He glides his hands carefully from my rib cage down the curve of my waist. They settle on my hips and remain planted gently in place. Though his hands are tender, his mouth is a ferocious beast.He sucks and soothes andurgesmy mouth open with his tongue.Ican’tbelieve this hunger was within him all this time.
My sweet, reserved, cautious Theodore is now feral with lust. But he still takes his time.
I let out a breathy sigh as henips at my jaw, and just like that, the spell is broken.
Theo steps back abruptly with his hands out in front of him. He stares at them wildly as ifthey’vebetrayed him somehow.
“Theo,” I breathe his name.
“I’m sorry.” He squeezes his eyes shut. The muscles in his neck are tight and rigid. “I have to go.”
This time, he doesn’t vanish. He storms from the room. And I can’t fight the feeling I’ve just ruined everything.
Chapter Thirty-Three
KENNEDY
Iwake up to the sound of birds chirping outside the bedroom window. I roll over, my back floating an inch above the mattress, and face the tattered canopy above, a reminder that despite all the work Theo has put into cleaning the house,there’sstill so much that needs to be done.
Ididn’tfollow him last night when he abandoned me after our kiss. I had nodoubthe neededspace.My concern about scaring him off came to fruition, but I don’t actually think he was afraid of me.It seemed more like he was afraid of himself. Afraid of his own feelings.
Padding over to the window,Isummonmy handsandopen it with a groan.The air is cold against the exposed skin, the temporary warmth from the day before long gone. Without the snow, the forest looks barren. The limbs creak and sway with the wind, and a fierce breeze gusts through the window.Icloseit tight andsummonthe white knit sweater I arrived in, also disappearing my physical hands.
I slept in my leggings, though I shifted into my spirit form before falling asleep.I’vegot tosay, I sure have enjoyed thesimplicity of getting ready each day. Never having to wash my hair or shimmy my way into tight jeans is a liberating feeling.
I assume Theo is holed up in the library, so I head down the hall and slip through the cracked door. Despite cleaning, the air is still musty.Perhaps onanother warm day, Theo will let me open all the windows and airthe placeout.
I find him sunk into a leather armchair as I enter the room, his head in his hands.He’sstill in his physical body, and I wonder ifhe’sbeen awake all night.
“Hey,” I say gently.
He lifts his head, eyes rimmed red and puffy.
Has he been crying?
I rush over to him and hover close to his slumped shoulder. “Are you alright?”
He crosses his arms, holding his stomach tightly. “I’mso sorry, Kennedy. Ididn’tmean to lose control like that. It just happened.”
He’sapologizing? Does he regret what happened?Does he not rememberI’mthe one who started it?
“Theo, you don’t have to apologize,” I tell him sternly. “I’m okay.” Then, with less gravitas, I add, “I…liked it.”
“You did?”heasks, mouth agape, eyes glued to mine.
I realize then that this is all completely new to him. Not only has he been a ghost for over a century, buthe’sbeen all alone in this house. Being with a woman must be like relearning how to write your ownname, ortrying to remember the lyrics to a song you once knew.
It might take some practice, but based on how eager he was last night, Idon’tthink it will take long for him to feel confident again.
But now is not the time for that. Right now, I just need him to know that everything is okay. That he did nothing wrong.
Inodfervently, making sure he sees the glimmer of want in my eyes.
His body relaxes, and with that, his physical body flits away. Hisspirit formrises from the leather chair and flits to the space beside me.
“I was worried I ruined everything,” hemurmurshesitantly. “I—” He drops his chin as it quivers just slightly. “I like you being here,” he confesses. “I don’t want you to leave.”
His admission spears straight through my heart, and I feel my spirit being tugged closer to his. “I don’t want to leave,” I say.
