Page 52 of Sinner's Salvation

Cameron finishes his breakfast, dabbing a napkin at the corners of his mouth—every move elegant and precise. He stands up and winks at me, a satisfied smirk on his face as he leaves the room.

I push the plate aside. I can’t believe his nerve. Who is he to tell me what to do? The AA. Yet, I felt compelled to come downstairs. He’s a modicum of excitement in my black-and-white, toneless life. And with him gone, all that just vanishes.

Back upstairs, I resume playing.

Time always passes in a blur when I’m in the middle of a game. A knock at my door startles me, and Marie peeks her head inside.

“Lunch is ready.”

“Thank you, but I have to finish this first.”

Concern transforms her face, but I turn to my game and continue playing.

My stomach grumbles by the time I finish it. I go downstairs, and when I find no one in the kitchen, I reheat the lunch. I have never been big on eating; I eat to live, not vice versa.

After I finish, I peek outside the front window, swallowing down the lump in my throat.

Come on, you can do this. Better to try at your own pace than to be forced.

I approach the entrance door. With shaky fingers, I open it and take in a long breath of fresh air. I push myself further, putting one step in front of the other.

The property has an immense green landscape surrounded by forest. The men who patrol the grounds tip their chins at me in greeting. Everything in me wants to go back, but I take another small step forward. When my body seizes up to the point of discomfort, I rush back inside.

I was outside.

Task of the day completed.

I come face to face with Marie, who smiles at me. “The backyard has a chaise lounge and a swing. You’ll have more privacy.”

Her smile is warm and kind, but I shake my head. I have the perfect view of it from my room. It’s how I know that’s where he was last night. With Alessandra. It was quite a shock to see him smiling and relaxed. They get along so well. A spark of something hits me, and I drag myself from the unpleasant thoughts.

“There is also a theater room, swimming pool, and a gym,” Marie informs me.

“Thank you. Maybe another time.”

She nods and leaves.

I go upstairs. Closing the door of my game room behind me, I lean into my chair. Back to comfort. Safety.

After the initial shock of my teammates seeing my husband, they haven’t asked any more questions. Everything returned to normal. Well, it would be if it weren’t for Noah’s clipped tone. I don’t know what to think.

I stretch my limbs and see it’s past eleven. I expected Cameron to burst into my room by now, but I don’t see his car parked in the usual spot from my window. Where is he? Why am I even interested? His sleek car pulls up the driveway as if I conjured the devil with my thoughts. He gets out of the car.

His gaze is fixed on the window to my room. I duck behind the curtain. My heart beats in my throat. After a brief knock, he walks into the room. He carries this aura of male power and refinement that draws me inexplicably in.

“Evening, darling. I’m home. Miss me?”

I roll my eyes at him and say in the sweetest voice I can conjure, “As much as you missed me. It’s terribly peaceful without you.”

He looks unimpressed by my blatant sarcasm. Cocking his head, he taps his chin in impatience. “Why do you think I gave you my number?”

Cameron moves toward me, and an intoxicating blend of his presence and scent wraps around me, cutting off my air supply. Truly maddening how I behave around him.

He backs me into the wall, his arms caging me. The thought of him touching me wreaks havoc in me. An electric cord binds us, sparking whenever we’re near each other.

“I was outside.”

“Yes, for exactly five minutes. You didn’t even leave the front porch.”

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