Thorneless (Rose of Thorne Series)

by Michelle, Mia

  “What are you doing?” she asks.

  “Helping you,” I reply and she shakes her head at me before spraying me with the water sprayer. Just doing this simple task together felt more right and natural as anything I have ever known.

  I spend the rest of the afternoon in my father’s office trying to help him with his investment portfolio. Glancing at the time, I know it isn’t long before everyone will be arriving for the event downstairs. It’s amazing how in only a matter of hours the backyard is transformed into a light paradise. Beautiful lanterns hang throughout the yard and the tables twinkle with candles in the warm light of the late spring evening.

  Several guests have already arrived by the time I make my way into the backyard. A waiter hands me a glass of champagne and I make my rounds to greet my father’s guests. I scan the area for Skylar, but I still don’t see her. I’m laughing with my old college roommate Grant, when I hear him let out a loud gasp.

  “Holy shit, dude!!Who is that?” He asks as he pushes past me. I turn to find her walking into the backyard and I almost don’t recognize her. Her usual wavy hair, now lays sleek and straight up against her stunning face. The white dress accents her magnificent curves and she’s wearing those damn sexy as fuck white lace up shoes again. She looks across the yard and makes her way toward me, having no idea the attention she’s drawing from the men around her.

  “Luke, man, she’s headed this way. Do you know that girl?” Grant asks me as he straightens his jacket.

  “Yes, as a matter of fact, I do,” I say smiling as she stops before me.

  “You look stunning, baby,” I say as I kiss her lightly on the lips. A very stunned Grant extends his hand to her at my introduction and then leans in to my ear.

  “Lucky fucking bastard!” He snarls and I wink at him, pressing her tightly against me.

  I proudly lead her around the yard introducing her to all of our family friends and some business associates. Unlike all the times before, these introductions are personal and I admit that it feels wonderful. For the first time, I can envision her by my side hosting events like this of our own. She feels so fucking perfect by my side and it pains me to think she might not feel the same thing. After eating a wonderful meal, many guests begin dancing to the music of a band. I extend my hand to Skylar and drag her onto the floor with me. Pulling her up tightly against me, we begin swaying to the soothing music of Adele’s Love Song.

  She rests her cheek against mine and her hair brushes my face. Her intoxicating smell invades me and for those first few songs, it’s just she and I on that dance floor. I kiss her bare shoulder and caress her silky skin as she leans her forehead against mine. Song after song, we dance like this, even when the music stops. I never want to let her go—holding her like this is so perfect.

  I’m ripped out of my own special heaven as I’m scratched on the neck by claws at the end of the song and I flinch at the familiar voice, “May I cut in?” Lyndie…fuck! I drag Skylar to the side and turn to face Lyndie Townsend, a psychotic clingy girl I used as a fuck buddy one summer a couple of years ago while I was at home for a few weeks. Maybe I also ought to mention that she’s also one of my sister’s best friends, so that makes this situation even worse.

  “What the fuck are you doing here, Lyndie? You need to leave now!” I say.

  “I’ve missed you too, baby, and I know you’ve missed me. Remember all the sleepless hours we spent fucking at my parent’s pool house last time you were home?” She pauses as she looks at Skylar.

  “Who is she? She’s really, really hot, Lucas. She can join us if you want. I know you like that too, baby. You know I don’t mind sharing,” she says as she reaches for my tie.

  “Enough! Lyndie, you need to leave now!” I say as I feel Skylar break away from me. Not wanting to make a scene, I whisper that I’ll be right back to her and she nods. I lead Lyndie off the floor and into the foyer, where my sister, Chandler intercepts her.

  “I will mind you to take your hands off my friend, big brother,” she spits at me.

  “She’s leaving now, Chandler!” I demand.

  “I’m getting Mom!” She says and then angrily storms off to find her.

  “Come on, Lyndie—leave, please,” I beg as I drag her to the front door.

  She hesitantly begins to exit and then stops. “Wait! I need my purse, it’s in the library.”

  “Fine, I’ll go get it and then you’re leaving! Do you understand?”

