Page 61 of No Small Sin

She burst into laughter, causing me to laugh too. “I think we’re probably into the same kind of reading material as well,” she giggled.

“So much in common,” I laughed again, then sobered, thinking of my guy. “But seriously. Isn’t that how it is though? We go through life, spending our time and energy on all the wrong things and people until somehow the one thing —- the one person —- just clicks. And that’s that.” I shrugged one shoulder.

“I wouldn’t really know,” she mumbled kind of sadly.

I placed my hand on her forearm. “I think it’s like that with friends too,” I said.

She scrunched up her nose, smiling again. “Maybe it is.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE

Beck

Ifelt the first wave of relief wash over me as the gate clunked open for me to pass through.

My mind struggled to keep up with the constantly changing emotions I felt in the wake of all that had happened over the last few days.

When TK came into view, something settled inside me — a fucked-up mixture of joy and rage.

I knew what needed to be done and I was prepared to do it, but I needed this first.

Her.

Once we were both sated, I would set the first part of my plan into motion.

She bounded down the front steps and jumped into my arms, uncaring that I was shirtless, sweaty, and covered in blood.

Her warmth against my skin and weight in my arms further soothed the festering anger in the pit of my stomach that I needed to hold onto in regard to my plans for Detective Carson.

I allowed it to coil there, waiting to be released.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to focus on what was in front of me.

One thing at a time.

“You’re back soon,” TK observed, pulling away from me and finally taking in my appearance.

“I had something to take care of nearby and could use a shower.” I looked down at myself. It wasn’t necessarily a lie. “I also just wanted an excuse to see you,” I added.

She smiled up at me, though something was off about it. “I think I can help with that,” she said suggestively.

I couldn’t stop myself from grinning back. Fuck, she had a way of melting me.

She led me through the main area of the cabin, pausing to speak to Hunt, who sat at the island in the kitchen picking at a bowl of fruit. “Beck needs a shower.”

“I… can see that,” Hunt replied with a disgusted look on her face.

I knew good and damn well that I wasn’t the first person she’d seen in this state, but I supposed that didn’t make it any less repulsive to most people.

“I’ll grab you a fresh change of clothes and leave them on TK’s bed, then. You can use the shower in her room.”

“Thanks!” TK chirped, pulling me by the hand toward the stairs.

“Oh, and Beck,” Hunt called. “If you think you’ll be visiting fairly often, you two come find me before you leave so I can give you temporary security access.”

I nodded once before turning to follow TK, hoping that I’d masked exactly how eager I was to do just what she’d suggested.

I hadn’t expected it to be so easy, but the first thing I’d needed to do in order to follow through with my plan over the next few days had just effortlessly fallen into my lap.

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