Seven Dirty Sins: A Hot New Adult Erotic Romance Boxed Set

by Morgan Black

  “You can ask me anything you want, Hannah.”

  His voice feels like liquid flowing down my skin. I have to admit, it makes my insides shudder with pleasure. Peering into his eyes, I feel transported to another plane, another place far away from the city, to a camp in the Sierra Mountains where the trees were thick as the scent they emitted. I remember wandering through the mulch laden trails with just Grant, or was it Thomas…and slipping off the trail to do some naughty things.

  He’s two years older than me, and I’m but fourteen then, but I still remember his touch, the way my breath would seize when he reached out to run his fingers delicately down my skin and then leaned forward to kiss my lips with a sensuality I wasn’t used to and didn’t have a clue what to do with it. I was so young, so inexperienced, but so enthralled.

  The memories slam into me, tossing me about like a boat in the middle of a fevered tropical storm. I let out a breath, hypnotized.

  “Was it you, in the forest when we went out camping, on the trails? I never could tell who was kissing me, you or your brother.”

  The gleam in his dark eyes seems to brighten, but he didn’t answer right away. Even his lush lips upturn in the corners, looking amused and intrigued with my question.

  Finally, Thomas answers. “It was always me, Hannah. Grant is the charmer; I’m more of the hunter.” Nothing prepares me for the fire in those irises burning with a vast inferno that makes me want to slip into. “I’ve always wanted you. Grant knew. He did steal a kiss or two, but it was always me with you more intimately.”

  I tilt my head studying him closer. What differentiated the two in my head wasn’t clear but I felt that he was telling the truth. “So why did he set us up? Why not come here yourself?”

  He plants both feet on the ground and leans forward, reaching out to take my hand into his and stroking the inner side of my wrist with a soft, light caress. I hold my breath. It feels tingly and excites me in deep, hidden areas inside I’ve not challenged in years. I don’t dare move.

  “It’s very simple really.” He leans forward and pulls me closer. His lips are so close to mine, I can feel his hot breath rush past my face. “I want you. I’ve wanted you for the longest time and have never forgotten those stolen moments.” He lets go and leans back watching me, studying my shock for it’s plain as day across my face. My eyes widen and I’m left speechless.

  “I—It’s been years. How do you know if you’d still want me?”

  He laughs and it breaks the barrier of tension in the room as it all falls like a thousand shards of crystal breaking as they hit the floor. “Oh, Hannah. Time changes lots of things, but some things never change.”

  Thomas is so sure of himself, so sleek. How wrong of him to underestimate me.

  “But what makes you think I still want you?”

  He doesn’t move away, his face reveals nothing except a small twinkle in his eyes I perceive as amusement. Is he amused? Does he get that I might not be the same girl he kissed, touched and deflowered so many years ago? Tilting my head, I truly wonder what he expects this time around. Maybe nothing, maybe everything. Whatever he presumes, he’s not the one in control like he was back then. This time, I’m in the driver’s seat.

  I shove my blonde hair back. It gets in my way more often than not. I’m used to it swept under the many wigs I use to perform in at the club. This movement catches Thomas’ gaze and it slides down my long, shiny locks, admiring them like a brand new toy. I’m not sure why, but this makes me smile. I can use this, it’s important, even though the reason eludes me at the moment.

  “I guess we’ll learn some new things about each other as well.” He cocks his head to the side. “And more familiar things, too.”

  I nod, feeling my face tense into a sly smile. “I bet we will.”

  Chapter Four

  The evening is turning out to be more interesting than I could’ve ever imagined. We step out into the dry evening air and he leads me to his black BMW. It’s sleek, clean and looks brand new. Even the inside with creamy leather seats and not a speck of dust in sight makes me wonder if it’s really his or a new rental. But, why wouldn’t it be? He’s rich remember?

  The guy actually opens the door for me. I settle in the seat and wait as he rounds the front of the car and slides into the driver’s side. His impeccable manners have me feeling strange and I want to laugh at the reason. When did good manners go so out of style, it feels off when you see them? Sad really.

