Page 15 of Thorns of Desire
Raven bit her lip, her eyes shining with mischief. “It’s probably all your talk about riding a donkey.”
I snorted. “I didn’t say donkey.”
She waved her hand in the air. “Minor detail.”
I snort-laughed. “Last time I checked, there were no donkeys at the rodeo.”
“There are plenty of asses frequenting it though.”
I grinned. “Don’t tell me you have something against cowboys.” She shook her head, and I gave her a look like,Ah, I see. “You prefer mobsters.”
“Apparently so do you,” she remarked pointedly. “From the way you look properly sexed up, I bet you’d go another round with your Italian mobster.”
She laughed, and so did I.
But nothing was funny about the butterflies whirling around my stomach at the thought of being with Manuel again.
SEVEN
ATHENA
“We’rewhat?” I shouted, staring at the four sets of eyes before me, crammed inside our apartment’s living room.
“We’re breaking into a bookstore,” Raven said, like she’d just recommended a spa day.
“Are you trying to get me locked up for my birthday?” I mumbled, my gaze traveling over my friends who were nonchalantly holding boxes of my signed books.
“Of course not,” Raven deadpanned. “We want you to have the best birthday.”
“Then let’s go clubbing,” I suggested. “Not break into a damned bookstore.”
“No can do,” Isla muttered. “Raven got it into her head that this is the best gift we could give you and now we must follow through.”
I shook my head. “Does it matter what the birthday girl wants?”
“Birthday girl is confused,” Reina chimed in unhelpfully. “We can go clubbing right after we stock the shelves with your beautiful smut.”
Phoenix set her box down and signed. “It’s for the good of humanity.”
“And women’s libidos,” Raven added.
I snorted. “They could watch porn, you know.”
Reina tsked. “Don’t dismiss your talent. Your stories are beautiful. Yes, they have smut and a lot of… fucking, but they’re a dream come true for your readers.”
“Yes,” Raven claimed. “They’re Oscars material.”
I narrowed my eyes on them. “Are you all high?”
A giggle escaped one of them and it was a rolling effect from there.
“How come nobody offered me a joint?” I asked when we all settled down, crossing my arms over my chest. “After all, it’smybirthday.”
Silence descended. Dilated pupils stared back at me.
And then a loud shout. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”
Suddenly, confetti fell and balloons floated to the ceiling as the girls ran up to me and wrapped me in a hug.
