Page 43 of Loving Bad
"She'll be staying with me," he told the cop.
The officer eyed him for a few moments before he gave a brief nod. It was only after the police left that I had a chance to talk to Sin.
"I can stay in a hotel," I said as he watched me pack some of my clothes in a bag. I didn't want to impose myself on him and besides it wasn't like we were dating or anything like that. He didn't need to play the concerned boyfriend. He was a guy I was screwing and that was it. Staying with him went way beyond what we'd agreed.
"You've got some crazy nut after you and you want to go and stay in a hotel where he might find you?" he argued with a frown.
I hesitated.
"We both know what would’ve happened if I hadn't come back and frightened him off," he said, driving the point home. He was trying to make me face the reality of my situation.
I paled at the reminder. I tried to swallow my fear as my eyes stung with tears. It was all I could think about when the officers had questioned me. I'd been so lucky. A tear escaped and slid down my cheek despite my attempts to keep it together.
"I'm sorry," he said softly as he reached for me and pulled me into his arms. Another tear slid down my cheek as I pressed my cheek against his chest.
"I didn't mean to make you cry," he whispered as he held me. He pulled away gently to brush the tears from my cheek as I bit my lip. He held me for a few minutes while I pulled myself together.
"I'm sorry," I mumbled as I pulled away from him. I felt fragile and exposed because I'd cried in front of him.
He remained quiet.
"What about your roommates?" I asked. I wasn't sure how many guys lived in the house.
"It will be fine," he assured me.
I debated for a few minutes before I relented. It wouldn't be for long because I had to call Connor to tell him what happened, and when he found out he would insist I move back home.
"Okay."
I packed up some of my stuff. Sin took the bag from me and carried it for me as I followed behind him. At the door to the stairwell, I hesitated for a moment. The cops had searched the building and they hadn't found the guy who had attacked me, but I was still scared to go back inside the stairwell where I'd been attacked.
Sin turned to me in the doorway and extended his hand. I took a deep breath and put my hand in his. Side by side, he walked me down the stairs with my hand in his.
I was subdued as he drove us back to his house. I felt his gaze on me a few times during the drive. The party was still going when we arrived. I'd completely forgotten about it. We got more than a few curious looks as Sin got my bag out of his car and walked me into the house.
"Hey, man, where have you been?" asked Slater as we entered the house. His eyes moved from Sin to me.
"I didn't think you were coming tonight," said Slater to me. I gave him a weak smile.
"What's up?" Slater asked Sin when he noticed my bag in his friend's hand.
"Taylor is staying with us for a couple of nights," Sin informed his friend. Slater looked a little surprised as his gaze moved to me.
"Sure, no problem. Do you want me to close up the party?" he asked. Sin gave a slight nod of his head.
"Tay," Jordan squealed when she saw me.
"Hi," I greeted her, fastening a smile to my lips as I hugged her. I could smell alcohol on her and she was a little unsteady on her feet.
"Were you planning on taking Jordan back to the dorm room?" Sin asked Slater as Slater put an arm around Jordan's waist to make sure she didn't stumble.
"No," he answered, giving his friend a questioning look.
"Good," replied Sin as he reached for my hand and led me up the stairs. I turned back to see Slater press a kiss to Jordan's head as she leaned against his chest. They looked so good together.
I didn't have a chance to call Jordan and tell her about the attack so I was glad that she wasn't going anywhere near the dorm room tonight. In the morning, I would tell her everything.
As we got to the top of the stairs, I wondered if they had a spare couch that I could use. I was surprised when he opened the door to his room and held it open for me. Nervously, I stepped inside as he switched the bedroom light on and he closed the door behind him.