  I have no idea where we’re going, but I guess it added to the intrigue, if not, a tangible amount of fear. I’m nervous and I don’t even know why. Maybe it’s his silence, a characteristic I was never comfortable with. He wasn’t so quiet when we were younger. Now, it feels like I should be speaking to fill the air with something other than emptiness, but I don’t have a clue on what to say.

  “You don’t have to worry about keeping the conversation going. Silence doesn’t bother me.” Thomas interrupts my train of thought and I turn to watch him as he maneuvers the slick beast of his car and pulls out of the parking spot below my apartment, towards the road.

  “You make me nervous when it’s quiet.”

  “Do I?” He smirks, glancing left than right before pulling into the lane. The evening is calm, with fewer cars on the road than there would’ve been at an earlier hour. The streets are never truly asleep here, but the traffic is light. He drives casually, as though there isn’t a care in the world to think of and we are the only ones on the road. I relax. At least he isn’t a crazy driver. If there’s something that makes me bail on someone faster than the speed of light is a man who can make me grab the ‘oh shit’ handle and squeeze my eyes shut to pray I survive a ride. No thanks.

  “Why do I make you nervous?” He glances to the side at me, a wicked glimmer in his good eye.

  I shrug. “I don’t know. I’m used to the noise I guess. It’s not like I really care that you talk or not. It’s just…we’re practically strangers. It’s been a really long time between then and now. In the club, by now, I usually know what a guy does for a living, his favorite drink, and the exact dance move to make his wallet become even looser.”

  He gives me a small laugh and I like how he looks when he does that. I have a perfect view of his good side and I find myself thinking how one wouldn’t be able to see that he’s scarred in any way from this angle. He’s gorgeous, I have to admit. Every glance gives me a sliver of shivers, enough so I have to pull the shawl tighter as the AC in the car starts to make it even colder.

  “Sounds like you like to peg everyone down right away.” He reaches over to the AC control knob and turns it down. I relish the warmth returning to my arms and thankful he can read my cues so well. Might be something here worth looking into.

  “Thank you.”

  He doesn’t say a thing, but I catch him giving me a curt nod with the corner of his mouth upturning ever so slightly.

  “I guess I like to know who I’m dealing with. In my business, it can be full of scumbags, scoundrels and perverts…Oh my.”

  “Is that all?”

  “What?”

  “Is that all you run into—scum of the earth?”

  “No,” I feel like anything I say is being evaluated and a fear of answering wrong made me think twice and choose my words carefully. “Not just those kinds of people. There’s good guys too, the ones dragged to the strip clubs by their scumbag, oversexed pervert friends.”

  This makes him smile wider. It sweetly warms my insides like a drizzle of honey in hot tea. Damn. I need to see more of that grin.

  “I suppose it’s a hazard of the trade.”

  “That’s for sure.” Silence fills the cab again and I’m already squirming from it. I take a breath and tell myself the hell with it. “So what do you do?”

  “As in work?”

  “Yes. You already know what I do for a living.”

  He lets out a breath, like this is one of the unpleasantries of meeting people. A necessary evil, this spiel of wha
t one does for a living. Oh, how I can relate.

  “I work from my home office setting up programs for clients who want certain things and aspects for their websites. I can customize things to their tastes in no time at all.”

  “You work with coding?”

  “Something like that. It’s a bit more complicated.”

  “Oh,” I look away, already knowing his line of work would go over my head and watch as the night sky seems brighter than usual. Rain clouds hover above the city lights, reflecting the intensity of it all. The rain just doesn’t come. Not when it’s dry and a bit cool with a touch of warmth hanging in the air. If it gets a bit cooler and windy, it might drop a boatload of water on us. I hope it does. It hasn’t rained in what feels like centuries in the dry desert. “Do you like your work?”

  He nods, turning into the valet line at one of the many resort hotels peppering the city. I’ve been to it before, and most of the hotels are fancy and extravagant for my taste, but I’ve never ventured into the valet line at this one. Too posh for my wallet.

