Unraveled (Bound and Bared Book 2)

by Christine Monroe

  “I couldn’t help she liked the dessert as much as she did.” I couldn’t help but grin, some of the tension disappearing with the banter between us. Miranda was by far the best thing that had ever happened to Val.

  “I should go. The angry mob after you is getting restless. I got you time Thorn, use it.”

  “I will. Thank you, Miranda.”

  The line went dead. The only good thing from the call was the fact my raging hard on had vanished. It seemed my dick didn’t like the idea of finding itself on the chopping block.

  Reaching down I gave it a gentle pat.

  “It’s okay. I won’t let them hurt you.” I whispered quietly.

  Laughter sounded from behind me.

  “Did reassuring it make it feel better?” Case’s sweet voice drifted into the hallway.

  Fuck. Case stood in the doorway, her body leaning against the frame. Exhaustion still casting a cloud over her features, but a flicker of amusement was in her eyes.

  At least I was making her smile instead of tossing her head first into a panic attack.

  “You haven’t answered my question, Thorn.” Case’s voice betraying a hint of laughter.

  “It helps a little, but I am sure it would be better if you reassured it.” The words popping out of my mouth before I could think.

  Case’s eyes widening before doing something unexpected. She laughed.

  “I’m not sure talking to your dick will help make me, but If nothing else works, we can revisit the idea.” She started to laugh harder.

  “You should still be sleeping.” I chastised.

  She shrugged.

  “I don’t sleep much remember? Besides, it seems like you need my help before Selena and Val show up, and all hell breaks loose. Hand me the phone.” I put my phone in her hand, and she hesitated.

  “Thank you for not telling them what happened.” Her voice broke ever so slightly.

  “You don’t owe a single fucking person an explanation Case. Not even me.”

  Tears filled her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

  “I just want to get this over with.”

  Nodding, I walked away.

  *

  Thorn was in the kitchen, a small cozy space, that was far more modern than the rest of the cabin. Stainless steel appliances stood out bright and gleaming as Thorn cooked up something that smelled delicious, but I didn’t think I could eat any of it. My stomach still recovering from having its contents violently brought back up. Sinking onto a chair I let out a breath. The phone call had gone better than expected, managing to keep the peace for the moment but they pressed me to tell me what happened. I refused, not ready to admit what I had done, even though the faint scent of death remained on my skin.

  “I managed to call off the hunting party.”

  “My dick and I thank you.” Thorn’s eyes dancing with mischief as I shook my head. He never stopped. I knew it drove some people crazy, but it was one the things I liked most about him.

  “Are you hungry?” He asked, and I shook my head. “Maybe later.”

  Thorn didn’t push it. The kitchen growing quiet as he went back to cooking. It felt silly just watching him, but I didn’t want to leave. Reaching up to grab something from a cabinet Thorn’s shirt to rose ever so slightly and I could make out two scars decorating his exposed skin. Their shapes reminding me of bullet holes.

  “How many times have you been shot?”

  “Quite a few times actually,” Thorn said it was no big deal, liked being marked my violence and pain was a normal occurrence.

  Standing up I closed the distance between us wanting to see for myself just how many scars Thorn kept hidden. Like a moth to a flame, drawn to the man who wore violence like one of his t-shirts.

  I sought the bottom of his shirt lifting it up to reveal every single one of his battle scars. Thorn sucked in a breath as I touched every one, my fingers sweeping across his skin without fear. Only curiosity, trying to learn his past with every brush of my fingers.

  Thorn didn’t stop me as I felt every single bit damage beneath my fingers. How had he survived being marked with such brutality? Letting his shirt fall I stepped back. My eyes meeting his as the world shifted under my feet. My heartbeat speeding up and this time it wasn’t from fear.

  “Don’t Case.” Thorn’s voice cut through the fog.

  “Don’t what?” I asked.

  “Look at me like I am worth something.” Thorn turned away leaving me with nothing but space. Reaching for his shoulder, I stopped myself knowing that if I touched him, there was no going back. I would demand his secrets, every single one of them. What made him keep breathing when he believed he wasn’t worth the air in his lungs?

