Rose of Thorne Read online

  Skylar

  I know it’s crazy, and I know I’ve just met this guy, but I am drawn to this man in a way that is like nothing I’ve ever known. Because of my situation I have not been on many dates and I certainly don’t have time for a relationship. It has not been because of not wanting to, but with raising a little sister, going to school and working I have no time left for anything else. Right now, I seriously don’t need any kind of distractions in my life. With a major interview coming up and a busy six month internship ahead, I absolutely need to keep my head straight. I don’t have time for this.

  Well, maybe I do have just a little time for pie.

  When he walked out the door, I won’t lie; I felt sad. I mean, how can a complete stranger have this effect on me?

  Maybe I should have given him my phone number or maybe I should have acted more interested.

  I just don’t have any experience when it comes to this stuff. When I notice that he has left me an eighty dollar tip and a note, my heart beats so fast that I think it’s going to explode out of my chest. I worry that I will never see him again and that idea just makes me quite sick. The last thing I expect is for him to approach me in the parking lot when I get off my shift. Even now, as we walk side by side to Marie’s, I can feel our bodies respond to one another. He makes me feel safe, and he makes me feel wanted. I don’t know how all of this is possible when I barely know him.

  It is a chilly night for September, but Marie’s is only a short three block walk from work. I tug on my old thin worn coat and pray that he doesn’t notice how badly it is falling apart. I definitely don’t think this thing will make it through the rest of the winter, and it’s just another expense I don’t need right now. I stop when I notice the sign on the front of the bakery is no longer lit up. I know Marie will still be here preparing for tomorrow so without thinking I take his hand into mine and pull him around to the side alley entrance.

  Holy Shit! Am I losing my mind? I’m holding hands with a hot stranger and yanking him into dark alleys with me. I don’t know what in the world has come over me. Wait, of course I know… it’s him.

  His gorgeous amber eyes look alarmed when he stares down at our joined hands. I gently squeeze his hand and try to give him a reassuring look.

  “Relax. I’m not a deranged serial killer. I promise I didn’t pull you over here to kill you. Marie’s already locked the front up, but she is always here late cooking for the next morning,” I explain as I hesitantly release his hand. I already miss the feel of his hand in mine.

  I knock gently on the side door and steal a glance back over to him. He looks nervous as he kicks at the pavement beneath him. I can’t help but notice that there appears to be a new warmth to his expression. He looks more relaxed now than he did back at the café. I am just about to knock again when Marie finally opens the side door and greets me with a huge hug.

  “Skylar! Hello, my darling,” she exclaims as she kisses both of my cheeks. She frowns suddenly at me and then puts her hands on each side of my face.

  “Oh you poor thing. You look exhausted. You are going to have to stop working all these hours, bellissimo!” She exclaims patting my cheeks.

  You have to love Marie Giavana. Everyone in the neighborhood absolutely adores her. She has become like a grandmother to me over the years, and it is always wonderful to have her advice. Not to mention being treated to her newest and latest fabulous pastry creations. As Marie turns, she notices the beautiful man standing beside me.

  “And who might this handsome man be?” She asks, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively up and down at me.

  OMG… she just did not do that!

  I stand there too stupefied to answer her when I realize that I have absolutely no idea what this man’s name is.

  Okay, so YES! Now, I have now OFFICIALLY lost it!

  As if he can sense my state of panic, he extends his hand to Marie and smiles.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Marie. I am Sebastian Kohlson. Skylar here tells me that you make the best pie on Earth, but I must say I am rather hard to convince when it comes to matters of pie.”

  Marie chuckles at his challenging words and ushers us in out of the crisp night air.

  “Well, you are in luck, young man. I just so happen to have a fresh apple pie right out of the oven. You two come on, sit down, and get warmed up.” I motion for us to sit next to the little fireplace that I love to sit by on cool nights like this. He removes his jacket and places it on the chair and moves to help me with mine. I shyly refuse because I don’t want him to see the safety pins that hold the satin liner in place.

