The Sweetest Sin Read online

  “Because,” she sniffled, “you just want what you can’t have, and where am I going to be when you decide you’re done with me? I don’t take that lightly. I’ve never been in a relationship where I didn’t end up loving the person I was with, just to have my heart broken in the end. I don’t want it to happen again.”

  Sin closed his eyes. “I love you, Callie. I’m not going to give up until you give me a legitimate answer. Being scared and running away isn’t one.”

  “You don’t love me,” she half pleaded. He knew she was trying to convince herself more than him. “You don’t even know me.”

  “Don’t tell me how I feel or what I know.”

  “Love doesn’t happen that way.”

  Sin clenched his jaw. “You know this from experience? It seems your track record doesn’t exactly coincide with that statement.”

  “Goodbye, Sin. I’ll see you at eleven.”

  Sin clicked his phone off and dropped his face into his hands, groaning. He couldn’t win for losing. Of all the women in the world, why did he have to pick the most stubbornly guarded female on the face of the planet?

  * * * *

  Callie pulled in to Sin’s apartment complex to find him leaning against the building, cigarette between his lips, waiting for her. He wore dark sunglasses and a leather jacket paired with a navy shirt and faded jeans. Callie licked her lips and told her racing heart to calm down.

  She opened the car door and stood. “I want you to drive.”

  He didn’t say anything. Plucking the cigarette from his lips, he threw it down and stepped on it with a large black boot. He walked towards her and Callie stood motionless, waiting to see what he was going to do.

  He stopped inches from her body. “Pink looks hot on you.” He reached out and brushed a finger along the neckline of her shirt.

  “Stop it, Sin.” Though her mind knew better, she remained completely still while his finger lingered close to her cleavage.

  He removed his finger and put his hands on his hips. “Then let’s go.”

  Traffic was horrendous in town as they wound through the roads from his apartment to the club. Callie sat in the passenger’s seat, staring out the window. The silence in the car was almost deafening, though she didn’t really have anything to say to him.

  “You know, Missy’s not a bad kid,” he said, breaking the tension. “Minus the drastic measures she took to get your attention with the black nail polish and two-toned hair colour, she sort of reminds me of you.”

  Callie whipped her head around. “How’s that?”

  “She’s intelligent beyond belief. And she stands up for you just as much as you stand up for her.” He stopped at a red light and glanced over at her. “How did you get custody of her?”

  Callie stared into his sunglass-covered eyes a moment before looking away. “That’s none of your business.”

  He scoffed. “Heaven forbid me ask you anything.”

  “You know what? Just drive the damn car.”

  When they arrived at the club, Sin pulled up beside his Hummer and parked the rental. The place wasn’t at all what Callie expected it to be. There were no neon lights, no naked women anywhere. The club really didn’t look like a strip joint but more like a classy bar. The only sign they had was above the door, announcing that Scandalous was a ‘gentleman’s club’.

  “So this is the place you come to buy sex?” Callie turned to face him.

  “Sure. They have some pretty hot chicks in there that will do anything you damn well please for the right price.” He pushed his sunglasses up on his head and deep blue eyes shined back at her.

  “You’re not funny.”

  “I’m not joking,” he stated.

  Callie pursed her lips.

  Sin continued, “Look, I’m not defending myself again. I didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “Of course you didn’t.”

  “Why don’t you believe me?”

  Callie shook her head and climbed out of the car. After she slammed the door shut, Sin joined her on the passenger side of the car.

  “Why should I believe you?” she asked. “Fucking women to you is like football to the average American. It’s a damn sport.”

  Sin leaned his hip against the car while she stood close to the Hummer. “You know what? You said on the phone that I didn’t know you, that I couldn’t possibly have feelings for you. How the hell can you stand there passing judgements on me?”

  “Because, Sin. Anytime your cock has gotten you in trouble over the past year, I’m the one that has to bail you out.”

  “Contrary to popular belief, I don’t fuck women like I used to.”

