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The only sound in the kitchen was the slapping of our skin and our labored breaths. If anyone walked in right now, I didn’t think I’d be able to stop.
Her breathing sped up, and she arched her back, finally breaking our kiss. She came with a loud moan, her body shuddering against mine. There was no sweeter sound in the world. Her expression was one of wonder, her eyes glazed over with desire.
Sliding in and out of her a few more times, I came with a loud growl. She clung to me, her body rubbing against mine. If we didn’t have to be at William’s five minutes ago, I’d drag her back to bed for another round.
I was addicted to her. Spending the week together had made us closer than I ever thought possible.
When I stepped back, I shivered at the loss of her body against mine. Thea hopped off the counter, smoothing down her dress. She kissed my chest and leaned her forehead against me. “I better clean up and do my makeup again.”
After holding her for another few seconds, I reluctantly released her. “You go do your thing, and I’ll call William to let him know we’ll be late.”
She tipped her head back, beaming up at me. “Love you.”
“Love you too.” I swatted her ass as she turned away. “Now get ready before William makes me drink one of his pink cocktails with the umbrella in it.”
She laughed. “He’d never do that.”
“He definitely would.”
We both knew he would.
Thea stopped at the bathroom door, looking at me over her shoulder. “Thank you for not giving up on us.”
She disappeared into the bathroom and I fought the urge to follow her. But instead of giving in, I called William with a smile on my face.
* * *
Ciel heldup the wine bottle. “Who wants more?”
William and Thea both nodded, and he emptied the bottle into their glasses. His pours were generous, and since we’d finished lunch over two hours ago, the glasses were getting fuller with each pour. I’d been nursing my second beer since arriving; I didn’t usually drink much, but I also wanted to drive Thea home.
William had offered for us to stay in Thea’s bedroom. Apparently it was still hers, no matter that she moved out. He’d vehemently proclaimed that it would always be hers.
That was the first time today that Thea had teared up. The second came when William told her he loved her and was proud of her. And the third was when William clapped me on the back when he got up to light the outside gas fireplace.
They’d sent his staff home after lunch, and only security was still on the grounds.
Thea was sitting next to me, her chair as close to mine as I could get it. I wanted to touch her, something I did frequently. I’d never been one to openly show affection, but with Thea, it seemed like I wasn’t able to do anything else.
William twirled his wineglass in his hand. “Are you going back to Chicago with Archer tomorrow?”
Putting down her own glass, Thea shook her head. “I can’t. I don’t have any vacation time saved up yet, and since I took a few sick days this week, I have to make up for it so I don’t get fired. Something I’m still not sure isn’t going to happen since Archer punched one of the kitchen staff and they’d care more about him than some random waitress who’s only been there a few weeks.”
William looked horrified, Ciel not faring much better. William was the first to recover after gulping down most of his wine. “You’re working as a waitress?”
“I need money to pay rent. And I like to eat every once in a while as well.” Her joke fell short, the table silent.
William narrowed his eyes at her, placing his hands flat on the table and leaning forward. “You have three hundred grand in your account. And if you need more, you know I’d happily transfer whatever you ask for. Why the fuck are you working somewhere that isn’t an art gallery?”
She studied my hand where it was resting on her leg, then put her own over it. I flipped mine over and intertwined our fingers, giving her a reassuring squeeze.
She lifted her gaze again. “I told you I’m done taking anyone else’s money. I’m a grown woman. I need to stand on my own two feet. That includes getting a job and paying my own bills.”
William lifted his chin in defiance. “Then I’ll buy one of your paintings. I’ve had my eye on the one that shows the pergola out the back and the ocean at sunset behind it.”
“You know I don’t want your money. If you like the panting, it’s yours.”
Ciel put a hand on William’s arm, then turned his attention to Thea. “You know we both love you. You’re part of our family. That doesn’t change because you moved out or are getting a divorce from William. And we look after our own. We have more money than we can spend in this lifetime. Please, let us help you.”
