I struggle to focus on the movie.
There has to be something—anything to make him as imperfect as everyone else I’ve pushed away.
But no. There’s nothing. Not a single ick. He washes his own laundry, and he dresses well. Even his socks are overpriced. He knows how to cook, and he has a thriving career. Theo is passionate and empathetic, but he still has such a good sense of humor, and…
Oh no.I’m falling for him, aren’t I?
I know what his imperfection is. The one thing that is wrong with this man is that he is the one pushingmeaway.
THEO
It’s a wonder I didn’t come right there with her—that I can hold off until I’m alone in my room. Desire has been replaced with an ache. Sitting through the movie with her so close was an hour and a half of torture.
I don’t want to come, even now. It’s wrong, and I’m riddled with guilt as I lift her underwear to my face and inhale deeply. Her sweet scent. Her arousal—all because of me. They’re still damp, and I run my tongue over the crotch of the underwear, groaning at the taste.
Fuck. I need to return these; I can’t believe I forgot, and now…
I’m hard again—of course, I am. I’ll probably live the rest of my life rock hard, thinking about how her pussy clenched around my fingers and how her face contorted with pleasure.
If I keep putting my pleasure off, it’s going to give me a stomachache. My heart already aches. I want to taste her and be inside her. I want to be on top of her. I want to hear her whimpering in my ear, calling me sir.
Fuck. I’m a bad person.
There’s only a wall separating us, and it’s too much. I need her. I can’t have her. This will have to do.
Still gripping her used underwear, I wrap my hand around my cock, already hard, straining, painful. I need release, even if I don’t deserve it. Or maybe I do. I made her come, and that must make me worthy of pleasure, too.
No. It doesn’t. I’m pathetic, jerking off into her underwear. What would she say if she could see me now, a whimpering mess?
I bite my lip to stifle the sounds. This won’t last long. This is the hand that was touching her. I still remember how she sounded—soft mewls and whimpers as I finger-fucked her into oblivion. She’s on the other side of the wall. Can she hear me? Is she thinking of me? Is she still wet?
One touch wasn’t enough. One kiss wasn’t. We were foolish for thinking it was. I spill into her underwear, making a mess, and I already know I need more.
She does, too. Evie was needy all night, wiggling on top of me, still wet between her legs when I sent her to bed. She’s too good to argue and beg for me, no matter how much I want to hear her whimpering out those soft pleas.
How can we stop now?
Chapter Seventeen
THEO
She deserves more than I can give her. Evie deserves chocolate, a night on the town, a soft bed, and a head between her legs. After a cold and rainy work vacation, she deserves something tropical. I already gave her more than I was supposed to, but I still can’t give her everything she deserves—not without ruining her workplace and my relationship with my best friend.
Instead, I bring her a coffee. She’s usually the one to get me coffee, no matter how often I remind her it isn’t part of her job description, but today she deserves it. I sneak out to a local cafe before she can wake up, and by the time I’m back, she already has her laptop open.
Evie is a hard worker, and I’m sure she wants to focus on her tasks, but God—she is beautiful in the morning. Her hair is in a bun on her head, and she hasn’t put on makeup yet. The soft blue circles under her eyes may indicate a lack of sleep, but they make her look sweeter.
I could fall in love with her sleepy smile if I let myself, but I won’t, no matter how much the sight makes my heart clench.
“I brought you a latte,” I say, forcing my voice to sound even—normal. She needs to think I’m normal, but fuck, I’m not. Touching her one time wrecked me, and I know I can’t ever have a second time. “Coffee here is a little different and a lot less sweet, but I hope you like it.”
“Thank you.” Her voice is raspier in the morning, too. How have I never realized that?
It’s attractive. Hearing her speak tightens my pants, a sign I need to get out of here. Fast.
I set the coffee down and clear my throat. “I’ll be out in the woods for most of the day, but text me if you need anything. Service out there is garbage, but?—”
“Really? You’ll be gone all day?”
