Sin & Salvation

Chapter 21

I'm absolutely enchanted by him, unable to breath, move, or speak for a minute before I can finally reply to him. "I thought I told you to stay away."

"And I thought it felt more like a dare than a demand," he replies, giving me a charming smile and a dangerous wink that drenches my pussy in seconds. "You look lovely, by the way."

I want to be annoyed but I just don't have the energy for it right now, so I sigh and let go of my resentment, at least for tonight. "Thank you. And you don't look so bad yourself."

One of his eyebrows raises, calling my bluff. "Oh really? That's all?"

I roll my eyes. "Fine, you look fucking amazing— very handsome if you so please."

"Oh I do please, Ms. Elliot," he purrs, stepping closer to me.

I back up and lower my voice, trying not to let Brett hear me. "Do you understand how stupid this is? The more Brett sees us talking, the more suspicious he's going to become. I mean, you're practically eye-fucking me right now."

He doesn't even glance Brett's way, instead stepping closer to me once again. "Maybe I want him to see. Maybe I want him to become suspicious. Have you ever considered that, little imposter?"

I swallow hard, suddenly aware of how close we are to each other now. His presence fills the room, making everyone else disappear around us. We stare at each other for what feels like hours, just taking in every small detail of each other's face. My eyes trail over his perfect lips, taking time to study the scar violently cutting across his cheek. Stubble from a two-day old shave adorns his strong jaw and upper lip. Long, dark lashes curl over his deep, hooded eyes, contrasting the ice in his iris, slowly melting as the tension between us grows.

Brett finishing up his conversation behind me brings me back to reality, and I move away just in time for him to join us. He extends a hand to Silas and it seems like for a second, he considers not taking it. Then he reaches out his strong tattooed hand, shaking almost a little too hard.

"Silas, my man, good to see you. Glad to see I'm not the only one stuck in this ridiculous get-up." He laughs, gesturing to their outfits, and I realize just how immature and childish he looks in his compared to Silas. Then again, I don't think it's the outfit, but rather how Silas carries himself in it.

"I don't know, I'm quite enjoying the "get-up". Maybe you just haven't found your inner Bronte or Austen yet."

I giggle, finding myself increasingly attracted to him after hearing him say the names of a few of my favorite authors. Brett looks unamused and while I'd normally be anxious for a response, I love watching Silas break him down slowly.

"Maybe," Brett awkwardly chuckles, clearly trying to move the conversation along. "So, are you here alone or should we be expecting to meet a special someone anytime soon?"

He's doing this to make a jab at him and I despise him for it. I reach around Brett's back and pinch him slightly, letting him know I disapprove.

But Silas just smiles, clearly unbothered by the question. He looks at me while he answers, almost like he's trying to allude to something. "No, no special someone. Just myself."

Brett pretends to appear sympathetic for all but a second. "Unfortunate. Well, I'm going to go catch up with Jason for a few."

I narrow my eyes on him. "Catch up? I thought you guys went out last night?"

He stops, briefly realizing his slip-up and then says, "Catch up, talk, same shit. Why don't you go find Payton and Emma and have some girl time? I'll meet you back at the dining room for dinner."