  Chapter Three

  It had been three weeks. Thorn had been nothing but sweet. Making sure I had everything I needed, trying to keep my mind busy. Having had only two panic attacks since coming here, and they were far milder than the ones I was used too. Thorn believing it was progressing and even if it was I now had something else to contend with. Every day I alone with Thorn brought more feelings to the surface. I couldn’t stop thinking about the day he had kissed me. The way his lips met mine with such certainly, like he knew he was meant to be mine. He hadn’t fought it, pouring everything into the kiss, his lips handing me his soul without hesitation. I had been the one to stop it. I couldn’t give him what he wanted. I was a slow and steady poison, hating myself more with each passing day. I knew what I had to do, but I couldn’t find the courage to tell him. Making my way to the kitchen, I found him in his usual spot.

  “Thorn we should talk.” Turning I saw the worry etched on his face. My heart sank lower in my chest. Hurting him was the last thing I wanted.

  “I called Selena, and she’s on her way to take me back to the club.” The words rushed out wanting to get them out before I changed my mind.

  His eyes narrowed. “What did I do?”

  I shook my head. “It’s not you; it’s me. I am broken, Thorn. I don’t think I’ll ever be fixed. Staying here isn’t fair to you.”

  “Bullshit.” Thorn countered. The spatula in his hand is hitting the wall with such force I jumped.

  “You don’t think I see the way you look at me?” Tears clouded my eyes, and I blinked them back. God, I was always crying around him. A weak girl unable to keep my shit together.

  “I know why you came to the club every day. I know why you kissed me. I look at you, and my mind knows you aren’t them still my body can’t tell the difference. I wish every second of every day that I had found you before they ruined me.”

  “So, you’re running?” Thorn’s words were laced with hurt. I didn’t know what to say to make him understand it wasn’t him. I was a fall he couldn’t risk taking, he would only hit the ground and shatter.

  “Do you think I would leave if I thought things could be different? I’m not running because I want to, I am running because I don’t have a choice. Because every day I think about the day you kissed me. The way your lips felt pressed against mine. Looking at you I wish for a future that can’t be. I want you Thorn, but I can’t have you. You deserve someone who won’t have a panic attack every time you touch them. I can’t bear to keep hurting you. Please just let me go.” Pleading, the words desperately trying to convey how I felt. My heart raced as my palms grew sticky against my jeans. A few tears spilling out to wet my cheeks.

  “I don’t want someone; I want you Case. Only you. News flash I’m not Mr. Right, I’m Mr. Fucked up. There are a hundred reasons I should walk away. That I should give you up because there is no future waiting for me. I know how this ends. I know what happens with the people I have crossed come for me. You deserve someone who is more than just a walking corpse. But despite it all, I can’t let go. I can’t give you up. When you find a miracle it’s impossible to live without it. I don’t care what it takes. I don’t care if it destroys me. It’s a price I’m willing to pay if it means I can keep you just a little longer.”

  Thorn�
�s words tore me open exposing my broken heart to his beautiful madness. He advanced and I ordered my feet to move, but they didn’t budge. Rooted to the spot, waiting for him like a sacrifice, his words taking the very breath from my lungs. We would go down in flames, but we would burn together. A beautiful wreck, colliding in a mess of tangled metal and broken hearts but together in flames.

  *

  Moving towards Case, surprised when she didn’t move. The closer I got the more I knew that I was bringing destruction. Hers. Mine. Ours.

  Burning like sinners, lighting up the dark with our sins I pressed my mouth against hers defiling Case with my kiss. Her lips tasting like darkness with still a faint linger of death. Willing her to live, ordering Case to come to back to life with my kiss. Case obeyed as her mouth opened dragging me in deeper.

