Page 110 of Bend

Wolfe’s ended his call now and walking along the shoreline.

Echo gives my chest a small shove. “Go.”

“Bossy little thing.” I drag my bottom lip between my teeth, letting my eyes dip over her before meeting hers again.

“Move, Thorne.”

I take a slow step back, still holding her gaze, my hand lingering at her hip like I’m considering ignoring her completely.

“We’re not done here,” I say, voice low.

“I know.”

“Good.”

Her smile turns smug. “Now stop being a wanker and go tell him how you feel.”

I stare at her. “Oi. You did not just call me a bloody wanker after kissing me like that.”

“Oh, I did.” Her grin widens. “Because right now, you’re being one.”

I point at her, still smiling despite myself. “You’re properly taking the piss tonight.”

“Maybe. Doesn’t make me wrong.”

“Absolute cheek of it.”

I finally turn toward the water, then glance back over my shoulder once more, making no effort to hide the fact I’m still looking at her.

Echo catches me and laughs. “Good luck.”

I smirk. “Save that mouth for when I get back, love.”

I lift a hand over my shoulder and flip her off, already knowing she’s doing the exact same thing back without me needing to look.

“Yeah, yeah. Do one.”

Her laugh follows me as I head down the beach.

The firelight falls away behind me, and with every step, my pulse gets a bit more out of hand. I shove my hands into my pockets, like that’ll somehow stop me from looking as nervous as I feel.

I could still turn around, drop back beside the fire, and spend the rest of the night taking the piss out of Revel. Then I could wake up tomorrow with this whole bloody mess exactly where I left it—safe, familiar, and completely fucking cowardly.

Nah. I’ve done enough running.

Chapter Fifteen

Thorne

For one daft second, I consider turning round.

Just fucking off back to the fire and pretending I never wandered down here to pour my feelings out like some tragic sod in a romance film.

Then Wolfe hears me coming before I reach the water.

Well. Bollocks.

He glances over his shoulder, then turns back toward the ocean.