Red Thorns (Thorns Duet 1)

When I get to the football field, my senses are assaulted with him. He’s not even close, yet I can feel him.

Lucy is saying something, but I don’t hear a word coming out of her mouth.

My eyes instantly find his light ones. He’s talking to Owen, but his sharp attention is completely on me.

Sebastian is downright beautiful in everyday clothes, but he looks like a god in his football uniform with those two streaks of black underneath his eyes.

He winks and it’s like I’ve been hit with a thunderbolt. I immediately cut off eye contact and hurry to the cheer squad.

Now he must think I’m into him or something.

Way to go, Nao.

I’m restless during the entire practice, waiting for it to end with bated breath so that I can retreat and rebuild my walls.

I barely manage to keep from looking at him, even though I feel his attention on me the entire time.

When Reina calls it a day, I practically flee from the field.

I spend more time than needed in the shower until almost everyone leaves.

When I come out, Reina and Prescott are talking to the coach in the office adjacent to the locker room. Their voices are clear, but not their words.

Hopefully, they’ll leave before I’m done. I’m not in the mood for jabs today. Or any type of talk, actually.

My sense of self has taken a jab and I need to carefully nurture that part of me back to life.

I’m sliding my panties up my legs when the door opens.

Letting the towel fall, I speak without turning around. “Give me a minute. I’ll be right out, Luce.”

The voice that answers me is completely different from my friend’s.

My spine jerks upright when it echoes around me. “Take all the minutes you need. I’ll be right here.”

13

Naomi

There are a few possible reactions I could have to seeing Sebastian in the locker room.

The most logical should be anger.

If not that, then maybe embarrassment.

Confusion, even.

But the thing that beats loudly in my chest is so similar to…relief.

What is that supposed to mean? Is there any logical explanation under the circumstances?

Sebastian’s gaze darkens as he runs it over the length of me, his tongue darting out to lick his upper lip. “I knew those tits were beautiful.”

That’s when I realize I’m standing in front of him in nothing but my panties. I jerk backward, grabbing the towel and holding it against my naked chest.

He steps closer, the tenor of his voice low and chill-inducing. “I’ll see you naked sooner or later, baby. Hiding won’t serve any purpose.”

“What makes you think I want you to see me?”