  *

  Coming to life under Thorn’s kiss my lips finding hope instead of fear. Holding nothing back his every truth offered up within his kiss. Wishing to learn his secrets, longing to find every piece that had created him and here at this moment I knew I could have it. The idea dangerous, the thought sending my pulse racing as lightness exploded within my chest. Anything could be possible now, this kiss reminding me despite my fear Thorn was here to catch me if I fell. We might crash, break apart like dismembered stars left smoldering until nothing was left but ash. Still, I couldn’t end the kiss, my lips pushing deeper wanting to taste all he offered.

  *

  Case gave herself over to me, and I fell deeper down the rabbit hole. Willing to give her anything, everything for the simple act of her trust. One kiss wasn’t going to banish all the monsters. All it gave us was a chance. I had no right to ask for one, but it didn’t stop me.

  A knock sounded, startling me. Case pulled away breathless leaving me to try to catch mine as well.

  “Selena.” Case stated.

  Nodding I started thinking of ways to get rid of her, but Selena wasn’t the type you woman you got rid of. Anyone stupid to try would end up handcuffed to a wall, and it wouldn’t be for anything fun.

  Opening the door smiling was my first mistake.

  “I’m not in the mood for you half-assed attempt at charm Thorn. Get the fuck out of my way. I’m here for Case.” Trying to get past me, but I blocked Selena’s entry.

  “I’m sorry to break it to you, but she’s decided to stay with me. She likes my half-assed charm.” I drawled happily.

  Mistake number two as my body landed against the wall with a very sharp object pressing against Mr. Happy. I could disarm her, but she would strike before I could take her out. I had seen her fight. Selena played dirty, and she was vicious and quick as a rattlesnake, her bite so deadly most people didn’t survive.

  “You know I love you, Selena.” Raising my hands in surrender, she rolled her eyes pushing the blade a little bit deeper.

  Moving so fast I didn’t even see her Case threw herself at Selena, her body colliding with hers trying to dislodge Selena’s hold on me. So focused on the standoff Selena never saw her coming.

  Case’s plan worked as I managed to get free the same time they went crashing to the floor. Case hit first, her body taking the brunt Selena landing on top of her. Normally girl fights were something I look forward to, two hot girls rolling around on top of each other was like hitting the free porn jackpot. Never in my life had I wanted it to stop, until now. My hands grabbing Selena off and pulling her off of Case as Selena descended into pure fight mode, her head swinging back narrowly missing its target-my face. A sharp pinch caused me to me to yelp.

  “Did you just fucking bite me?” I cursed, glancing down and seeing a mess of dark hair draped over my forearm. Selena didn’t give me a reply as her mouth was too busy latched tight to my arm.

  “Really Selena?” I marveled.

  Mumbling something she dug her teeth in deeper, getting in one last bite before letting me go.

  “Are we done?” I sighed.

  Releasing me, she straightened up wearing a grin full of wicked things mixed with a thousand ways to destroy you. Selena was a devil in heels and sexy as hell. I couldn’t help but admire her, but I also didn’t want her crazy ass anywhere near me for a long time. Taking in the damage, I saw the imprints of her teeth on my arm still a little stunned she had bitten me.

  “I missed what you said; your teeth were kind of in the way.” I quipped.

  “I said you liked it.” Selena countered.

  “I’m surrounded by crazy people.” Case was staring at Selena, her eyes wide as she shook her head. I bet she wished she hadn’t joined this insane Bound and Bared circus.

  “Sorry, babe you are part of us now. We are your circus and your monkeys. There’s no going back.”

  Selena burst out laughing behind me.

  “Are you sure you want to stay with Smartass McGee?” Selena stepped around me smiling at Case.

  “If you do I can’t prevent the fact that you might die a slow death from his lame attempts at humor.” Selena threatened.

  My jaw fell open. There wasn’t a lame bone in my body.

  “I’ll take my chances, Selena.” Case sauntered over to me, sliding her hand into mine. The touch so unexpected it took a second before wrapping my fingers around hers in return.

  “Not you too. I swear there must be something in the water. Fuck it. If you want to stay here, I am not going to stop you.” Selena sighed.

  “Thank God. I don’t think I could take you again.” Case replied.

