Page 19 of Blood of the Damned: Thorn
A shiver ran through him, his body awakening in ways that weren’t fitting for a crammed bar.
“Leave town now and never return,” Thorn growled, low and mean.
The compulsion had no effect on Ledger, but on the huge shifter it worked a damn treat. He turned wordlessly and walked through the crowd, not once looking back as he aimed for the door.
When Thorn met Ledger’s gaze, his eyes were blood red and there was a hint of fang.
Dear Gods!
Ledger’s body went into overdrive. The scent of his arousal made Thorn release a very familiar sound, causing Ledger to tremble in anticipation before he realized exactly where they were.
“No! Behave!” He wasn’t sure who he was warning, himself or Thorn. It was too close a call to say.
Worriedly, he grabbed Thorn by the elbow when the intention he felt coming from him didn't decrease. If anything, it challenged his mate. Ledger guided Thorn towards the toilets, not wanting to go in the direction the shifter had gone in case he came to his senses outside. Ledger wasn’t sure how long the effects lasted, so he didn’t take any chances when it came with Thorn’s rage and arousal in equal measure.
Thorn came willingly and Ledger didn’t have to guess why, when his mind was full of how much Thorn wanted to bite him and…
We are not doing that here!
Want you.
Yes, well, you should have thought about that before you got cosy with the giant!
Thorn’s silence allowed Ledger’s insecurity to resurface. The crowd thinned the closer they got to the restrooms, and Ledger didn’t breathe any easier until he reached them. The first door was locked, and the noises and scent coming from inside suggested someone was having a good time. By the smell, it was the bar owner, Trey. As Rowan had said the guy lived above thebar, Ledger couldn’t figure why he’d use a restroom to get his rocks off.
Was this the type of place where bathroom sex was a thing? If that was the case, had Thorn done that here with that giant shifter? Ledger didn’t like that idea as it burrowed into his brain, or the one that came after. Had he had something serious with the guy? That thought got his mind spiralling into the similarities between the other big shifter, who had clearly been intimate with Thorn at some point. Was Thorn all about the big fuckers who could shift?
I can explain.
Really? They are massive and shift, what’s there to explain. You most definitely have a type and it’s not me!
Ledger heard the angry snap in his voice, but also the fear of not being good enough. He had to work to hold onto his temper at his own lack, dragging Thorn to the next door and unceremoniously pushing him inside the cramped space. He wriggled past Thorn to turn and lock the door; the sound dropping enough that he could hear his labored breathing.
Ledger leaned against it to give himself a little bit of breathing room because, with how Thorn was eyeing him, he wasn’t sure they’d be joining the couple getting it on in a restroom and he was too mad for that. It would also be a first for Ledger, not one for having sex in places like this. Though, as he eyed Thorn, he wasn’t convinced it would be a first for his mate.
That reality was enough to dampen down the sexual energy buzzing over Ledger’s skin. His hands went to his slim hips, and he tapped his foot on the sticky floor, glaring. “What was that all about?” he demanded, working to keep the sulky tone to a minimum. He failed when he carried on, “I came out to have some fun with the guys at work and you’ve spoiled it with… whatever his face—”
“Louis,” Thorn supplied, the red of his eyes not lessening as he held Ledger’s gaze.
“I don’t care what his name is! What was going on with you two? Clearly you have…history with him.Do all your exes look like that?” he questioned, because he was stupid. The red of Thorn’s eyes receded and Ledger felt the barrier drop between them.
He jabbed a finger into Thorn’s chest. “No, you don’t get to block me. If you don’t answer me, I’ll go and find that dumbass and get him to tell me what the hell his problem was.” Ledger knew what his problem was, he was neither big nor a shifter. That was what the dumbass was laughing about, because he knew his mate had a type.
“I… it… really… I… yes.”
Ledger’s eyes narrowed and the ball of unease occupying his stomach got much bigger. “Yes, what?”
Thorn’s shoulders slumped, coming with a sense of resignation, making Ledger brace for what was coming, despite knowing it already in his gut. “Yes, I have a history with Louis, but it wasn’t anything serious.”
There was nothing but truth coming from Thorn. Did it make a difference when Ledger had the picture of what his mate preferred in a bed partner rammed right into his face better than the shifter’s enormous fist? No. Not one little bit. The stark contrast revealed just how different he was to them.
“You are everything I want,” Thorn declared, the fangs brushing his lower lip.
Ledger hated how the ball of anxiety in his belly didn’t dissipate at Thorn’s statement. Tears pricked the back of his eyes as he gave an undignified sniff.
“Am I?” he questioned quietly. “Am I really?”
Pinned against the door before he’d finished speaking, Thorn claimed his lips in a kiss that melted the very bones of him.He was defenceless against the power and hunger of the mouth devouring his. He didn’t even have the wherewithal to lift his arms, which hung useless at his sides as Thorn took apart the doubt and replaced it with a depth of emotions that left no room for anything but their connection.
