Red Thorns (Thorns Duet #1) by Rina Kent

She swallows, her pretty little throat working with the motion and I wrap my hand around it hard enough so she knows who’s in fucking charge here.

“I told you not to play with my beast if you can’t handle it. I told you to use your safe word, but you didn’t. You squealed and ran for it. You gasped and moaned and begged me to use you. That’s our reality, Naomi. It’s what we are, you and I. Beast and toy. Monster and prey, so don’t you fucking dare threaten me with staying away from you, because that’s not going to happen.”

For the first time tonight, moisture glistens in her eyes even as she glares at me, her dark eyes drawing holes into my soul. Her voice comes out as a strained whisper, “You ruined all that when you lied to me from the beginning.”

“I never lied to you.”

“You hid the truth, which is worse than lying. You only made a game out of my feelings and turned me into the laughingstock of campus.”

“No one will bother you.”

“You really think that’s the problem here?”

“You’re worried about people bullying you, which won’t be happening if they want to see another day.”

“You don’t even see it, do you?”

“See what?”

She punches me on the chest so hard, I falter, and she uses the chance to free herself from my hold.

“What you did to me! The way you played me! Do you not realize how wrong it was?”

“No, because I got to have you. The method doesn’t matter, the result does.”

She slowly shakes her head, her lips parting in a small whisper, “You’re crazy.”

“Oh, baby, you’ve only ever seen a portion of my crazy. Don’t provoke me or I’ll show you the rest.”

Her chin trembles, but she doesn’t break eye contact as she reaches behind her and fumbles with the handle of her front door until it opens.

“We’re over,” she emphasizes, and then she’s dashing inside and locking the door.

Usually, she doesn’t do that when her mom isn’t around. It’s some form of an invitation so I can startle her and take her by surprise.

This is a clear sign of her rejection, but it’s not going to work.

I don’t care what I have to do, but I’ll get my Naomi back.

Even if I have to drag her out kicking and screaming.





33





Akira





Dear Yuki-Onna,

I don’t know why you feel the need to defend your fucked-up fetish, but that’s what all people with egotistical problems do, don’t they? They instantly attack the opposing party because God forbid if they’re wrong.

And you are. Wrong, I mean.

Stop your nonsense and get some help instead of trying to accuse me of things that would never measure up to your actions.

So what if I watch breath play porn? You don’t see me going around and practicing it. So what if I fantasize about it? I’m not the sick one who thinks about doing it in real life while ignoring every safety procedure under the sun. I’m sure your mom taught you to be cautious. Remember who you were before this madness and do better.

I’m far from being your morality police, Yuki-Onna. I’m just the small angel on your shoulder who’s desperately trying not to be shoved down by your demons (yes, plural, because you have a lot of that shit).

Am I trying to help? Negative. Do I take pleasure in your torment? Also negative.

Which brings me to the question I’ve been thinking about since I read your letter. Why the hell do I look forward to your every letter when I despise your actions and choices?

Is this toxic? Probably. Will I stop? Probably not.

Here’s a sliver of the truth that you’ll never learn about me otherwise. Your mundane letters, no matter how tedious and self-centered, distract me from my head and my life.

And for that alone, I can’t stop this chain of exchange. I have no clue why you won’t, though, since I’ve been calling you every colorful name under the sun.

But, hey, they say birds of a feather flock together so maybe this, whatever the fuck this is, was always meant to happen.

I was meant to send that letter and be excited like a kid. You were also meant to write back and distract me.

My life is everything I don’t want and you’re the only thing I actually have control over in it.

So no, I won’t be closing my windows or getting a talisman. Yuki-Onna is welcome anytime as long as you drive away the boredom.



*insert something witty I don’t have the energy to think of that doesn’t mean love here*

Akira





34





Naomi





Life is unfair.

But if I keep pondering on that, all I’ll be having is a pity party with chips and apple juice as an audience.

So I don’t.

It’s been three weeks since Mom dropped the bomb about her cancer.

Three weeks of trying to be there for her even while she insists on continuing to work as if nothing has happened. She said she wants to keep everything perfectly organized and ready for when it’s time. Besides, it’s not like Mom to flounder about and think about death.

When I begged her to go on a trip with me, she said we’ll go to Japan because that’s where she would like to spend her last days.