Page 92 of Heart of Thorns

“Briar—”

“I noticed,” she whispers. “I’m on birth control. And, um, I’m clean.”

My shoulders snap back. “I am, too. Clean. Not on birth control.”

She cracks a smile, but it’s tired. I follow her into the bathroom and wash up while she uses the toilet.

It’s weirdly not weird.

And after that, I hand her shirt back to her, turn off my phone’s flashlight and the lamp, and climb into bed with her.

It feels like the most natural thing in the world.

And that’s what makes it so goddamn terrifying.

CHAPTER 29

BRIAR

My lip israw from chewing on it. The sun is just barely breaking through the clouds, and I’ve been up for hours with Thorne’s arm wrapped around my waist, keeping me safe.

He believed me.

Not that I thought he wouldn’t, but without the fire department investigating and determining that the fire was arson, the university was hesitant to take my word for it. Even after the fire department ruled it as arson, the dean had questions.

As if he thought I would start a fire, trap myself in a building, only to jump out and injure myself.

Sure I’m a little callous but I’m not suicidal.

Thorne shifts in his sleep, and I take a second to stare at the side of his face.

A smile tugs against my lips when I trace the curve of his relaxed jaw.

My heart races.

This is getting too real.

It’s becoming easier and easier to trust him. Not only with my body but my secrets and heart, too.

I’ve been through hard shit.

I’ll be fine when webreak up.Right?

“Kitten.” My pet name slips from his mouth. His voice is a sleepy rasp.

“Cassius,” I reply.

He peeks one eye open.

How can someone look so…goodfirst thing in the morning?

Humor works itself onto his face, and I start to question if I said my thoughts aloud.

“Is my fake girlfriend blushing at the thought of me being in her bed first thing in the morning?”

Key word: fake.

“What?” I put my back to him. “No.”