Page 25 of The Rhythm of their Souls

Another beautiful day. The waves are violent, crashing with force against the shore. We walk just close enough to where the water runs over our feet. The sand is cool and slick against my toes. Currently, I am wearing my bathing suit underneath a white knitted pullover that comes down just underneath my ass. The breeze caresses my skin keeping me cool from the sun’s beaming rays.

There is something about the sun hitting my olive-kissed skin. Since being here my body has become a rich golden color. There’s nothing like getting a tan at your favorite spot.

After walking at least half a mile, we pick an area to sit down and let the dogs run and play. They’re having the time of their puppy lives. Leo chases Lottie in circles. I love when she tucks her tail and playfully runs from him. I am truly embracing every little moment here. My life has been robbed of many things, so when a speck of happiness creeps into my day, I soak in every ounce.

I contently stare off at the horizon, and I imagine where it starts and where it ends. The ocean is a beautiful mystery filled with secrets. I can’t help but close my eyes and listen closely, hoping it’ll share one with me.

When I open my eyes, I tilt my head to look at Theo. There he is watching me again. He does this frequently. If I’m not crazy, I’d say he almost has a look of admiration on his face. Which is fucking weird because what is there to admire about me? I catch myself before asking him why and instead watch the pups frolic alongside the shore.

Theo takes a deep breath beside me and rasps out, “I truly hope I get to see you again. This trip has honestly been exhilarating with you so far. And I would like to continue exploring whatever this is with us,” he utters with sheer confidence.

His effective words catch me off guard, and my mouth speaks before processing them. “My life is far from roses and cheerful smiles, Theo, and from our recent conversations, yours seems to be the polar opposite. And as much as I’ve appreciated our time here together, I’d hate to be a nuisance in your close-to-perfect life.”

Abort. Destructive Olive is here. Fuck, why do I do this? I look away and decide to stay silent after my mini outburst.

I can sense him studying me for what feels like an eternity, I regretfully turn to look back at him, and his expression hardens.

He then speaks roughly. “No one’s life is perfect, I can promise you that. It’s what makes our time here so individually unique.” If he only knew how absurdly unique mine was.

Just as I drift off into my overworking mind, Theo puts his hand on my thigh and stills me with his piercing glare.

“Our lives may not align perfectly together, but damn it, Olive, I know our souls were destined to dance.” My breath hitches in my achy throat—such a poetic bastard.

Every time this man speaks, it has this magnetic effect on me. In this moment I can feel our souls desperately reaching toward each other like they are preparing to sing a beautiful song in harmony. I slowly pull from his gaze and rub my hands together repetitively. A nervous tick I’ve had since I was a small child.

I pull back into his stare and say with all but a whisper, “And what makes you so sure of that?”

Theo’s delicious lips purse together, and I hear a modest sigh escape them. “Because the second our eyes found each other at that party, I felt it. And I know you did too.” The corner of his mouth quirks up. “You may not know this, but your eyes tell everything, Olive. It’s one of the many things I love about you.”

I let out a small gasp. Did he just use the word love? And damn do I admire the sound of my name rolling off his slick tongue. Mm, I can only imagine the performance that tongue could give.

“Olive, you’re doing that spacing out thing again,” he says with a faint chuckle.

I quickly snap out of it. “Ugh, sorry,” I say with reddened cheeks. All I can do in this heated moment is give him a genuine smile. He returns the small gesture with the cutest crooked grin. I catch myself wanting to touch his beautiful face, but I quickly refrain.

I almost feel my guarded walls give out. He’s a determined cannon ready to aim and fire. Theodore Ace Rivers is going to be the death of me, I just know it.

Theo and I barely talk on the walk back to the house. Everything is fine, but I think I just needed a second to process the interaction on the beach. I am not used to someone being so straightforward about what they want. And most importantly what they want, being me. This is different. Most douchebags just want to get in your pants.

Theo has clarified that he is feeling something more. He hasn’t disrespected me or attempted anything other than to know more about me. It makes me feel giddy and terrified at the same time.

Chase and Danielle are in the kitchen when we walk in. Her black hair is sticking up in different places, showing signs of possible foreplay. What gives it away is the red mark on Chase’s neck. I slant my eyes at Danielle, who then snatches her head towards Chase.

I curiously need to know, so I ask, “Um, is that a hickey on your neck Chase?”

Without thinking, he reaches up and rubs his neck like he’s able to feel it with his fingers. He opens his mouth but pauses and cuts his eyes to Danielle as if trying to find the answer to my question.

Danielle’s snaps back at me. “Maybe it is!”

I can’t help but snicker under my breath. “Cool, I didn’t know those were still a thing. Nice work, Danielle.” She scoffs at me immediately in response.

I give both the boys a quick wink and head for the stairs.

Once I am about halfway up, I yell out, “Looks like you got to straddle someone after all, Danielle!”

She lets out a loud huff and runs towards the stairs shouting, “Bitch!” I can’t help but laugh like a little kid. I haul ass towards our guest room with Danielle on my heels.

Thank goodness for long legs. I make it to the room before she catches me. I faintly hear the boys laughing downstairs, which tells me they’re getting a kick out of our banter. This is the first time they’ve really seen our playful side.