Page 64 of No Small Sin

I supposed he was right.

I studied his face, searching for any trace of what he was feeling—there was nothing there. His expression was, as usual, completely unreadable. No matter how long I'd been around him, or how hard I tried to see past his impenetrable outer shell, it had always been impossible to truly know Law.

I wondered if there was anyone who could figure out the enigma that he was if given the chance to try.

I flopped the top back over the contents of the bag and zipped it shut before picking it up and pocketing it. “Thanks,” I said seriously, side-eyeing Alec before he had the chance to make another smart-ass remark. “Really. You have no idea how much easier you just made this for me.”

He nodded his understanding.

Alec spoke up then, “You know this is deranged, right?”

I glared at him. As if we weren’t all deranged.

He rolled his eyes. “More deranged than your usual state of being. Totally unhinged seems more accurate. I just hope you’ve thought this through.”

I had.

And while I’d shared most of the details with the two of them, I opted to leave out a few key points.

Alec truly had no fucking idea just how far off the deep end my girl had sent me.

CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN

TK

Acool brush of air fanned across my face, pulling me from sleep. Someone had opened the door.

I tensed as the soft padding of feet moved closer.

I recognized his gait and exhaled in relief. Beck.

I loved that he couldn't stay away from me for very long.

I wanted to look at him, but I kept my eyes closed and my breathing even, pretending to still be asleep.

I was anxious to see what he had in mind tonight.

He pulled back the thick comforter, the chill of the room prickling against my exposed skin.

Leaning over me, he brushed a few loose strands of hair out of my face and placed a tender kiss on my brow.

I couldn’t fight back the smile that it brought to my lips.

I wanted to curl into him.

My eyes fluttered open at the same moment I felt a sharp sting in my bare thigh.

I didn’t have time to register what had happened before I seemed to lose all control of my body, barely cognizant of what came next.

My vision blurred around the edges and my lungs constricted for a split second, unable to take in a full breath. My hands trembled at my sides, panic settling in the back of my throat at the onslaught of sensations.

He gently swept his hand over my face, closing my eyes. “Shh, cuore mio. Let me take care of you. Let me take care of it all.”

I was faintly aware of him sliding my silk sleep shorts over my hips, alternating kisses between each of my legs from thigh to heel as he slowly removed them from my body.

There was a movement to the side and then his body covered mine.

My brain fogged, floating in a state of semi-consciousness threatening to pull me all the way under.

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