Chapter 80
Aurora’s POV
“Thorne!” I whisper shout as I burst into his office.
Instantly, Thorne is on his feet, grabbing me and pulling me behind him. My face smacks against his back as he pulls me flush against him.
“What is it? Where’s the danger?”
“What?” I ask, looking up. “No, there’s no danger, Thorne. L-Let me go.” I try to push out of his grip, but even with his arm twisted behind him, he’s stronger than me.
“Then why did you bust in here like someone was chasing you?” He asks, turning. I wince at the twinge in my back, and Thorne finally releases me, asking, “Are you alright? Did I hurt you?”
Ever since yesterday, Thorne hasn’t left my side other than to work. And even then, I’m just outside the door, so he can see me from his office. He has also checked on me every hour since we got here this morning.
“I’m fine. I just got a message from Mrs. Ashford about the banquet,” I tell him, lifting my phone and showing him the message. “The banquet is tonight. She didn’t give me enough time to prepare, and I don’t have a dress that meets the black-tie attire, and I’ll have to get so much done in just a few hours. I can’t show up looking like a—"
Thorne’s lips crash down on mine, silencing me and sending me swirling into a daze.
“Are you done?” He murmurs against my lips.
I nod, blinking up at him to clear the stars out of my vision.
“But I need to—”
Kiss.
“I came for—”
Kiss.
“Can you stop,” I hiss, smacking him in the chest and making him chuckle.
“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself,” Thorne says. This time, I’m the one who laughs. He smiles again, gently gripping my chin between his fingers. “There she is. Now, what are you worried about?”
Sighing, I look up at the man I love and squeeze his hand. “I don’t have anything to wear to the banquet, and I don’t want to embarrass Mrs. Ashford.”
“Then, we should get you a dress,” Thorne says. “We’ll take the rest of the day off and by you a dress that fits your beauty.”
Heat rushes to my face at his words, and I bite my lip.
“I wasn’t asking for money,” I whisper. “You know that’s not what I was coming in here for. I don’t want—"
“I know, love, but if this is the way you’re going to find your family, we can’t have you failing just because you don’t have a dress,” Thorne says, snagging me by the waist and pulling me close again.
His nose brushes mine, and my breath hitches as he leans in. “Besides, I’d love to see you in a gown I purchased. Nothing would make me happier… except for seeing said gown on the floor of our bedroom.”
“Thorne!” I gasp, glancing at the open office door before realizing that everyone is still out at lunch.
Thorne chuckles then bursts into full, deep laughter. I stare up at him, surprised by the reaction. The happy sound makes me smile as I realize I’ve never seen him laugh like this. Hopefully, I’ll get to see it again, even if it is at my expense.
“You’re so easy to tease, Aurora,” he says between laughs.
Shaking my head, I pretend to be upset and turn to walk away, saying, “I guess this means I’ll be dress shopping on my own.”
“Woah, not so fast,” Thorne says, grabbing me by the waist again. “We’re going together.”
“Have I told you that you’re gorgeous?” Thorne whispers, kissing my neck.
“Only a hundred times,” I whisper back.
“Then, it’ll be one hundred and one because you look gorgeous.”
I smile and look down at the dress he chose for me this afternoon. It’s a navy blue, off-the-shoulder, floor length gown with a sweetheart neckline and silver sparkles that resemble stars in the night sky.
I’d tried on at least ten dresses this afternoon, but none of them made me feel as pretty as this one did, and none of them got that dazed expression out of Thorne like this one.
The moment I stepped out of the dressing room, I knew this was the dress. I saw it all over Thorne’s face, and now, he can’t keep his hands off of me, which could be a problem.
“Thorne, you can’t be all over me when we get inside,” I remind him, trying to detangle him from my body.
“I know, I know,” he mutters, stealing one last kiss before standing and straightening his suit out. I shake my head, take his hand, and let him help me out of the car. He pulls a little too hard, making me stumble and fall into his chest.
“Hey—”
Thorne’s lips brush my ear, and I freeze as he whispers, “I still think the dress would look better on my floor.”
A shiver skitters down my spine, and I bite my lip to force the growing desire down.
“We should get inside,” I mutter, pulling him forward. He merely chuckles and follows me, allowing me to drop his arm once we reach the doors. I don’t know who will be here, and not many people know about our relationship, so I put a bit of distance between us as we enter.
The doorman lets us in, and almost immediately, people around us begin greeting Thorne. As he politely returns the greetings, Thorne takes my hand and places it in the crook of his elbow. I don’t comment on it, but I look around the room, my eyes catching on several banners around the room.
From the signs and the conversations around me, I realize this banquet is set up as a fund raiser auction for the hospital my sister is in. They’re raising funds for better equipment and expanding the hospital for those with financial difficulties.
“Alpha Thorne, I noticed your name on the list, but I didn’t think you would arrive with my special guest.”
We both turn to find Leah Ashford standing behind us. She smiles at me then looks at Thorne, “It’s nice of you to join us.”
“It was nice to be invited, Luna,” Thorne says with a bow. I follow his lead and bow as well.
“Of course, you would be invited. You are one of our donors,” she says before turning to me. “And Aurora, I’m glad you came. I’d like to take you to meet Madam Maura now. Is that alright?”
“Yes, Mrs. Ashford.”
Thorne and I follow behind her, and with each step that I take, I find my heart beating harder and louder. Thorne can probably hear it, and I know I’m right when he squeezes my hand. It provides a bit of comfort, but the unknown is still a bit scary.
I’m not sure what a witch looks like, but I don’t expect to stop in front of an older woman dressed in bright colors and a bohemian style. Her skirts and little bells swish around her, and the light, shimmery fabrics shine underneath the bright ceiling lights. The draping, colorful fabrics are a stark contrast to the fine gowns the other women around us wear. Honestly, if I had to choose one word to describe the woman, it would be eccentric.
She’s not what I expected.
