Page 26 of Thorn Evermore
Thorn chuckles. “Sorry. I drive fast but safely. Don’t be worried.”
“Sure, okay.” I nod, swallowing hard. Sure enough, he takes turns and avoids pedestrians with ease. “Where did you learn to drive like this?”
“Years of experience.”
“How old are you? You look younger than me.”
“Far older than I look.” He grabs my hand and kisses the back of it. “You’re definitely the younger one.”
“I guess I should ask for your skincare routine then.”
Thorn chuckles. “Maybe I’ll tell you someday. It’s a secret.”
He turns a corner so fast I slide toward his side of the car, then abruptly back to the center. My stomach flips.
“Did you do anything fun last night?” Thorn asks.
“No. Nothing could top the night I met you.”
He smiles, keeping his gaze on me but still managing to come to a stop at the light. “So does that mean you’re still looking for adventure?”
I nod. “Yes. I’ve let too many years pass by unnoticed. I want to live more… vibrantly. Does that make sense?”
“It does. Do you have anything on your list that you’re dying to check off?”
His question makes me squirm. Is this the part where I confess that I’m afraid of my own shadow most of the time?
“Hey,” Thorn says, rubbing my thigh. “What’s going on?”
“What do you mean?”
“I felt your energy shift.”
“Uh, how?”
“I’m very sensitive to energy. Like that Neal guy. I don’t like him. His energy is dark.”
“Dark? Like evil?”
“No, not that serious. More like up to no good.”
“Oh, I’m positive about that. He sabotaged my worktoday to make me look bad. I think he wants me out of the store, but I’ve worked there longer than he has. I just keep hoping he gets promoted soon so I can be done with him.”
“What did he do to you?” Thorn’s tone is much darker now. “Tell me.”
“I’d rather not.” I squeeze his hand. “I just want to have fun with you.”
He nods, but his jaw ticks. “I’ll accept that for now, but you have to know something. If I’m in your life, no one will hurt you.”
The threat lingers in the air, but instead of scaring me off, my stomach flutters with butterflies. “Protective, are you?”
“You could say that.”
He swings the car around in a U-turn, then pulls into the parking lot of Chow’s, stopping in front of the valet. My door opens and an attendant steps to the side to let me exit. Thorn is already there, ready to take my hand. Holding my hand in public? Point for Thorn.
He smiles at me like I’m some kind of prize, but in my simple navy slacks and cream polo, I feel a little underdressed based on the people entering before us.
“Should I have dressed up more?” I ask.