Thorn had said he was going to be gone, but where I don’t know. He disappears all the time without explanation, he’s secretive, shadowy even I guess, and he can read my mind.
Something flitted at the edges of my mind as I tried lining up all the things I knew about him in my head, as if it was trying to stop me.
“Dad, I have to do something in my room real quick, finish dinner without me okay.” I rushed from the room before he could object.
Alone upstairs in my room, I got pen and paper and jotted down all the things I knew about Thorn so far.
Not that I thought he was a danger, or that he was deceiving me in some way, for some reason I believed him inexplicably, though his actions were suspect to say the least.
When I was finished and had reread what I had written it gave me a jolt. Some of it was rather fanciful, or would be if it hadn’t really happened.
‘I see him in my dreams; the things he does to me there follows me into my waking moments. I feel his touch whenever I say his name.’ I tried that now to see...
“Thorn.” Yep, there it was, a soft caress or kiss against my nape.
The hours flew by as I laid in bed going over and over everything that had happened between us since I arrived here.
Most of it didn’t make sense and I wished I could talk to him, it was only then that I realized, I didn’t have his number or anyway of contacting him. I had a general idea of where he lived but no physical address.
I started to panic and jumped off the bed to pace the room. He’d been gone for hours, where had he gone, and what was it that he needed to talk to me about?
I felt him, like a cloak wrapped around me I felt his warmth and it soothed me. I brushed back the tears that fell from my eyes; tears that I had no idea had been there.
Crawling back into bed, I pulled the covers up over me as the wind picked up outside.
I was suddenly cold and alone. Dad called goodnight up the stairs and I felt guilty for abandoning him. I’d come here to be with him after all, but lately I haven’t had anytime for him.
I ran down the stairs and in a very uncharacteristic act, kissed his cheek goodnight. “I love you dad.”
We were both surprised by my declaration, but I wouldn’t take it back for the world, I meant it.
“I love you too sweetheart.” His voice sounded choked and I left him before we both embarrassed each other. At least he seemed happier with my declaration.
Alone again, I felt the emptiness that was always there when Thorn wasn’t around. I willed myself to go to sleep since that was the only time I found any peace. Maybe I’d see him there tonight.
The phone rang next to my bedside and I jumped to answer on the first ring. “I’ve got it dad.” I knew it was him before I heard his voice.
“Why are you sad Milaya?”
Because you left me and I feel like I’ve lost a limb. I didn’t say that out loud of course, I didn’t want him to think that I was a whiny little girl, so instead I put some cheer in my voice. “I’m not sad.”
He didn’t say anything for the longest and I got the feeling he was listening to me breathe.
“Are you back?” I held my breath. Will he answer or will this too be another secret, something else that we couldn’t discuss?
“Yes I’m at home, I would’ve come to you but it was too late by the time I came home.”
“I wouldn’t have cared.” Way to sound needy Jasmine. I bit my lip and fought back the treacherous tears that seemed to crop up out of nowhere.
“I can feel your sadness, it’s killing me, please stop. You have no need to be sad, I told you, I will take care of you.”
“But from what? and how can you take care of me when you’re never here?” It had to be said.
“I know it seems that way now, but you will understand once all is out in the open. Just know that we will be together always from now on, we won’t ever be apart again, so you need not worry on that score.”
How did he know that that was my biggest fear, that beneath all the worry and the doubt, was the very real fear that I will lose him; again.
“Thorn...”
“Now is not the time Milaya, I promise that I will tell you all soon.”
“Fine be that way.” I was no longer upset; his reassurances do make me feel like all will be well and just hearing his voice seems to wipe away whatever worry or doubt has been plaguing me.
We stayed on the phone for what seemed like hours while he asked me about my day and everything that had happened.
As I wound down I worried that he would hang up soon and I would lose that connection. It was getting so I couldn’t breathe without him near in some way.
“I will stay on the line until you fall asleep little one.”
Did that mean he wasn’t going to sneak into my bed tonight while I was asleep? “I can’t tonight lyubof.”
“How do you do that?”
“Do what?” from the smile in his voice I knew he knew what I was talking about, but I chose to drop it, since experience has taught me that he won’t give anything away anyway.
True to his word he stayed until I fell asleep and was still there when I awakened in the morning. “Time to get up baby, I’ll be there in a little while to get you.”
Wow, that’s a great way to start the day. Had he stayed on the line all night? Couldn’t be, that wouldn’t make sense now would it? Maybe we’d both fallen asleep and left the line open.
As he spoke I got this eerie feeling that something was about to happen. I tried recalling my dreams from the night before, but each time I went to open that door in my mind, something blocked me.
I couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched as I sat up in bed, but one quick look towards the window didn’t reveal anything, except that really ominous looking cloud, which was really starting to spook me.
I’d been so wrapped up in Thorn the last few days since I’d been ill, that I hadn’t been paying too much attention to much else.
