Page 26 of Shadow

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Chemistry didn’t help.In fact, I spent all morning thinking about how I needed to see Sin. I needed to talk to him. It dawned on me just before lunch that I could get a note to him. Carefully, I wrote it out. Telling Sister Clare I needed to use the restroom, I grabbed my bag and left the room early. If I waited, Church would find me, and then I couldn't deliver my note.

Bryce worked in the office before lunch, so I headed there and let out a sigh of relief when I saw him stapling papers behind the desk.

“Hey,” he said, looking up at me as I stepped into the office. He paused in his tasks, his eyes taking me in eagerly. Butterflies fluttered wildly in my stomach at the sight of him. His auburn curls fell across his forehead, and he hadn’t fastened his top button today. Even his tie hung a little looser.

“Everything OK?” Concern blanketed his handsome face. Dirty thoughts raced through my mind as he stepped around the desk and came to me. “Sirena?”

I swallowed hard and pushed the thought of kissing him out of my mind. I swore to myself I’d be respectful in that regard. Church was already struggling. So was Stitches. Ashes didn’t say much about it, but I could tell he wasn’t entirely on board with my new desires.

And Sin…

I breathed out. He was my primary focus.

I held out the note and widened my eyes as he stared at the folded square in my palm.

“Sin?” He crinkled his brows and looked at me.

I blinked at him again and licked my lips. He stepped forward, crowding my space. The smell of his cologne wafted to me. I inhaled deeply, loving that distinct, sweet smell of his.

I noted we were alone in the office.

I breathed out and closed my eyes as his knuckles brushed against my jaw.

“I miss you,” he whispered, bending his head downward to continue whispering. “Fuck, cupcake, I can’t get you out of my head.”

I squeezed my eyelids together tightly.

“I’ll make sure Sin gets this.” He gently took the note from me before backing away as I opened my eyes.

I stared up at him, my pulse thundering in my ears.

He gave me that sweet smile that concealed the monster I knew he kept caged.

“Asylum is organizing a movie marathon this Friday. Perhaps you can join us? He’s moved me into his dorm.” He rolled his hazel eyes. “He mentioned that he enjoys the company. It's odd because I thought he was a loner, but hey, strange times, right?”

I bit my bottom lip as I memorized every contour of his handsome face.

“He has me going to the gym with him as well. We’ve been running together. He’s fun once you get past all the voices and riddles.”

I reached out and cradled his face, halting him mid-sentence.

I had no idea why I had done it, other than the fact that I wanted to touch him.

He closed his eyes and released a soft breath as I gently dragged my hand down the scruff of his cheek.

My heart raced as I stared at him; he was beautiful. The kiss we had shared in the cemetery the night Adam died flashed through my mind. I pushed down my feelings, forcing myself to focus as I let my hand slip away from his face.

He opened his eyes and gazed down at me, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

“I’ll get this to Sin,” he whispered. “Please try to come on Friday. Ashes burns that day. We can take care of you.”

I gave him a slight nod before stepping back. He fixed his gaze on me as I rushed out the door and down the hall.

All I knew was that I desperately wanted to watch bad movies and sit with him on Friday. Asylum too.

A lot had changed, and I definitely didn’t hate it.

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