Page 54 of Knotting Autumn

“That’s okay, I’m good,” I squeaked.

Laughing, Thorne dropped onto his back, one knee bent. “I loved hearing about your life when we went on our date, but we didn’t get much time. There’s so much I don’t know about you.”

Without thinking, my hand went to the top of his head, my fingers carding through his messy hair.

“Well, how about we make it a game?” I asked, unable to ignore the electricity dancing up my arm at our contact. His rash actions had planted the idea in my mind, and as much as I wanted to talk about things, I alsowantedhim. “What if we played truth or dare, except instead of random dares, you have to remove an item of clothing?”

Thorne tipped his chin up to look at my face. “Really?”

“Yeah. Here, you can go first, and I’ll take it easy on you. Did you go to college, and if so, what did you study?”

“That sounds like two questions,” he challenged, rolling over to his stomach. One of his arms wrapped around my thigh, his palm hot on my skin as he rested his cheek on the top of my leg.

“Are you going to answer, or do I get to see you shirtless again?”

His laughter was a huff of hot air across my thigh.

“Yes, I did go to college. Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources.”

“Oh, a science guy. Very impressive,” I said, smiling.

“What about you?” His fingers trailed over the inside of my thigh, tempting me to refuse to answer just so I could remove some of the clothing between us.

Exhaling, I admitted, “I did a bachelor’s in communications. Basic, but it seemed useful. I can’t say I’ve needed it, but who knows?”

“You’re excellent at communicating,” he said. “The speaking part, at least. Listening? Not so much.”

“Hey!” I jerked my knee, trying to knock him off me, but his grip tightened, holding me in place.

His smile widened into a genuine, pleasureful grin that had warmth curling in my stomach.

“Okay, so what are you planning on doing now that you’ve left your pack? Like a best-case scenario?”

Thorne resumed his gentle stroking of my skin. “Best-case scenario? Hunter becomes reasonable and we can go home. But I think we all know that isn’t going to happen. So I guess I’d like to form my own pack, somewhere with beautiful forests and mountains like here.”

“That sounds nice.”

He hummed his agreement.

“Well what do you want to do, what’s your dream career?” he asked. “If you even want to work,” he amended.

That was something I couldn’t answer. “I have no idea. I’ve never had big career goals.”

“That sounds like you need to take off your shirt,” Thorne said, propping himself on his elbows so he could watch me. Smiling, I grabbed the hem of my shirt and pulled it off, revealing the soft, pink bra I’d picked for the day.

A moment of silence passed as he admired my bare stomach, running his fingers over the rolls on my belly. “You’re beautiful.”

“I think it’s my turn to ask a question,” I muttered, my cheeks flushing.

“Sorry,” he murmured, moving to sit.

“Why is Hunter so obsessed with getting Cole back? Don’t tell me it’s a prestige thing. I could tell it was more than that.”

Thorne’s brow furrowed, considering. I bit my lip, hoping he would open up and be honest with me. From the reluctantlook on his face, he couldn’t. But my disappointment was assuaged as he reached up and tugged his shirt over his head, revealing that expanse of tan muscle.

“My turn,” he said, his voice carefully even. “What did you really think of me after our date?”

Swallowing, I mulled over my answer. I wanted to be honest, but the answer was a tangled mess of emotions. Instead, I slid my joggers down my hips until I sat cross legged in just my underwear and bra.