Page 65 of Heart of Thorns

I breathe a sigh of relief.

“But you wanted to.”

My face is hot. I pull my leg back quickly so I can put it back under the blanket, but Thorne’s fingers dig into the flesh, keeping me still.

“Are you embarrassed?” His voice is soft and smooth.

My nipples harden, and there’s a rush of lust flowing between my legs.

“Being turned down after throwing myself at you? Yeah, you can say that.” I try to move my leg again, but he keeps me trapped.

“Why are you trying to escape me right now, kitten?” he asks.

I look at my leg. My scars are ugly. The ones from surgery are long and rigid around the edges. Then when you move down to my calf, it’s bumpy and discolored from the fire.

It’s gross.

It’s no freaking wonder he turned me down.

I haven’t been with anyone since the accident.

Ben was too impatient for me to heal, and now I’m too ashamed to let anyone else see.

“Stop looking at yourself like that.”

I glance away and try to escape the pressing glare in his eye. He seems angry with his heavy brow line and flexing jaw.

It turns me on that much more.

I’m all over the place.

Hot and bothered, ashamed and embarrassed, angry yet still vulnerable.

Thorne’s sigh is followed by a quiet growl. “Now I need you to stop looking at me like that.”

“Like what?” I ask.

“Like you still want me to put you out of your misery.”

God, but I do.

“I can’t help it.” I pull away harder this time, and he lets me go. “My body is…” I stand on wobbly legs and head for the door. “Wired.”

My breaths are choppy, and the room is spinning.

I have to get out of here.

Finally, my gaze lands on my jeans that are bundled on the floor. I rush over and try to turn them right side in, all while avoiding Thorne’s hot gaze from across the room.

He commands my attention on any good day.

Today?

I can’t help but follow through.

“So what’s your plan?” He leans against the door with his arms crossed.

Is he blocking the exit?