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My hair is too short for me to style it. I can’t do much with it and only add some glittering pins to keep it in place. The dress is striking enough, so I keep my makeup minimal. Just a touch of eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick.
Because I don’t want to look bare, I clasp a pair of gold teardrop earrings on my earlobe. There, done.
Grabbing my blue purse from the sofa, I open the door and the sight of Theo in a suit makes me burn withneed.
His crisp white button-down shirt with French cuffs is tucked into his black dress pants. The suit jacket is draped over one arm, and he completes the look with black leather shoes and a black silk bow tie.
Theo’s hair is up in a man bun, his scar in full display.
God, is he really mine?
“You’re beautiful, kitten. Part of me wants to show you off to the world but another part also wants to keep you all to myself. Does that make sense?”
Warmth blooms inside me, making me giddy with happiness. “You look so damn good too, Theo. Don’t return the suit to Viktor. Keep it.”
He grins and hooks a finger under my chin. He kisses me lightly on the lips. “It’s gonna be a long night and I’m gonna spend most of it trying to keep my hands to myself.”
When we get to his car, he buckles my seatbelt before doing his own. With a quick glance at the rearview and side mirrors, he pulls out of the parking space.
“You never asked me about my scar, kitten.”
His right hand reaches for mine, and he interlaces our fingers.
“I figured you’d tell me when you’re ready.”
“My dad came home one night a whole lot drunker than usual. Drunk is his default state so that was saying something. I kept quiet and stayed out of his way, something I learned to do. That night, I forgot to wash my plate because I just borrowed comics from my friend and I couldn’t wait to read them. When Dad saw the dirty dishes in the sink, he lost it. He slammed me against the glass table in the living room.”
No.
My vision gets blurry, and I have to blink rapidly to stop the tears from falling because once I start, I know I won’t be able to stop. A soft, shaky exhale escapes my lips, and I delicately brush away a single tear that slides down my cheek.
And here I thought living with my father was hard.
I can’t even begin to imagine a young Theo living in daily fear and walking on eggshells in his own home.
My father’s words wound me and leave lasting marks on me, but how does Theo feel seeing an actual reminder of his pain?
He notices me and squeezes my hand. “It’s okay, kitten. I’ve moved on.”
“Is this why you’re quiet and keep to yourself most of the time?”
He nods. “You know, in foster homes, it’s every kid for himself. You don’t show weaknesses or reveal your feelings. Your secrets have to remain just that—secrets. You stay out of everyone’s way. Be invisible. That’s how most kids survive. That’s how I survived.I got lucky with the Tates. Not everyone ends up with a foster family who actually gives a damn about the kid.”
“I wish I could be as strong as you.”
We roll to a stop at a red light, and Theo turns to face me. He takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “I’m strong enough for both of us, and I’ll never let anyone hurt you, kitten.”
He takes my mouth in a searing kiss, and my body immediately wakes up. We still have a few seconds before the light turns green, so this kiss is hurried and demanding. When he demands entry into my mouth, I open up for him, letting his tongue clash with mine.
When we hear a honk, we break apart and Theo continues driving. He takes my hand again and brushes his lips across my knuckles.
Yup. This girl’s definitely in love with this guy.
Theo easesthe car to a stop, and he helps me down before going back to find a parking spot. He doesn’t want a valet touching his car, so I step into the marbled lobby alone. Even all the way from here, I can hear faint traces of live music and lively chatter. So it’s that kind of party alright.
I plan on waiting for Theo so we can go inside together, but someone grabs my arm and twists me around.
I wrench my arm back and massage my elbow, already sure it’s going to bruise. When I lift my gaze, I’m not exactly surprised to find my father looking like he’s one second from murdering me.
