 44 of Sinner's Salvation

That had to be the quickest panic attack in my life. How is that possible? Oh, that’s easy. He enrages me.

When the noises from the next room stop, I tiptoe out. Seeing no one around, I walk in and find my gaming room installed, everything placed exactly how I wanted. The disinfectant smell relaxes me further. I should apologize for my reaction; the men were only trying to help. I should thank them for being considerate. It took the staff at home weeks to accommodate my needs. I can’t expect strangers to understand me, yet they still try.

I sit down on my chair and power up the gaming system.

The chat explodes when I log on. I connect to my team through video.

Noah squints his eyes. “Did you move?”

“Yes. Can we play now?”

“Sure.”

I am in the middle of taking down the other team’s captain when the air shifts. It’s as if everything in me is attuned to Cameron. Of course, it is. My brain recognizes danger.

His hands squeeze the back of my chair, almost touching my shoulders. Is it any wonder I’m taken down in the game? My teammates realize there is a man behind me. They have no idea how to react. Their hesitation causes a bloodbath on the screen—each of their characters is shot down one after the other. It’s humiliating.

The asshole behind me smiles at the screen that reflects him and the perplexed faces of the guys.

His nearness wreaks havoc through my system.

“Dinner is ready, Violet.” Good God, the way he pronounces my name in that deep timbre sends tingles between my thighs.

I open my mouth, but he inches his fingers toward my skin. I play along.

“Guys, this is Cameron. My... my husband.” Acid spills from my mouth, and he leans in, all lovey-dovey. The jerk can fake it as if he was born to do it. He should have become an actor; he would have won at least one Oscar.

Marcus blinks, a potato chip frozen halfway to his mouth. “You’re married?”

“Yes, our families have known each other for years.”

Kendrick cocks his head, brows furrowed. “No shit, V. Why didn’t you tell us?”

“So you wouldn’t look at me like that.”

Noah threads his fingers through his hair. “I can’t believe you. How long?”

Opening and closing my mouth while my mind tries to come up with an answer, Cameron steps into the conversation. “Guys, I have to get my girl to eat.”

“Oh, yeah. No problem,” Noah huffs, disconnecting.

I still ponder his reaction when Cameron says, “That broke his little nerd heart.”

“Don’t call him that.”

My reply wipes the smile off his face. “Come downstairs. Now.”

“Or what?”

“Test me. I dare you to test me right now.”

I stomp the entire way downstairs. If he calls me childish one more time, I don’t know what I’ll do.

I come to a stop in the opulent dining room. A long, impressive hardwood table is situated in the middle of the space. Vintage tapestry hangs over wide windows, and washed yellow lights infuse the room. This home is spectacular in its timeless ambiance.

Cameron bumps into me, pulling me out of my reverie. His front touches my back. I leap away while he doubles over and laughs.

“You’re demented,” I huff.

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