Red Thorns (Thorns Duet 1)

She winces, then stands up. “I’m…I’m going to go.”

I grab her by the wrist and pull her back to my side. “If anyone needs to leave, it’s him.”

“Nonsense.” Nate places his briefcase on the sofa. “Let’s make dinner and talk.”

“Or you can walk out of the door and leave us alone?” I suggest.

He ignores me and offers his hand to Naomi. “Nathaniel Weaver. I’m this rascal’s uncle and guardian of sorts.”

“I’m twenty-one. I don’t need a guardian.”

“Don’t believe what he tells you. He does,” Nate whispers to her with his charming smile.

Naomi smiles back, taking his hand. “Naomi Chester. Sebastian and I…study at the same campus.”

“The girl from TV has a name,” Nate says and she blushes again.

I jump up and break them apart. I don’t like that he’s using his rare kind persona, and I don’t want her to ever think of him as someone charming.

He’s my uncle and I hate him right now. Fucking sue me.

“The rascal doesn’t bring his girlfriends home.”

“We’re not really…”

“We are,” I say firmly, cutting her off.

Nate smirks and I flip him off. The bastard knows I’m acting out of character and he won’t let me live this down.

“Let’s have that dinner,” he says and heads to the kitchen area.

“Sure.” Naomi starts to follow, but I keep her at my side.

“Are you on my side or his?” I hiss in her ear.

“I want to meet your uncle. Besides, you’re being rude,” she murmurs back.

“He’s the one being rude by barging in here,” I say aloud.

“I heard that, Rascal.”

“Good. Leave, then.”

“No.”

“Grandma said she wants to see you.”

“Hearsay.”

“I’ll send her a picture that you’re here as evidence.”

“Circumstantial. Now, come make yourself useful.”

Naomi chuckles softly and I poke her side. “What are you laughing at?”

“You and your uncle have a loveable relationship.”

“I call it ‘he’s a pain in the ass’ relationship.”