Page 78 of The Secrets of a Sin

He slowly closes the distance between us and grabs the folder out of my hands. “I do trust you. I’m just tired of getting so close to finding out what happened to Phoebe and then ending up back at square one.”

I knew every passing day had to be frustrating for him, but I have a feeling we are closer to solving her murder than he thinks.

I can feel it.

“Stay with me tonight.” I offer while placing my hands on his upper arms. “Maybe it will help ease some of your rage.”

Placing a lone finger under my chin, he tilts my head, so I’m now gazing into his eyes. “I already planned on staying tonight even if you weren’t going to let me.”

Of course, he was.

25

ARSEN

I didn’t want to leave Charlotte this morning.

Waking up with her snuggled in my arms and her head on my chest felt way too fucking good to leave. With her wild hair laid messily over my abdomen and her vanilla scent filling my nostrils, I couldn’t just walk away even though I had to. I wasn’t used to having a woman in bed with me for something besides sex, but this was on a whole different level. There was something so vulnerable and innocent about her sound asleep on me. It causes the blood in my veins to heat and go straight to my dick as I imagined her eyes widening in fear from my unforeseen attack.

Would she like to be woken up with my hand around her neck, or would she be afraid?

Instead of testing that theory like I wanted to, I pull her body off mine and lay her head on the pillow beside me. She instantly groans but soon snuggles into her blankets and falls right back asleep.

Fuck.

Every bone, muscle, and organ inside my body told me not to go. A sharp cautious pain battered against my heart as if it was trying to warn me.

What was my body trying to alert me of, though?

There was no obvious answer, but I guessed it was a new sensation that came whenever I couldn’t be in Charlotte’s presence for longer. All of me was attached to her, and the idea of not being around her didn’t sit well with me. She was a fucking sitting duck at this school, surrounded by dangerous girls with no protection at all, and I was half-tempted to pack all her shit and take her with me. But I knew that would only cause more problems right now.

My eyes then leer over her sleeping form, taking in her slim naked back and hair sprawled out around her pillow like a halo.

She was still so damn stunning, even asleep.

Reluctantly, I lift off the bed and place both feet on the ground before searching for my discarded clothes. My sweatshirt and jeans are in a pile next to the bed, so ever so quietly, and slowly I get dressed. Once I’m finished, I glance back at Charlotte.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

My heart rate picks up like a crescendo, gradually getting heavier and faster until my palms close in a tight fist.

Fucking relax.

I try calming myself down, but I knew the only way was to get out of her room. So unwillingly, I brush a lone finger down her brown locks then pull away before stalking out of her room. I close the door softly behind me, then as I turn to walk down the hallway, a small blonde stops a few feet in front of me with a deep scowl lining her face. Her eyes drop down the length of me, but not in the way I was used to. Her stare is filled with so much fire and rage, she might burst into flames.

“Thought you weren’t allowed on St. Catherine’s property anymore after your little… meltdown at your sister's memorial.”

The fuck?

Her hands land on each hip in a defensive stance as if she’s trying to intimidate me, but all I can do is laugh. Raising my brow, I size her up in return, noticing the trail of hickeys that coat her neck.

“And you are?” I ask, remembering her from the day I went to speak with Welch. She was having a conversation with Charlotte while I was stuck talking with the redhead.

“Annalise, Annalise Chambers.” She lifts her chin in the air. “Charlotte’s best friend.” She snarls viciously in my direction like she’s hoping to strike a nerve in me, but instead, I respond right back.

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