Page 38 of Thorns of Love

“Sure.” Her answer surprised me, but I didn’t show it.

“Lead the way to the garage then.”

We walked in silence down the elegant hallway. Both of us grabbed a coat, then continued down the hallway. It seemed we walked for miles with a lot of twists and turns, although it was mere steps. I was so desperate to silence the words I overheard. They kept playing on repeat in my head, but I couldn’t think of a single question to ask Isla to distract myself.

“How was your first night here?” Isla inquired as we strode down the hallway. My eyes traveled over her. She looked even younger wearing jeans and an oversized emerald sweater that made her eyes stand out even more.

“It was good, thanks.” I threw her a side-glance. Her smile was soft, but there was silent strength about her. Yet, my mind whispered not to get too close. Her brother manipulated me.Leverage.That fucking word. “You live here?”

She chuckled. “God no. It is so cold in Russia during the winter months and those months are damn long. I split most of the time between Paris, London, and California.”

It was too bad. I already knew I’d like her. There was a warmth about her that kind of reminded me of my best friend. Isabella was so caring and thoughtful, but underneath it all, there was a quiet strength that was hard not to notice.

“Don’t care for Russia?” Isla asked curiously. She still wasn’t sure what to make of me, and I couldn’t blame her. She probably never even heard of me and then boom… I was her sister-in-law.

Not for long though.

I shrugged, keeping track of the turns so I’d know how to get out of this castle. “I was born here but raised in New Orleans. I prefer to stay there. It’s home.”

She nodded. “Have you and Illias known each other for a long time?”

“Depends on what you consider a long time,” I remarked automatically. “We crossed paths many years ago.” Silence followed as I remembered that fleeting moment in California when I joined my brother for lunch. He and his brother left minutes later. “He didn’t leave an impression.”

It was a lie. Yes, I forgot him, but I remembered that first moment I locked eyes with him. His eyes penetrated mine for a few seconds, full of intense darkness.

Isla chuckled. “Yet, here you are.”

“Yet, here I am,” I concurred. Fuck, did my voice sound a tad bit bitter. “Your brother is persistent.”

“That he is,” she agreed. “Although I’m surprised it took him years to leave an impression. Usually women fall at his feet.”

A memory came. My steps halted and my brows furrowed as confusion rushed through me. That was Adrian’s memory. My first time with my late husband.

Yet, why was I thinking about it and associating it with Illias?

Adrian disappeared through the entrance gripping the twins by their collars. Frustrated, I scribbled a note on a piece of napkin and handed it to the waiter.

“Can you give this note to the gentleman when he comes through the door?”

And with that, I whirled around and headed out the patio door and out to the gazebo that stood on the far end of the property, overlooking Patapsco River.

It was my last year of college. If I didn’t get a man now, I never would. I loved my brothers but they growled when a boy even looked at me, never mind anything else. It scared them all away.

So, I’d demand what I wanted. What I needed! I’d never been shy and I knew Adrian could give me what I’d been missing my whole life.

I decided that I’d seize the moment. I should feel bad that the twins got in trouble, but truthfully, they weren’t my type. And letting both of them kiss me at the same time had done little for me. It should have turned me on beyond my wildest dreams, yet I found my panties dry.

Adrian was probably still busy roughing the twins up, but I hoped he’d see the message.

Soon.

I kept pacing around, impatient to get our evening going. Heavy footsteps sounded behind me and I stilled. I stared at the only closed part of the gazebo, my heart thundering wildly. My nipples tightened. My thighs clenched and arousal trickled down my inner thighs. God, he hadn’t even touched me, and I was drenched.

A hand came over my bare shoulder and I tried to turn around when his other hand wrapped around my waist and pushed me towards the wall.

“I’ll make you moan. Follow my rules.”

A shudder erupted beneath my skin, warm from his touch. His hard body pressed against my back and his hot breath against my ear.