Page 14 of Sinners Keepers
Inner slut - 1.
I'd only been here once, and even the one time was probably too many. It was too dangerous back then. But I'd been desperate to see Ijah and it felt worth it at the time—worth everything, honestly.
I stepped through the front door onto the large, marble landing, my eyes tracking up to the towering ceiling. The entrance hallway stretched ahead, leading to a spacious living area. There was a direct view of the kitchen and my gaze settled on Law. He was already shirtless and stood with his back to us as he chopped something on a cutting board.
My face and neck flushed thinking about what it would be like living under the same roof as these two. Did they often walk around shirtless? And could I really sleep just a few doors down from them, lonely as shit, without completely losing it and making some unsavory choices that I would likely regret later?
Doubtful.
Even hypothetically considering hopping into bed with either of them had me momentarily giddy at the image of how pissed Ijah would be if he ever found out. Maybe he didn’t care about me and wouldn’t be sad that I’d moved on, but he probably wouldn’t like it very much that his besties were enjoying his leftovers.
I knew that was all I was to him, but thinking of myself in that way made me a little sad. I promised myself then and there not to do it again. I was worth more than whatever he or anyone else thought about me.
I felt Alec at my back. He placed a hand on the small of it and nudged me toward the staircase. “Let’s get you settled into your room before dinner.”
The realization hit me that I had none of my own things here, and settling in sadly wouldn’t take much effort. Everything I owned was back at the cabin. I hadn’t even begun moving my personal things into the apartment. Maybe I could find time to make the trip there to get the bare minimum until I was ready to pack it all up and move it to my own place.
No way in hell would I ever consider living at the cabin again. I would be sticking a fucking for sale sign on it as soon as logistically possible. Everything happened so fast after TK shot Mattia. I’d been tempted to burn it to the ground, and I would have if I wasn’t in such a shitty financial situation. It was literally the only thing that passed to me after his death, and I don’t even really know how I managed to getthat.
Alec kept his hand firmly in place as he guided me up the stairs, his free hand gesturing towards the door to the left once we reached the top. My eyes widened as I entered the room; it was more lavish than any five-star hotel I'd ever stayed in, and I’d stayed in plenty. Holed up like some prized jewel, I’d never truly enjoyed my time spent traveling.
The walls of the room were stark white, and the bed alone could have slept a small army. The plush area rug begged for me to lay down and sink into its soft fuzzies. A chaise lounge sat in the corner with a cushion so deep I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of activities it was actually designed for.
I peeked through the doorway leading into the attached bathroom, curious to see if it was just as jaw-dropping. Huge ass shower?Check. Massive soaking tub?Check.
“Alec, I know this isnotthe fucking guestroom,” I leveled.
He just shrugged. “It is now. Your things are in the closet,” he nodded toward the walk-in. “Food should be ready in an hour or so. Come down and eat.” He winked and left, closing the door behind him before I even had a chance to respond.
I hesitated in front of the closet door, more than curious about what I'd find. I stepped inside. It was filled to the brim with everything familiar to me neatly arranged on the shelves and racks: all of my dresses, my favorite jeans, my boots, and several of my favorite pieces of jewelry—all of which were supposed to still be at the cabin.
I stood in shock for a full minute before taking my favorite comfy sweats and a loose-fitting crop top from one of the drawers of the armoire. I skipped grabbing a bra because my minor reconstructive surgery came with optional new tits due to the fact that the gunshot wound had damaged my pectoral muscle and a small amount of breast tissue. Everything was all wonky on the left side, and if they were going to fix it, might as well go all out. I’d spent weeks strapped in an uber-constrictive bra while I healed, and I was dying to free the tatas even if only for a brief amount of time. This was definitely the only good thing to come out of the numerous medical procedures I’d needed. I was no longer a member of the Itty Bitty Titty Committee, and I was freaking pumped to see how they looked in actual clothes.
Unsurprisingly, the bathroom was also stocked with all of my things. My body wash and shampoo sat perched on the corner shower shelves. My brush, hair dryer, and straightener were neatly laid out on the countertop. My razors, shaving cream, and lotion; literally everything I could have thought about needing. Even my toothbrush and toothpaste were there.
Fucking hot girl shower for the win.
CHAPTERNINE
Alec
Fuck, this was torture.
When Ijah asked me to step in and be there for his girl, I said yes with only minor hesitation.
Hesitation that came from the fact that I’d been crushing hard on my little Hunny Bee forwaylonger than I cared to admit.
I'd had my eye on her from a distance for so long, fucking captivated by her delicate features and hot-as-sin body—not to mention the little smart-ass remarks she’d always make to men she had no business making them to. I wanted nothing more than to be with her—to just bearoundher, but I knew that could never be a reality.
I would have taken that to my grave… bros before hoes and all that.
I was just happy to help Ijah along with his plans to remove anyone from the picture who happened to stand betweenherandhim.
But things have shifted.
I said yes because Ijah is one of my best friends and I owe him a lot. He’s like a brother to me and he’s supported me through a lot of shit.
Not to mention the fact that Hunt simplyneededsomeone and I would have rather eaten a five-by-seven rug than sat back and watched someone else help her through her recovery.
