Page 5 of Sin

I open my eyes. “Stepbrother,” I growl, pinning a glare at him. I don’t care that he just stuck up for me; the sound of him moaning Sin’s name is still ricocheting around in my head, and I can’t pretend I don’t hate him for that.

Mercer just smirks at my microaggression. “Like I said, yourstepbrotherhas to be tired. He leans in close to Sin and wraps an arm around his bicep. “Why don’t we clear out of his room sohe can get some rest, and you and I can get back to what we were doing before he interrupted us.”

The realization hits me that I’m gonna have to watch them walk out of here together, arm in arm. Pain radiates through my chest, but this time it has nothing to do with my asthma.

Sin steps away from Mercer’s grasp. “Nah, man, not feeling it anymore.”

Mercer looks at me and then at Sin. “Shoulda known,” he says with a know-it-all grin. He nods at me. “Feel better, kid.”

I want to growl and bare my teeth in response, but I settle for a scowl, which Mercer just chuckles at and then turns his attention back to Sin. “See you Monday,” he gives him a funny little salute and walks out of the room. The sound of his footsteps on the stairwell and the subsequent slamming of the front door is like music to my ears.

My hate for Mercer depleted what little energy I still had, so with my enemy now gone, I collapse back against my pillow. Sin moves toward me in response, but stops short of the bed where his eyes scan over me, performing a multi-point inspection. “You still look pale. Do you want me to call a doctor for you?”

I shake my head. The only thing I want right now is something I shouldn’t. He’s standing in front of me, and he’s my stepbrother.

“Well, then, if you don’t need anything, I’m gonna?—”

“Maybe you could stay,” I blurt out. I can’t help myself. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him, and I’m greedy for more time with him, a chance to find that easiness that used to exist with us that first summer I came to live here. I look up at him hopefully. “We could talk, or maybe you could read to me, like you used to.”

His eyes lock with mine at the shared memory. We had discovered that first summer that both of us were insomniacs. On nights when neither of us could sleep, we’d gotten into thehabit of ending up in each other’s beds while Sin read whatever thriller or horror novel he’d picked up out loud to me until we’d both nod off and finally get some sleep.

I swear I see a softening in Sin’s eyes at the recollection, and for a second, I think he might even say yes, but it must be wishful thinking because instead, he lets out a mean chuckle and pins me with a withering stare. “It’s Saturday night. I’ve already spent most of it playing nursemaid to you. Now you want me to act like your nanny and read you a fucking bedtime story too?”

Hurt, disappointment, and shame collide at his cutting rejection. Since my dad died, I learned not to need too much from anyone. But with Sin, I’ve always been too needy. I crave being close to him, and it always leaves me pushing for more, and him rejecting me.

Is that why he cut me out of his life? Why did he become so cruel and distant? He figured out that I’ll always want too much from him. More than a stepbrother should ever ask for.

“Maybe I’ll go catch up with Mercer and see if he still wants to play.”

I turn away from Sin so he can’t see the pain and jealousy clear on my face. He must be satisfied that he thoroughly reestablished that he wants nothing to do with me, because he turns and heads toward the door. Just before he walks out, I hear my voice coming out thin but determined. “Sin,” I call out.

“What?” he demands in an impatient huff.

“Thank you for saving my life.” I pause for a brief second and then add, “Again.”

His only answer is the slamming of the door.

Chapter 3

Cassidy

I hear Sin calling my name. I must still be sleeping. I’d dreamt that he’d stayed with me all night, watching over me. Sighing, I contentedly burrow back under my blanket, happy to let my sleeping brain give me what I can’t have in reality.

A rough palm touches my cheek, and a thumb gently traces the line of my cheekbone.I’m not asleep.The touch feels too good to be a dream. My eyes fly open to meet Sin’s grayish blue ones staring intently down at me. I feel that thousand-volt charge of connection I always feel with him. Time stops as I get lost in his gaze.

I’m growing hard, and I hear my breathing begin to quicken. The raspy sound of it breaks the moment between us. Sin pulls his hand back from my cheek, picks up my inhaler, and hands it to me. “Take a hit and get your lazy ass up. We have places we need to be.”

The world rushes back harshly at the loss of his touch. Sin, mercurial as ever, seems to be fine as he straightens up and retreats several steps from my bed. He’s wearing a blue dress shirt that clings to his muscles and tight-fitting chinos.

I groan. Partly at the impossibly sexy sight of him and partly because my chest feels like a boulder was parked on it all night.

Sin reaches over and picks a bottled water from the side table next to my bed. “Drink.” He shakes the bottle impatiently at me. “Hydration will help.”

Sitting up, I take the water from him and chug half of it down. I look out the window and notice that the sun hasn’t even risen yet. “It’s still dark outside?”

“We have an appointment downtown in an hour with an asthma specialist.”

“A doctor’s appointment?” None of what Sin said is making sense to my sleepy brain.

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