Sinners All

Chapter 1

Raven Roisin looked at her cell phone yet again to check the time. If they didn't get on the road soon, they were going to get stuck in traffic. This road trip was going to take almost thirteen hours of drive time as it was already. She didn't want to spend a second longer in the car than was necessary.

"If you aren't in the car in exactly three minutes, I'm leaving your ass," the beautiful strawberry blond threatened her best friend and roommate, Dyson Grey.

"Well, that's just ridiculous," came the nonchalant response from somewhere near the back of the spacious apartment.

A beleaguered expression crossed her features; she hated herself for asking, but couldn't resist the temptation, "And just why is it ridiculous?"

"For three reasons: number one, it's my car; number two, it's my family's estate," Dyson made his appearance at this moment, "and number three, you adore me too much to ever abandon me, Black Rose of Mine," he said with flourish using his favorite nickname for her. It was a play on her first and last name.

With his final point made, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her onto his lap as he flopped into a large chair. Dyson then besieged her with loud, mock kisses on her face, neck, and shoulders. Raven spurned and evaded his advances until she was finally able to wiggle free from his grasp, both of them laughing as she fell to the floor. Amused and exasperated, feelings she was well used to since her friendship with Dyson began in earnest three years earlier, Raven picked herself up from the carpet all the while ignoring Dyson's outstretched hand.

"Must I remind you that you have been permanently 'friend-zoned,'" she began, "and thus are on the 'no kissing list.'"

"You've mentioned that before..."

"Repeatedly," murmured Raven.

"And it's quite unfathomable to me. No woman has ever 'friend-zoned' me in, well, in my entire life."

Raven understood his confusion; Dyson was neither boasting nor bragging. He was probably the most beautiful man she had ever seen in real life. His blond hair; his bright blue eyes set in a face that's features were crafted to seduce and enchant; and his strong, firm body that declared his love of sports had women falling at his feet. His sexy, flirty half-smile added to his appeal. The tattoos that covered is arms and chest added to the "bad boy" appeal."

"Allow me to explain once again," falling into their mutual habit of creating lists, Raven began counting off her points on her fingers, "Number one, you don't have a serious bone in your body; number two, you take way too many life-threatening chances for me to ever consider dating you; and number three, we've been friends and companions for the last three years, probably precisely because we've never been more."

"Aren't you the least bit tempted to give it a try?"

Dyson's dashing good looks weren't his only assets; he was also extremely charming and witty. Raven had been wildly attracted to him when they first met. At one time, she thought they might become more than just friends. He had managed to draw her out of her shell and become more sociable with seemingly little effort. They had flirted with each other every time their paths had crossed. Then she noticed that Dyson flirted with everyone: young and old, men and women. He also never stayed in a relationship longer than about six months.

The final nail in the coffin, however, was when she watched him perform a dangerous tightrope-like stunt on a balcony railing five stories above the ground. It had sent her into a soul-chilling panic. Dyson apologized for the terror he caused her, but he also refused to promise not to do anything like it again. The longer Raven knew him, the more she realized he was an adrenalin junkie and took wild chances often. She was also smart enough to realize that expecting someone to change was a sure way to end up disappointed in a relationship. Besides, she truly like Dyson for exactly who he was and didn't want him to change.