“Yes, I am. That’s literally what I’m trying to do right now.”
“Get up, princess.”
I open my eyes, my heart spasming when I see Thorne standing over me. He looks even taller from this angle, towering over the couch, piercing me with those forest green eyes.
“There’s only one bedroom,” I say, rubbing my aching neck as I look at him. “I’m not taking your bed, Thorne.”
“You bet you are.” He scowls at me. “I might not be from the city, but I’m not an animal.”
With a sigh, I close my eyes again. But Thorne doesn’t move. He stands there, waiting. It’s maddening, feeling his gaze burning into me, my veins thrumming with heat that has nothing to do with the fire. Finally, I give up.
“Okay, caveman. You win.”
I heave myself off the couch, grimacing at the ache in my knees. As I step away, I watch Thorne take my place, lying on his back.
Oh for goodness’ sake.
It’s almost comical. Like trying to fit a grizzly bear into a dog bed. Thorne’s legs hang off the end of the couch, his body at least twice as wide as the cushions trying to hold him. If he moves even an inch, he’ll tumble right off the edge.
“Thorne, I really appreciate the chivalry, but this is ridiculous.”
“Go to bed, princess.”
I frown at him, ignoring the familiar flutter in my chest at the nickname. “Look, if you seriously refuse to let me sleep on the couch, then we might as well just…share the bed.”
The suggestion sounded more normal in my head. More logical. Less suggestive. But it’s too late to take it back now.
Thorne sits up on the couch and looks at me. “What?”
“I…well, look, it’s a big bed. Plenty big enough for two.”
“How’d you know it’s a big bed?” he asks, raising an eyebrow at me. “You been snooping in my bedroom, princess?”
My cheeks burn. “It’s…I…oh just listen, caveman! All I’m saying is there’s a perfectly good bed in this cabin and we might as well use it.”Shoot, that came out wrong.“To sleep! We can both get a good night’s sleep.”
Thorne considers me for a long time. He looks like he’s wrestling with himself, debating something internally. My face feels like it’s about to explode into flames, but finally, he nods.
“Works for me.”
“Right.” I swallow hard. “Fine. Good.”
Thorne gets off the couch. For a moment, we just look at each other. It’s like we’re two pieces in a chess game, neither of us sure where to move next.
Ugh, this would all be much simpler if this man wasn’t so distractingly handsome.
The firelight catches the silver hairs in his beard, making his green eyes glint at me—like frost glittering on a fir tree. He looks bigger than ever, backlit by the fireplace, shadows dancing over his hulking frame. I should probably feel intimidated at the thought of sharing a bed with him. He’s so much older than I am. A grumpy goliath of a man who could probably snap me in half if he wanted.
But I’m not intimidated.
I’m turned on.
Really, really turned on.
Heat blooms between my legs as I look at Thorne, and I have to clamp my thighs together tight. My nipples pebble against my bra, the fabric rubbing against the hard, sensitive buds. I’ve never felt desire like this. It’s dizzying. Overwhelming.
Thorne might be the most infuriating man in Crave County…
But right now, my body doesn’t seem to care.
