That…wow…that sends a wave of relief through me, the kind of relief that I feel like I’ve been searching for ever since I was a teen out on that beach, searching for treasure and attempting to find something that would help put food on the table.
It’s the kind of relief that I’ve been craving for so long.
And he’s just willing and ready to give it to me.
I don’t know what to do with that other than…cry.
Tears well up in my eyes and I try to sniff them back, but it’s no use. The stress, the anxiety, the weight of the world comes crashing down around me as I snuggle into him, clinging on to this man that I was passionate about not needing. And yet I was so wrong. Because I need him.
I need his strength.
I need his humor.
I need his protection.
“I don’t know how this happened,” I say through my tears that he keeps trying to wipe away, but I don’t let him as I bury myself into his chest. “I don’t know why it happened.” I look up at him. “And I don’t know why you’ve been so persistent with me, but I’m grateful.”
Something flashes in his eyes, almost like…he feels guilt for a moment, but it’s quickly washed away when he leans in and presses a kiss to my forehead.
“I’m grateful you came into my life as well.” He kisses me again, his hand rubbing my back, and after a few seconds of us just holding each other, he asks, “So is it a date on Saturday?”
I nod. “It’s a date.”
Carefully, I tiptoe down the stairs, not wanting to wake anyone.
Theo is asleep.
Rupert is hopefully still passed out and blissfully unaware of what Theo and I have done in that room.
And I’m dying of thirst from the rigorous activities I’ve just participated in.
When I make it downstairs, I head toward the kitchen, where I open the fridge, looking for a drink, but only find a pitcher of lemonade. What is it with these guys and lemonade? Have they never had it before?
But what I find the most fascinating is that there isn’t a drop of alcohol in this fridge. Not an IPA, not a lager, nothing. Instead, there’s jam, boiled eggs, lemonade, and a bowl of oranges. Unsure why the oranges are in a bowl in the fridge, but there they are.
Smiling, I shut the fridge and, just for the hell of it, peek into the freezer.
No alcohol, no frozen pizzas, just some popsicles—those red, white, and blue rocket ones.
It’s so charming, it’s actually making my lips hurt from smiling.
“Looking for a late-night snack?”
“Jesus,” I startle, hand to chest as I find Theo, looking all kinds of sexy and rumpled, walking toward me.
“Looking for a drink.”
“I had water on the bedside table for you,” he says, walking up behind me, his body still warm as he loops his arms around my waist, his lips immediately finding my neck.
“I drank it all.”
“Mmmm…” is all he says as he tugs on my shirt, pulling up the hem so his hands grip my hips.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I ask.
“Attempting to fuck you in my kitchen.” His hand slides across my stomach and then down between my legs. He dips two fingers along my clit and finds me already aroused. It only takes seconds with him, especially when he’s shirtless, warm, and needy.
“Rupert will walk in.”