  “I do like it. I make a ton of money to do something that’s easy for me. Plus, I don’t have to deal with the public much.”

  “You’re a hermit then? Homebody?”

  “I can be. But I’ve also been everywhere in the world, though I do like my comfort.”

  The valet is at our car and he opens my door first, stunning me momentarily, but I catch myself, give him a smile and hop out of the car before anyone can tell how unfamiliar I am with all this. Thomas is already behind me and holds out the crook of his arm. I hesitate for a moment, overwhelmed with the scene. I slip my fingers through his arm and let him lead me in after he gives the valet the keys. They nod at us, like we’re rich or something. Okay, so Thomas may be so, but I never get this kind of service when I’m out and about. Even on a good tip night.

  Inside, the crystal chandeliers shine and shoot stars across the ceiling of the lobby dressing the ceiling with tiny lighted rainbows. The place is exotic and well maintained. I have to give it to the place, it’s top notch and obviously caters to thousands of rich tourists all year long. The floors shine to a gleam and I wonder what sort of stone they are. A polished granite or maybe they’re marble. It’s hard to tell since I’m no expert, but the décor matches and looks brilliant under the bright overhead lights.

  “Where are we going?” I grip onto Thomas’ arm tighter as we move through the massive lobby, making our way past an oversized stone fountain with a woman in a flowing gown holding a jug tilted on her shoulder where the water pours from it.

  Thomas grins, looking reserved here in the open and just a tad tense. I can feel it in his arm muscles and by the way he strolls looking tall and gallant. Reserved and hardened. He’s a force to be reckoned with out here and people take notice. Even as their eyes skirt past the damaged part of his face and clouded eye on his left side.

  “I’m in the mood for a nice view and some steak. What do you say?”

  I agree and move to hold onto his arm with both hands as the walkway became narrower while the crowd of people bustled past us from all directions. It’s a Thursday night, but the hotel lobby is busier than a Beatles tribute concert. I wonder if we’ve missed an event going on here, but I don’t ask.

  We make it to the elevators and ride in silence, surrounded by tourists, luggage and chatter. Pressing against Thomas, it feels exhilarating. His scent, musky yet woodsy with a touch of a light cologne, which suits him well. The warmth from his chest feels intoxicating, safe and comforting. I didn’t want the ride to end because he’s got his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer, tight to him and even though the tiny elevator is stuffed full, I feel more free in this one moment of tenderness than I’ve felt with any other person.

  I look up and lock eyes with him. He doesn’t smile, but I can almost feel his heart speeding up under his broad chest. His rich, chocolate eyes don’t leave mine and I feel exhilarated with every second he doesn’t let our connection go. His breath feels increasingly hot against my neck, tickling my senses. Those lips, perfect and worthy to devour beckon me as the moments tick by, making me wish we were alone so I can lean closer and press my mouth to his, fulfilling this growing need firing up inside. It screams at me to kiss him, to hell with the world. So I press harder against him, hoping to get more of a reaction from him. My breasts are pressed against his chest, giving him an eyeful if he peers down. Can he feel my heart jumping in my ribcage, desperate for his affection once more? Does he notice this wild hunger he’s awoken within me, demanding to be sated?

  He tilts his face toward me, pressing a soft, delicate kiss onto my lips. It lasts but a second, yet it ignites a blaze on my mouth, and I fight the need to reach up and touch where he’s just kissed me. I want to do it again, but I resist.

  I want to say something to him, like I remember this. I remember everything now. Him, our touches, our kisses, our love…his scent. How strange it is to have tucked the memories deep into my mind where I can’t reach them again because of the pain I experienced when our lives took us down two separate roads. I observed the twins watching me back as I placed my boxes and suitcase into my mother’s station wagon only to wave at them when we pulled away down the road to a new life. At that moment, I shoved my broken heart away, locked it in a forgotten place so I wouldn’t have to feel anything anymore.

