Stolen by a Sinner (Sinners 3)

“Don’t walk away while I’m talking to you.”

Lowering my head, I nod, almost saying, ‘yes, sir.’

He lifts a hand to my chin, nudging my face up so I’ll look at him. The touch is too much at the moment, making my bottom lip tremble.

I swallow hard on the embarrassment still whirling in my chest.

Gabriel shakes his head, his eyes softening on me. “Jesus, this is hard.” Pulling his hand away from my face, he takes a step back before his gaze finds mine again. “I’m just saying to not mistake one emotion for the other.”

He looks uncomfortable as well, and I start to worry, I’ve really gone and ruined things between us. I can’t keep the words back and whisper, “I’m sorry.”

He shakes his head, giving me an incredulous look. “What for?”

“For making you feel uncomfortable. I didn’t mean to do that.” My shoulders slump, and I wrap my arms around my middle, lowering my eyes to the cobblestones beneath my bare feet. “It wasn’t my intention for you to find out.”

No one was supposed to find out. I’ve barely had time to explore the things he makes me feel and none whatsoever to enjoy them.

Again he nudges my chin up. His eyes search mine, then he seems to realize something. “You really like me?”

I nod, my arms tightening around me. “I’m sorry. I’ll stop it.”

“Don’t!” As I blink at his strong response, he adds, “There’s nothing wrong with it, Lara. You’re allowed to feel whatever you want. I just don’t want you confusing your emotions for something they’re not.”

“It’s really new,” I admit.

His hand moves to my shoulder, and he pulls me against his bare chest. My eyes drift shut from how good it feels as he hugs me. His chin rests on the top of my head. “If you’re ever unsure, you can talk to me about it.”

I nod, my cheek brushing against his warm skin.

When Gabriel pulls back, I feel better and not as embarrassed.

“Thank you,” I whisper. I gesture to the house. “Can I go inside?”

“Yes.” Gabriel takes a step back, giving me a full view of his bare chest and the damp pants clinging to his strong legs.

Before he can see the strength of the attraction I feel for him, I quickly turn around and dart into the house. I don’t stop until I reach the safety of my bedroom, and placing a hand over my heart, I try to calm the frantic organ down.

So, am I allowed to like him or not?

Chapter 26

Gabriel

Dressed in jeans and a charcoal sweater, I walk to the dining room for breakfast.

I think I made a mistake last night and only managed to confuse the fuck out of Lara.

“Selam,” I mutter as I walk into the room where only Emre is seated. I take a seat at the head of the table and stare at the plate in front of me.

“You look like you had a shit night,” Emre comments. “By the way, you owe me for taking one for the team.”

My eyes snap to his. “You went home with the woman?”

“Nope. We went to a hotel. It’s easier to leave in the morning.”

I shake my head, and the conversation ends right there when our grandmother comes into the room.

“Selam,” she says, a bright smile on her face.

“You look happy about something,” Emre mentions.

She glances at me, a knowing look in her eyes. “I am. I saw something last night and hope it means wonderful news is coming soon.”

Fuck. She saw Lara and me and is probably planning the damn wedding.

“What?” Emre asks, looking confused as hell.

“Just something.” She waves a hand in the air. “What’s taking Nisa so long to bring the food?”

“Nisa only has two hands,” Nisa mutters as she carries a tray of dishes to the table. Lara follows behind her with another tray.

They set everything on the table, then Nisa says, “Eat before you all starve.”

As Nisa and Lara take their seats, Murat comes in. He nods in my direction, and taking a seat next to Lara, he murmurs, “Selam.”

I pick listlessly at my breakfast as I keep stealing glances at Lara.

From the moment I set her down on the side of the pool and saw the wet material clinging to her breasts, everything went wrong.

Fuck, her breasts are exquisite.

I shake my head, shoving some eggs into my mouth.

Swimming with Lara was a new experience for me as well. I enjoyed her company. Holding her in my arms didn’t feel weird, and it pleased me to learn she trusts me.

Then she fucking looked at me with interest, and I could see the appreciation in her eyes as she kept stealing glances at my body.

Holding her against me and having her hands on me was a rush I couldn’t prepare myself for. I was hard as fuck and almost claimed her right there and then.