Page 24 of Knotting Autumn

“So it’s like your period,” I surmised, secretly enjoying the way Thorne’s mouth thinned at my words.

“Okay, I understand you’re a furry, and I won’t call the police on your ass. Can I go now?”

“I’m not a furry,” he growled.

“It’s okay. Furries have rights now, too,” I said, smirking at him. Bonus points for making him uncomfortable.

My gaze fell to his dick, clearly hardening in his boxers.

“Oh my god, you are getting turned on by me calling you a furry,” I said, my smile turning vicious.

“I am not.” A flush colored his cheeks, saturating his tan skin. “I’m turned on because I’m sitting here looking at my fated mate and she’s naked.”

The words echoed in my head, finally registering

“Woah dude, what the fuck do you mean, ‘fated mate’?”

His thick brows furrowed. “I told you that earlier. It means we’re bonded at a soul level. That’s why we’re so drawn together. Why didn’t you ask me what it meant earlier?”

“Because I thought you were roleplaying!” I said, my irritation rising as a flush crawled up my neck.

Now, we were both red in the face, embarrassed, and pissed off.

“I was being honest. I’ve always been honest with you. You are the other half of my soul. I couldn’t resist you, even if I tried.”

“Well,Isure as fuck can,” I growled. “I’m not accepting that we’re some cosmic true loves. That’s bullshit. So if you’d kindly give me my clothes so I can leave, that would be great.”

Thorne dropped his head into his hands, tugging at his short hair. “Autumn, we have to figure this out. You don’t trust me, and I’m worried about what you might do. And the longer we go without embracing our mating bond, the more it’ll hurt us.”

“You can’t keep me captive here. That’s not how you should be treating yourmate! If any of that was remotely true.” Mentally, I imagined slapping him, and I was seriously considering actually doing it when he stood up.

“Look, I’m going to go talk to Cole. He might know what to do to fix this.”

“Fine. Go consult the emo.” Crossing my arms over my breasts, I scowled at him.

Thorne sighed deeply, dragging his fingers through his hair, something I was beginning to suspect was a nervous tic. Withone last regretful look, he walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.

My first thought was that I wanted him to come back. We could fight some more, have make-up sex—wait, what?

Digging my nails into my thighs, I chided myself. Something was very wrong with me. I needed to focus on escaping and calling the police on his ass, not ogling it.

Before he could return, I climbed off the bed and went to the window, hoping it would unlock and open. No luck.

There were no other doors. Could I break the window?

Raised voices reached me through the door, and I paused. Were Cole and Thorne fighting? No, that didn’t sound like either of them. It sounded like Sawyer.

Thank fuck for location sharing!

Chapter 10

Sawyer to the Rescue

A crash echoed through the hallway, and I tensed, hesitating for just a second before bursting out of the bedroom, grateful Thorne hadn’t locked me in.

Shit! I was still naked.

This would be the first time Sawyer saw me naked, but it couldn’t be helped. Sorry, roommie!