  “Good to know.”

  “Because,” he explained, “you’re the only one I want to be inside. God, Callie. You make me crazy.”

  Sin came towards her, pressing her against the side of the Hummer with his body. He dipped his head and took her mouth with such savagery she didn’t have time to protest. His tongue swept between her lips while his fingers slid through her hair, holding her to him.

  Callie knew with all her might she needed to end it. She needed to break the kiss and walk away before something stupid happened. But he felt good against her, reminding her of what it was like to have him inside her. Oh God, she wanted that now. She wanted to lose control and be completely carefree with him.

  Callie fisted her hands in his shirt and fought with herself on whether to push him away or pull him closer. Her body was on fire from his kiss and a small whimper left her throat when his hand slid beneath her shirt.

  Sin broke the kiss first, moving back just enough so he could see her face. “You can’t kiss me like that and expect me to believe there is nothing between us.”

  “Lust isn’t love.” Callie swallowed and looked away.

  “Well, at least lust is something. You’ve practically ignored me for several months now. If you won’t be in a serious, committed relationship with me, then we’ll just stick to fucking. When’s the last time you had sex?” His hand moved upward until he cupped her breast. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her neck. “A week? A month? A year?”

  His mouth moved down while his thumb repeatedly rubbed against her nipple. His body was warm and comforting. In spite of all the hardships he’d put her through, she couldn’t deny that she wanted him. Her body remembered his touch, craved it. She closed her eyes when his lips moved towards the sensitive place behind her ear. One thing was for sure, Sin Cannon was definitely a pro at seduction.

  “A year,” she whispered.

  “Let me make it up to you.” His breath caressed her skin. “We’re good together, Callie. Let me remind you.”

  Somehow, Callie found herself unable to say no. The fire he started seconds ago spread into an ardent blaze throughout her body, one only he could extinguish. He pulled back and stared into her eyes. Their hands were the only parts touching, and after a little tug from him, they climbed in the back of the Hummer. Once inside, Sin immediately started working on her clothing, taking off her shirt, then her jeans. With that hindrance out of the way, she laid back against the bench seat, watching him.

  “Touch me,” she whispered. “Please, Sin. Touch me.”

  Bending over her, he sucked her nipple into his mouth. Callie moaned, panting as she closed her eyes. His tongue slithered around the tight bead, the lazy caress sending shivers down her spine.

  He suddenly sat up and pushed at her legs, forcing them apart. The pair of nude-coloured bikinis wasn’t exactly her choice for the sexiest pair of underwear, but nevertheless, it was the pair she’d pulled on this morning. Sin glanced down at the scrap of fabric and Callie silently wished she wore something more sexy.

  His fingers travelled along her thighs. Each sensual movement built her anticipation until he finally pushed aside her panties and fingered her slit. Callie arched her back, digging her nails in the leather seats. He teased her, dipping his fingers inside her juicy pussy while completely avoiding her clit. Each stroke ke
pt her on the brink, without giving her the full satisfaction she wanted.

  “Are you always this wet for me, baby?” He leaned forward and pressed a single kiss against her bare stomach. “You smell fucking delicious. I can’t wait to taste you. Would you like that? My mouth between your sweet thighs, licking up every drop of your sweet cream. My dick is hard just thinking about it.”

  Sin flicked her clit with his thumb while his fingers found her G-spot. A bolt of pleasure shot through her.

  “God, Sin. Enough! I want your cock in me now.”

  Sin chuckled and pulled his fingers away from her. He grabbed a condom from his jacket pocket and began to work on his zipper. Her chest heaved with each breath as she watched him. He shoved his jeans to his knees and took his cock in his hand. Callie’s mouth watered when he tore open the foil package and rolled the thin rubber down his hard shaft.

  “I hope you aren’t too attached to your panties.”

  Callie met his eyes. “Why?”

  He reached down and ripped the cloth away from her body. “Because.”

