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ChapterFive
THEO
Excitement.
I feel it in every part of my body. I’m like a kid on Christmas Eve, waiting for Santa to arrive.
And it’s for one reason.
One person.
My whole world.
Tonight, I will finally have some time with my piccola. Her parents flew back to New York earlier this morning and although her sister will be flying in this afternoon, Thalia has assured me that Aria will make herself scarce so we can be together.
I know we can’t do much in the way of being sexual, but I just want to be around her. Hold her. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t frustrated that we can’t be intimate, because I am—I want to be inside her, every day for the rest of my life—but her recovery comes first, and I don’t want to cause further injury by fucking her. It would be irresponsible of me. As much as I want her. I want her to recover more.
That doesn’t mean we can’t do other stuff. I’m an asshole for thinking about these things, but it’s been too long. It’s not even just missing that part of our relationship. I miss the intimacy, just being in her presence. I would spend every minute of every day with her if I could. Tie her to my side. I need Thalia more than I need to breathe. It’s probably an unhealthy way to think, but it is what it is.
She’s mine.
I pull up to her apartment building and make quick work of parking, getting in the elevator, and going up to the penthouse. Something a lot like nerves courses through me as I come to a stand outside her door. I have no idea why I’m nervous, it makes no sense. But I am. Maybe it’s because this time, knocking on her door is different. This time, I don’t have to worry about Mel disturbing us. It’s just my piccola and me, finally together, like we should be. I push aside my anxiety and knock. Not a minute later, I hear footsteps and the door is pulled open, revealing Aria. Her lips curve into a grin.
“Theo,” she says by way of greeting. I chuckle. The last couple of times I have seen Aria, she hasn’t had the best things to say to me. Not that I can blame her. She’s looking out for her sister. As she should.
I clear my throat. “Aria, how are you?”
Her eyes narrow on me, and I know I’m in for another one of her lectures. “If Thalia hadn’t told me that you didn’tactuallymarry Mel and that you finally kicked her ass to the curb, I would slam this door in your face. But since you grew a backbone.” She flashes a smile. “I will allow you to enter.” She pulls the door open as if to prove her point. I clench my jaw and grit my teeth. I would normally never allow someone to speak to me like Aria is. However, since its Thalia’s sister I’ll let it slide. But only because I’m going to be in my piccola’s life forever and will need to get along with her family—no matter how much I want to put this girl in her place.
I plaster on a smile. “Thank you, Aria.” I step inside, my eyes snapping to the hall when my piccola appears. She shuffles awkwardly in the direction of the couch. As if she senses me, she pauses, and her eyes dart my direction. She smiles so brightly; it takes my breath away. Even in sweats and hobbling on crutches, she is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I start towards her, pulling her gently into my arms. Burying my nose in her hair, I breathe her in like she’s, my oxygen. She is. I definitely breathe easier when I am around her.
“Hey, piccola,” I murmur.
“Hey, Piccolo,” she sighs contentedly.
I squeeze her tighter, making sure not to knock her knee in anyway. “Let’s get you to the couch.” I scoop her up tenderly, cradling her to my chest as I walk the short distance to the couch. I place her down, elevate her leg, then drop down beside her. I pepper kisses all over her face, stopping when a throat clears. I look over to where Thalia’s sister stands, jerking her thumb towards the door. For a minute, I forgot she was still here.
“I’m going to find Bishop and give you two some privacy.” She grabs her purse off the counter. “I’ll be a couple of hours.”
“Thank you, sis. Flove you,” Thalia says.
Aria smiles softly at her sister. “Flove you too.” And then she leaves, giving us the alone time, we need.
I turn to my girl. “How are you feeling?”
She sighs. “Okay, I’ve had a little pain but nothing I can’t handle.”
“You would tell me if it was too much? If you were hurting?” I ask her.
“Of course, Theo. I’m fine, honestly. I just want to get started with therapy.”
I nod. “Do you want to watch a movie?” I ask.
She shakes her head, her cheeks pinking. “I want...” she trails off, blushing furiously red now. She ducks her head, avoiding eye contact. I won’t have that. Gripping her chin, I lift until she’s looking at me.
“What do you want, baby?” I murmur, my lips brushing hers. I can guess what she wants, but I want to hear her say it.
“I want to feel you inside me. It’s been too long,” she whispers.
