Page 60 of The Sinner (Haven Grace Prep 1)

A part of me wonders if I should bring her home, but I’m not quite sure I’m done with her yet. Instead, I climb in bed next to her, and before I know it, we’re both out cold.

I WAKE IN THE middle of the night, chilly and alone. A frigid breeze comes through the open window, one I remember being shut before I went to sleep. I pull on a pair of sweatpants and walk over to it. Savannah is sitting on the roof, and fuck, she’s dressed in my clothes. I climb out, careful not to slip, and join her.

“What are you doing out here? It’s freezing.”

She smiles as she stares up at the stars. “This was always my favorite place in the world. I’ve missed it.”

Memory lane is not a place I’m willing to go with her, so instead of saying anything, I hum and admire the sky. Neither of us speak for a while, both lost in our own thoughts. I can remember the last time I was up here with her like it was yesterday. That first kiss meant everything to me—a ten-year-old kid who thought his dreams were about to come true, before they were all ripped away. It’s a bittersweet feeling.

“We should go back in, before we get sick,” I suggest.

Shrugging her shoulders, she finally looks at me. “I’m not tired.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” I smirk. “I can think of plenty we can do to wear ourselves out.”

THE SOUND OF MY phone vibrating against the nightstand pulls me from my peaceful slumber. I go to reach for it but am stopped by the weight pressing down on my chest. After hours of what can only be described as sexual heaven, we fell asleep—wrapped up in each other. I slip out from under her and grab my phone before leaving the room.

“Hello?” I practically whisper to make sure I don’t wake her.

Tyson chuckles into the phone. “You know, I was going to ask why you weren’t here, but I think I just figured it out.”

I groan and go downstairs to the kitchen. “Fuck off. You don’t know anything.”

“So, you mean to tell me there isn’t a blonde in your bed right now?” He may be an asshole, but he’s the one person in my life that I’d never lie to. When I don’t answer, I can practically hear his grin. “That’s what I thought. So, you two are still fooling around, huh?”

“Yeah, all thanks to your fucking stellar advice. Thanks, dick. Now I can’t focus on what I’m supposed to be doing because every time I look at her, I want to fuck her against every surface of the room.”

He laughs. “Yeah, it may have been a little ill-advised, I’ll admit. Though, in my defense, I think I underestimated your feelings for her a bit.”

“I don’t have feelings for anyone,” I retort.

“Sure, you don’t, buddy.”

I roll my eyes. “Will you shut the fuck up and tell me what to do? How am I supposed to hurt her when all I can think of is fucking her senseless all the damn time?!”

Letting out a sigh, he takes a moment to answer. “Okay, maybe you should just relax on the revenge front for a little bit.”

“What?”

“Don’t jump down my throat, shithead. Just listen. Maybe you just need to ride this out. You spent your entire childhood pining after this girl, and with what you’ve been through, you’ve earned the right to live out that fantasy,” he explains. “So, let yourself enjoy this, and once it’s run its course, get back to what matters.”

I run a hand over my face. “Wouldn’t that be exactly what my dad didn’t want? For me to be involved with her?”

“When you were ten, maybe, but you’re not a little boy anymore, Grayson. You’re eighteen and more than capable of not becoming a pawn in her father’s games. I mean, unless you’re afraid you’re going to fall in love with her.”

Snorting, I shake my head. “Fuck you. You know I don’t fall in love with anyone.”

“Good. Just make sure you don’t let that happen, and you’ll be golden.”

The sound of someone coming into the room catches my attention. Savannah leans against the doorway, wearing only my T-shirt, and I’m immediately drawn to her.

“Ty, I have to go. I’ll text you later.”

He snickers. “Have fun.”

Without saying goodbye, I hang up the phone and look her up and down once more. She’s gorgeous, in that doesn’t even need to try kind of way, and all I want is to mark every inch of her skin.

“Hi.” She greets me, not coming any closer.

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