But now that my mind was clearing up some, there was definitely something strange going on, and I was doubly sure it had something to do with the man in my life.
I can’t exactly accuse him of manipulating the weather though, or causing those strange noises that sound like the house is about to break apart around dad and I.
“Are you okay Jasmine?” his voice calling my name jolted me out of my reverie. He didn’t usually call me by my name, but on the rare occasions that he did, it was always a shock; the sense that I’d heard him say it in just that way before.
I started to ask him about it, but in the end thought better of it. Besides, he would only evade the question anyway.
“I’m fine Thorn, just waking up.” He didn’t say anything right away, which got me worrying that he was reading my mind again, and I found myself throwing up shields in my mind. When had I learned to do that?
“You’re a fast learner aren’t you baby? But I’m the only one you can’t keep out.” There was a chuckle in his voice as he made this confusing statement before ordering me to get up and get ready.
After he hung up I sat on my bed for a little while longer, taking stock. There was most definitely something going on and it was more than my hormones.
I could no longer deny the fact that I felt strangely different in this place and it went deeper than settling into a new home.
I headed for the shower with my mind a million miles away. Some things could be ignored, or heck, even easily explained but there were others that were a little more puzzling.
Apart from the strange elements in the wind and the skies, there was the issue of my body.
I’m not sure if it was because of my impending eighteenth birthday, but my body is going through some sort of metamorphosis.
I feel hot and tingly, especially between my thighs and as washed my breasts, the slightest touch of the washcloth seems too much.
I was red as a cherry by the time I left the shower. I’d just spent the last fifteen minutes fi
ghting not to touch myself.
The feeling had been so strong my hands had wandered to my secret places before I caught myself. Maybe it was a side effect from my illness, though I’ve never heard of any sickness that leaves you feeling horny.
I knew something was really wrong when I could barely stand to put my clothes on. The feel of cotton against my hot flesh set my body trembling.
Chapter 17
Downstairs I got breakfast ready for dad and I only because if it was left to him we’d both be having some kind of sugary cereal.
“How did you sleep pumpkin? Did that crazy wind keep you up last night?”
“Crazy wind?”
“Yeah, didn’t you hear it howling out there, it reminded me of the night...” he cleared his throat and reached for the cinnamon for his oatmeal.
“What night dad?” somehow I felt that his answer was important, and I also knew that he wasn’t going to answer before he evaded the question.
“It’s nothing sweetheart just...is Azarov coming to get you? I think he’s right, that truck is no good for a young girl, I don’t know what I was thinking, you’re sure he’s coming to take you to school this morning?”
He was staring at the window and acting mighty peculiar if you ask me. “Dad, are you okay?”
He brought his attention back around to me as the wind picked up outside.
“Sure honey, it just feels like there’s a storm brewing that’s all. Eat your breakfast before you’re late for school.” He changed the subject and we finished our breakfast on a lighter note.
***
I was a bundle of nerves when he came to get me an hour later. I always felt that way whenever we’d been apart, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that it had something to do with my past.
As the days go by, and I can’t believe it’s just been a measly few weeks, but I’ve grown so attached to Thorn in that short space of time, that it’s beginning to get harder and harder to be away from him.
I couldn’t help but think he knew why that was, that he knew a heck of a lot more than he was saying.
There was so much I wanted to ask him, but by the time he sat me in the car, I had forgotten everything but the joy of being with him. It was another one of those strange occurrences, his ability to make me forget.
He kept my hand in his for one thing, which was very distracting and then, “I won’t ever have to leave you again malenkaya, so there’s no more need for worry.”
“Who says I was? Can’t let him get a swelled head now can I? he squeezed my hand and grinned before lifting it to his lips.
“Are you ever going to tell me where you went all those days when you disappeared?”
“Soon, I promise you that one day soon you will have all the answers. For now I just want you to enjoy, and Jasmine, we’re going to be stupidly happy together so no matter what, never worry about me deserting you.”
And just like that the worry was gone, and so was the knot in the pit of my stomach that I had been ignoring all morning.
I will say today was the first day of the rest of our lives, a mite dramatic yes, but I could feel the difference in the air.
Everything seemed lighter somehow, even the air was different, and the sun shone brighter than at any other time since I’d been here.
I got to experience Thorn Azarov, the high school sweetheart as well; which was amazing.
He was attentive and kind, and so very sweet. Carrying my books, holding my hand, or putting one of his protectively around my shoulders as we walked from class to class.
It was almost as if he’d taken a peek into my mind and reenacted one of my better fantasies about high school.
The looks of envy, if I’m being honest, were a nice little bonus as well. And my hormones were working overtime.
Thorn was in most of my classes that day and the more time we spent together, the more my body reacted.
I needed to know if it was normal to have these hot flashes, or to have visions of sex almost every minute. It had to be because I was a virgin with my first real prospect as a candidate for cherry plucking.