  Why have I let myself forget them? Why did I never think of them again? Thomas was my first in almost everything. Wouldn’t it be feasible to recall such important things? But, I hadn’t and it’s one small thorn of many of the memories I need to remember of Thomas, of Grant, of them both.

  Maybe, when the time’s right, I can get it all out of Thomas. The past. Our time together. Maybe he can open it all up to me again and let me know what it is that I’ve forgotten. I feel a dire need to know what happened between us back then and what tore us apart.

  Yet, under the veil holding back the rest of the memories is a flutter of reasons begging to spill forth on why I would’ve chosen to forget them. To forget everything.

  Chapter Five

  The dinner passes by so fast, I wish it hasn’t. When the check arrives, Thomas barely glances at it before sticking his credit card onto the bill fold. I’m running out of time to discover more about our past. I haven’t managed to pry much more out of Thomas and it’s frustrating. This sheer fact alone kept us both quiet with our mouths full of savory dishes. It makes me wonder if he didn’t purposely take me here to avoid talking. I wouldn’t put it beyond him.

  “That was delicious.” I pause, watching his reaction. The waiter arrives with the receipt for Thomas to sign and he scratches his signature onto the paper without missing a beat.

  “Shall we?” He motions for us to leave and I drop my dinner napkin onto the table.

  “Did you not want a dessert?” I hastily ask as I get to my feet and grab my shawl from the chair, sweeping it onto my shoulders again.

  “I have a better idea for dessert.” His fingers slip through mine and the sudden closeness since being in the elevator sends a zap of energy up my fingers and arm, making me breathe in a sharp lungful.

  What did he mean by better idea for dessert?

  Outside the restaurant, which has views of the city that were to die for since it’s on its own floor, is the hall of elevators. We’ve been at diner for at least an hour and it’s now around ten o’clock, but I’m certain the hotel below would still be buzzing with people. The wine from dinner makes my head swim, compelling me hold onto Thomas even more. It’s been an amazing evening, but the potent alcoholic beverages I’ve downed all through dinner are pressing on my senses. Thomas notices everything, of course. He watched me when I guzzled half the damn bottle right down. I’m such a glutton when it came to spirits. Why would I ever waste a vintage? Still, I hope I’m not going to regret it the way the hall was swaying under my feet.

  The elevator counter dings and the doors sweep open to an empty carriage. He leads us inside and hits a button
as the doors close. When they’ve clicked shut and the elevator begins its ascent, he turns sharply toward me with a much different look on his face, effectively catching my attention.

  He pulls me closer and our faces are near touching, but I don’t see the fire, the heated desire in his eyes from before. I see something dark, ominous and wicked swimming in them now.

  “Hannah, you’re more beautiful than I remember. I never thought I’d see you again.”

  “You’re not so bad yourself.” Damn…are my words slurring already? I clear my throat as I let my eyes scan his back and forth, trying as much as I can to focus. They relax, but this darker, hungrier stare has me feeling small, and unprotected. I suck in a breath as his lips seek mine out again, pressing his warm, luxurious mouth against mine.

  My fear must be a side effect of the drinks I’ve had. I sigh and melt into his arms, feeling nothing but a wondrous euphoria. I feel the slip of his tongue, seeking mine out like a hunter. Returning his kiss and feeling his hand move up to cup my breast, my chest explodes in excitement. I grip onto his body, getting closer, until our bodies are almost one.

  He suddenly jerks his head away and stares hard at me.

  “You don’t remember everything, do you, Hannah?”

  “Wh—what?” I feel the elevator spin, but I blink hard to make it stop. “What the hell do you mean? Where’d that come from?”

  “You’d never kiss me like that if you remembered all of it.”

  “I—I don’t know what you’re getting at.” I step away from him, but I don’t get far because the rush has left me dizzy, out of breath and losing my balance for I’m falling before I can grab the handle on the side of the elevator. Instead, Thomas has me in his arms again and holds me up. I finally regain my balance and straighten, glaring at him.