Sin of Silence (Sinner's Empire #1) - Nikita Slater Page 0,72

and Shaun jumped in surprise. Since when did Jozef knock before entering a room? She hesitated and then reached for the doorknob. She suspected he was being polite, giving her the few minutes of space she’d requested. But his concern would only extend so far. If she didn’t open the door then he would come in anyway.

He stood on the other side, still naked, a bathrobe in his hands. He held it up and jerked his head, indicating she should step into it. Shaun obeyed, feeling instantly better when she was enveloped in fuzzy warmth.

“Thank you.”

He leaned toward her, capturing her chin when she tried to move back. He did the same thing he’d done while they were fucking, he dropped his head to hers, pressing his forehead against hers. It was a strange moment of solidarity that gave her strength.

“We didn’t use a condom,” she told him.

He nodded his head in acknowledgment then gently tugged on her arm, leading her back to the bed. Shaun crawled on top, blushing when she climbed over a wet spot made of their combined fluids.

Jozef sat on the bed and leaned back against the headboard. He reached for her and she thought he was going to pull her against his chest, but he didn’t. He maneuvered her so she was facing him, their knees touching. He tugged on the lapels of the bathrobe, closing them against her throat so she wouldn’t get cold.

Shaun realized what her problem was; he was getting to her. Not just physically, but emotionally. Their sexual encounter had made such an emotional impact on her that she couldn’t deal with the aftermath. Couldn’t deal with wanting him, liking him, enjoying his body, but knowing they had no future. The idea of not being with him forever felt horrible. Yet she shouldn’t be this attached. They barely knew each other. He’d abducted her. He was a murderer. There was no scenario that ended with a happily ever after.

Jozef began signing. I’m clean, you don’t need to worry about S-T-I’s.

“How do I know?” Shaun asked, her voice shaky with emotion.

Jozef gave her a stern look. I will never lie to you. I have always used protection with other women.

Shaun nodded. She believed him. “I’m clean too,” she told him.

He laughed, the sound strange and shocking. It was a bark, not loud, but sharp and unexpected. She realized how rare it was to hear him laugh and the sound was always off, like whatever happened to his voice had affected his laugh too.

I think it goes without saying that you are clean.

Shaun frowned at him. “That’s quite an assumption. I’ll have you know, I was quite the busy girl in my early years of med school.”

Jozef grinned at her, showing his even white teeth. Again, Shaun was surprised. She hadn’t seen this much joy from him. He was truly loving the after-sex moments, the banter, being with her. It gave Shaun a warm glow.

Busy doing what? Burying your nose in a book.

Shaun laughed and shook her head. “Nope, I had a pretty normal college experience. I was the queen of multitasking, juggling my books in one hand and the football team in the other.”

I admit this surprises me. His smiling face slowly became stern. Time to stop talking about your conquests though. You seem to bring out my jealous side.

“Really?” Shaun asked, the warm glow spreading.

She wanted to roll her eyes at herself. Here she was, blushing like a schoolgirl and eating up his compliments. She was a grown woman; she should be kicking his ass for not using protection.

Really, he signed. You make me feel things that I shouldn’t feel.

He looked serious and Shaun felt the moment shift from light to heavy.

“Me too,” she admitted. “It scares me.”

Jozef reached for her face and placed his hand over her mouth. She frowned from behind his hand, wondering what he was doing. He lifted her hands and held them aloft, wiggling them when she looked at him with confusion.

“You want me to use…?” he cut her off again with a hand over her mouth.

Shaun nodded. “Okay, but I’m rusty - “

He frowned and tightened his hand, indicating she wasn’t to speak again.

Shaun signed, this feels awkward.

He let out a growling laugh and she stared at his lips in wonder. The sounds he made meant different things. It wasn’t just one sound for everything. He had a barking laugh and a soft laugh. He had an angry growl and a sexy growl. Actually… all