Thorned Heart (Cash Me Outside 2)

What the fuck is he talking about?

“Trust me on this.” He touches my arm. “I know what jealous men act like.”

“What do they act like?”

“Neanderthals. You really think his line of questioning on the plane was for his benefit?”

I shake my head. “No, he was doing that to prove to me that I’m the biggest dumbass to ever dumb.”

Andrew jumps up and strips out of his coat. “Okay. This is what’s going to happen. We’re going to nap because you were right about being exhausted. Then this afternoon, I will show you exactly what I mean.”

“Wait, you’re staying? Even after—”

He climbs under the covers. “I’m not going to lie. I’m disappointed I’m not going to be able to have sex with you, but I’ll be happy to stay as a friend and help you.”

“Help me what, exactly?”

“Realize I’m right. Then you can do whatever you want with that information.”

“Thorne is not in love with me.”

He’s not. He can’t be.

Yet, something inside me hopes for it to be true because spending one night in his arms wasn’t enough for me.

I’ve never, not once, felt as secure as I did the other night with Thorne.

The fantasies of having more of that—of that feeling being a permanent fixture in my life … I need to know if it’s a possibility.

Chapter Five

Thorne

Seb and the stripper disappeared into their room as soon as we arrived, and they haven’t come up for air since.

They’re not the only ones. Everyone crashed out hard when we arrived, and I’m the only one who’s resurfaced to search for coffee.

Maybe that’s a good thing. Being alone is what I need to get my head on straight and forget about Seb, the tour, the press … everything. But especially the stripper currently warming Seb’s bed.

The large wrought iron clock above a large fireplace in the formal sitting area of this “cabin,” aka the ridiculously large mountain chalet, says it’s just past lunchtime which means I only got a few hours’ sleep. They were restless hours too.

It was nothing like falling asleep with Seb wrapped around me like the other night. I don’t think I’ve ever slept better than when he was in my arms.

I could claim exhaustion from having stayed up the night before trying to squash his photo, but I know it was him. All him.

Here, I stupidly thought I could spend this vacation with Seb while the others were all sexed-up. I might not be able to have Seb the way I want him, but I’m always eager for any scraps I can get. Spending these two weeks in the snow with nothing else to do … I thought we might go skiing, drink by the fire … I thought we could talk. I was looking forward to it.

Now that’s crushed by a cute little thing with killer legs and a pretty face.

I find the coffee machine in the kitchen and make myself a cup to take out on the back deck.

There’s a firepit and blankets, and I’ve definitely found the spot I’m going to hole up for the next two weeks. Though, by the time I get the damn thing lit, I almost have to go back inside to defrost.

I wrap myself in a blanket and sit on one of the deck chairs. The warm coffee, the mountain air, and the amazing view of the snowy forest … mmm, I could get used to this.

“You know how to make a fire?”

I freeze at Seb’s voice, refusing to turn to look at him. “I’ve been known to be useful at some things.” Like running every aspect of your life.

“Man make fire,” the purring Lemon says. “That’s sexy.”

Don’t look, Thorne. Don’t look.

I turn.

Damn it.

Lemon’s tucked under Seb’s arm, wearing Seb’s sweats, which are way too long for him, and that ridiculous jacket he came here with. I hate that the image of them together hurts so much.

I’ve put a lot of shit aside over the last few years because Seb has deserved to be young and free and do what he wants, but hearing him say he wants what Cash and Locke has, it changes everything for me.

It makes me want to march over there, pull Lemon by his stupid bleached hair and throw him out of the house. Because jealous Thorne is clearly rational.

I want to beg Seb to give me a chance. Fuck the consequences and possibly losing the best job I’ve ever had. To me, he’s worth it.

But a huge part of me is sure that when he fails at this, Seb will go back to being his usual no-relationship self.

“There’s a pot of coffee in the kitchen,” I say and turn back to the fire.

“I’ll get you a cup, babe.”

God, I can hear how happy Lemon’s footsteps are from here. They’re all bouncy and quick.

Keep your eyes on the fire, Thorne.