Read Online Sinful Instincts (Woodland Creek) by J. D. Hollyfield, Woodland Creek - Free Book Online

foster family who just wanted the extra money. The father was a drunk who confused me for his wife on many occasions, and I had to fight my way out of being sexually assaulted. The wife, on the other hand, saw it as me wanting her husband’s attention. It was a great way to build a non-trusting relationship against the adult world. When I left Utah, I made my way to Arizona, obviously a state far away from an ocean. I did odds-and-ends jobs until I landed a real position at a small bank. They set me up with some intern housing until I was able to afford rent, and I eventually moved my way up within the company to a senior teller. I guess hearing this story also makes sense of why everyone thought I was crazy for leaving. Well, right about now, I will also agree. I was crazy.
    I turn onto my side to cuddle my blanket when my door explodes off the last of its poor hinges and Sin rushes forward, barreling into my room— again. I grab my flannel blanket, tucking it just under my chin. “What the fuck are you doing in here? Again !?” I shriek, his sudden intrusion scaring the crap out of me.
    Sin, God help me, is naked yet again. He is in attack mode, his eyes glowing a fierce amber while he inspects my room for bad guys.
    “Are you okay? Were you having another nightmare?” He searches my face for answers.
    “What—what are you talking about?” I look around my small space avoiding eye contact. He inspects me further and realizes I am no apparent danger. As the tension in him dissipates, I relax myself, slowly dropping my blanket to my lap.
    “Okay so maybe I was just having a little bit of a bad dream,” I explain softly, ashamed at my second outburst in the past few hours.
    Sin steps forward, his masculine legs making his way in front of my bed. “What is it that you see that upsets you?”
    “In my dreams? Nothing. I don’t know. I don’t remember them.” I try to sit up straighter, pulling my blanket over my tingling body once again. And why does my body keep feeling all funny?
    “You lie.” His voice is like silk, falling over my trembling skin.
    “I don’t, and… and it’s really none of your business. Why are you still in here? I said what the fuck are you doing in here? Again!?” !” I attempt to gain control of the situation. I need him to leave my room so I can kick my body’s ass for its reaction to him.
    “You dream about something that upsets you. Your aura is drowning in it. So much sadness. I want to know what it is.”
    Calling me out on my emotions triggers a new one: anger. How dare he try to diagnose me? I was done sharing my dreams in those therapists’ offices when no one could help me. When no one could truly understand how real they were and how painful it felt every time I was ripped from my dreams, choking on a vision of a woman I knew meant something important to me once upon a time.
    “Listen, it’s none of your damn business. I’m not your poor lost girlfriend who you need to save here. Just leave it be, okay?” The second the words tumble from my lips, I instantly regret them. It’s when I feel the rippling in the air that I know I’ve made a huge mistake. I know my words stung. The way his body jerks and his teeth clench, I’ve struck a nerve. Shit. “Hey, listen. I'm sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
    Within seconds, I’m tossed onto my back and he is on top of me. “I don’t need your sympathy or your pity, Emma,” he growls angrily, his nose nearly brushing against mine. “Don’t think your words harm me in any way. I am numb to your petty insults.”
    “I-I wasn’t. I was just saying—”
    “You think you can hide your emotions from me, Emma? I can smell the guilt pouring off you. You pity me. Don’t. And you are right; you are nothing to me, so don’t waste your time feeling any emotion for me,” he commands, bending closer, allowing his cheek to graze mine, his lips skimming my chin. I don’t know what comes over me, but even at his hurtful words,