Red Thorns (Thorns Duet 1)

“Yes, we do.” Sebastian winks at Lucy. “Does she always play hard to get?”

“Uh…yeah, sort of.” My friend’s eyes shine with joy at being included. He made her feel like her opinion matters. As if he already figured out that shyness is her weakness and he’d get brownie points by being friendly.

“Ah. I knew I’d have my hands full with this one.” He nudges her shoulder with his. “Give me some pointers, would you?”

“She’ll give you pointers on how to get the hell out of here.” I jerk my head toward his car. “Leave.”

“Not without you. I want a proper date.”

“And I’m not giving it to you.”

“Nao…” Lucy clutches me by the wrist and whispers, “You don’t have to be so aggressive.”

If she knew what happened over the weekend and just a few minutes ago when Reina, of all people, could’ve walked in on us, she wouldn’t be saying that.

Sebastian lifts a shoulder. “If you don’t come with me, I’ll just stay here.”

“Suit yourself. I hope you freeze to death.”

“Cruel.” He twists his lips into a pitiful look. “Lucy, can you help convince her? In return, I will tell you about when she lost her mask while her leg was over my—”

I slam my hand over his mouth, cutting off whatever nonsense he was about to say. God damn him. He’d really tell her about what just happened, wouldn’t he?

This guy has absolutely no shame.

His larger hand engulfs mine and slowly removes it. “Does this mean you’re coming?”

“Fine.” As if I have a choice.

“Ha

ve fun, Nao.” Lucy hugs me, skips ahead, then squeals behind Sebastian’s back and mouths, “FaceTime later.”

I roll my eyes as she disappears in the direction of her car.

“I like the way she calls you Nao. It’s cute.”

“Only Lucy and my mom are allowed to call me that.”

“I’ll add myself to the short list then, Nao.”

My cheeks heat at the sound of my nickname coming out of his mouth. Since when did it make me hot? Clearing my throat, I blurt, “What if I find a nickname for you, too?”

“My family calls me by my full name. My uncle calls me Rascal. You can call me Bastian or Seb like everyone on campus.”

“I prefer your uncle’s version.”

“Why am I not surprised, Tsundere?”

“Stop calling me that.”

“But you are.” He strokes the pads of his fingers over my cheek. “My own Tsundere.”

I try to pull back, but he loops his hand around my nape, keeping me caged in place as he continues his ministrations on my face.

“How do you know that word, anyway?” I try to elbow him, but he anticipates it and twists his body out of the way, grinning.

“I used to watch a lot of anime.”