Page 14 of Thorns of Desire

“Maybe you should stop stalking me,” I said, narrowing my eyes as they raked over her. She was in the same clothes as last night too. “Where are you coming from?”

She shrugged. “I ran into… someone, and decided to scratch the itch.”

I raised my brow, waiting for her to elaborate, but the look in her eyes was my answer.

“Not Aiden Callahan,” I breathed. “Jesus, it must have been a full moon last night.”

Raven slipped her hand into mine and we resumed walking. “Why? Did you hook up with a mafioso too?” I shot her a wry look and she gasped. “Oh my gosh, you did!”

I sighed. “Why do you sound so proud?”

Raven’s full lips curved into a smile. “I don’t know. Maybe it makes me feel better about myself.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“So how was it?Whowas it?” she asked curiously. I blanched for a second, wondering how I was going to explain the mess, when she pivoted topics and blurted, “Fuck, my feet hurt and my pussy’s wrecked.”

We shared a glance, then burst into a fit of giggles. “I guess I know how your night was. And before you want too many details, mine was about the same and I’d prefer not to talk about it.”

She bumped her shoulder against mine. “Well, maybe it’ll be the inspiration you’ve been searching for.”

A wistful exhale passed my lungs. “You have no idea.”

She giggled. “I can’t wait to read it.”

I waved my hand, tabling that discussion for now. “By the way, did you get a message from Reina?”

A guilty expression flashed across her face. “Yeah, but then Aiden kissed me and I forgot all about her. Damn, that man has gotmoves.”

This time I smiled. “He’s that good, huh?”

“So good that I could orgasm just by his tongue, and fuck, he also usesthatin all kinds of ways.”

Images of Manuel’s tongue buried in my pussy taunted me, my core pulsing with need. It was alarming, feeling such intense attraction toward anyone. Yes, I wrote about love and lust and chemistry, but it was entirely different experiencing it firsthand. Not that I was a virgin—God no. But most of my encounters lacked that deeper connection.

I gave my head a subtle shake, forcing the memories from my mind.

“Well, you wouldn’t believe how I embarrassed myself,” I started. “I got really enthusiastic and blurted out that I’d ride him like a rodeo.” A beat of silence passed before she burst into a full-blown laugh, tears lining her eyes. “Don’t worry, I’d laugh too,” I muttered. “You should have seen the way he stared at me.”

She wiped tears from her eyes.

“I’m sorry, I’m picturing it and…” She collapsed into another fit of hysterical giggles. I couldn’t help smiling at her enthusiasm. “I’m assuming he wasn’t an American.”

I rolled my eyes. “No, Italian. I realize now that rodeos are probably not a thing over there.”

“Apparently not.”

Eager to shift the attention away from me, I focused on her.

“Do you think it’s smart to get involved with the head of the Callahan mafia?” I asked her, reaching over and squeezing her arm gently. “Trouble follows the mafiosos wherever they go. And we all know how things ended last time.”

She poked me in the stomach, looking at me skeptically. “You’re supposed to be the romantic one.”

“I am, but you need to ask yourself whether Aiden Callahan is a man you can have no-strings sex with.”

“I won’t fall for him again,” she said, although deep down, I didn’t think she even believed herself. “I can’t help that he’s obsessed with my golden pussy.” She waggled her brows, and I grinned despite myself.

“Yeah, what is it with these mafiosos being obsessed with us?” I said, a hint of sarcasm in my tone.