See, I’ve also grown very crass; but I can’t seem to help it. In our last class before lunch, I thought I would go out of my mind.
His scent was driving me insane and all I wanted was to run my tongue all over his body. That place between my legs felt hot and achy and my breasts felt like they were full.
My mind was screaming at me to drag him off somewhere to a dark corner and scratch the itch that was about to drive me mad.
He seemed to sense something, from the looks of concern he kept sending me, but there was no way I was discussing this with him.
He seemed to have come to some sort of conclusion just as the bell rang and leaned over to whisper in my ear.
“Soon, just hang in there a little while longer and I’ll take care of you.” His words would’ve been comforting and maybe a little calming to my system, had he not licked my ear and nibbled on my neck.
The wind screeched outside just as a cloud passed by the window but I had no interest. I was in a world of my own, my mind full of the wonders of me and Thorn rolling around on a huge bed with candlelight all around and...
“Geez what was that?”
Outside it sounded like something had crashed into the ground, but there was nothing to see out there, and the others barely spared it a glance.
Thorn’s reaction though was a little concerning. He gritted his jaw and glared out the window and I could’ve sworn he said something under his breath.
I started to ask him what he’d murmured but just then the sky cleared up completely and there was actually sunlight now.
I looked from him to the window but in the end I shook it off, what was I going to do, accuse him of controlling the wind?
***
In the noisy cafeteria at lunch I fielded stares and glares and behind the hand whispering from my peers.
I could only imagine what was being said. I’d already heard through the grapevine how some didn’t think I was worthy of his attentions.
Somebody should’ve made sure he got the memo, because I don’t think there was ever a guy anywhere that had been more caring and attentive to his girl; though I could’ve done without the audience and their two cents.
I felt like I was on a stage for all to see, until Thorn took my mind off of it by doing some whispering of his own that took me away from what was going on around me.
He acted as if we’d known each other forever. There was such ease in his manner towards me, and silly though it maybe, I felt the warm glow of love envelope me whenever we touched.
“I do love you Lyubov moya.” I stared at him with my mouth hanging to my chin. “What, you must’ve known?” I shook my head in the negative as I tried to breathe.
“You...” I couldn’t get the words out, but even stranger, was the feeling of knowing that came over me. Something inside me knew he was telling the truth, I felt it in every pore.
For a few seconds I saw us, not as we are now but, another Jasmine and Thorn. It was just a quick flash and then it was gone but it did leave a lasting impression.
His siblings joined us and helped to take my mind off of my surroundings with their antics, and trying to one up each other for my attention.
Things seemed to be going really well, I was beginning to relax and not feel overly self-conscious about being the center of everyone’s attention, when out of nowhere, this blonde bombshell showed up; and I'm not using the term loosely.
One minute it was just the four of us at the table, teasing and joking with each other.
It was the lightest I can ever remember being in his presence and he too seemed relaxed and not his usual serious, stoic self. And the next she was just there.
The air changed immediately, I wouldn’t say arctic freeze but there was a sudden chill. Thorn was up and out of his seat, sending it flying back into the wall behind us and I felt glued to my chair.
She was gorgeous, both in
face and form, but something about her made me uneasy and not just the usual uneasy.
You know that feeling you get when you've eaten something bad and your body gets cold sweats as it tries to purge it out of your system? That's the kind of nauseous, head spinning feeling I got when she sauntered up to our table.
And the way Thorn reacted only scared me more. He stood himself in front of me, blocking me from her view protectively.
The knockout laughed at this move and my skin prickled. I had the sudden urge to stand in front of him, not so much to protect, but to keep her away.
His hand reached back and took mine as if he had heard my thoughts and was seeking to reassure me, because yes, I was jealous as all heck.
She had a sugary sweet laugh that was sickening, and sent chills down my spine. I felt as though something was reaching out to touch me, but could see nothing but the back of Thorn.
He started speaking angrily to her in what I guess was Russian, and then his brother and sister were there next to us, well in front of me really, and I realized they were protecting me.
I had no idea of what was being said obviously, but the animosity was pouring off of the Azarovs in waves.
Her words reminded me of the wind in the dark clouds for some reason and something was now beating at the edges of my mind, but all I saw was darkness when I tried to see.
There was stillness all around and an eerie darkness on the walls that hadn’t been there before. I felt cocooned and hidden away from view.
It was as if the rest of the cafeteria ceased to exist, and it was just us four facing this woman, whoever she was.
She reached out a hand to touch Thorn who pulled back with a curse before looking back at me.
Something weird thumped in my chest. It was one of those fight or flight moments I guess you’d call it. But I didn’t feel like fleeing this time.
I was on my feet before I knew it, anger blurring my vision. Before I could do anything one way or the other, Thorn pushed me back behind him.
I didn’t know who this person was, but I knew I wanted her gone and when she reached out to touch Thorn again, I think I growled at her.
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