  “You got balls girl. I knew there was more fight left in you.” Selena's face broke out into a soft smile. I was left wondering if she knew Case’s secret. Had Case told Selena that she had tried to end her life? I did know I wouldn’t get the answer from Selena. Secrets were scared in the world of Bound and Bared. She would keep them close to her chest and guarded.

  “Why don’t you stay for dinner. Thorn is an amazing cook.”

  Selena raising an eyebrow in response to Case’s declaration.

  “This is something I have to see.” Selena mused.

  Chapter Four

  Selena had finally left around midnight. Dinner had been an experience, to say the least. By themselves Selena and Thorn were dangerous, but together they were something else entirely. The banter between them was like being stuck in a field of land mines, never knowing when one would go off. Complete madness, but I found myself loving it, realizing I was glad these were my monkeys and my circus. Finally belonging and fitting in even with my broken parts and the constant ache in my chest.

  Watching them at dinner, it was obvious they cared for each other. Laughing and smiling together, loving as fiercely as they fought. They seemed to be a perfect match yet Miranda had told me that they had never been a couple. I was left wondering why.

  “I didn’t think she was ever going to leave.” Thorn groaned.

  “Stop it. You like her. It was like watching two peas in a pod.” I answered.

  “I’ll never admit it. You can’t make me.” Thorn threw himself down in a chair beside me grinning.

  His grin having the same effect every time. My heart speeding up as chills danced along my spine. He was simply gorgeous, and despite the confidence he carried I wondered if he knew it.

  “You are staring at me Case.” Thorn’s eyes narrowing, as a look of concern on rested on his all too handsome face.

  “Sorry. I’m tired. It’s been a long day.” I assured.

  “Shit. Here I am like an asshole keeping you up. Go get some sleep.”

  “I don’t sleep much remember?” It doesn’t matter how tired I am; bad things are always waiting for me when I close my eyes.” I admitted.

  Maybe it was the kiss the or the two glasses of wine with dinner, but suddenly I found myself wanting to touch. My fingers remembering the way his skin had felt under mind, my lips knowing how he would taste.

  “Can I ask you for something?” I questioned loving the way his eyes widened.

  “Anything.” Thorn’s voice came out soft and low. His eyes n
ever breaking contact with mine.

  “I want to touch you Thorn, but..” Trailing off not sure if I wasn’t sure if I could finish what I had started.

  “Check the drawer Case.” Thorn softly growled as his eyes glanced towards the end table.

  “But you don’t know what I was going to ask you.” My forehead creasing in confusion.

  “Just do it. Please, Case.” His voice sounding strangled

  The world please from his lips was far too sweet, and I didn’t hesitate any longer.

  Pulling the drawer open something silver caught my eye. A pair of handcuffs rested neatly inside, and I froze.

  “Take them out and put them on me.” Thorn prompted.

  Shivering at the thought, my skin breaking out with goosebumps. Could I handcuff Thorn? I had been restrained. My hands took away so I couldn’t fight. Despising the feel of metal, the cold cuffs in my grip bringing back far too many memories but still, my mouth was watering at the thought. I wanted it. No, I needed it. Needing the feeling of being in control. Being able to touch him without worrying about him touching me.

  His hands on my body would be a trigger. Fear stealing away this moment, panic robbing me of the chance to get my hands on Thorn. Somehow, he had known, offering it to me without having to ask.

  My heart pounding in my chest, too afraid to move, the space between my thighs growing damp. My body far too ready to do what he asked.

  “Do it Case. It’s okay.”

  Pulling the cuffs free, every step towards him made my heart doing summersaults within my chest telling me it was okay. My body giving in to the delicious rush of desire. The loud click of the cuffs locking around Thorn’s wrists echoed in the small space. Thorn didn’t move an inch as if he was terrified of me changing my mind. The sight of the metal cuffs around his wrists granting me freedom, giving me permission without fear.

  Thorn never took his eyes off of mine as me as my fingers inched out towards him stopping right before making contact realizing I had made a mistake How was I supposed to touch him with his clothes on? I felt like a fool. Not wanting fabric but skin. Wanting it beneath my fingers as I got to know Thorn inch by inch.