Page 38 of Thorn Kiss
I stood still for a few moments, watching her go and wondering where the fuck my anxiety had suddenly come from. Why was I like this? Why did I always get in my head about things?
I felt a pair of eyes on me and looked up at Austin. He offered a gentle smile. “If you need anything, we’re always around. I’m sure my sister will be coming to find you this week. She’s been talking non-stop about the artist residency for a while now. Dallas is always available too.”
“Thanks. He’s been really helpful . . .” I trailed off. “I think I need to go back to my room and . . .”
“Decompress?”
“Yeah.” Decompress, decompose. Either. Both.
He nodded with all the understanding in the world. “I’ll get you taken care of.”
“You don’t need to worry about me,” I added. “I’m sure you’ve got a million things to do.”
Austin’s laugh shook his shoulders. “Sure, but helping people is always at the top of my list.” He picked up the bucket and mop and glanced around for any other puddles. “I don’t know what the hell this water was from.”
“Could have been a ghost,” I teased.
He seemed to consider that more than I thought he would. “Maybe. I’ve heard shit about the hotel. Anyways, I’ll see you around, Madi. I hope inspiration finds you.”
“Thank you.” I smiled as he went and then ran my fingers through my hair the moment he was out of sight.
Between my lunch with Dallas and June falling into my arms,inspirationwas about to come in the shape of a much-needed orgasm.
CHAPTER NINE
June
I managed to hold it together for two more hours. My panic had to be scheduled into my day, and having Laura and the shop meant I had to get her set up with something before I could have a full on screaming session.
I shut myself into the cold box in the back of my floral shop. The moment the heavy metal door slammed behind me, I let out a long groan.
I’d tested it before. The walls of the floral cooler were thick, Laura was wearing headphones, which meant I could comfortably have my breakdown in peace.
And god, I fucking needed it.
Holy fucking shit.
I’d kissed Madi. I’d kissed her. The first one had been an accident, but the second? I couldn’t fucking resist kissing her again.
Why the fuck had I kissed her?
I could still feel the way she’d held me with such ease. She was sostrong. I hadn’t been lying when I told her I could climb her like a tree. Iwantedto do exactly that.
My body had fit perfectly against hers. All of that jealousy I’d felt seeing her with Dallas was now a puddle of desire, and I was drowning.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt this way about one person, let alone two. The fact that Dallas was clearly interested in her too? Made it both worse and better.
For years I’d been happy getting off with my toys and imagination. Occasionally I’d go on dates or see someone for a few weeks, but it was always a fling. I’d been far too busy to try to navigate the emotions needed for a relationship. Between running my own business and family and friends—being with someone long-term had always felt out of the question.That’s what you tell yourself.
My hand rubbed my chest.
There were other reasons too, of course. But all of those reasons were far too much for me to mull over right now.
At the end of the day, the biggest truth was that I didn’t believe I could be loved. Not the way I wanted to be. So why even try?
But this wasn’t love. This waslust.Plain and simple and needy. Every part of my body remembered her and craved more.
I rolled my shoulders and took a few deep breaths, centering myself. Finding the gravity that would keep me from spinning out of orbit.
