Page 48 of The Rhythm of their Souls

His gaze intensifies my heartrate; blood pulses through me, trying to keep up with my fast, pounding heart. He pulls his bottom lip in, gently gliding it along his top teeth. “Mmm, strange. You may have control over your pretty little face, but your eyes are screaming for me to reach between your thighs and feel just how turned on you are,” he utters softly.

Fuck, I failed miserably.

My expression slackens from his words, words that ring true.

He presses his body into mine, causing my back to push into the kitchen island. I grip tightly to the counter behind me, trying to prevent my spine from taking all the weight.

Theo grabs under my ass, pushing my lower half into his. I can feel his bulge press against me. My breath quickens. He runs his hand underneath my leg to the crease of my knee, pulling my leg around his waist. I watch his head tilt down, focusing on my leg.

“These tights are doing something savage to me,” he growls, his grip tightening on the back of my leg. I let go of the counter and lace my arms around his neck.

Our noses are one movement away from touching. I breathe in his scent, wanting to melt into him.

His mouth grazes mine. “You make me fucking rabid, Olive,” he breathes into my mouth.

I slide my tongue along my lips, purposely touching his as well—the taste of cool mint stains the tip of my tongue. I quickly retort, “I suppose it’s meant to be because I become feral the moment you touch me.”

He presses into me harder. We are basically conjoined twins now, and I’m okay with it.

As our mouths part further, the sound of a door slinging open grabs our attention. Theo and I turn our heads towards the small hall. Chase first walks out. His hair is disheveled, and his hat is crooked. Danielle’s short self trails behind him, peeking from beside him.

She is unbothered while applying more lipstick. These fools somehow did a little bump and grind. How the hell? And was I that hypnotized by Theo? I didn’t even catch them sneaking off.

Chase gives me an innocent smile while adjusting his suspenders. Theo and I exchange disbelief-filled glances. I turn my attention to Danielle as she picks up our purses. She suddenly stops and stares at me.

Just as I’m about to speak, she interrupts, “Are you done drooling over your man so we can go to this party?”

We all stand in silence for a moment, looking at one another. I gaze back at Chase and see him biting his lip, trying not to laugh. Within seconds, the four of us erupt into laughter over nothing at all. The ridiculousness of the moment makes it even more hilarious.

We all pile into Chase’s enormous truck. Theo lets me sit by the window, which I requested. I expected him to sit at the other window, but he sat in the middle next to me. It’s a tighter fit for his long legs, but he doesn’t seem to mind. Having him close is comforting.

Danielle turns her head in her seat and gives me her brightest smile. Then she leans over, turns up the radio, and kisses Chase on the cheek. Lovebirds.

Within minutes, we have introduced the boys to our car karaoke, which features a mix of Lil Wayne, Lady Gaga, and various random throwbacks. I glance at Theo several times; he doesn’t seem bothered, sporting a lopsided grin.

However, I still wondered if they might want nothing to do with us afterward.

The sun is setting now, casting bright oranges and pinks across the sky. I gaze out my window at the endless fields we pass by. I think of Nora for a moment, and guilt washes over me. I am on my way to a party while she is going through a tough time alone. How can I enjoy myself knowing my big sister is in pain?

I grab my phone from my purse and quickly text her, reminding her how much I love her and that I’m always here for her. I gently lay my head against the cool window, watching darkness take over the landscape. A warm hand slides along my knee, sending tingles up my leg.

I lift my head and tilt it toward Theo. He silently studies me, his face relaxed. We stare at each other for a moment. The creeping night highlights his sharp jawline and pronounced brow. I’ll never get over how damningly beautiful he is. I run small circles around his hard knuckles where his hand rests on my knee.

He leans into me, slightly pressing me into the door. He tenderly places one of my curls behind my ear before bringing his lips a hair’s breadth away from me. “What’s on your mind?” he mumbles into my ear. His rich, gentle tone sends chills down my spine.

I bring my eyes to him before laying my head on his shoulder. I let out a long, breathy sigh. “I’m just worried about Nora,” I admit.

He lifts my chin, resting his fingers beneath my jaw, tilting my eyes to meet his. He gives me an understanding nod. “She wouldn’t want you to stress or worry. If she needs you, she will reach out. And if you need to go to her at any point, I will get you there as quickly as possible. You say let’s go, and we’ll go, baby.” His tender words melt away some of the strain in my chest, but the feelings evading my mind still linger.

I return his lazy smile and follow it with a sensual kiss on his soft lips. My fingers lift to his face, gently tracing the light stubble along his chin and jaw. I think back to when I first met him with a clean-shaven face. And I find myself enjoying the stubble; it suits him and reflects the man he is and continues to become.

Chapter 26

“Damn, there are a lot of people here!” Chase yells over the music blaring from the radio. And he’s not exaggerating; cars line the street on both sides, with many parked in the front yard and driveway.

After almost an hour of riding, my buzz has mostly faded, and seeing all these cars sends my anxiety into overdrive. More people means a higher chance of running into someone I’d rather avoid. Taylor mentioned to Danielle that there would be alcoholic beverages at the party, and I plan to take full advantage of that.

We pull into a parking spot across the driveway, three cars back from Taylor’s house. The boys, ever the gentlemen, quickly hop out of the truck, swing open our doors, and extend their hands to help us step out. Chivalry is very much alive.