  “Would you like some coffee?” I ask him.

  “Sure, that sounds great,” he answers.

  I stand to make our coffee, and I feel his eyes follow me across the shop to the old wooden antique bar. I brave a quick glance over at him and meet his intense stare. Smiling shyly back at him I continue preparing our drinks and then sit his steaming cup in front of him.

  “Thank you,” he says and I push the creamer and sugar his way.

  Nervously, I begin playing with the handle of my cup and struggle at what I should say next. The silence between us right now is torturing me.

  “I should have introduced myself to you earlier. I’m sorry,” he says suddenly, and I snap out of my daze.

  “Oh, it’s okay. I just can’t believe that I didn’t ask your name before agreeing to bring you here. I’m not sure what’s going on with me today,” I say as I glance down into the hot cup before me. Suddenly, I hear a large crash in the back followed by Marie’s loud Italian cursing. It is so funny to hear her continue ranting in her native tongue

  I seriously do need to learn Italian.

  “Is everything okay back there?” I shout toward the back trying to hide the humor in my voice.

  “Oh, yes, I’ll be right out,” she yells, flustered.

  Marie quickly reappears, but with one only piece of pie topped off with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream. She places it on the table, and I look at her in confusion.

  Oh no. No. No. This is so not going to be like the spaghetti scene in Lady and the Tramp. Just what are you up to, Marie?

  “My apologies, you two, but I dropped the rest of the pie off the counter when I was moving the plates around. I did bring two spoons though,” she says as she produces the silver in front of us. “Now, I’ll expect a full rating on that pie young man. Buon appetito!” Marie winks and quickly excuses herself to return to the back.

  Sebastian grabs one of the spoons and quickly takes a large scoop of pie and melting ice cream. I watch him slowly part his delicious perfect lips and slide the mouthful of pie inside.

  Wait; did I just say delicious lips?

  “MMMmmmm. OH. MY. LORD,” he says and closes his beautiful eyes as he bumps the table with his fist in enjoyment.

  I smile at his reaction.

  Yep, Marie’s pies are simply out of this world!

  Just as I’m about to say ‘I told you so’, he takes a second scoop and shoves it into my now open mouth. He chuckles at my surprised look, and I savor the delicious mixture of cinnamon and vanilla, and of Sebastian. I am intoxicated by the mere fact his lips have been on this same spoon only moments before mine.

  Why did he do that?

  At first, I didn’t feel comfortable sharing the pie with him, but now, now he has made it so intimate, so personal. I mean, how can sharing pie with a complete stranger be so freaking erotic? I am hypnotized by his perfect lips and the sounds he makes when he eats. Damn, I bet this man can freaking make eating broccoli sexy as hell!

  He scoops up yet another bite and moves to put it in my mouth. We go on and on like this until we finish the last bite of delicious pie. I can’t help but laugh at the fact that my spoon was never used. Marie makes her way back to the front of the bakery and Sebastian stands to hand her the empty plate.

  “Well?” She asks with a smirk on her face and her hand on propped up on her hip, “How do I rank, Mr. Pie Skeptic?”r />
  “Ma’am, that has got to be the best damn pie that I’ve ever tasted.”

  Marie beams as she takes the empty plate from him.

  “Damn straight it is,” she replies and winks, making her way to the kitchen in the back.

  Sebastian throws his head back and laughs. His beautiful amber eyes are twinkling when he turns to face me.

  What is it about this man that has me so out of sorts?

  “So how long have you worked at Jesse’s?” he questions me as he sits back down and begins drinking his coffee.

  “Well, I started working there when I was in high school. At first, I only worked there after school, and on the weekends, you know, just to help my grandmother out with my sister and me. It’s so close to the university here, so I’ve just kept working while I finish my degree.”

  “So, when do you graduate?” he asks me curiously.

