Page 57 of Unforgivable Sins

She scoffs. “Excuse me?”

I did not plan this. Once again, I lose all of my fucking sense when I’m around Wendee. Do I really want her in my penthouse,in my space, twenty-four fucking seven?

YES.

Fuck, I hate that the answer is yes. It shouldn’t be,yes. But ever since I held her in my arms, I’ve wanted to hold her every night since. Even though I stayed awake all night to make sure she was safe, it’s the most relaxed I’ve ever felt. It felt right. Her body nestled into mine felt fucking perfect. I want to go to sleep knowing she’s safe in my arms every night and I want to wake up to her body pressed against mine every morning. This just confuses me and pisses me off even more, and yet I’m committed to it.

“You heard me, Wendee. Get your things and let’s go.”

She crosses her arms and holds her ground. “No. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Well, you can’t stay here.” I look around the room, because that’s all it is, one room and a separate bathroom, and sneer. “This is unacceptable.”

“What are you babbling on about?!” She throws her arms up in the air. “What’s gotten into you?”

“You can’t stay here,” I repeat, clinging to my pathetic excuse to get her to stay with me. “Your room has direct access to the fire escape!”

“Ugh, yes, I know,” she says, sarcastically.

“And what makes you think staying here is safe?” I argue.

“I’ve been here for years, Sinn, and nothing bad has ever happened.”

“And that’s ok to you? Just because something hasn’t

happened doesn’t mean something won’t. And I won’t sit idly by while you’re here, in this….this room, alone. You’re moving into the penthouse and that’s the end of this discussion. Now,” I say through clench teeth, “pack your things. Don’t make me throw you over my shoulder and carry your ass kicking and screaming back to the penthouse because I fucking will, Wendee.” My voice is cool and calm, a complete mask to the tornado of emotions clashing inside of me.

She stays rooted in place, but she tilts her head slightly, studying me. SEEING me, like only she can. It unnerves me and thrills me at the same time.

“Why are you really here, Sinn?”

I huff. “I—” I run my hands through my hair, clasp my hands behind my neck, and exhale heavily. I walk to the bed and throw myself down on it, hanging my head in my hands. I can’t lie to her, I don’twantto lie to her, but I don’t even know what’s straight in my own fucking head. “I don’t know,” I admit.

“That’s fucking bullshit. Youdoknow why you’re here you’re just still trying to fight it.”

I sit up straight, gathering the confused and scattered pieces of myself, until I’m back in control... I think. But then I look at her, standing there, watching me knowingly and expectantly, and all of my so-called control and certainty about who, and what I am, is all fucking muddled again.

“You don’t understand.”

“You’re right. I don’t. I don’t understand why you’re trying so hard to fight what clearlyfeels right.”

“This is who I’ve been for a millennia, Wendee. I can’t just change because you think I should,” I say coldly.

“I’m not asking you to change, Sinn, I’ve already told you, I want you just the way you are. All I’m saying is stop fighting whatyou

WANT.”

I run my hands through my hair again, letting out another heavy breath as I try to come to terms with what I want and how to act on it. “I’ve been the cold, untouchable, Sinn, for so long that I honestly don’t know how to be anyone else.”

“All I’m asking is for you to try,” she says, her voice soft and warm…calm, as she approaches me slowly.

She stands between my legs, and I can feel the warmth of her body sinking into mine where her bare skin is pressed against my knees.

“Because I’m not going back to that penthouse with you until you can agree to try. I only have two weeks left of…whatever this life is, and I’m not going to spend it bending to your whims and getting nothing that I want in return. And I wantmore, Sinn. Two weeks.

That’s all we have. Please, say you’ll try.”

She takes the last step towards me, and I have to slightly look up into her face. I see determination in her eyes. She’s not going to back down from this and that fucking turns me on. I love that she pushes me and challenges me because no one else ever has. Though, I don’t think I’ll ever admit that toanyone.