Chapter 75: Needs

I blinked hard, then moved slowly towards Angel.

"Baby, listen to me. Your father will always love you. I will never ever try to take him away from you. I will never try to come between you. I swear, Angel. Believe me."

She met my eyes, then gave a small sigh, her head slowly shaking. "Can I go to my room?"

"Angel. You don't want to stay here? Daddy will come and...-"

My voice trailed off as she suddenly pulled away from me a little roughly. I sat there watching as she worked her way to the floor, then walked away, leaving me sitting on the edge of the bed.

I closed my eyes, my chest heaving hard as I tried my very hardest to keep it all in. I wasn't sure what to feel. Was it the maddening attraction between Sin and I that only seemed to heighten each day, but somehow wasn't enough to bring us close?

Was it the fact that I was beginning to think my feelings for Sin were completely one-sided? Was it the fact that I knew somewhere inside I would never be able to get any sort of revenge against Enrique? Larissa's troubles or Angel?

I closed my eyes and slowly leaned forward, my lips sucking between my teeth. I needed someone right now. Sin, particularly. But I knew I couldn't go to him. He had problems of his own, and I wasn't a priority. And... and Enrique's words keep floating around my head, planting doubt all over my mind.

I felt awful deep inside, and I could feel tears stinging the back of my eyes. Just as I slowly started to give in to the tears, a knock came on the door.

I stopped and sniffed hard, blinking back the tears that filled my eyes. I sat up and turned to the door.

Sin was standing by the door, a tray balanced in one hand, and the other was elegantly tucked in his pocket.

"Sin?"

He gave a small smile, then slowly walked into the room and closed the door behind him.

"I didn't cook it," he said, his voice soft. "But I couldn't remember the last time I saw you eat."

I bit down on my lip. "So you brought food up here for me?"

"You being so surprised actually hurts my feelings. You look like you would never expect a kind gesture from me."

I swallowed as he sat on the edge of the bed. His eyes held mine as he slowly put the tray on the table, and his eyes briefly left mine.

"I... I just didn't expect you here now since... I was just with you a few minutes ago."

"I have always heard that I am a little clingy."

It made me chuckle, and I crossed my legs under me. "I am finding it extremely hard to imagine you being clingy."

He stopped, then slowly looked up, his right brow rising a little above the left one. "Why do you still have to imagine?"

I fell quiet, then blinked a little. All of the doubts that I had started to harbor against him felt like nothing in comparison to him sitting here, across from me. He would never do something like that. He would never take advantage of me and help kill my parents. He would never.

"You look like you cried, Annalise. Why is someone who was so enthusiastic about helping me fix my relationship with my daughter suddenly crying?"

I bit down on my lip. "Sometimes, it becomes a little too much to bear. I am sorry."

"For being human?" he asked, then slowly brought a spoon to my lips.

I broke into a laugh and shook my head, then reached my hand to fake the spoon. He didn't budge but met my eyes.

"I can do it, Sin."

"I know. Be a good girl and open up for me."

I immediately flushed, my chest slightly heaving as I removed my hand from the spoon. I opened my mouth, and he gently fed me before he pulled away.

"Go on."

I shrugged. "That is pretty much it."

He nodded, then slowly looked up at me. His hand dropped the spoon, and I swallowed. The expression of his face was serious, and it made me a little nervous.

"I can do you a favor, Annalise. I know everything with Annalise, Enrique, and Larissa is bound to get to you. And, I could end the contract early for you. If that would..."

"No," I said, reaching out to his hand. I let my fingers squeeze his hand a little, my eyes darting across both of his. "Ending the contract early is the last thing I want to do right now."

He nodded slowly. "Tell me how to make you feel better. Tell me what you desire."

"I did," I said, my fingers tightening around his. "I already told you what I desired." I broke into a laugh, then started to shake my head. "Maybe I am a little crazy. You are a killer. You never forgive. But look at me. I still can't let go of your hand."

Sin swallowed, his eyes resting on my hand. "What is the limit, then?"

"Limit?"

"What is the limit for you? It isn't a child, murder, or illegal business. What would draw the line for you?"

I closed my eyes, Enrique's voice floating to my head once again. I guess that was the only limit I could not cross for him. Losing my father. Losing the place I knew to be home.

"Six years ago..." I trailed off, then shook my head. It will only push him away. It will make him think that I do not trust him. It will make him wary of me. He was here. Why can't I just be content?

"Annalise?"

I looked up, then swallowed. "I mean..."

"Six years ago?"

I sighed to myself. I needed the reassurance. I needed to know. I couldn't live in the dark throughout.

"Sin... six years ago... did you know about what Enrique had done?"

His lips parted a little, but he said nothing.

Slowly. I pulled myself to him, my hand gently cupping the side of his neck.

"I have doubts," I started to say, "and my heart and my brain are at war. My heart... it wants me to cover this little distance between us and kiss you till I can't breathe."

"What are you waiting for?" He asked, his hand slowly running up my arm.

"I... am afraid."

The words had barely left my mouth when his hand suddenly wrapped around my waist and brought me close, his forehead resting on mine, his lips parting breathtakingly close to mine.

My eyes closed as his fingers gently pulled me even further, and his lips slowly brushed against mine.

I could feel all inhibitions leave me and my fingers dug into his skin.

"Yes," he suddenly whispered against my lips. My brows furrowed, and I slowly turned to him.

"What?"

He swallowed, his thumb running slowly across my cheek. "It is torture for both of us, so I will just say it. Yes, Annalise. I knew what Enrique had done to you. I had gone there that night to see the damage. I had helped him cover up and flee, and I had given you that money, and less importantly..." He trailed off, his eyes trailing down to my lips. "I need to kiss you, too."