  “I will graduate in May, and then, I plan on burning this uniform,” I joke as I take a sip of my coffee.

  My words were meant to be funny, but I notice he doesn’t appear humored.

  “So, what do you do? Are you a student?’ I ask him, in hopes of changing the subject.

  “No, I graduated from Duke a few years back. My dad wanted me to take over the family business, so I manage his employees now.”

  I notice there is bitterness in his words, and he begins shifting in his chair. He’s now lost in thought, staring at the flames in the fireplace behind me.

  “So, do you live around here or are you passing through town?” I ask. It is a question that is weighing heavily on my mind. I won’t lie; I am praying he will say he lives nearby.

  “Oh, yes, I live just on the other side of town, actually. I don’t get to come downtown as often as I used to. I saw the sign, and I figured I would stop in to grab some dinner. I’m really glad now that I did,” he says, and I can feel the blush slowly creeping up my neck and spreading up to my cheeks. I have GOT to teach my body how to stop blushing.

  “I’m really glad you came in too,” I reply. I brush his hand and our eyes meet. I can’t explain what I experienced in that glance. It leaves me on an exhilarated high and I feel as if the very breath has been sucked out of my body. When I stare into those amber eyes, I feel calm and peaceful. It’s an undeniable connection like nothing I’ve ever known before. I want to wrap my arms around him and kiss him until our breaths are one. My body is betraying me in ways that I have never before experienced. One look back at him and I know that he feels something too. This is so dangerous, and far beyond anything I can prepare myself for. He leans in to me, and I feel my body gravitate towards him. I surrender to the magnetic pull between us and can’t take my eyes off of his lips. As he leans in even closer to me, I feel my heart beginning to race in my chest. Slowly, he traces his finger down my cheek and back across my parting lips.

  “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?” he asks in a soft whisper.

  I look down at the table, and he lifts my chin to meet his eyes. Tenderly, he cups my cheeks in his hand and runs his thumb across my lower lip.

  “So unbelievably gorgeous,” he whispers.

  His eyes zone in on my mouth, and without thinking, I lick my bottom lip. Gently, he brushes his lips to mine and sweeps my curls away from my face before crashing his lips to mine. I feel him cup my face hander as he pulls me in to deepen the kiss. Our tongues gradually move against one another, and I allow my desires to course through me.

  He tastes scrumptious as the lingering cinnamon swirls in our exchange. Sebastian lets out an appreciative groan, and I reach out to feel his handsome face. His perfect earthy spice scent is the perfect aphrodisiac. I don’t want to end this kiss; I just want it to go on forever. Every single inch of my body is on fire, and I feel as though I am about to explode. We break breathlessly and stare at one another. My heart is now pounding so hard now that I’m convinced that he can hear it. He brushes the loose strand of wavy hair away from my face and smiles. Right now, I want nothing more than to throw myself at this man, but he is a stranger.

  What am I doing? I don’t even know this guy. I’ve got to get out of here now.

  “I’m sorry… I… I’ve got to go… I’m late,” I stutter as I reach for my worn coat. Sebastian reaches to stop me, and accidentally knocks his coffee over onto my coat.

  “Oh Shit, Skylar, I am so sorry!” he exclaims as he begins trying to gather napkins to clean up the spill. He attempts to lay the napkins on my coat, but I turn to grab for it and watch it slip from my fingers. I stand there horrified as it falls to the floor and exposes the ragged satin lining and safety pins. Sebastian reaches down to pick it up, and I am so humiliated that I grab my keys off the table and run. Marie calls out my name, but I bolt out of the side exit. I don’t look back even as I hear him continue calling my name into the street. My exposed arms do not even notice the chilly night air. I just keep running all the way to my car and hurriedly open the door with my keys that are now shaking in my hand. I pray when I look up that he hasn’t followed me and breathe a sigh of relief when I don’t see him. Thankfully, my car starts without much effort, and I head to my regular Thursday night destination… the dance studio.

