Black Thorns (Thorns Duet #2) by Rina Kent

When I’m spent, he drives us out of the forest, but something tells me it’s not going to be our last time here.

This place was our beginning and has some of my best memories, and there’s nothing that will erase that.

I tell him to go to my house.

Or rather, Mom’s.

We step inside and I deactivate the alarm. The place is still the same as it was seven years ago. Nothing’s changed, not even the alarm code. I’ve been having a maid clean it up monthly, but this is the first time I’ve stepped foot in here since I left Blackwood.

I stand in the middle of the living room and hug myself as memories of Mom hit me out of nowhere.

I can imagine her standing in front of a mannequin and being a perfectionist.

The smell of her cigarette is at the tip of my nose, even though the place is spotlessly clean.

Images of the two of us eating and watching TV together assault me, and fresh tears spring to my eyes.

I’m such an emotional mess today.

Strong arms wrap around me from behind and I release a cracked breath.

“I didn’t know you kept it,” he whispers.

“I thought about selling it, but I just couldn’t. This is the last thing I have of Mom. The fashion house doesn’t count, that’s just work. This place is…full of memories of her and…us.”

“And your true crime shows,” he teases.

I laugh despite the tears. “And those, too. Though I haven’t watched one for seven years.”

He turns me around to face him. “Why not?”

“They brought the memories back and turned me into an emotional mess.”

“Let’s go get you a shower and then we’ll watch one.”

“We will?”

“The fucking things grew on me.”

“I told you they would.”

“I only like them because they remind me of you.”

My cheeks burn and I look away. “Do all the women fall for that?”

“Most of them do, Tsundere.”

I bite my lip to reign in the burning pit of jealousy hollowing the bottom of my stomach. I know I shouldn’t be feeling this way when I’m married, and I didn’t think he’d be celibate for seven years when I’m the one who broke his heart.

But I can’t help it.

“Is…Aspen one of them?”

“Could be.”

“She’s pretty.”

“She is.”

“Reina called her a redhead witch.”

“Reina is still a bitch sometimes. Aspen is a beautiful woman.”

“Then go back to your beautiful Aspen.”

“I’ll see her at the firm once my sick leave is over.”

“Well, good luck.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re not supposed to agree with that.”

“But you’re the one who was saying she’s pretty and wishing me good luck.”

“It’s just figure of speech, asshole.”

“You’re the definition of Tsundere.”

“Shut up.” I pull away from him and place a hand on my hip. “You have to do something about her. I don’t want to share you.”

“Are you going to do something about your husband?”

I bite my lower lip.

“You can’t ask me to be exclusive with you while you’re on another man’s arm, Naomi. That’s not how it works.”

“I…know.”

“What do you know? Do you know about how fucking enraged I become when I see you with him? You were smiling at the motherfucker in all the pictures online.”

“It was an act.”

“One you pulled so well.”

“Do you want me to cry then?”

“I want you to leave him once and for all. This is not up for fucking negotiation.”

“I want to leave him, too and I’m plotting something. Akira needs to be the one who divorces me while still being Father’s ally. If I initiate it, my father will come after you.”

“I don’t give a fuck about that.”

“No, Sebastian. No! I didn’t sacrifice seven damn years just to crash and burn now.”

He grabs me by the arm and pulls me close, his eyes darkening like a lethal storm. “I won’t see you on his fucking arm again, Naomi. Do you hear me? I don’t care if he’s gay. He still puts his fucking hands on you. He still touches you. I’ll kidnap you and get us both killed instead of seeing that scene again. You’re fucking mine and that means you belong with me, not with some other asshole.”

“Then get rid of Aspen, too. The next time I see her on your arm, I’ll kick you in the balls.”

“You will, huh?”

“Yes! And you know what else I’ll do? I won’t let you chase me.”

“Now, that is pure torture.”

“Torture is seeing you with another woman and not being able to do anything about it.”

“There’s no other woman, baby.”

“Huh?”

“Aspen and I are in a strictly professional relationship.”

“Then…why is she always on your arm?”

“Because I wanted to hurt you as much as you hurt me.”

“That’s just…cruel.”

“You were cruel, too.”