Red Thorns (Thorns Duet 1)

He brings me down so we’re both lying on a small carpet that barely fits both of us. He pulls me closer so I’m lying on his chest and his steady heartbeat is right beneath my ear.

Even his pulse is as strong as him. Steady, powerful, and alluring.

The pads of his fingers stroke my shoulder blade in a steady rhythm. I catch a glimpse of us in the mirror across the room. The image is different from when he was taking my ass savagely and without holding back.

We’re naked after he stripped us both earlier. Our scattered clothes form a mess on the floor. But that’s the last thing I’m focused on when his strong body spoons around me. His leg is thrown over mine as if he’s forbidding me from running.

Or maybe he seeks the closeness.

But that doesn’t make sense. Why would he when our arrangement has been clear and direct since the beginning?

We’re using each other and that’s all, right?

He does pursue me afterward, but that’s only after he’s spent some time away. Be it half an hour or even a few minutes.

There always needs to be some distance put between us so the beast can morph into the man I know. The star quarterback with a fan page that worships at his feet and even knows his morning routine.

Not that I’m stalking him on social media or anything.

I’m not that desperate.

Oh, shut up, Naomi.

Anyhow, point is, this is the first time Sebastian has gotten close right after he’s finished.

Maybe he’s still the beast.

Maybe he’s not done tormenting me.

Though the promise of another round causes my core to throb, I really don’t think I’ll be able to take it. I can already feel the soreness in my ass and even my pussy. I need to go home and rub some oil on it.

And yeah, I kind of have a collection of those ever since this crazy asshole started chasing me.

“What are you doing?” I murmur, staring at his reflection in the mirror.

Sebastian is entranced by the back and forth of his finger on my shoulder as if he’s relearning something about his anatomy—or mine. “What type of question is that?”

“A simple one. You…shouldn’t be here right now.”

“Then where should I be?”

“I don’t know…outside?”

“So you want a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am kind of thing?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

His fingers crawl up my shoulder to my collarbone until he wraps them around my throat. The hold isn’t tight, but the threat is there. Even the subtle drop in his voice is an indication of his mood. “Whether I leave or stay is only up to me to decide, so how about you get used to that, baby?”

He’s calling me baby, so he can’t be in his beast mode right now.

“How am I supposed to take it?” I taunt.

“Like a good girl.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Do you prefer being called a good slut?”