Page 41 of Knotting Autumn

“Are you okay?” I asked, pausing.

He sighed. “I thought being in the same apartment would be enough to appease our bond, but it’s not. I still feel like shit. What about you?”

It hadn’t occurred to me that it was the bond—or lack thereof, really—making me feel like shit. But now that he mentioned it, it seemed obvious. The ache in my muscles, the feeling of a phantom gaping hole in my chest.

Shaking my head, I faced him. “Not great. What can we do?”

Thorne hesitated. “Come here.”

I was moving before my brain caught up. He opened his arms, and I slid into them. It was the most natural thing in the world, and I fit against him perfectly.

What the hell was I doing?

My mind revolted, even as my body hummed at the contact. Immediately, a sense of relief rushed through me, as if I’d been slightly nauseated for days and suddenly wasn’t. I needed this.

He laid back, and I stretched out on top of him, my cheek resting on his bicep and his chin on the top of my head.

“Just for a bit,” I mumbled. But something inside of me was rumbling contentedly, and the last thing I wanted to do was get up and stop touching Thorne.

The spark from our date was still there, but I ignored it. This was about feeling better, not getting off.

His chest rose and fell, lulling me into a relaxed state. His other hand stroked over my hair, and the feel of his fingers on my scalp was delicious.

“I should have had you with me like this last night,” he said.

“Last night,” I repeated, jumbled memories of him carrying me, of me begging Sawyer. A blush surged to my face. At least I fell asleep before I could embarrass myself further.

“I can feel your shame,” he said.

“I’m—” I started to lie, but what was the point? I couldn’t lie to him when he could feel my emotions. “I acted a bit ridiculous.”

Thorne sighed, and the air puffed over my hair. “You were adorable. I love seeing more sides of you.”

Frowning, I fought the urge to burrow into his chest. This man had been nothing but patient and understanding. Outside of the whole tying me up naked in his back seat situation. The more I saw of him, the more I liked him.

“One of these days, I’m going to get you back for kidnapping me,” I muttered.

“Does that mean you won’t kick us out right away?” His tone brightened.

Before I could think of an answer, someone knocked on the door. Pushing up, I climbed off of him.

“Did you order something?” he asked, grabbing my wrist to hold me back.

“No. It’s probably a salesperson or something.”

That wasn’t good enough for Thorne. He pulled me behind him, hiding me with his bulky frame, and approached the door cautiously.

Tensing, he cracked the door, his foot behind it so whoever knocked couldn’t shove the door open further.

“Hello, brother,” drawled the stranger.

Bristling, I peered past Thorne to see Hunter. It was eerie how identical they were, but I would never mistake Hunter for Thorne again. The energy rolling off of him was toxic and made my stomach churn.

“What the fuck do you want?” I snarled.

Thorne grabbed my arm, keeping me behind him.

Hunter laughed. “Yes, keep your little bitch in line.”