Page 110 of Heart of Thorns

“Give it to me.” I motion to her.

“Give you what?”

“Your anger.” I shake my head. “Your frustration. Your helplessness that you seem to need to take out on yourself—or prove it doesn’t exist? I don’t know. Don’t hurt yourself. Hurt me.”

She stares at me for a long moment, then goes to one of the benches in front of a cubby. She unlaces her skates, her movements too jerky. I just stare at her in silence, my own anger building in my chest.

“I don’t want to care.” My words slip out, but it doesn’t break the growing tension. “I don’t want to care that you’re going to freaking hurt yourself doing stupid shit like this.”

“Then don’t.” She yanks her feet out of the skates and sets them aside. Rising, she strips out of the practice jersey, revealing a black skin-tight long-sleeved shirt underneath. And leggings under the pants.

“You make it impossible.” I step forward. “Look at me.”

She straightens and faces me.

“I need to think about football. You heard my father?—”

“You don’t have to bow to your parents’ will!” she shouts. “My father this, my mother this, trust fund fuckingthat. Who gives a shit? Who are you without your money?”

My mouth opens and closes. “You’ve got to be kidding me right now.”

“Your head is up your ass.” She scoffs. “I’m going to skate again.”

I clench my jaw. “Not if you injure yourself first. Doing things wrong, rushing into it?—”

“God, you’re impossible.” She yanks the tie out of her hair, shaking it loose. “You’re infuriatingly talented, andkind, and I hate you for it.”

I stalk closer. My heart drums against my ribs, and I reach for her. I can’t help it. My fingers slip through the silky strands of her hair, cupping the back of her head, and I pull her into me.

My gaze burns into hers, and I suddenly need to know the truth.

“Do you really hate me?”

Her eyes widen, but she doesn’t soften. Who would Briar Hart be if shesoftenedfor me?

“Yes,” she says.

“Liar.”

Her hands are at my jeans, unbuttoning them. Her gaze dips down, then back up, and a challenge gleams in her eyes. “Let’s find out.”

CHAPTER 35

BRIAR

My plan is goingto backfire.

I can feel it in my bones and I most definitely can feel it between my legs.

He wants to challenge my hatred for him?

Fine.

After shoving his pants down, I cup him through his boxer briefs, relishing in the control I have. His head falls backward, and I stare at his bobbing throat.

I don’t hate him. But I need to in order to save myself from more heartbreak.

I push on his chest until the backs of his legs hit the bench. He sits and grips me around the waist.