Silver Linings

T W E L V E

Genevieve

BY THE TIME SEBASTIEN AND I ARRIVE AT THE MANOR, SILAS IS WAITING AT THE FOOT OF THE STAIRS WITH HIS ARMS CROSSED AND A PISSED EXPRESSION PAINTED ON HIS FACE. When I open the car door and make eye contact with him, I show off my best apologetic smile, hop out of the G Wagon with a takeout bag in hand, and shuffle my way toward him. My nerves have never zapped around my body as fast as they are right now—it feels like I'm being electrocuted from their sheer speed—and the feeling grows once I'm in front of him.

I know he's a suspect on my list and I should have my guard up around him. It's dropped several times in the last week alone and each time ended badly on my part... That isn't the only thing that dropped as soon as I laid eyes on him, though.

I can't lie to myself that he isn't attractive. He's like a giant wall of muscles and ink. When I checked on Silas this morning it looked like he was run over by the Grim Reaper's truck. That's not the case anymore. The bags under his eyes have vanished, his hair is a dishevelled mess as if he's just gotten out of the shower, and... and he is topless.

Let me spell it out: T.O.P.L.E.S.S.

He has the most muscular body, I have ever seen. Inch upon inch of sexy muscle from his giant biceps and forearms to his insane eight-pack; because of how tightly he's gripping each of his crossed arms, it gives me a display of the veins popping out of his forearms.

I really need to learn how to stay on task.

Silas's eyes narrow as I get closer, casting a quick glance at my attire in the process.

How does one simple movement make me heat up so fast?

"Hi," I greet ignoring his bemused stare. "You look like shit."

That is a complete and utter lie, Genevieve.

Maybe lying to myself will eventually make me think as much. Then, I can stay mad at him without my face blushing when he's in my proximity.

I snap back into reality when I feel the heat of his body close to mine. My heart is jittery, racing faster the closer he gets. He's getting too close. It feels like he's stealing my air just by standing there. I inhale sharply when Silas lowers his head, his lips barely brushing my ear.

"Avert your eyes, Gem," he murmurs lowly, tilting my chin up with one finger. "If you don't stop staring the way you are right now, I'll show you and everyone watching just how friendly I can be toward you."

My face flushes with heat, glancing at his full lips as they spread into a devious smirk.

I couldn't even last a minute before becoming a cherry.

"Sorry," I whisper, looking away.

Silas chuckles quietly, brushing his fingers down my back, and a shiver racks up my spine and makes me lightheaded. What is happening...

"No, you're not. Go inside." His voice is filled with finality and he nudges me toward the steps before walking toward the car.

I finally let the breath I've been holding out.

What the hell was that?

One moment, Silas looks close to blowing his lid, then he's... seducing me. And I allowed it.

Is my stay in Elgantis fucking with my head or am I just that attracted to Silas? This is Silas Aventinus I'm talking about. He's a notorious warlord, a well-known playboy who's in just about every newspaper that finds the smallest piece of information on him, and—surprise, surprise—the sin of fucking wrath.