Sweeter Than Sin (39 page)

“David,” she said, sliding her arm around his body. “This isn’t about the things God
allows
. He gave us life, free will. That means the sons of bitches who choose to act in evil ways are going to do it. At the end of it all, they’ll answer for it.”

“Fuck,” he muttered, his voice thick with derision, the word all but lost in a derisive snort. “You know how many times I cried? Prayed? Begged for help? It never came. I was alone. I’ve always been alone.”

Sybil moved around him, then, cupped his face in her hands. “You’re not. I’m here. I’ve been here a long time. I won’t go away unless you make me and even then, you’ll have a fight on your hands.”

His lids flickered. “That’s not…”

She rose up on her toes. “Shhhh. I know. This isn’t anything I’m trying to change your mind about. You have to decide for yourself anyway. I just don’t care to believe that it all ends here. And regardless of any of that, you’re not alone. You’ve got me.”

“Do I?” His arms came around her, banded tight, sliding yet against under the heavy, long material of her coat. One fist tangled in the material of her dress while he buried his face against her neck.

“Always.” The words she really wanted to say remained trapped.

Somehow, she knew this wasn’t the time. The place.

But one day soon, she’d tell him. Whether he wanted to hear it not.

She stood there, holding him close while he practically clutched her to him. Every line of his body was tense, so tense, she could almost imagine him vibrating. After a moment, his lips rubbed against her neck, the slight movement sending an electric thrill racing through her. How many years had she been with him? Not enough. She could spend a century, taking as many of these stolen moments as she could, and it wouldn’t be enough.

His lips found her ear and she shivered as his breath ghosted over her skin. “Where’s Drew?”

“Staying with his friend, Darnell.” She forced a smile and shrugged. “I called Taneisha—you met her at the hospital, I think. She took care of Max. Anyway, I wanted to be here…”

He lifted his head, pinning her with an intent stare as her words trailed off.

“I wanted to be there if you needed me. Going to…” She trailed off, uncertain what to say.
Your place? Max’s place?

“It’s too far.” He dipped his head and rubbed his lips across her neck. “Your studio.”

She caught her breath as he slid his hand around and up her torso, cupping her breast in one palm. Her coat shielded the action from view, but it still felt so very …

Wicked.

Wonderful.

And not enough.

“Let’s get there, then.”

ALSO BY SHILOH WALKER

SECRETS & SHADOWS E-NOVELLAS

Burn for Me

Break for Me

Long for Me

SECRETS & SHADOWS SERIES

Deeper Than Need

Available from St. Martin’s Press

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shiloh Walker
has been writing since she was a kid. She loves reading and writing anything paranormal, anything fantasy, and nearly every kind of romance. Once upon a time she worked as a nurse, but now she writes full time and lives with her family in the Midwest. She has authored dozens of works of romantic suspense, contemporary and paranormal romance, and urban fantasy under the name J.C. Daniels. Visit her on the web at
www.shilohwalker.com
to learn more.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

SWEETER THAN SIN

Copyright © 2014 by Shiloh Walker.

Excerpt from
Darker Than Desire
copyright © 2014 by Shiloh Walker.

Credits © Patricia Schmitt (Picky Me)

All rights reserved.

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eISBN: 978-1-4668-2589-5

St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / October 2014

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