(THEO) I locked my hold with one arm, keeping him close while my free hand skimmed along his ribs.
He turned his head away, exposing more of his neck, and I let my breath ghost over the delicate skin there.
He was feverishly hot, and I hoped I was part of the reason why.
I brushed my nose along his neck, testing.
This time, he didn’t flinch.
A grin spread across my face.
“Get your hands in my hair.” He did so a second after I spoke, tangling his fingers and keeping them still.
I tightened my grip on him, pressing my hands more firmly against his skin.
Torren’s thighs tightened slightly around my hips, and his fingers clenched in my hair.
“Go on, grab harder.” Without hesitation, he pulled on my hair.
I pressed my lips together to stifle the groan threatening to escape.
My breath traced the line of his jaw, then his cheek.
I pulled back just enough to look down at his face, planning to tease him, lighten the mood, show him it didn’t have to be scary.
But the way he was looking at me made me pause.
He liked this.
Torren still seemed overwhelmed, but now there was desire in his eyes.
He wanted this.
He wanted me.
I licked my lips, unable to help myself, and his gaze dropped to my mouth.
Holding onto this boundary he’d set was excruciating.
I was desperate to kiss him.
I wanted to taste his lips and tongue, the want radiating off him.
I just needed him to say the words.
His hands twisted in my hair as I leaned closer.
His eyes remained fixed on my lips, and I knew it was a matter of seconds.
If he didn’t say it soon, I wouldn’t be able to hold back.
It was either break his trust or leave the room.
There was no middle ground.
I slid my hand to his back, resting it just below his nape, steadying us both.
“Theo,” he breathed, his voice trembling.
I nodded, leaning in a fraction more.
He just had to say it, and as soon as the words left his lips, I’d devour him.
Torren met my gaze and pulled me toward him, the smallest gesture, but it was enough.
I shook my head slightly, pleading with him, “You have to say it.” Torren’s gaze dropped to my lips again, his own parting as if to speak.
The soft sound of the letter “k” barely escaped when the floor creaked behind us.
Torren’s head snapped up, his eyes wide with panic.
His hands fell from my hair, and he practically leaped off the table, crouching low behind the counter.
I stood frozen, staring at the empty space he’d left behind, my heart pounding.
“Theo?” Remy’s voice cut through the quiet.
I turned to see her stepping into the kitchen.
“Remy, dear, what are you doing up at this hour?” My voice was unsteady, so I cleared my throat, trying to sound nonchalant.
“I had too much wine with dinner.
I needed water,” she said, scrunching her nose.
I chuckled, glancing at the cabinets as she moved toward them.
“How about you?” she asked over her shoulder.
I pulled the cigarette pack from my pocket, holding it up as an explanation.
“Couldn’t sleep.
I’m not allowed to smoke upstairs.” As she rifled through the cabinets, I glanced down.
Torren crouched behind the counter, his eyes wide but glinting with suppressed laughter.
I pressed my lips together, stifling my own grin.
“Why don’t you let me help with that?” I said, stepping toward Remy and subtly pointing to the door for Torren’s benefit.
“Thanks,” she said as I handed her the glass of water.
“You’re welcome,” I replied smoothly, keeping my tone casual.
Remy followed my gaze briefly, and I rested a hand on her shoulder to draw her attention back.
Torren took the opening and crept to the exit, still crouched.
“You’re not coming sailing tomorrow?” I asked, steering the conversation.
“No, we have a meeting with the catering company,” she said, her voice distracted.
I glanced back.
Torren stood by the door now, hands raised in a mock question, a grin tugging at his lips.
I raised an eyebrow, and he waved goodbye before slipping out.
Remy turned back to me.
“Theo, now that I have you here, do you think we could chat?” Disappointment washed over me.
“Of course.” I poured myself a drink and sat with her at the table.
She watched me intently as I took a sip.
“Lex looks up to you, you know,” she said after a moment.
