Page 7 of Secret Sin

“Pippa, dear. I’m so sorry I’m late.” I swept her in for a quick kiss, keeping her hand in mine after my lips left hers.

The shock in her eyes was almost comical. She darted a look from me to Clint and back before collecting herself. “Um, no problem. I’m not sure this place was quite what I was looking for anyway.” She turned to her companion. “Clint, this is Bishop. Bishop, myreal estate agent, Clint.” She accented the word as if to say,I told you so.

I didn’t care in the slightest, too caught up in the way she’d assumed her role as my girlfriend without making a scene. I was certain I’d get an earful later, but for now, she was mine. An unsettling degree of satisfaction swelled in my chest.

“Good to meet you, Clint.” I extended my hand, giving his an extra-tight shake. His lips thinned as his gaze cut to Pippa.

That’s right, motherfucker. Hands off this one.

I turned back to Pippa and continued. “I really think we need to stick to the East Village for you. Murray Hill is great for young professionals, but I’d say it’s a bit lifeless for you. A little farther south, you get easy access to better nightlife while still staying close to Midtown. Maybe we can run by and look at something in that area.”

Pippa frowned. “Actually, I’ve been thinking the same.”

I squeezed her hand. “Try not to look so disappointed.”

“I have a listing over there you might like, and the place is empty,” Clint chimed in. “Owners left the furniture for staging but have already moved. We could run over there now if you two have the time.”

“We’d love to,” I responded quickly before she had a chance.

She eyed me briefly. “I’ll let my driver know.”

The second we walked into the lobby of the renovated building in the East Village, I knew I was right. Pippa’s face lit up like Times Square on New Year’s Eve.

The small borough was rich with old-world culture but modernized in a trendy, artistic manner that attracted a younger crowd. Pippa was too full of life to be happy in a community comprised of overworked day traders and lukewarm accountants. This transitional neighborhood was much more her speed.

Clint’s listing was located on the twelfth floor, which I liked. I’d always preferred even numbers to odd. No good reason, they just felt more well-rounded.

“Clint,” Pippa chimed when we reached the apartment entrance. “Would you mind if Bishop and I look around in private for a few minutes?”

His eyes cut to me hesitantly. “Sure, you guys go on in. I have a call I need to make anyway.” He retrieved a key from a lockbox to open the door and stepped aside.

The second the door was closed behind us, Pippa whirled around and jabbed a finger in my chest.

“What the hell are you doing here?” she hissed quietly.

“Telling you we need to talk.”

She frowned. “How did you know where I was?”

“Does that really matter? I want to know why you snuck out earlier.”

“I didn’tsneak.” She scoffed, lifting her chin. “I just had no reason to stay. It was time for me to get home anyway, and you were sound asleep. If that’s all we needed to discuss, you can leave.”

An amused, fiendish grin tugged at the corners of my mouth. “I don’t think so, kitten. I’m not leaving you alone in a strange apartment with another man.”

“What?” Her jaw slacked open with bemusement. “I can take care of myself.”

I prowled forward, forcing her to take a retreating step back into the wall. Once she had no avenue for escape, I spun her around, restrained her hands behind her, and had my hand up her skirt in two seconds flat. She gasped but didn’t struggle, too shocked to react.

I brought my lips to her ear, kissing her neck once before squeezing her wrists just shy of bruising.

“All it would take is a few minutes, and your life would never be the same,” I said harshly, accenting my point by pressing her harder into the wall until she whimpered. I’d kill any bastard who hurt her, but she needed to understand the dangers. That type of crime could never be erased.

Pippa’s entire body trembled. “It’s not your place to worry about me, Bishop,” she said softly, her words no longer bristling with a challenge.

“That’s where you’re wrong.” I slowly brought my hand to her sex, gently cupping her warmth. “Thisis mine now, and I protect what’s mine.” The words were past my lips before I realized what I’d said. They’d come from somewhere deep inside me, and I felt their resounding truth down to my bones.

I was staking my claim to Pippa Revello, and if she thought she was shocked, she should have heard the voices screaming in my head. I was starting to think I’d gone fucking insane.

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