Chapter 24: Other currencies apart from money

We soon got back to the hotel, and the car stopped, but neither of us moved. Someone came to open the door from Sin's side, and he turned to me, catching my eyes for a brief moment before I turned away, my heart hammering in my chest.

He got out of the car, then turned to me, one hand behind him as he extended his right hand to me. I bit down on my lips, then slowly took it, and his fingers immediately clasped around mine I sucked in a sharp breath, but he didn't seem to notice as he helped me out, then held my hand in his as we walked to the hotel's main entrance.

He led us to our suite, and I swallowed, the question that had been burning at the back of my throat finally paving its way to my lips.

"Am... I staying here with you?"

He turned just as we got to the suite, his brows furrowed lightly. "What did you think?"

I swallowed, then took in a deep breath. "There is... only one bed in there?"

He let his eyes narrow a little more. "What are you trying to say?"

"Well, am I... staying in here with you and sharing the same bed?"

He closed his eyes, then sighed. "How are you good at the more vicious tasks but then find it hard to understand the concept of being married?"

"Maybe because I didn't think I would be married just like that."

He gave me a look, and I swallowed. "Well, I mean... " I trailed off, my eyes avoiding his. Without a word, he turned and walked into the suite, leaving the door open.

It was like giving me a choice. I would be stupid to take anything that wasn't going in there with him. I walked in, and he was standing by the window, his jacket on the bed, his sleeves rolled up.

I started to remove the jewelry I was wearing, my eyes fixed on his back.

"What are you thinking of?"

He didn't reply for the longest time before he slowly turned to me. "Is there anyone who would have a problem with you being married to me?"

I shrugged. "Maybe your ex-wife?"

He nodded, then turned away again.

I took a step forward. "Are you scared?"

I saw his head tilt a little higher, and he took in a deep breath. "I am afraid of nothing."

"Why do you ask, then? Isn't it because you are scared someone would take me away from you like Aldo did with Larissa?"

He didn't reply, but I knew I was right. I knew deep down, somewhere, there was something. A fear. Maybe just a little bit. Maybe he didn't like to admit it, or maybe we weren't close enough for him to feel comfortable doing it.

I shrugged. "And honestly, I think your ex-wife is as blind as a fucking bat and as confused as a cat trapped in a laser room. No normal woman would choose Aldo over you. That is a comparison I wouldn't even have believed had I not seen it."

Sin turned to me, his expression unreadable. "You think so?"

I laughed. "I know so. Aldo looks like someone who had to sign an undertaking in order to be allowed unto earth and you..."

His head tilted to the side as I trailed off. "And me?"

I took in a deep breath, realizing I might have said too much. Looking at Sin, however, he didn't look like someone who would just let me off the hook.

I was right.

He slowly covered the distance to me, his eyes fixed on me, holding my gaze, his hands clasped behind him. I lowered my eyes, my lips parting. I should have stepped back, but even my legs were conspiring against me, and I couldn't move.

He got to me, his shoes touching the tip of mine, and he slowly leaned, till his face was aligned with mine, till I could feast on his eyes without looking upwards.

He brought his fingers under my chin, then raised it to him, his touch soft.

"Wh... what are you doing?"

He gave a small smile. "Tell me. What about me?"

I swallowed, my eyes drifting subconsciously down his face. I met his eyes again, then blinked, my teeth lightly gritting. "I... I was... I mean... you are Sin."

He nodded thoughtfully. "I know what I am."

I cleared my throat, my eyes darting across both of his. "Are you... is your real name, Sin?"

He shook his head. "No."

"What's your real name?" I was whispering now, and the air crackled with heat and intensity, merging into thick clouds of tension that settled above us.

He smiled, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Earn it."

I swallowed. "I... you have more money than I do, though."

He chuckled. "You could negotiate other currencies."

I bit down on my lips. "L.. like what?"

He gave a small shrug, his face moving a little closer. I could barely breathe by now, my eyes wide, my heart beating wildly in my chest. I grabbed handfuls of my dress as I felt his breath fan my face, his scent filling me up.

He smelled so masculine, so powerful and very much like his name. Like Sin. The sort of addictive sins. The sort that has you unrepentant. Unwilling. The sort that drugs you and leaves you completely intoxicated and ruined.

"Thank you," he said slowly, causing me to open my eyes and turn to him, my lips parting.

"W.. what?"

"For what you did at the auction. I never did thank you. So, thank you."

I swallowed, then nodded slowly, my breath hitching in my throat. A knock suddenly came on the door, but neither of us turned to it, my eyes holding his gaze, my heart slowing to a pace that had to be very dangerous.

"You don't need to thank me," I finally whispered, my eyes lowering.

He nodded. "Get some rest."

Without another word, he walked away, taking all of his scent and allure with him, leaving me feeling almost like someone who was experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

I turned to him as he walked to the door, and I swallowed, my chest heaving. Was it supposed to feel this way?