Page 27 of The Rhythm of their Souls

We soon reach the pier’s entrance by the seafood joint where we ate dinner. We walk down alongside the pier. Once my feet hit the sand, I quickly remove my sandals and dig my toes in. There’s no one near us on the beach; I’m pretty sure most are on the pier listening to the band. Theo leads me down underneath the pier area.

I can hear the music perfectly above us, minus the crowds of people. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the atmosphere of people dancing and laughing, but sometimes my anxiety gets the best of me, and I need to break away and breathe.

The moon’s reflection is beaming under the pier, showcasing a path. Without hesitating, I throw my sandals and bag down, grab my dress, and sprint to the water’s edge like I’m a kid again seeing the ocean for the first time. The salty water feels cool against my feet, I take a few deep breaths and take in my surroundings.

Tonight has been everything I’ve needed for such a long time. It’s been going so well that I’m waiting for a huge boulder to fall out of the sky and crush me along with my happy moments because this weekend has been too good to be true.

The wind blows in my direction, and the smell of oak hits my nasal passages. I instantly know that Theo is right behind me. A smile curls along my mouth.

Twirling around like a ballerina, I face him and give him a wobbly curtsy. Theo shakes his head and snickers at me but follows up with a slow, respectful bow. We both giggle at one another. I inch towards him and reach up to tap the tip of his nose.

“You’re surprisingly okay to hang out with. I’m shocked,” I tease him.

Theo furrows his brow at me and quickly chimes back, “I was thinking the same thing. Here I thought you were some jailbird out looking for trouble. You know, considering your lengthy criminal record. But come to find out, you’re just a lightweight.”

I give him my most dramatic eye roll followed by a firm middle finger.

I turn to walk back to the water, but Theo grabs my wrist and whips me around so quickly that our bodies collide. Letting go of my wrist, he softly runs two fingers along my forearm.

Goosebumps trail up my body with every gentle connection. I close my eyes for a second to embrace what his simple touch does to me mentally and physically. I place my other hand on his chest near his shoulder, lifting my head to look up at him.

His expression is almost unreadable, but a hunger behind his stare causes me to shiver. I swear, this man could fuck me good with just his eyes.

His heart is thrashing against me at a rapid speed, and my heart seems to follow suit soon after. Within seconds, our hearts are in sync, beating as one. Blood is aggressively pumping through every vein from the intensity of things, and heartbeats pound in my head causing me to feel slightly lightheaded. As if Theo senses my unsteadiness, in one swift movement, he slides both hands to where my back arches, using them and his firm body to keep me upright.

He gives me a questioning look, almost like he’s asking for permission to touch me there. How fucking polite of him. I give a tiny nod, letting him know it’s okay.

Our bodies fit perfectly together like they’re made for each other. So much has happened in these last few minutes that I had forgotten the band was still playing above us on the pier. There is a sudden moment of silence where all I hear is the ocean’s natural melody and the steady beats of our two hearts. I swear time stood still in that silence; the weight of its absence causing me to forget anything but the man standing before me.

The band starts back up, and I quickly recognize the song they’re covering, Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls. I love this damn song. I remember when it first came out. Danielle had just recently gotten her driver’s license, and anytime it came on the radio we’d crank up the volume and roll the windows down singing our hearts out to the world.

I think we both had hoped one day that the lyrics would have real meaning in our lives. It makes me wonder if her and Chase are dancing to it now.

The thought slips my mind, thanks to Theo tightening his grip on my lower back. I hadn’t realized that we started slowly swaying to the beat of the music. Like I’m in a trance with no control over my body or mind. Even if I wanted to break free, I couldn’t; there’s something irresistibly magnetic pulling our souls closer to one another.

The lyrics are resonating down to my bones, every word flowing effortlessly through my body. I wonder if he sees me for who I truly am. I’ve yearned for this experience with him; to escape the hardships of my past, my mother’s struggles, Nora’s pain, and my own. I want it all to dissolve from my mind so my heart and soul can rest. Even if only just temporary, I will greedily take what I can get. Because this right here with Theo feels like a forbidden antidote. My antidote.

My arms gravitate around his neck, and I lay my head against his solid chest. His body emits a comforting warmth beneath my cheek, enveloping me in a sense of safety. He runs his fingers up my spine, caressing every nerve through my body. How can a simple touch ignite so much inside me?

The band reaches the chorus, and our body movement picks up speed, synchronizing with every note. I sway my hips, allowing the music to enter my body and take control. His securing hands run along my lower back in a pleasurable pattern, trailing just above my ass.

I tenderly rub his neck, touching the hairs forming his hairline. I can hear his staggered breathing. Does my sensual touch do the same for him as his does for me?

Theo rubs his hands along my hips, all the way until he reaches the nape of my neck, his hands clasp around it reaching into the hair behind my ears, and his thumbs rest perfectly underneath my jawline tilting my face up to look at him. His gorgeous mouth is slightly parted. Warm, minty breath invades my senses as our eyes bore into each other. We are opposite souls, no longer reaching but intertwined.

So many emotions are racing through me, causing me to bite down hard on my bottom lip. Theo’s eyes shift before I can even pinpoint what I’ve triggered. He lets out a muffled groan. “Damn it, Olive, I’ve wanted to do this for so fucking long.”

He grips my hair pulling my head back. Leaning down, he tenderly bites my bottom lip, and I can’t hold back the moan that escapes my throat. Within seconds our mouths clash together, tasting one another.

No more holding back or rejecting what’s been gifted to me on a silver platter; Theo is currently nourishing my starving soul. My hands desperately make their way into his thick wavy locks. Our tongues passionately explore each other, never stopping for air. Fuck breathing; all I need are our lips and bodies as close as possible.

He pulls from my mouth, causing me to let out a small whimper from our disconnect. Before I can catch my breath, I am whipped around to face the ocean. Theo grabs around my stomach and pulls me against his body. The music has long since stopped, but our bodies continue moving with the rhythm of our souls. With every smooth motion, I can feel the emptiness within myself slowly filling with something euphoric. His pureness bleeds into my tethered being, bringing it back to life.

I grind up against him. In return, Theo groans into my neck, sending butterflies through my stomach. He kisses up my neck until his warm breath reaches my earlobe. He then pants in my ear, “Do you feel what your presence does to me, Olive?”

I let out a rigid gasp. His hard length rubs against my ass, letting me know just how intense this is.

Pressure is quickly building in my mid-section. I need him closer; I crave more of him. I hike my dress up near the front split and grab his hand, guiding it up my thigh. Thanking myself for not wearing panties tonight, I place his hand near my sensitive spot, permitting him to explore how he pleases.