(THEO) MY PET are you up?
I was awake, scrolling through my phone, when his text arrived.
It was two in the morning.
Sitting up in bed, I blinked at the screen, certain I’d scared him off for good.
ME I’m up The typing indicator blinked for a moment before his reply appeared.
MY PET can I call you?
I stared at the message, my heart skipping.
ME of course you can but we’re in the same house and can see each other MY PET ok I’ll see you in the kitchen My eyes widened.
Tossing the covers aside, I hurried to throw on some clothes, moving as quietly as possible to avoid waking anyone.
When I got to the kitchen, it was empty.
Flicking on the light, I leaned against the counter and waited.
A minute later, he appeared, stepping softly into the room.
He wore a thin white shirt and black sweatpants, his hair tousled like he’d been tossing and turning in bed.
He looked fantastic.
I stayed rooted to the spot, giving him the space to make the first move.
Torren sighed, his shoulders rising and falling heavily as he walked toward me, his steps slow.
“Couldn’t sleep?” I asked, breaking the silence.
He shook his head, running a hand through his messy hair.
“Couldn’t sleep,” he repeated, his voice low and rough around the edges.
Stopping just in front of me, he let his gaze drop to the floor.
“I’m sorry I freaked out,” he said quietly.
I exhaled, the tension in my chest easing.
“I’m sorry I freaked out too.” Torren’s eyes flicked up to meet mine.
He still seemed unsure, overwhelmed.
“Theo.” He placed a hand on the counter for support, his fingers tapping lightly against the surface.
“I don’t know what to do.
Honestly, I’m not surprised, but it’s…different hearing you say it.
I sort of figured you might be into that because of the way you act, but hearing it’s another thing entirely.” “That’s not how I wanted to tell you,” I admitted.
He nodded slowly.
“How did you want to tell me?” It was odd to see this change in him after his earlier reaction.
“Ideally, when I could show you,” I said, chuckling softly.
Torren’s fingers resumed their tapping, his focus shifting to his hand.
“Show me what?” My heart skipped a beat.
What was this?
He raised a hand, rubbing his nose.
A smile spread across my face.
“How good it can feel.” He exhaled sharply.
“Can I just…” He trailed off, clicking his tongue.
“What?” “I hate that you make me ask for things,” he muttered.
I laughed softly.
“I do it because I need you to be clear with me.
I don’t do it to torture you.” He nodded, his hand moving tentatively to the hem of my shirt, tugging lightly.
“I don’t want you to kiss me, but I want you to put your arms around me.” I nodded, the simplicity of his request disarming me.
“Okay.” Stepping closer, I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him firmly against my chest.
He clung to my shirt, and I rubbed his back soothingly.
“Like that?” He nodded, his face burying itself against my chest.
His smaller frame molded perfectly against mine, as if he belonged there.
Arms looped around my waist, shy at first, but as he gained momentum, his grip turned more secure.
“So, how is it supposed to work?” he asked after a long moment, his voice muffled but steady.
I hesitated, stroking his hair.
“Torren…what are you doing?” “Trying to get used to you.” A smile tugged at my lips as I leaned down, brushing my cheek against his hair.
“I like you, Theo.
I just don’t know what to do with that.” “I like you too,” I whispered.
His grip on me tightened.
“So why don’t you let me take the lead?” “I don’t think I can do that.” “How about just trying?” He exhaled deeply.
“How?” “You’ve already set the limit.” My fingers threaded gently through his hair.
“You asked me not to kiss you, and I won’t.
Just let me touch you, darling.
Nothing below the belt.
Relax into it.
If I cross a line, just say the word, and I’ll stop.” “And that’s it?” “That’s it,” I echoed.
Torren stilled, his breathing soft and shallow against me.
I stayed perfectly still, waiting for his response, unwilling to push him further than he was ready to go.
He sighed, his arms slipping from around my waist to rest lightly on my hips.
“Okay,” he said softly, the word carrying all his hesitation and trust.
I closed my eyes and smiled.
That was it.
The thrill of that single word sent an electric charge through me.
Moving slowly, I let my gaze drift around the room.
The space wasn’t ideal.
Too open, too exposed for us to relax properly, but asking him to come upstairs was out of the question.
My eyes landed on the dining table, tall enough and sturdy enough.
Perfect.
“Come here.” Torren hesitated, his eyes flicking to mine.
I reached for his wrist, my fingers brushing the cool metal of the bracelet as I guided him forward.
His steps were tentative.
I held him at his waist, pressing him back gently against the edge of the table.
He tilted his head up, his wide, curious eyes meeting mine.
The uncertainty in them didn’t deter me.
If anything, it only made me more careful.
His lips parted as though he were about to speak, but I pressed my thumb over them, shaking my head.
“This is part of it.
You just have to trust me.” Torren’s chest rose and fell with a deep, measured breath.
His gaze lingered on mine for a long moment before he gave the smallest nod of consent.
Gripping him at the waist, I lifted him onto the table.
His eyes widened, startled but silent.
I could see the flicker of uncertainty there, and I moved carefully, keeping my touch steady and light.
My hands dropped to his lap, and, predictably, he flinched at the contact.
I let my palms glide up his legs, the pressure enough for him to feel my touch but not my strength.
They lingered at his waist, fingers brushing the fabric of his shirt before sliding to his back.
The hem of his shirt rose slightly, and my pinky grazed the warmth of his skin.
I paused, searching his eyes again.
He swallowed hard, then gave me the smallest of nods.
That was it.
I pushed my hands lower, then slipped them beneath the fabric, letting my fingers travel up the curve of his back.
His body tensed instinctively, and I paused again.
“Relax, darling,” I whispered, my voice low and soothing.
“All you have to do is relax.” Torren clenched his jaw, fighting some internal battle, before exhaling and closing his eyes.
His hands rose to my arms, no longer pushing me away but gripping me, holding on as he leaned into my touch.
I stepped closer, letting my hands explore the planes of his back, tracing the contours of muscle.
He inhaled sharply before his grip on my arms loosened.
Slowly, he allowed his back to settle into my hands, his body softening.
Torren was perfect like this.
“That’s it,” I murmured, wrapping my arms around him and letting my cheek rest against his.
“You’re doing so good, my darling.” His shiver rippled through me like a live wire.