Page 18 of Secret Sins

"Bailey," he ground out, dragging his teeth along my bottom lip. He sounded as though every touch was another nail in his coffin.

But, oh, my fucking God, the way he said my name.

Intense blue surrounded by lush eyelashes bore into me. Seeking something I couldn't define, I watched him in return. Begging him not to leave. I'd seen enough of his back to know he was seconds from dashing out the door.

"Don't run out on me." Gripping his waistband, I stretched up to kiss him. "Please don't."

The breath he let out shook as badly as his hands. "One thing that's hard to describe is the way I've changed."

Reclining back on my palms, I locked my legs around his waist. "You can't convince me you're a villain."

The faintest smirk tilted his beautiful mouth. "I have been."

"And now?"

"Now." Shoving his hands in my hair, he brought my face close to his. "Now I want what I can't have."

I wanted to tell him he could have me any time he wished, but he prevented me from speaking by tasting my lips once more. Nibbling, caressing with his tongue, and going back to a gentle brushing of lips.

"Van." Forced to speak against his mouth, I tried my best to understand what he had said. "If you're a good guy now, trying to be a better person or whatever, why do you keep insisting you're a threat to me?"

Thumping his forehead to mine, he lifted me and set me on my feet. Sensing that our make-out session was coming to an abrupt end, I wrapped my fingers around his.

"You're shutting me out after kissing me senseless."

Staring down at our entwined fingers, he said, "It's not fair, I know."

"Then make it fair, Van. Make it make sense."

"I need . . . I need to buy this book, and then go back to reality."

Frustration bubbled, and I huffed out a sigh. Taking the book with me to the register, I scanned it and held out my hand. He pulled cash from his wallet, slowly handing it over with a frown.

"I'm sorry that I've angered you."

"Not sorry enough to fix it."

With the book bagged and the change in his pocket, Van stood by the doors and waited for me to unlock them. I moved sluggishly, hating that he was leaving again.

"While I'm not the bad guy anymore, there are men . . . men who wouldn't blink twice before punishing you for being with me."

My mouth dropped open. "What the fuck did you do?"

"The right thing." Fooling with the bolt on the door, he slid it back and let the sunshine in. The bright heat seemed contrary to our discussion. "For once in my god-forsaken life, I did the right thing, and now it haunts me."

Watching him take off down the sidewalk, I forced back the threatening tears. Calling to Charlie, I grabbed my keys and left the store, locking up behind me and going next door. The pristine white walls and glass cases of the bakery blinded me when they normally brought a feeling of security.

"Ellie." As I stood in front of the case full of donuts, I could only blink rapidly at my best friend.

"What the hell happened to you?" Concern all over her face, Ellie came around and hugged me.

"Do you have any wine?"

"Um, no, I don't think I have any here."

Meeting her concerned gaze, I said, "I need you to come up with me for a bit. Can you do that?"

"Give me five to lock up and tell Alex."