Page 27 of Thorn Evermore
Thorn chuckles. “I’m wearing jeans. Some people like to show off. I like to show off my company.” He lifts my arm, his eyes roaming over me from head to toe. “Prettiest date in the city, I’m sure about that.”
“Thorn.” I shake my head, feeling the warmth flood my cheeks. “You’re so sweet.”
“I just say what I mean. Come on.”
He leads me inside, and when it’s our turn at the host stand, he leans in, whispering something to the woman behind it.
“Right away, Mr. Orpheus,” the hostess says, pulling two menus from behind her stand.
She leads us up a stairwell and seats us at a table for four overlooking the city.
“Mr. Chow will be out shortly to say hi,” she says.
“You know Mr. Chow?” I ask.
“We did some work for him once, so I may have called in a little favor to get a short-notice reservation.”
“That’s really nice. What kind of work do you do?”
Thorn unfolds his cloth napkin and sets it next to his plate, crumpled up. “I work in private protection and security. That’s how I found you.”
“Oh. Like a bodyguard?”
“No.” He leans closer. “It’s sensitive, but basically we’re hired when regular channels no longer work.”
I bite my bottom lip, turning his cryptic words over in my head. “Are you, um, are you a criminal?”
He grins. “I suppose that depends on who you ask. If you’re wondering whether I’m in trouble with the law, the answer is no. If you’re wondering whether you’re safe with me, you’re safer than you’ve ever been.”
I have more questions, but I decide to keep them to myself for now. If this somehow continues, I can always learn more. “Okay.”
“Kyson, you can ask me anything you like, and I will tell you, but…” He tilts his head. “Just know that I’m unlike any man you’ve ever known before.”
“I’m already sure of that. Not to be insecure or anything, but what is it you see in me? I don’t seem like the type of guy you would like.”
“Why is that?”
“I’m kind of plain. Not flashy or anything. I’m nerdy. I love history and old things. I wish I was wired to try new things all the time. Some people skydive or bungee jump or climb mountains. I’ve never even gone hiking. Neal says I’m dull and lifeless. Vanilla. Maybe he’s right, and you’ll get bored soon.”
Thorn abruptly moves to the chair beside me, so quickly I barely saw it happen. His face is stone cold serious. “Neal is a piece of shit who clearly didn’t recognize the treasure he had in you, which suits me fine. His loss is my gain, and if I have to spend every day reminding you that you enchant me, then I will.” Cupping my face, he holds my gaze, and I swear his dark eyes see straight into my soul. “Kyson, sweet man, you are not only gorgeous, you’re intriguing. Just promise me something.”
“Anything,” I answer, lost in his eyes.
“Don’t do anything because of something Neal said. Stay true to yourself, and only do things you want to do. Do you want to bungee jump?”
“No.”
“Did you want to fuck me on a rooftop?”
“Absolutely.”
“Good.” He places his hand on my chest. “Because it was amazing.”
“It was.”
“Confession though?”
I nod. “Yeah.”