  “Yes! Fine! I get it, all right? You’ve moved on! Geessh!”

  Moved on? She and I were never more than a few times in the sack at her parent’s house. Is she delusional?

  I open the library doors and see the purse on the nearby table. I pick it up and as I turn, she launches herself on me forcing me on the large leather lounger behind me. She hurriedly lifts her dress and straddles me before slamming her mouth onto mine. She begins rocking back and forth on top of me and loudly moaning.

  WHAT THE FUCK? Has this bitch completely lost it?

  I’m done being nice! Angrily, I place my arms under her arms to lift her off of me and I hear my angel’s voice calling.

  “Lucas? Are you in here?” Skylar calls but I don’t have time to answer her because Lyndie decides to add to her theatrical performance just as the doors begin opening.

  “OH YES! LUCAS! YES!” Lyndie begins shouting at the top of her lungs as she slams on top of me. The way she’s positioned it looks like she is fucking me like a crazed animal.

  I would never hit a woman, but bitches don’t count do they?

  I throw Lyndie off me and frantically make my way towards Skylar.

  “Oh…OH MY GOD!!” Skylar’s voice trembles as she stumbles backwards into the wall.

  “NO! Skylar! This isn’t what you think! I swear! Fuck!” I turn my attention to the cause of all this drama. “Lyndie, you bitch! Tell her the truth right now!” I demand as I try to wipe the bitter lipstick off my mouth with my hand.

  Skylar remains frozen in her spot clinging to the wall behind her for support. The look on her pained face is breaking my heart.

  “Tell her what exactly, my love? You want me to tell her how you were begging me to fuck you on the lounger before she walked in?” She lies.

  “Lyndie! You fucking bitch! You set this up!” I fume as I clasp my hands to my side. I’m going to rip her damn head off her lying skank body. Skylar turns and flees out of the room and I rush after her only to meet my giggling sister out in the hall.

  “Tsk . . . tsk—big brother,” she says as Lyndie and her clink their champagne glasses together. I hate my little sister—she’s nothing but a twenty two year old evil fucking spoiled nasty bitch.

  I run up the stairs to her room. I can hear her crying through the thick wooden door and I try to open the handle, but she has locked it. Desperately, I beg her to open the door, but she doesn’t answer me. If not for our guests downstairs, I would break it down. I sink to the floor and lean up against the wall beside the door. I’ll sit her as long as it takes…until she opens it.

  It finally opens a half hour later, revealing a defeated Skylar. She’s changed and is wearing black yoga pants and a simple t-shirt. Dragging her pink suitcase behind her, she turns and walks past me out into the hall.

  “Skylar, please…” I moan. When she turns to me, it kills me what I see. She’s so broken and lost, just like the night I found her in that elevator.

  “Skylar, I didn’t do anything. I swear to God! She tricked me into going in there after her purse. My sister set it up for you to find me like that! I promise you, baby! I would never hurt you like that. Please tell me you believe me,” I beg. But she breathes in deeply and turns as she walks down the hallway. I watch as she walks past the party guests and out the front door to the waiting cab. My mom looks back up the stairs at me in confusion and I throw down my jacket and grab my keys. I’ll be damned if I let the woman I love think she’s going to slip away from me that easily.

  Skylar

  Really
, I can’t get away fast enough. After everything I’ve been through . . . after all our time together . . . how could he do this to me? Had he had planned this all along? Wait for poor wounded Skylar to let her guard down and then swoop in to play hero? Maybe this was he all along, getting what he really wanted on the down low. Why am I even worried? I’m not looking for anything anyway. Of course I’m attracted to him. Who in their right mind wouldn’t be—especially if they were with him every minute of every day for months? I know his history and I should’ve known he’s still the same player. Man, am I ever stupid! I don’t want, nor do I need, anyone. I can’t believe I had let myself get so vulnerable all over again. Never again—never ever again!

