Page 45 of Sinner's Salvation

“Really? Between the two of us, I’m the one who is disturbed?”

If I had one superpower, I’d like laser eyes. He’d be fried to the bones right now.

“Sit.”

I look at my seat next to his. “That’s too close.”

“I said, sit.”

I jab a finger at him. “Listen. You, you... asshole.”

There. I said it. He purses his lips to hide his smile.

The jerk.

The brute.

The big arrogant asshole—AA. That’s what he is.

“I’m all ears. Now sit.”

With my arms crossed, I plop my ass in the chair next to him.

Our silent battle ends when Marie steps inside, accompanied by another woman carrying two plates. “I hope everything is as you’d like.”

“There is one small thing, truly insignificant.” My voice drips with sarcasm as I stare at him. They’re not so obtuse as to miss it. “But I will be fine.”

Marie tells me all about the sanitary food preparation and the organic ingredients in the meal. “Thank you,” I say, and my eyes well up. She has been the best part of this house.

“Oh, my dear. Whatever you need, you come to me.”

I nod, catching in my peripheral vision the understanding that transpires between Marie and Cameron. Then, we’re alone.

This day has been too much, and apparently, he is not done.

“That hurt my feelings.”

“So you have those? Now, that’s a surprise.” I touch my heart in mock sympathy, and his lips twitch into a genuine smile.

“You’re on a sarcasm roll. Who thought you’d have it in you?”

I detect pride in his voice. But that can’t be... right?

“I’m a busy man, Violet.”

Thank God for small gifts.

“And on top of that, I have you now,” he adds.

I lift my chin, staring at him. It’s the first time he doesn’t mask his feelings. He massages his temples, his eyes heavy with exhaustion. He slips his impervious mask back when he realizes I was watching him. Strangely, I felt at ease with him like that. Now, all my barriers are back up.

“What I mean is, I have absolutely no patience for you as well.”

I crumple my napkin and take another spoonful of soup. “What I have...”

“What you have is called fear of living.”

“For a complex man, what you said was truly simplistic.”

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