Masked Sins (Ravaged Castle, #4)

by Amanda Richardson

“Strawberry is an interesting choice of flavor.” He gives me a lazy smile as he leans back. “It reminds me of you.” My heart turns over inside my chest, and I take another bite of pizza. “How come you never told me?” He chews on his piece, and I watch his throat move as he swallows. I don’t think he realizes just how sexy he is—especially right now, with mussed-up hair, an old white T-shirt, and black pants. His feet are bare, and his scruff is a couple of days overgrown. He looks unkempt, wild, and provocative. “By the time I realized, it was too late. I don’t think it truly hit me until the day of your audition. The threat of losing you spurred me into action.” “And then I told you I never wanted to see you again,” I mumble, the pizza suddenly tasting like sawdust in my mouth. He sets his pizza down and reaches out for my piece, placing it in the box next to his as he takes my hands. “You had every right to say those things to me, Layla. I was a shitty person to ruin your audition, no matter how I felt about you leaving.” “I shouldn’t have said I never wanted to see you again. I wish—” My throat clogs with emotion. “I wish I’d had you in my life these past seven years.” His eyes find mine, darkening slightly. “Maybe it’s a good thing I wasn’t.” I tilt my head. “How so?” “I just mean … it was hard to keep my feelings to myself from afar. I’m not sure I would’ve been able to had we still been close.”