The bathroom in Theo’s private suite was thick with steam, the air warm and fragrant with the scent of rose bath oil and expensive soap.
He had spent the better part of an hour in the massive clawfoot tub, soaking in water that was just shy of scalding, letting the heat loosen the last of the tension from his shoulders.
Today was Valentine’s Day, and though Kota had told him to trust the plan and let him handle everything, Theo was still buzzing with nervous energy.
He wanted to look perfect.
He wanted to smell perfect.
He wanted to be perfect for the boy he loved more than anything in the world.
He stepped out of the bath carefully, water cascading down his pale skin in glistening rivulets, and reached for a fluffy white towel.
The mirror above the double vanity was fogged over, so he wiped it with the heel of his hand, clearing a wide streak that reflected his flushed face and damp blond hair.
He patted himself dry with deliberate, almost ritualistic care, then began the inspection.
His fingers roamed over his skin, checking for any bumps, any blemishes, any imperfection that might have appeared overnight.
There were none.
There never were.
His skin was smooth and soft, unmarked except for the faint pink flush from the bath.
He turned slightly, craning his neck to examine the curve of his back, the swell of his ass, the way his thighs met his hips.
Everything was exactly as it should be.
He let out a small, satisfied sigh.
Then came the hair.
He combed it slowly, methodically, working out every tangle, every stray wave.
The blond strands fell in soft, golden curtains around his face, and he tucked one side behind his ear before changing his mind and letting it fall free again.
He tried a middle part, then a side part, then no part at all, each attempt met with a critical squint into the fogged mirror.
Finally, after what felt like hours, he settled on a simple, slightly tousled look that he knew Kota liked.
The daydream hit him without warning.
He saw Kota’s face, that lazy smile, those dark eyes that always seemed to see straight through him.
He imagined Kota’s hands on his waist, warm and possessive, pulling him close.
He imagined the surprise Kota had promised, the mystery of it, the anticipation.
A sound escaped him, high and giddy, a squeal that would have embarrassed him if anyone else had been in the room.
“Eeeee!” Theo clapped a hand over his mouth, his cheeks flooding with color.
He was a grown man, a principal, a respected member of the community, and here he was squealing like a teenager over a boy.
It was ridiculous.
It was also, he had to admit, completely wonderful.
He took a deep breath, smoothed down his hair one last time, and whispered to his reflection, “Get it together, Theodore.
It’s just Valentine’s Day.
With the most perfect boyfriend in the world.
No pressure at all.”
Kota pushed open the door to ChocoLuxe and was immediately hit by a wall of warm, sweet-smelling air.
The shop had been transformed for Valentine’s Day, every surface draped in shades of pink and red, heart-shaped decorations hanging from the ceiling on silver threads.
The display cases gleamed under soft, romantic lighting, and inside them sat row after row of the most extravagant chocolates Kota had ever seen.
Truffles dusted with gold leaf.
Bonbons shaped like tiny roses.
Chocolate bars infused with champagne and raspberry and things he couldn’t even pronounce.
He wandered deeper into the shop, his hands in his pockets, his eyes scanning the price tags with a growing sense of horror.
Nine hundred and two dollars for four pieces of chocolate?
What the actual fuck?
He did a double take at the display, certain he’d misread the number.
But no, there it was, printed in elegant gold script on a tiny card: “Limited Edition Aphrodisiac Collection – $902.00.” Four pieces.
Four.
That was more than his dad made in a day, hell, that was more than anyone made in a day.
He moved on quickly, not wanting to linger near anything that expensive.
The next case held chocolate-dipped strawberries arranged in perfect little rows.
Some were plain, some were drizzled with white chocolate, and some were decorated with tiny edible pearls.
A sign above them read “Sweetheart Strawberry Boxes – $40.00.” Now that was more reasonable.
Still expensive for fruit and chocolate, but reasonable compared to the nine hundred dollar monstrosity in the other case.
He studied the options for a moment, then spotted a display near the back of the shop.
Four heart-shaped chocolate-dipped strawberries, arranged in a small white box with a red ribbon.
Next to them, a bundle of fresh flowers, red roses mixed with baby’s breath and sprigs of eucalyptus.
The sign said “Valentine’s Day Deluxe Gift – $50.00.” It was perfect.
Simple, romantic, and exactly what he’d been looking for.
Kota picked up two of the boxes and two of the bouquets, balancing them carefully in his arms as he made his way to the register.
The cashier, a cute femboy with a pink apron and heart-shaped earrings, rang him up with a bright smile.
“That’ll be one hundred dollars even.
Cash or card?”
Kota handed over the hundred dollar bill his dad had given him, feeling a strange mixture of gratitude and amusement.
A hundred dollars for chocolate and flowers.
His dad would probably have a heart attack if he knew.
Theo and Sebastian were worth it.
He tucked the boxes and bouquets into a small gift bag, the kind with silver tissue paper sticking out the top, and stepped back out into the cold February air.
The sky was still bright, the sun reflecting off the wet pavement, and Kota felt a small swell of satisfaction in his chest.
He was doing this.
He was actually pulling off a romantic Valentine’s Day surprise.
His phone buzzed in his pocket.
He pulled it out and saw a text from Austin, the twink chef from the Hawthorne mansion.
Austin: “it’s ready”
Kota smiled and typed back quickly: “on my way”
He made his way to the parking lot, the gift bag swinging gently from his hand.
Elliot’s car was parked exactly where he said it would be, a sleek black suv that looked almost as expensive as Theo’s McLaren.
Kota opened the passenger door and slid inside, the leather seat cool against his back.
Elliot was behind the wheel, his ginger curls tucked under a beanie, his grin already in place.
“Isn’t this whole surprise thing too convoluted?” Elliot asked, leaning back in his seat.
“Besides, the house is still a flu storm.
You know that, right?
Dad’s still coughing up a lung, Beckett’s quarantined in the basement, and Camilo keeps threatening to quit if one more person sneezes on the furniture.”
Kota sighed, setting the gift bag on the back seat.
“Yes, I know.
But it doesn’t matter.
This is important.”
Elliot’s grin widened, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Whatever you say, lover boy.
I’m just the chauffeur.” He winked.
“For now.”
Kota rolled his eyes and stepped out of the car, leaving the gift bag behind.
“I’ll be right back,” he said, already walking toward the building.
Elliot watched him go, his grin never faltering.
“Take your time, cutie.
I’ve got nowhere to be.”
What the hell was Kota planning?