SIN-BIN (Sinners on the Ice #1)

by Anastasija White

Ava spins around, ready to bolt to the door, but I catch her. My hands wind around her waist, and I press her back to my chest. Her body crashes into mine, and a breath catches in my throat. Just a little touch, and I’m completely alive. I feel everything, even shivers on my skin that have never been as real and palpable a...

“I’m an idiot. I’m sorry. I fucked up,” I utter in her ear, kissing her neck tenderly. “Can I touch you?” She presses into me; he...

I want to taste her, and I want her to come for me. Only for me.

Ava is fucking perfect.

My grip on her jaw tightens. “I want you to come for me,” I whisper, and she nods erratically. “Are you close?” “So close…” she whimpers as my finger slips into her again.

She’s still rocking on the waves of her orgasm, and I’ve never seen anyone look more beautiful.

“You taste like heaven.”

Enemies make the best lovers, Colt. –A

Never in my life have I wanted morning to come so badly.

I can’t think of anything that would change my mind about this party.” “I know exactly what would change your mind,” he says, and I focus on him with a raised brow. “Layla is always at the parties if her brother is, and that means Ava will be there too.” “And what?” My heart pounds rapidly, and my palms get sweaty. “I saw how you looked at her yesterday.” Clay points his finger at me. “You like her. Don’t deny it.”

I can admit she’s gorgeous and it’s hard not to pay attention to her.”

“First, Thompson, you suck. Second, next time the girl you like hooks up with another guy because you were a damn coward and couldn’t make a move on her, don’t take it out on her. That’s a hundred percent on you.” My jaw drops. What the actual fuck?

Me: What else do enemies make better? Honey: To answer your question, we need to test the theory first. Do enemies really make the best lovers, or is that just a myth? Your kisses definitely made it to my list.

This girl is a fucking hurricane, and I’m right in the middle of it. In all honesty, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

“A story about a girl falling in love with her stepbrother.” Clay’s face is long, his gaze heated. I snatch my book away from him and arch my eyebrow. “Boo, you should’ve told me you’ve never seen a book before. I would’ve given you a few of my favorites.” “I’ve never seen sex in books⁠—” “Aw, Clay, you’re literally ruining my image of you. I thought you weren’t judgmental.” I pout, enjoying his stunned expression.

I won’t talk about it because I don’t want to give the accident power over my life. Again. It happened; I healed.

After I saw her with Den of Vipers, I don’t think there’s anything about her that would surprise me.

Colt’s palm rests on my knee, and he slowly drags it up, under my skirt. He inches to my ear; his hot breath on my skin makes my nipples harden instantly. “On a scale from one to five, how quiet do you think you’ll be able to keep?” And he fucking won. Checkmate, Ava.

I desperately want to have her, not only in my bed, but in my life, and that’s why this shit scares me to death.

“He can always try,” I hiss, balling my fists and clenching my jaw. If that fucker touches her, I’ll destroy him. “Wow.” Blinking, I meet my best friend’s gaze, noticing a little twinkle behind his irises. Why is he staring at me like that? “You really like her, don’t you?” “Maybe.” “I knew it. Man, I want to hug you right now,” Clay murmurs. “Fuck off,” I scoff, standing up.

“Are you going to the library?” “Maybe.” I smirk, snatching my backpack. I haven’t been in the library for two years, but to finally get to see her? I’d go to the end of the fucking earth.

“I hate you,” she hisses, but it’s so unconvincing that I laugh again. No, baby, you don’t.

Honey: Thank you for the O in the library. Not sure whether to be mad at you or feel grateful. How about going to the movies tomorrow? It’s dark, and there’s more privacy.

“Can I get something for you?” “An ice cream,” I mumble, standing on my tiptoes to get a better look. “With M&Ms.” Colton’s lip twitches, as if he’s trying to fight the urge to smile. Then he averts his gaze and buys two ice creams with M&Ms.

“Do you always order ice cream at the movies?” “Most of the time,” he answers, taking the ice creams from the girl and handing one to me. “Not that I’m a frequent moviegoer. I prefer the comfort of my place.” Me too. Damn him.

He taps on my nose and leans away. “You.” Me? I blink, and he opens the door to the theater. It takes one second for me to realize he meant one of my most favorite TV shows ever. Houston, I think we have a problem. Instead of finding reasons not to like him, I find things that draw me to him. What the hell am I supposed to do with that?

“What’s your favorite TV show?” Should I tell him the truth? Is it even a question? “Actually…” I trail off, and he turns his head to look at me. “You?” I nod, and he laughs, hanging his head low.

“I’m a nerd. I love reading books, annotating them, and saving my favorite moments in highlights. So I quote things I remember from a TV show? It’s not a big deal.”

The guy who’s had countless hookups wants me, as if I’m the only girl in the world. As if I’m the only one he has eyes for.

“Let me make you feel good.” “Kissing you feels good,” Colt hums huskily, and my breath hitches in my throat.

