Page 51 of Sinful Kingdom

Turning into his body, I press my face into the softness of his t-shirt and cry.

“I miss him. Them,” I wail, too distraught to care that I’m currently covering a stranger’s t-shirt in snot and tears.

“I know, Buttercup. We all do.”

He presses a soft kiss on the top of my head as he continues to hold me.

Once I’ve calmed down, I relax in his arms and look up at him.

“I know,” I whisper, searching his dark eyes.

If I weren’t pressed up against him and wrapped in his arms, then I wouldn’t know he’d reacted to those words. But as it is, I feel his muscles lock up the second they roll off my tongue.

“Evie,” he says hesitantly, his arm dropping as if he’s about to bolt.

“It’s okay,” I say in a rush. “I don’t… I understand.”

“Shit,” he breathes, releasing me and dropping his head into his hands. “This is not how meeting one of your closest friends’ girlfriends should go,” he mumbles.

“What? You haven’t had this happen before?” I deadpan, trying to lighten the mood.

“Can’t say that I have, no,” he confesses, lowering his hand but keeping his eyes locked on the window. “How much do you know?” he asks hesitantly.

“Everything, I think.”

“Brilliant,” he mutters under his breath. “Evie, I—”

He turns to me, his eyes full of fear and his expression wrought with unease.

“I don’t… Alex and I… it’s not—”

Resting my hand over his, I cut off his words.

“I know. I’m not worried that you’re about to go running off into the sunset together. And not just because he’s not here right now,” I add when his lips part. “You had fun. Experimented a little. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

He stares at me while a million and one thoughts spin behind his eyes.

“Have you spoken to anyone about this?” I ask in concern.

“A few people know, yeah.”

“Not what I meant.” I raise my brow and give him a pointed look. “Talking about what you did and how it makes you feel are two very different things. Trust me, with everything I’ve done in the past few months, I know.”

He nods, letting me know that he’s aware of what I’ve been up to as well.

“No,” he whispers. “I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

Taking his hand in mine, I squeeze it in support.

It should be scary how relaxed I feel in his company, but it’s not. Just like with any of Alex’s friends, I feel like I belong, like I’m exactly where I need to be. And right now is no different.

With my heart racing, I look into his eyes, hoping that he can see the same kind of connection and friendship I feel with him.

He’s hot, sure, there’s no arguing that. But he’s not Alex. I don’t feelthatkind of connection with him.

“I need some help with something,” I confess. “Maybe I can help you figure out what’s going on up in your head, and you can assist me with my little issue.” Shamelessly, I bat my lashes at him, taking a trick out of Alex’s book of using seduction to get what you want.

He sighs, resigning himself to my request. I just about manage to keep in my burst of excitement. He has no idea what he’s just agreed to. And something tells me that he’s going to really, really regret it.

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