I smiled.
“He’d kill you for saying that.” She laughed lightly.
“Probably,” she admitted with a shrug.
“But he’s worried about you.” I sighed, leaning back in my chair.
“He’s always been worried about me.
That’s just how Lex is.” “He thinks you’re stretching yourself too thin.
And even though we don’t know each other well yet, I think he’s right.
We hardly ever see you.” I pulled out a cigarette and lit it.
Her disapproving look didn’t go unnoticed.
“No, I’m not allowed to smoke in here, either,” I acknowledged, exhaling a puff of smoke.
“Work’s been demanding, but it’s usually like that.
It’s why our dad’s stepping down and I’m taking over.
It keeps me busy.” “Lex says you take on too much.
He misses you, Theo.
He wanted you to be his best man but hasn’t asked because he doesn’t want to add more to your plate.” I blinked, the cigarette pausing midair.
“I would gladly do it.
He shouldn’t hesitate to ask me.
I’d never be too busy for that.” “He was going to ask you the day we met, but you spent the whole time on your phone.
Then, at our house-warming party…” She trailed off, letting the implication hang.
Understanding hit me like a wave, followed by crushing guilt.
I’d been too busy.
The only time I’d made lately was for work—and for Torren.
“Shit,” I muttered.
“I’m sorry.” She chuckled softly.
“I don’t want to sound like I’m scolding you, it’s not my place.
But maybe you could talk to him?
He’s been a little jealous of Henry.” I smiled, though it didn’t quite reach my eyes.
“That’s not new.
Lex’s always felt a bit left out, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing, especially for you, considering why it happens,” I added.
She shrugged.
“They have a lot of common ground.
We see Henry all the time.
I mean, Lex’s jealous that you mostly make time for him, like going on the boat tomorrow.” A pang of guilt twisted in my gut.
“I’ll make time, Remy.
Thank you for telling me.” I stubbed the cigarette out in my glass.
“And, Theo…” She hesitated, her expression uncomfortable.
“Yes?” I prompted.
“This whole thing with Torren.
It’s a joke, right?
You’re not seriously after him?” My stomach dropped, but I forced an easy smile.
“No, I’m not serious about it,” I lied smoothly.
“Good.
I think you’re probably aware by now, but you’re a difficult man to say no to.
T’s still young, he’s impressionable.
I don’t think he’d be able to say no to you, and we both know that wouldn’t end well.
For any of us.” “Your brother has a strong character, Remy.
He’s also extraordinarily clever.
So you don’t have to worry about that.
Torren’s probably one of the few people who can say no to me.” She tilted her head, smiling faintly.
“Now, how would you know that if you’ve only spoken to him a few times?” Apparently, wit ran in the family.
“I’m good at reading people.” “Oh, I know,” she said, standing from the table.
“Maybe focus more of that energy on your brother and less on mine.” “Yes, Miss Matthew,” I said with mock solemnity.
She smiled and left the kitchen.
I exhaled heavily.
That had been a close call.
After finishing another cigarette, I headed upstairs, stopping at Torren’s door.
I knocked softly and waited.
Footsteps approached, and he cracked the door open just enough to peek out.
“What?” he asked, a small smile tugging at his lips.
“I’m not letting you in,” he added in a hushed tone.
“I wasn’t planning on asking,” I quipped, earning a quiet laugh.
“I just wanted to say goodnight, and I’m sorry your sister walked in.
I was really enjoying what was happening down there,” I whispered.
He looked away, but his smile lingered.
“Goodnight, Theo,” he said, his voice low and raspy.
I smiled, leaning slightly closer.
“Goodnight, darling,” I murmured, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek.
Before he could react, I stepped back and headed to my room.
Glancing over my shoulder, I saw him still standing there, wide-eyed.
I collapsed onto my bed and checked my phone.
A text was waiting.
MY PET I’m sorry she walked in too I grinned as I typed my reply.