Red Thorns (Thorns Duet 1)

On one hand, it’s exhilarating to have the power of running away.

On the other, the thought of being caught is completely terrifying but…takes my breath away, too.

Or maybe it’s more than breathtaking, depending on what happens afterward.

I take a detour and pause when I see a white light. The car’s headlights.

My pace picks up and I push through the branches with tightened fists. The light gets closer with each step until I’m smiling with triumph.

I can do this.

Only a short distance separates me from the Tesla. I can’t wait to stand there with a huge grin while I wait for that loser, Sebastian.

I’ll make him regret playing with me in the first place—

A shadow catches in my peripheral vision and I shriek as it charges toward me.

Sebastian.

I recognize his jacket, but I don’t wait to look at him as I dart away from him and continue my run.

My lungs scream due to the lack of oxygen and my heart rate picks up to an alarming level with every thud of his footsteps behind me.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

The fact that he could catch me at any second, that he’s getting closer, douses me with equal parts fear and bubbling energy.

I think I’m going to throw up from the force of it.

The trees clear in front of me and I’m finally in direct view of the car. I’m near the point of collapsing, but I carry on, pushing my burning muscles to their limit.

Then a strong hand wraps around my hoodie and I squeal as I’m wrenched back. I lose my footing and fall down, my back hitting the solid ground.

I wince as my head bounces off the dirt, but my reaction soon freezes like the rest of me.

A dark shadow looms closer until Sebastian’s body hovers over mine. A sinister smirk curves the corners of his sinful lips. “Got you.”

I don’t think as I thrash and wiggle against his wall-like chest. The physique I’ve admired for years could easily be my demise right now. The remnants of my adrenaline-induced energy roar to the surface with a final wave.

Slamming my hands against his chest, I claw, then try to kick him, but he grabs my wrists, easily overpowering me.

If anything, he seems to find it amusing that I’m even fighting, judging by the growing smile on his lips.

There’s nothing fake about this one.

Nothing star-like.

Nothing for show.

Because right now? He’s not even attempting to hide his true self behind it.

He let it loose, allowing me to see what type of deviant he actually is.

One who gets off on chasing.