Page 43 of The Rhythm of their Souls

Ruby showed a lot of interest in getting to know Nora; she even begged me to bring her over for dinner soon so that she could meet her. I let her know I would talk to her about it. But I left out the part where I hadn’t told Nora about Theo yet. I swear I’ll have the conversation with her soon. I know Nora would adore Emma just as I do now.

We all exchange hugs and say our goodbyes. Ruby squeezes me extra tight while reminding me I can come over and visit anytime I want. I appreciate her. She has a beautiful soul, and she and Lucas have raised two good humans. And I can see why Theo is such a gentleman.

As my hand reaches for the car door, I hear Emma yelling my name. She runs out of the garage with something in her hand. “Here, I made this for you!” she strains out from running so fast. She hands me a piece of paper.

I flip it over to find what looks like a picture of me and Theo holding hands, with a big heart over our heads.

I feel a slight ache in my throat and maybe even tears building behind my corneas. I don’t know what emotion is taking over me right now, but I think it’s a mixture of the wholesome his family has made me feel and how Emma has shown that maybe I’m not so bad of a person after all.

Emma gestures for me to lean down. She puts her hands around her mouth, blocking so no one can see. “I can tell Theodore really likes you,” she whispers.

I purse my lips, fighting the urge to smile, knowing this moment is too precious. With a burst of warmth in my chest, I pull her in for a brief, tight hug, whispering my gratitude for the sweet picture she made me. It’s a small gesture, but it means so much.

As we make our way out of their driveway, I take a moment to glance back. The three of them stand there, waving their goodbyes with bright smiles. It’s a heartwarming scene that makes me feel surprisingly light.

In that fleeting moment, a wave of emotion washes over me. For the first time, I sense that life is gently returning the kindness I’ve longed for after enduring so much pain and hardship. It’s a refreshing feeling as if the universe finally acknowledges my struggles and offers me a glimmer of hope. I needed Theo and his family in my life.

Chapter 24

“See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Theo teases, squeezing my leg. I run my eyes along his forearm up to his bicep, watching his muscles tighten. My legs instantly squeeze shut. It’s a new reflex I’ve unintentionally created for myself called the “Theo effect.”

And I don’t know. There is something about a man kicked back, driving onehanded with their other hand lax on a female’s leg. And this is not just any man. It’s Theo Ace fucking Rivers. I’m in a live movie right now, cruising in a hot guy’s Corvette with music playing and the night sky swallowing us whole.

Sometimes, I doubt myself, wondering how a man of his stature could be so interested in me. I’m not saying I’m some hideous creature, but there are so many beautiful women out there. It still baffles me he has chosen someone like me—the girl who grew up too fast in a small trailer with a dysfunctional mother and a protective big sister.

I may never fully understand, but I must show him how much I appreciate him and his presence. Never have I wanted to jump a man’s bones like I want to right now. Ignoring Theo’s comment, I take my seat belt off and angle my body to face him.

“What are you doing?” he asks. I choose to stay silent and not give him an answer.

I focus on my task, leaning over the middle console. I run my left hand up his leg; even with his jeans on, I can feel his length resting along his thigh under the fabric. I can feel it jerk beneath my touch when my hand grazes over where it lays. It sends shivers up my arms, causing the hair on the back of my neck to rise.

Theo keeps his focus on the road, gripping the steering wheel so tight that I can see the white of his knuckles even in the dark. His right hand has now moved from my thigh to behind my lower back.

I finally stop at the zipper of his jeans, looking up at him. He tilts his head towards me, his expression firm. But when I glimpse at his sexy, light eyes, it’s almost as if they’re daring me to continue. And one thing about me is that I’ve never been one to back down from a dare.

I bring my attention back to his lap, carefully unzipping his jeans. Theo pulls his hand from my lower back, and I examine it as he reaches between the openings of his jeans. He leans forward while adjusting his jeans and boxers. My mouth fills with saliva, and I am ready to pounce and claim him in my mouth.

His impressive length springs out of his jeans, causing my pulse to quicken. He wraps his right hand around his width, stroking himself slowly. Even with his vast hand clinging on, it does not hide his intimidating size. Never in my life have I seen anything so mouth-watering.

Theo’s head falls back onto the headrest. This is a whole new level of sexy, and the visual he’s generously giving me is now seared into my brain.

For a moment, my mind travels back to our little hot excursion in the ocean and how challenging it was to take him fully in my mouth. I’ve faced difficult challenges my entire life, and this one, I have to admit, is my favorite so far.

I position myself as best as I can with the little space provided in this sports car. My lips are now just inches from where I want them. I lap my needy tongue gently around his smooth tip. Theo sucks in a breath, stilling his hand movement. I take it as an opportunity to fill my mouth with as much of him as possible. I slide my lips tight around his hard length until I reach where his hand still holds firm.

“Fuck, Olive,” he rumbles.

I continue my pattern, purposely slamming my lips against his hand. He finally lets go, firmly wrapping his hand around my neck.

Now, with Theo’s grip, in one quick motion, I slam myself as far down as I can take. His large tip reaches the opening in my throat. Tears build in the corners of my eyes from the sudden force.

A loud growl leaves his mouth, only fueling the already blazing fire deep inside me. I hollow out my cheeks, loving the feel of his silky skin sliding beneath my lips. Our moans, mixed with wet slurping noises, flood the car.

I quickly wrap both hands around the base of him, creating a perfect hand motion to match the sucking and sliding of my mouth movements. Tears stream down my face as I continue to consume his massive length.

“You keep sucking my dick like that, and I’m going to wreck this fucking car,” Theo strains out through closed teeth. The sound of him struggling to hold his composure sends immediate pleasure down my untouched center. Desperately, I push my hips forward in my jeans, searching for friction on my sensitive spot.

Theo’s fingers lace through my hair as I pick up speed. I can feel my lips becoming pleasantly numb from the brutal suction I have created around him. He pushes and pulls on my hair. Deep, uneven breaths slide from his parted mouth as he relentlessly fucks the back of my throat. Spit, mixed with tears, races down my chin.