Chapter 14

After the intruder left, Leigh Anne collapsed into Theo’s arms. This girl can’t seem to catch a break, he thought as he carried her to his car, driving her back to her tiny house. He knew she was in no shape to stay at work, so he’d have to wear more than one hat.

She had given him a key to her place days after her shoulder surgery, and he knew she’d want to be alone. So, he carried her up to her platform bed, tucking her in, kissing the tip of her nose and forehead. As he turned the knob to leave, he heard her breathy farewell, I love you...

“I love you too,” Theo shared tenderly with a pearl-white, toothy grin. He just hoped she didn’t hear him. He wanted her to hear and see his reaction when he said it.

Hours Later

She woke up to wetness on her cheeks and a soft purring above her head. Gretel must have paid her a kindness before she nestled herself at the crown of her head. Leigh Anne didn’t understand how she wound up in her cozy little nested bed that hung above her living room and kitchenette. She was in a complete and utter mind fog until she realized how she got there—Theo...

What happened tonight? She thought to herself. She was still in her work uniform without shoes and noticed her missing phone. It was still dark outside so it couldn’t be that late. She felt like an eighteen-wheeler had hit her and that she’d been walking through the Sahara with no water canteen.

At one point, she regretted her decision. She knew the instant she got into the stream of her shower, she would feel more like a natural person and not like the Tin Man.

With a loud meow and growl, Gretel let her know her opinion about moving. Not only because she lost her comfy spot, but also because her mommy had a less fun night. But Leigh Anne had to go against the wishes of her furry companion and loosen her aching muscles.

With another heave-ho, she managed to get down the stairs and into the bathroom. The clock on her stove read 2:00 a.m. As she walked past the breakfast bar, she noticed her phone.

Mr. Collins: Hey, baby, I don’t know if you’re awake yet, but if you woke up, let me know if you want me to stay tonight.

After what happened, I’d understand if you want to be alone.

That’s the thing. She did not know what had happened that night. Nothing made sense until she scrolled and opened the following message...

Unknown: It was lovely reconnecting tonight, Leigh. We should catch up again. Just you and me this time. I’ll see you soon, Leigh...

Only one person used to call her that, and she hated it.

Ethan... she reflected silently.

Theo, please don’t leave me alone tonight.

She hit sent and stumbled into the bathroom to let the steam fill and plume throughout her sanctuary.

Phantom Touches Become Physical

Leigh Anne desperately tried to forget about her ex-husband and the cryptic message he sent her—from a creepy, unknown number, nonetheless. The water was as hot as she could manage—one twist of the nob before it would cause third-degree burns. She wanted to remember what had happened before she found herself alone in her snug and cuddle-friendly bed.

He stood in the shadows of her entryway—her supple, taunt, wet curves on display. She bore the markings of a woman who lived, died, and was resurrected over trials and tribulations. All alone— besides her cat. This female wasn’t shaped as perfectly as some, but to him, each dimple had a name. Each roll had a distinct flavor. Every crevice and curvature had a voice, and with every phantom touch, a physical one produced the clearest vibrato.

Like a panther, he approached his cougar—stealthy and with intent—each barefooted step he made in his approach. She was lost to the song she sang softly—Rhiannon.

He felt like a creep standing on the other side of the clear glass shower door, watching her grow stiff as she bent over to exfoliate her right leg and left. He nearly blew his top when her hand reached down between her firm yet plump, cream-colored thighs.

She’s only cleaning herself, was what he mentally told himself, trying to minimize the swelling of his hardening friend, but it wasn’t helping. Oh, fuck it! He cursed at himself as he almost ripped the glass door off the hinges. She was jolted out of her sing-along bathing session, only to be swept up into Theo’s arms—mouth crashing, tongue lashing, legs wrapping, fevered thrusting motions as her arms snaked around his neck. One arm kept her stable while his other arm braced himself against the tiled wall, while she vocalized the sensations his engorged rod happily spurred on.

Their mouths never left one another’s as he slammed into her, balls deep. Their pelvises raged with a fiery, hot inferno, especially after she lost hot water ten minutes ago. Theo’s hand, which was once folded around her waist, slid down her abdomen. Her stomach fluttered with butterflies, and more left their cocoons every time he pushed further up into her slick apex.

She could feel her hair brush her neck from the fanning of his breath on her throat. The rasp of his groans, the expletives, and the dirty words he said. Theo wet his thumb with his saliva, coating it just enough to aid in the friction that would increase his chances of climaxing together.

“Fuck, baby! Oh shit, you feel so damn good, Leigh Anne,” he said, his voice deep and guttural. His ass clenched with every formidable thrust. Leigh Anne yelped as Theo pinched her clit.

“Theo, oh god...” Leigh Anne mewls, lowering her hand to massage his balls.

“Shit, Leigh Anne, not yet.” He tries to swat her hand away, but his toes curl, indicating he is ready to blow.

“My legs, Theo. I-I-I can’t hold on any longer...”

“Hold on, baby...” Still sucked into her walls, he carried her to the couch, where she straddled him. “Ride me, baby... hmm—” he hummed as she set a good pace; her peeks hardened as his cool breath tickled her hot flesh.

“Theo... I-I...”

“I love you too...” Her eyes snapped open in shock, and her reaction took him aback. Because even though she looked down at him with wide eyes, she didn’t stop bouncing on his shaft.

Was her silence due to the truth that she loved him, too? Or was it because it surprised her he had said it first? Wait...

“Y-you...what? Did I hear you correctly?”

With breathless abandon, Theo wiped her wet hair out of her eyes and crashed his lips against hers—and like the frothy waves of the Pacific when he caught a sound wave—their tongues tasted each other’s. They pulled apart, her pelvis still rolling against his, ribbons of saliva still connected their faces, but he broke the connection to say, “Yes, y-yes, I said I-love-you.”

All too predictable, their bodies, their anatomy reacted to his confession. Her walls contracted, her toes curled, the base of his erection throbbed, and he provided her with the extra friction to generate louder swells and creamier crashes.

“Theo, oh shit! Theo! I hate you...” Her head tilted back as he gripped her breasts, suckling harshly.

“No, you don’t. Now tell the truth. Or, I’ll crash without you...” he lied. His beautiful head of curled blond ringlets lay messily on his brow. He teasingly pinched her pebbles as he continued to rub her nearly shattered pearl.

Rolling her eyes and biting down on her bottom lip—she isn’t holding back from telling him she loves him—she’s trying to hold back the loss that will come from loving him, loving another man.

“Oh, fuck it! Fine, damn it! I - love - you!”

And their sex flush rushed out through the soles of their feet, the tips of their fingers, the crowns of their heads, and last but not least, their sweet and salty sauces coat their meat and pairings.

The resolution sealed their fate. There was no way he could walk away from her now. But how easy will it be for her to commit to Theo when she is face-to-face with her past?