  I hated to leave his mother without explaining. She has been incredible to me. Our laughing and cooking together—well, it reminded me so much of being with my mom. I miss that more than I can ever say and even the brief time in Rebecca’s kitchen had given me hope of feeling that way again. I’ll have to apologize to her soon.

  Leaning my head back against the window, I close my eyes and try to forget the images of the girl on top of Lucas, his arms wrapped around her waist as she straddled him. I try to shove out her muffled cries of pleasure that still ring in my ears. Tears burn my eyes as I remember his pained expression and his pleas on the hallway floor. Could what he said have been true? I don’t know what to believe anymore. It’s obvious they had slept together before. I cover my eyes and let the tears fall. I asked him to teach me to love again, not how to hurt again.

  I’m jolted back to reality by a horn that is relentlessly honking beside me. I hear the cab driver swear as I glance over to see Lucas frantically waving him to pull over.

  “No, don’t stop!! Please, just keep going,” I beg the driver. The driver shakes his head as he looks back at me in the rearview mirror. He continues for another mile or so, but Lucas is too persistent. Barely missing an oncoming vehicle, Lucas swerves and repositions his car beside the cab.

  “Sorry miss, but this young man is going to kill himself or someone if I don’t pull over,” the cab driver apologizes as he eases off the road. Lucas parks on the road, flies out of the little silver car, and climbs into the cab beside me.

  “Lucas! Are you crazy? Get out of here and leave me the hell alone!”

  “I’m not going anywhere! You can’t leave me, Skylar. Especially not like this. It’s not what you think! I swear to you I never EVER touched her! I don’t want her …” I interrupt him.

  “Jesus! Really? Tell me you two weren’t fuck buddies? “ Damn it!! How many more of them do I have to meet?

  “Yes, shamefully, we once were. That was a very long time ago and she never meant anything to me. No one ever did until I met you.”

  “Lucas, I can’t do this. I’m sorry, but I just can’t,” I say through my tears.

  I want to believe him. Honestly, I really do.

  He doesn’t move, instead he looks down and takes a deep breath.

  “When I found you in the elevator that day, it was as if fate had given me another chance with you. These months have been the happiest in my life. I know you still love him, Skylar, that’s why I haven’t pushed you, but I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I would never do anything to destroy my second chance with you and I would never cheat on you!” He looks completely destroyed. “I am hopelessly completely in love with you, Skylar Rose. I know he hurt you, but I swear, baby, I will never ever hurt you. Please, give us a chance. I know you care about me. I just want to be with you and hope that maybe one day, you’ll love me too,” he says and tears form in my eyes. He leans in and wipes the tears off as he kisses my cheek. “Please, Skylar, just give this a chance. Don’t leave!” He pleads.

  My heart tugs. I can’t deny the love I still feel for Sebastian—the love I probably always will feel for him. Will I always be enslaved to it and will I be able to break free? Our forever love is over and I have to move on. I stare into the emerald eyes so full of love and I take a deep breath and nod. Before I can breathe, he crashes his lips on mine. Lucas pulls me into him and I taste his delicious flavor. He leans his forehead to mine. He leads me out of the cab and places my suitcase in the car. He pays the cab driver an astonishing amount and then we begin heading in an opposite direction from his parents.

  “Wait. Where are we going?” I ask.

  “Remember when we were first together and I said I wanted to show you something?” He asks.

  “Yes, I remember,” I reply trying not to seem confused by his actions.

  “Good! Then sit back and we’ll be there in just a little bit.”

  My long hair flows in the warm summer wind as we fly down the winding country road. Twenty minutes later we are turning onto a gravel drive that leads up to a large older white house with a wrap-around porch that overlooks the magnificent lake before it. He leads me up the steps and I walk over to lean against the large post column. I am in complete awe of what I see. The lights from the other houses dance off the water and I smile as I take it all in.

  “This is breathtaking,” I manage to say.

  “No, gorgeous. You’re breathtaking,” he says as he kisses my neck. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me into him as he rests his chin on my shoulder.

  “Whose place is this?” I ask.

  “This house is mine,” he replies.

  “Wow!” I say, still taking in everything around me.