  Sebastian

  Money will buy you most anything… cars, large companies, sex… the key to the back door of a dance studio. As of yesterday I now own the old building where this dance studio is located. She never knew that I had followed her here that night after she ran out, but I had been so desperate to make sure that she was alright. At first I didn’t realize why she ran, but as I stood there gripping her coffee soaked coat I felt the safety pins and realized why. She had left because she had been embarrassed and I had felt like a wretched fool.

  Sharing that pie with her had without a doubt been the most erotic damn experience of my life. And believe me when I say that I’ve had more than my share of erotic experiences. The memory of her hand in mine is now cemented into my brain. It is as if I can still feel the silkiness of her soft skin entwined with mine. How is it possible to crave someone so much? This is so much more than something physical. I want to engulf her soul into mine. Although I assured Marie that I would return Skylar’s coat to her, I have thought of a better solution. I hold the worn coat up to my nose and inhale the candy flavor scent once more.

  Yes, I know I am in way above my head. Why do I need her so much?

  I hear the old front door of the studio rattle, and I know it’s her. According to Harrison’s investigation, she comes here every Thursday night when she gets off work.

  Why does she come here so late alone? Hell, why am I even here?

  I watch her from the long dark hallway as she pulls her bag over her shoulder and heads to a room off to the side. Yes, I know my actions seem creepy and even stalker worthy, but I have no choice. I can’t seem to stay away from her. She is simply the drug I crave with the sweetest possible addiction. And right now I need more and will do anything to get it.

  She reappears in her dance attire, and I drink in every luscious curve of her body as she stretches gracefully across the ballet bar. Her long, dark wavy hair is neatly pulled up on top of her head and now exposes the elegant lines of her neck. The pink top falls off her beautifully toned stomach and exposes a glittering belly ring.

  Oh Dear Sweet God… I want to lick that ring and taste her skin.

  Her short black spandex shorts hug her body tightly as she leans more onto the bar. Those beautiful legs seem to go on for miles, and I scan them slowly down to her ankles that are covered with some type of wraps. Every single inch of her is such pure perfection. I don’t think I have ever seen anything more fucking perfect in all of my life.

  She finishes her stretches and walks over to change the music on her iPod. Suddenly music blares through the sound system, and I immediately recognize The Weeknd’s Wicked Games as it begins to play. The bass pounds and I hear the singer’s painful lyrics as they echo throughout the studio. She rolls her hips torturously slow and seductively in
front of the large mirrored wall. Pivoting the room with spin after spin, she leaves me mesmerized and anticipating her next move. I watch as she pours out her heart and soul into that dance. Leaning back, she slowly slides to the floor and continues shimmying her hips from side to side. When she arches her back and closes her eyes, I have to lean into the wall and grip it for dear life.

  HOLY FUCK! I WANT HER SO BAD!

  Sweet sweat now glistens off her body and ever so slowly trickles down her neck. I am fantasizing… wanting to lick every drop of sweat slowly with my tongue as her body is pressed up against mine. She leans forward and places her hands against the mirrored wall. It’s as if she is dancing with herself. Her eyes are closed, and her face is so full of raw emotion. She has me panting and captivated. My body is in utter agony for her. No woman has ever had this effect on me. EVER!

  I don’t know long I have been standing here watching her. It is as if time has stopped in this dark corridor of the old studio. I remain hypnotized by her every movement. The way she flips and stretches is phenomenal. I observe her as she gives every last ounce of herself over to the dance before concluding her performance on the floor. Just as the song ends, she reaches for a towel and folds her body into her legs. Through her violent trembles, I realize that she is crying. It is as if this is some sort of release of everything that she holds inside of herself. It is so fucking torturous to watch that I find myself taking a step forward. Realizing what I am doing I quickly pull myself back into the shadows.

  No, you idiot! She can’t know you are here! Damn it!! This is not like me. So why am I still here? You can’t have her, remember? She is off limits. I don’t deserve her.