  He spread her legs farther apart and slowly pushed his cock inside her. Sweat broke out on her forehead and dotted her upper lip. Sin’s body wasn’t overly large, but within the tight confinements of the backseat, he overwhelmed her. He pulled back and plunged in, testing her reaction to see how much she could take.

  “God, I love the way you feel around me.” He sat up as much as he could, trying to find the right angle to make it work. “Put your leg on the back seat.” He moved her left leg in position and then reached for her right and propped it on the driver’s seat. Sin leaned back on his heels and pulled her ass toward him so she lay on the slope of his thighs.

  “Oh,” Callie moaned.

  “Better?”

  All she could do was moan in response as his cock slid inside her pussy again and again. He held her thighs so his thrusts didn’t slam her head against the side door. The tip of his cock brushed against her most sensitive spot repeatedly—relentlessly—each one driving her closer to orgasm. She came hard, arching her back as her body shook. She wrapped her legs around him the very moment his shout of release came.

  Totally replete, Sin collapsed against the back seat, staring down at her with hazy eyes. “I love you.”

  Callie sobered immediately. Disengaging herself from him, she grabbed her clothes and began dressing. “Lust, Sin. Not love. This is a one-time thing. Probably a stupid mistake too.”

  Sin followed suit, removing the condom before pulling up and zipping his pants. “You know, you talk about me using you—but what do you call this? You ran out on me at Hawkins’ wedding. You’re running away from me now.”

  “You said just fucking. We’ve done that.” Callie couldn’t think for all the mush in her mind. “I’m not looking for a relationship with you or anyone for that matter. And you need to stop saying things like that.”

  Sin sat on the seat with his arms crossed over his chest. He looked pissed, though he didn’t say anymore. Callie pulled on her jeans—minus the panties—and resituated her bra and top.

  “I need to go.”

  Sin pushed the side door open and met her eyes. She couldn’t say anything. So much was going through her mind but none of it left her lips. Callie scooted past him and jumped out of the Hummer. She was stupid to have let him seduce her in the first place. She was stupid to give into that need, that deep yearning for which only Sin could suffice.

  “For what it’s worth, I’m not that kind of guy.” He glanced towards the building for a moment before returning his gaze to hers. “No matter what my reputation may seem.”

  Callie stared into his eyes, almost believing his words. A part of her wanted to believe him, to see that beneath the fame and fortune there was substance. The kind of substance she wanted.

  When she didn’t respond, he continued, “If any problems arise, I’ll be sure to call David.” Sin climbed out of the SUV, slamming the door behind him. “It’s probably what I should have done from the beginning.”

  Callie simply stood there. “It’s my job to bail you out of trouble and smooth things over when the press gets a hold of it. I’m supposed to make you look good.”

  “Yet you complain every damn time I call you! It’s not fair for me to see you and want you, knowing full and well I can’t have you. I’ll never be able to have you.” He opened the driver’s side door and paused. “I’m eliminating temptation. You keep your job. I do my own thing, and in the process, we never have to see or speak to one another again. It’s win-win.”

  Callie crossed her arms. “Sin, that’s a little extreme.”

  “It’s necessary.” He shrugged. “Goodbye, Callie. Have a nice life.”

  The Sweetest Sin

  Chapter Four

  “Is something wrong, Callie? You seem a little distracted,” Aunt Rose asked as they cleared the table after dinner.

  Sin’s words rang in Callie’s head, though she couldn’t understand why. She didn’t want a relationship with him, and sex with him the first time had been bad enough, much less the whole backseat of the Hummer that happened earlier that day. What he said shouldn’t matter.

  “It’s just…work.” Callie carried the dirty dishes to the sink. “That and I promised to take Missy driving tomorrow. She’s been wanting to go to the theme park and I told her I’d let her drive. Between the two of them, I don’t know how I have all my hair.”

  “Ah.” Aunt Rose sat at the end of the table. “Tell me about him.”