“Baby, you smell so good.” He sucks on my neck, and my face twists into a grimace. I put my beer on the table and elbow him in the ribs. When he releases his grip on me, I instantly jump back, putting my hands on my hips. “What the hell?” I open my mouth, but someone shoves me back and hides me from Moore. I realize at once it’s Clay. “Leave her the fuck alone.”

She’s the only girl I see in this fucking place. The only one.

Layla rushes over to her, throwing her arms around her shoulders and whispering in her ear. They stay in each other’s embrace, and suddenly Benson’s sister starts laughing. Ava takes a step back and presses a finger to her lips, urging her best friend to keep quiet. I frown, my eyes glued to her face. This is not the reaction I expected.

Ava heads to the front door, and I go after her. I don’t care if she slept with Moore; that won’t change how I feel about her. I just try to understand why…unsuccessfully. I feel like I need an instruction manual, a how-to guide. How to win over a girl without pissing her off every damn minute? I need a book for dummies, because I feel hopeless when it comes to her.

“Does it matter? You knew about it and did nothing to stop them. Moore was groping her, forcing himself on her, all because of the damn bet. Was it worth it to watch him try to get into her panties?” “Is it really that hard? To get into her panties? I mean, you did it pretty easily.” The second the last word leaves my mouth, Benson punches me in the face.

“What do you want?” “To make sure you’re safe.” “You’re like a week late, Thompson.” She narrows her eyes. “I don’t remember you giving a shit about my safety when you let me walk back to my dorm alone after the movies.” “I’m sorry about that.” I take a step closer, hovering over her and looking her in the eyes. “I’m sorry about the bet⁠—” “I don’t care.”

Moore didn’t deserve you⁠—” “That’s what you think of me?” Ava gasps, wriggling and trying to free her hand. “That I’m so easy? That I’ll fuck anyone?” “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m not judging you⁠—” “I fucking hate you, Thompson.”

The photo is colorful and clear. A blindfolded Hudson Moore is lying on his bed with his hands tied to the headboard. He’s naked, with only his hockey glove covering his dick. She never planned to sleep with him. She just wanted him to pay for making a bet about her.

“I don’t fuck just anyone, Thompson. And I definitely don’t fuck someone who has zero respect for me.” Ava snatches her phone out of my palm, hiding it back in her purse.

“I can’t believe I thought I liked you.” My heart stops for just a moment, and then it speeds up and thunders in my ears. She thought she liked me? Liked? As in past tense? No. That’s bullshit. I refuse to accept it.

“You’re lying,” I tell her, holding her gaze. “Nope.” She shakes her head. “Physically? You’re my type. But your personality? A hundred percent no.” “You don’t know me.” “I’m a very attentive person, Thompson. I notice everything.”

I lift her, making her lock her legs behind my back. She licks her lips, her breath hitching. “What are you doing?” Ava whispers, all her bravado gone. “Kidnapping you.” I head in the direction of my apartment building. It’s about twenty minutes away from here, but I’ll carry her the whole way without any problem. “Looks like that’s the only way to make you listen to me.”

I prefer outdoor activities over spending time indoors. Is he the same? Or not? I know almost nothing about him, and I did nothing to change that. Miscommunication is a bitch, and it’s our fault we let it happen.

“Colton, I’m not going to run away.” Hearing this, he focuses his attention on me, slowing down just a bit. “You can put me down.” “Do you think that’s the reason I’m carrying you? That I’m afraid you’ll run away from me?” His voice is full of amusement, and I pinch my brows together. “Why else?” “Because I want to.”

A moment of silence passes between us as my body fills with warmth and happiness. It feels so good, I decide to tell him the truth about Layla’s brother and me. “I didn’t sleep with Drake that night you saw us leaving the party together. We just watched The Witcher in his room till morning.” His face lights up with a smile as he gazes at me. “Geralt is a great character. I watch it too,” he chimes in softly. He doesn’t question my words, he simply chooses to trust me.

“Come with me.” And now my panties are a hot, wet mess. Damn him. I suck in a breath, my lips parting as I stare at him from under my eyelashes. Colton grins and leans to my ear. “Come for me could be arranged too. But only later. First, I want to talk to you.” “Sure,” I mumble, licking my lips. “Talk.”

“If I wanted to fuck you, I would’ve done it already. I wouldn’t have brought you to my place. And I definitely wouldn’t have carried you here. Any dark alley would’ve worked. Or a car.” “Who said I’m interested?” I arch my eyebrow, keeping my face impassive. “Your pulse.” I slide my gaze to my wrist, only now noticing that his hand is wrapped around it. “And probably your panties.”

“Why didn’t you read my message when I texted you on Friday before the game?” “Because I saw you with Drake,” he admits quietly. “And?” I press, trying to figure out what that means in the long run. Do I want to believe what he’s saying? Does it mean he likes me? Because if yes—oh my fucking God. “I thought you were going to hook up with him again.”

“You have no idea how sorry I am. For assuming you slept with Moore, for not telling you about the bet, and for being a fucking jerk who can’t handle his emotions. Your college experience wasn’t a nice one because of me and my actions.”

“If I knew you were so sleepy, I would’ve kidnapped you earlier.”