Sinner by Minx Hardbringer, Natasha Tanner

everything. That includes the dates she went on with Tom. The jealousy I’m feeling is telling me that it’s time for me to admit how strong my feelings are for Lilith. Once this is all over, I have to find a way to keep her in my life.
    “I’m going to go to bed,” Becks says and takes off for her room.
    That leaves Lilith and me alone together on the sofa. She looks into my eyes, and her chest is heaving as she tries to control her breathing. Something comes over me, and I lean in. Just before I reach her lips, I stop and hover a hair’s breath away from her mouth. Her breaths become even more ragged as she waits for me to kiss her.
    I can tell that the anticipation is killing us both, but I want to savor this moment. The moment just before the first kiss is something you’ll remember for the rest of your life, and I need it for another few seconds. A deep sigh escapes her lips when she can’t take the hesitation any more, so I claim her mouth with mine.
    Mine.
    A few delicious seconds of a kiss, and then I have to pull back. I grab her shoulders and hold Lilith at arm’s length.
    “We can’t. You have to go.” I say breathlessly. No woman has ever affected me this way before.
    “What?” She whispers in total confusion. “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing’s wrong, Peaches. Nothing at all. You’re perfect, but we’ve been drinking. We’ll revisit this when we’re sober, and the job is done. I want it to be real. If you still like me when we’re done with our little project, I’ll kiss you again. I promise.” Whoa, this is taking every ounce of strength that I have.
    She smiles and brushes my hair away from my forehead. “Deal.”
    I call her a cab and kiss her on the forehead before she goes. I want her to stay, but that’s not a good idea. I don’t know if I can resist Lilith, plus I don’t want her here if the Russian goons show up.
    That was some kiss, though.

Chapter Nine
    Lilith
    At work the next day, I can't stop thinking about that kiss. It's hard to focus on my job because I keep touching my lips hoping I can evoke the sensation of Adam's mouth on mine again. It's stupid because we've got much bigger things to worry about right now, but I've never been kissed like that before. I've never felt that way, at least. I keep drawing little hearts on my desk calendar and then getting mad at myself for being silly.
    The universe doesn't let me luxuriate in thoughts of Adam for long, though. Like a bad song that gets stuck in your head when you're trying to concentrate, Tom appears. Once again, he doesn't knock when he lets himself into my office. My stomach turns at the thought of being in such close proximity to him again, but I smile at him sweetly. The paper didn't have an address on it, so I have to get the information out of Tom somehow.
    "Hello, Lilith." He says and sits down in the chair across from my desk. "Mind if I come in?" He jokes.
    "You're always welcome, Tom. It's your company." I say in an attempt to banter with him.
    "You're right. It is. So, how was the rest of your date?" Ugh, shoot me now.
    "It was unremarkable."
    "Good, that means you're in the mood for a better date. Let me take you to dinner tomorrow night." He says and straightens his tie.
    "In the middle of the week?"
    "Yep. I've got to go out of town the next morning for a few days. I'd like to take you out before I go. Waiting until I get back is just too long." Bingo.
    "You know what, dinner tomorrow night sounds lovely. I'll bring a dress and change here. We can go out right after work. That way I can get you home in plenty of time for an early bedtime. You've got a plane to catch the next morning." I say and wink. Gross.
    "Yes, excellent. Oh, and Lilith, can you book the flight for the next morning. Sorry for the late notice. Something first class, preferably after seven."
    "Doesn't your secretary usually do that?" I say teasingly.
    "She does, but on such short notice, she won't be able to get me a good seat. I need you