  “Him who? Sin? He’s an ass.” Callie grabbed the dishrag and began washing the dishes. “He’s worse than a teenager and takes no responsibility for his actions. He’s nearly thirty, has more money than God and wastes it all on strippers.”

  “Yet you like him.”

  “He likes me. There’s a difference.” Callie scrubbed the plates, doing her best to push aside the lingering thoughts of sex with Sin. “I just have to put up with him. Thank God I get paid to do so.”

  Before she could stop it, memories of time spent with him entered her mind. His lips on hers, his tongue, his fingers, his body, his cock… She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Sin was the last thing she should have on her mind. She shouldn’t want him. She shouldn’t think about him.

  “I’m not so sure,” Aunt Rose proclaimed. “You spend an unusual amount of time with him outside of work, and your eyes light up when you talk about him—even if you are saying something mean.”

  Callie washed one dish and traded it for another. “Aunt Rose, he’s just my job. Dealing with him is part of my job, and if I want to put food on the table and keep a roof over my head, I have to keep my job.”

  Aunt Rose snickered. “Missy told me about your secrets. He’s more than your job. You’re just trying to convince yourself he shouldn’t be.”

  “Well, he shouldn’t. Business doesn’t mix with pleasure.” Callie set the clean plates to the side of the sink to dry. “And I don’t get why Missy is so interested in him.”

  “Perhaps she wants to see you happy? You’ve sacrificed a lot of yourself to please others. Maybe it’s time you do something for you for a change.”

  Callie wiped her hands on a kitchen towel and stared at her aunt. Her life had always been about taking care of others. From her sister to the Darkfever crew to her neighbours across the street who went on vacation frequently and asked her to feed their dog. She always took care of others. It wasn’t in her DNA to do anything else.

  “Have fun while you can, sweetie,” Aunt Rose said with a smile. “Before you know it, you’ll be old and grey, looking at the younger generations and saying ‘I wish I could do that’.”

  Callie climbed in bed around midnight with Aunt Rose’s words playing in her head. Have fun. Do something for you for a change. Your eyes light up when you talk about him. The words played over and over as Callie tossed and turned on the uncomfortable worn-out mattress.

  Could he really love me? Really? A lot of things had happened th
at night after the reception, one of which was his declaration of love and his marriage proposal. She’d tried to justify it as his having too much alcohol and her being a little tipsy herself, but the first day of work after the ordeal he’d said it again. He never came on to her at work but the unadulterated lust in his eyes spoke volumes to her libido. He wanted her. And unfortunately she wanted him as well.

  Her cell phone rang, halting her wandering thoughts. Glancing at the number, she frowned. She flipped it open and answered.

  “Ma’am,” a deep male voice bellowed in her ear. “Do you know Sin Cannon personally?”

  Callie wanted to laugh but contained it. “What has he done this time?”

  “Well, he’s at Scandalous, Las Vegas’ finest gentleman’s club. Since I know the guy pretty good and he’s a little drunk, I figured I’d call a relative instead of the cops. You’re number one on his speed dial. The press is swarming outside, eating this up.”

  Callie glanced at her watch. “Is he causing any trouble?” Callie climbed out of bed and slipped on a pair of flip-flops.

  “He’s hogging the entertainment.” The man chuckled. “And well, a few guys said they wanted to kick his money-grubbing ass.”

  Callie rolled her eyes. “I’ll be there in a minute. What’s your name?”

  “Stan. I’m the bouncer. I’ll meet you at the door, Miss…”

  “Callie Quinn,” she responded.

  After they disconnected, she grabbed her purse. She didn’t bother dressing, her loose bottoms and tank being perfectly decent at this hour. She really didn’t care what anyone thought.

  She arrived at the club at a little past two and had Stan escort her to where Sin sat. She’d evidentially arrived in the middle of his lap dance. The topless woman barely looked eighteen. She reached behind her for a shot glass and poured the contents down the front of her, only to have Sin lick it off her skin. The sight turned Callie’s stomach while the bouncer just grinned.