AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And honestly, I am not sure what I need. All the thoughts I had about what Theo and I would be doing tonight have vanished.
“I’m sorry, Theo,” I shake my head. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have let him in our room.”
“Don’t apologize.” His voice is stern. “This is not your fault, do you hear me,” he lifts my chin up. “This is not your fault. His actions, they were undeserved. And I swear to you, Catalina, if he so much as dares to look your general direction again, I’ll bury him.”
And I believe him.
“I think I need to get out of these clothes,” I whimper. They smell like Derek. “And a shower.”
Theo nods but when I try to take a step, I stumble, and he catches me. He sweeps me up in his arms and carries me to the bathroom. Making sure the lid is closed, he gently sets me down on the toilet before turning the shower on. Steam fills the luxurious bathroom and Theo turns back to me, kneeling in front of me.
“I’ll be right outside if you need anything,” he places his hand on my knee.
“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice doesn’t sound like my own.
Theo looks like he wants to say so much more to me. He looks nervous to leave me. But he walks out and closes the bathroom door behind him.
As soon as I hear the latch click, another wave of tears stream down my face. I strip and step into the shower, letting the water wash over me, taking my shame, my fear, and my embarrassment. Why is it that I’m not the one who did anything wrong, yet I’m the one left feeling dirty, guilty, sinful?
I take the soap and scrub it over every inch of my skin, hoping to scrape the memory of Derek off me. The heat of the water stabs me like little daggers, and I welcome the pain. The steam fills my nostrils, clearing whatever snot I am harboring. I let the last remaining tears fall before I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around myself. I dry myself off and wring the water from my hair.
I don’t have any clothes in here. I poke my head out of the bathroom and see Theo closed the bedroom doors and let me have as much space as I needed. And even though I can’t hear him in the living room, I know he’s there.
I rummage through my luggage and pull out a baggy t-shirt and pajama shorts. I think about crawling into the bed and falling asleep, but I don’t really feel like being alone.
I open the doors and don’t see Theo on the couch or the balcony. As I walk further in the room, I hear him at the little kitchenette bar with two cups of coffee.
Theo’s eyes meet mine. “I got room service to send up some coffee.” He holds up an assortment of M&M’s, chocolate bars, and chocolate covered peanuts. “And I know how much you like chocolate, so I raided the snack bar.”
A hint of a smile leaves my lips. “I’m allergic to peanuts.”
Theo tosses the packet of chocolate covered peanuts over his shoulder and it lands on the floor. “Then I have coffee, M&M’s, and chocolate bars.” He smiles at me, and it floods me with a warmth I can’t even explain. He just makes everything seem better. I hope I have the same affect on him that he does me.
I am holding my torso as if I’m giving myself a hug. My smile fades, stealing his grin too. “Theo, I’m really sorry about tonight. I wanted this to be special and -”
Theo waves his hand, “You don’t have to apologize. I already told you that. I’m just happy I could help you.”
“Thank you, by the way.” I kick my foot along the lush carpet. “I never actually thanked you before.”
“I would do anything for you, Catalina.”
Those green eyes. I could swim in them for the rest of my life and die happy.
“I…” I clear my throat. “I was going to lay in bed, but I really don’t want to be alone.”
“Do you want to lay in bed, drink coffee, watch a movie, and eat junk food until we fall asleep?”
I nod, shooing an ugly cry away. “I would love that.”
Theo points a finger at me. “Don’t hog all the covers.”
I put a hand up as if I am swearing an oath. “I promise, I won’t hog the covers.”
We hop in the king size bed, chocolate and other snacks and treats spread across the duvet like a buffet. I take a sip of my coffee and whip my head toward him.
“What?” He leans back. “Do you not like it?”
“It tastes like chocolate.”
