HER PROMISE, MY SIN.

Chapter 2 : Thin walls.

The sound of Molly’s car pulling out of the driveway the next morning felt like the drawing of a safety line. She was heading to a bridal boutique two towns far from home, she was going to find the perfect bridesmaid fabric for me. When she had broke the news to me yesterday night that she had Jason were engaged, one of the surprise i got, i didn't expect that they had already chosen the wedding date and were already on the wedding planing, and then choosing me as her bride maid.

She had kissed Jason deeply in the hallway, promising him to be back by noon, then she had left me with him. Jason was still here, he had stayed the night in the guest room, a room separated from mine by nothing but a thin gypsum wall and twenty years of family history. I stayed in bed long after the front door clicked shut, staring at the ceiling, listening to the silence of the house. Then i heard it, the sound of the floorboards creaking in the kitchen followed by sound of the coffee maker, and that only meant one thing, he was awake and in our kitchen.

I forced myself to get up, i threw on a heavy, oversized hoodie,

He was standing by the counter his back to me, he was shirtless wearing only a pair of dark grey sweatpants that hung low on his hips. The muscles of his back moved with fluid, predatory grace as he reached for a mug. I stood still on the bottom step, my heart beating louder than necessary. I wanted to turn around and go back upstairs and lock the door.

"Coffee’s ready," he said, without turning around.

The sound of his voice made my skin shiver alittle. He didn't sound surprised instead he sounded like he’d been waiting for the exact moment my foot hit the floor.

"I didn't know you were still here," I lied, my voice was unsteady with nervous

Jason turned around making his body to lean against the marble counter. He looked even more hotter in the daylight, and with the morning sun streaming through the kitchen window, his chisel shaped face, looked poised than how he looked at night, he looked like something carved out of granite. Looking at him, he didn't look like a fiancee rather he looked like a threat.

"Molly asked me to stay, she said something about you needing help moving those old boxes out of the attic today." He took a little sip of his coffee, his eyes never leaving mine. "But I think we both know that’s not why I’m still here." He winked at me.

I ignored his last comment and walked toward the counter making sure i keep as much distance between us as the narrow kitchen allowed. "I don't need help with the boxes Jason, I’ve lived in this house my whole life trust me i know how I handle things on my own, but thanks for your offer."

" Is that right?" He set the mug down with a soft clack, he then moved with suddennes, that left me trapped between the kitchen island and his looming presence. He didn't touch me, but I could feel the heat radiating off his skin. He smelled like cedarwood and something dark, something that made my head swim.

"You handle things," he repeated, his voice dropping an octave. He leaned in, his face inches from mine. "Then why do you look nervous Moraine?"

“It’s cold in here,” I snapped, trying to step around him.

His hand shot out, grazing the wood of the counter right next to my hip, blocking my exit. The air between us felt like it was vibrating, a wire pulled so tight it was screaming.

“It’s not the cold,” he murmured with his gaze dropped to my lips, then back to my eyes. "It’s the fact that you spent all night thinking about what happened at dinner just like I did."

"Nothing happened at dinner," I whispered. My heart was racing at the moment, beating against my ribs so hard that it hurt. "Molly was there and you’re her fiancee plus i don't anything else happening apart from dinner and the wedding talks."

Jason let out a short, dry laugh, it wasn't a happy sound. "Lying to her is one thing, but don't lie to me. I saw the way you looked at me when she wasn't watching. I felt the way the air went dead when I touched your hand.”

He leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. "You’re terrified of me, Moraine, but you’re even more terrified of how much you want me to stay but you can't admit that."

I should have pushed him away at that moment should, I should have reminded him of the ring on my sister’s finger but i didn't, instead, I stayed still my eyes fixed on the hollow of his throat. The guilt was a heavy, suffocating blanket, but underneath it was a spark of something so bright it blinded me.

"Go away, Jason," i finally managed to say.

He didn't move, Instead he did the opposite, he brushed fingers against the sleeve of my cardigan, a touch so light it that could have been mistaken for an an accident except it wasn't.

"I’m not going anywhere," he said. "And neither are you."

The sound of a car pulling into the driveway shattered the moment, Molly was back but she was early than expected. Jason pulled away instantly, his face smoothing into a mask of casual indifference just as the front door swung open.

"I forgot my measuring tape" Molly called out, her voice bright and oblivious.

I stood there, my chest heaving, staring at the man who was about to destroy my life, Jason didn't look at the door, he looked at me, a slow, dark smirk curving his lips.

The sin hadn't just begun, it was already taking over.