  “It belonged to my grandparents. My mom’s parents that is. They left it to me when they passed away. I haven’t been up here but a couple times since then. I guess it always seemed too lonely up until now.”

  He kissed the back of my head and then leads me to the docks. We sit and dip our toes into the cool water and talk until I fall asleep against his broad chest.

  I wake to the aroma of bacon and I stir as the warm sunlight kisses my face. I sit up in confusion. I look around the beautiful blue room and back down at the fluffy white down comforter. I’m still wearing the clothes from last night. I make the bed up neatly and walk downstairs and follow the delicious smells of bacon and coffee. Lucas stands in the large open kitchen wearing only a pair of dark khaki cargo shorts. His beautiful back muscles strain perfectly as he reaches for the plates above him. His dragon tattoo looks delicious this morning. Sweet flippin’ pancakes! This man is gorgeous.

  The old wooden floor creaks to give me away and he turns, beaming at me. His emerald eyes are so full of love as he moves to kiss me good morning. The way he looks at me makes me feel guilty. I want more than anything to be able to return his affections.

  “I ran to town this morning to pick up a few things. You were sleeping so peacefully that I didn’t see any sense in waking you,” he says. Lucas insists that we eat out on the porch that overlooks the lake. As I sit down at the table, I can’t keep the smile off my face. I’ve never been anywhere more peaceful and beautiful than this.

  “I went by my parent’s this morning and picked up our things. My mom really wants you to call her. She is very upset over what happened last night. I dealt with my sister, too, while I was there. I should have known the little bitch would do something like this. I’m sorry, Skylar. I don’t blame you if you want to leave, but I’m hoping you’ll decide to stay with me here for the rest of the weekend.”

  I look around at the place that felt more like home than anywhere I’d ever been. I wasn’t ready to leave this place yet. For some unexplained reason, I am drawn to it. Smiling and nod my head agreeing to stay. Lucas seems relieved and happy at my decision and begins making plans for our day together.

  After calling his mother, Lucas and I spent the rest of the day on the lake rowing and fishing. We even had a contest of who could catch the most fish for supper. We lost count because I kept making Lucas throw them all back in. I couldn’t bear the thought of eating them for some reason.

  As the sun went down, Lucas grilled us some hamburgers and we made S’mores by the fire. It had been the perfect end to a perfect day. I look out at the
beautiful lights dancing off the water and try to imagine a life here. It certainly isn’t hard to picture. His grandparents had spent over fifty years of marriage in this house. It’s funny that this place already feels like it’s a part of me. Lucas comes behind me and wraps a blanket around me and begins rubbing my shoulders.

  “Thank you for bringing me here, Lucas,” I say shyly.

  “You’re welcome, Angel,” he says rocking me back with him.

  My heart is finally healing. And although I still love Sebastian, coming here made me realize something that maybe I have known for a while now. I’m falling in love with Lucas Drake.

  Lucas

  The morning light wakes me as I stretch in the large bed alone. I grin like a fool because I know she’s sleeping just across the hall from me. I quietly walk across to her door and gently knock, but there’s no answer. Hesitantly, I turn the doorknob and peek my head in the door. Her bed is already neatly made but there’s no sign of her.

  Soon I make my way downstairs while rubbing the sleep out of my eyes and smile at the pot of coffee that she’s already made for us. I pour a cup as something out the side window catches my eye. Skylar is wearing a blue sports bra with her tight black yoga pants. Her soft dark curls are placed up into a high bouncy ponytail. With her iPod firmly strapped to her arm, I watch as she gracefully pivots in the grass, before extending her long leg up and holding her position. I carefully make my way out to the front porch while trying not to make any sudden movements for fear she will notice me. I love watching her dance. It’s the only time she is truly free.

  I can hear the music of Imagine Dragon’s Radioactive playing from the iPod. As haunting as the song is, she moves with such ease and grace that I’m frozen in place. I watch her sway her hips as she increases the beat of the music and she lifts her hands to the air and suddenly flips forward causing me to gasp. How does she do that?