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My heart is hammering in my chest as I ring his doorbell, and when Theo opens the door, I’m struck by a wave of nerves, confusion, and frustration.
“Hey,” I say.
“Hey,” he says. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” I reply, without any jokes or self-deprecating comments. I’m way past that point. “Theo, we need to talk.”
He moves silently out of the way, allowing me inside. His apartment is every bit the opposite of his brother’s: the decor is tasteful, the furniture is modern and sleek, and the few pieces of artwork on the walls are timeless and elegant. It’s strange being at his place after so much time spent with him living at mine, and I’m struck by how much it says about him—his power, his wealth, his influence.
I’m also struck by the way Theo is looking at me: like he wants to pull me into his arms and never let go.
“About what happened with Lucas,” he says, and it’s not a question.
“Yes.” I cross my arms. “You just left, Theo.”
“I know,” he says, running a hand through his hair. “I had to, kid. I needed to lie low for a while. What happened was going to stir up some shit, and I couldn’t afford to put you in the middle of it.”
“Well, Iamin the middle of it,” I say. “My parents are talking about trouble with your family. They’re saying the alliance is at risk.” I take a step closer to him, my voice quivering a little. “Why would you blow up at Lucas like that? It could cost us everything!”
“You think I don’t know that?” Theo growls, rounding on me. “You think I don’t know how precarious this situation is?”
“I can’t afford to be the reason this falls apart, Theo,” I retort. “I know you’re set to take over for your father, but as of now, he’s the one in charge, and if he thinks this marriage is more trouble than it’s worth—”
“I know,” Theo replies, his expression steely. “I know what this alliance means to our families, Vivian! I’ve spent years hearing about how strong we could be together, and I’ve spent years making sure I’m ready to take the reins when we are.”
“Thenwhy?” I look up at him, trembling with frustration and worry. “Why would you put it at risk like that?”
Theo stares me down. “You think I was just going to sit there and watch him put his hands all over you like that?”
I suck in a breath, at the realization as well as the proximity. I can feel the heat coming off him in waves, and I’m reminded of the way he’s looked at me so many times, with hunger in his eyes and raw, uncontrollable desire on his face.
Butterflies rush through my stomach.
“Theo...”
“That’s not a game I’m going to play, Vivian,” Theo says, his voice low and heated, and his tone leaves no room for argument. “I warned you the first time we met: I know what I want.”
My breath hitches in my chest, warmth flooding through my body. “And what do you want?” I whisper, an echo of the same question I asked him in the bar all those months ago… back before my life was turned upside down forever.
Theo stares down at me for a moment longer, his silver eyes gleaming in the low light, and then, the next thing I know, his lips are crashing into mine.
For a moment, I’m too stunned to respond, but then I’m melting into him, kissing him back with all the passion and desire that has been building in me over these past months. It’s been so long since that night at the bar, but the feeling of him is like a drug, the high coming back in an instant, and I’m addicted.
Our lips are locked together, his tongue sweeping against mine, and the heat of his mouth is almost overwhelming. My head is spinning, my body trembling, and all I can think about is how much I need him, and fuck everything else. It’s like suddenly all that matters is this man, and the way he makes me feel.
I pull away from him, taking a staggering step back. “Theo,” I protest, my cheeks pink. “What are we doing?”
“I don’t know,” he says, “but I’m sick of fighting it.” He crashes into me again, and before I can process what’s happening, he’s pinned me up against the wall, his hands tight around my wrists. His lips are on my neck, his teeth grazing against my skin as he sucks a mark there, claiming me. He must be able to feel the way my pulse is racing in my veins, and it’s all I can hear pounding in my ears as I suck in a ragged breath. Pleasure floods through me, driving away any lingering doubts as he lets go of my wrists, and I tangle my hands in his shaggy hair as he kisses me again, hungrier than before. I can feel his desire pressing against me through his jeans, and a shiver runs down my spine as I imagine what he’d feel like inside me.
Theo’s hands move to the hem of my shirt as he kisses me, keeping one hand on my hip as his fingers slip under the fabric. His hand makes its way up my stomach, and I feel his fingers against my bare skin as he reaches my bra. I take a ragged breath at the sensation, my body moving against him involuntarily, and he takes the opportunity to wrap his arm around my waist, pulling me against him.
He moves his lips to my ear, his teeth grazing against my skin as his fingers find the clasp of my bra. “I’ve been wanting to do this since the first time I met you,” he murmurs into my ear, his voice low and smooth like velvet as my bra drops to the floor. I can feel his callused skin on my breasts as he cups them, teasing my nipples with his thumbs, and I let out a soft moan.
“Where?” I pant as he moves his lips to my neck again, still moving his hands over my skin under my shirt.
In response, he pulls me off my feet, hooking his hands under my knees to support me as he carries me away from the wall and across the apartment, his lips never leaving me. Somehow we make it to the bedroom, where his immaculately-made king bed waits for us.
“Theo,” I murmur as he lowers me to the mattress. He pulls my shirt off over my head and tosses it aside, then slows down for the first time, laying me down as his eyes rake over my bare torso. A feeling of shyness overtakes me; he’s never seen me like this before, and I can feel the heat of his gaze as he stares down at me. But as vulnerable as I feel, my desire for him doesn’t diminish.
