(TORREN) His lips curved into a triumphant smile.
“Good boy,” he murmured again before leaning in and pressing his mouth to mine.
God, it was electric.
I inhaled sharply, every nerve overstimulated by that tiny touch.
As the pressure deepened, Theo hummed against me, seemingly satisfied.
His fingers tangled in my hair, anchoring me as his lips moved over mine, careful and claiming.
He pulled back just enough to leave me breathless before returning.
His lips were parted, impossibly soft, and his warm breath brushed against my skin as I tilted my head to give him more access.
He didn’t hesitate, his tongue grazing the edge of my lips, seeking permission.
I kissed him again, parting my lips fully, meeting him halfway.
Theo tasted of cigarettes and whisky, an intoxicating mix that overwhelmed my senses.
This shouldn’t have felt as good as it did.
Maybe it was the buildup, the forbidden allure, or just him.
Whatever the reason, this kiss outshone anything I’d ever known.
Not only on my lips.
I could feel it everywhere, an electric current in my body.
His stubble rasped against my skin.
When he pulled back again, I nearly groaned at the loss.
Did you like that?” he asked, his voice low, gravelly, devastatingly sure.
“Yes.” “You want me to keep going?” I nodded, unable to form words.
At some point my hands had moved from his neck to his shirt collar.
I pulled him back to me and he didn’t resist, taking my mouth with more purpose.
His kisses were deliberate but passionate.
He set the pace, and I was more than willing to keep up.
Theo yanked at my hair, tilting my head so the kiss was deeper.
He was good at it.
Too good.
What I had mistaken for arrogance was not that at all.
This was confidence born of experience.
Theo was in control and restrained in every way.
I surrendered to him completely, moving closer and threading my fingers through his hair.
As his pace quickened, so did mine, the intensity building between us.
I tightened my grip, needing to hold on to him as his hands roamed my back, pressing me impossibly close.
Then, suddenly, he broke away, resting his forehead against mine.
“Take it easy,” he said in a breathless whisper.
His eyes remained shut, unguarded expression.
I had never seen him like this, overwhelmed.
“I’m following you,” I whispered.
His eyes opened.
“I was talking to both of us,” he admitted with a small, self-deprecating smile.
Before I could even think, his lips were on mine again, and I felt myself surrendering completely to the moment.
This kiss was different, softer, more lingering, as if he was savouring every second.
I pressed against him, the heat from his body wrapping around me like a warm hug.
His lips gave a low, deep groan that resounded inside me, a thrill shooting through my veins.
It was intoxicating, a sweet cocktail of want and tenderness that left me breathless wanting more of him.
Every time his lips met mine, I shivered, and I lost myself in the feeling, in the sensation, the world around us, fading away, until it was just us, trapped in this beautiful moment.
“Why are you so good at this?” he murmured, his brows lifting in what looked like genuine surprise.
“Me?” I echoed, incredulous.
He nodded, kissing me once more.
Theo’s hands slid to my hips, and I tugged his hair to tilt his head back.
I kissed him with abandon, rougher this time, feeling the tension between us dissolve into pure need.
His control faltered, and I loved it.
He was so good at this, and it reminded me just how good a fit we made together, how good we were together.
All my doubts vanished, and I felt only the sweet pleasure of his lips on mine.
As if there was nothing else.
Theo leaned forward, his lips never leaving mine until I felt the hard edge of the desk on my back.
His hands pushed against me, urging me higher.
“What are you trying to do?” I asked, breathless, as his lips moved to my jaw, trailing heat down to my neck.
“Get you on the desk,” he murmured against my skin, his hands sliding under my shirt and up my back.
The sensation made me shiver.
I chuckled, my voice unsteady.
“Not very successfully.” He laughed softly, his breath warm against my neck.
Wrapping an arm firmly around my waist, he lifted me onto the desk in one fluid motion.
His forehead rested against mine for a moment as he caught his breath.
When our eyes met, his were darker, full of intent.
His smirk returned.
“Better?” My hands were still tangled in his hair, and I pulled him closer, nodding.
His smirk deepened as he leaned in, our lips just inches apart.
A sharp knock sounded on the door.
“Theo?” Lex’s voice boomed from the other side of the door.
We stood there, eyes wide with shock, completely paralysed, as the moment stretched out into an eternity, extending in a way that was both exhilarating and torturous.
Theo’s eyes darted to the door, then to me.
“Did you lock the door?” he whispered urgently.
Panic rose in my throat.
I shook my head.
“What do I do?” ” Desk,” he said simply.
Without hesitation, I crouched down, slipping under the desk as Theo slid his chair forward, framing me between his legs.
My face burned at the sheer intimacy of the position.
This was compromising to say the least.
“Come in,” Theo called out.
The door creaked open, then shut with a soft click.
“Sorry, are you busy?” Lex’s voice came closer.
I pressed a hand over my mouth, stifling a nervous laugh.
“A little,” Theo replied, his tone clipped.
I nearly lost it, biting down on my hand to stay silent.
Leaning slightly, I rested my cheek against his thigh.
Theo flinched, and I felt it, and a wicked smile crept onto my face.
For once, I had the upper hand, and it was glorious.
“I just wanted to ask you something before you go,” Lex said.
I heard the creak of a chair as he sat down.
This was too fucking hilarious.
“Shoot,” Theo said casually, though his thigh tensed beneath my cheek.
I ran my hand over his knee and loved the way his muscles tensed at my touch.
Encouraged, I slipped my fingers down under the hem of his shorts, feeling the firm strength of his legs.
A barely discernible hitch in his breath, and my grin widened.
“I know you’re busy with work, but I was wondering if…” “Lex, I’m never too busy for you,” Theo interrupted quickly.
“That’s a lie,” Lex huffed.
I pressed my lips softly against the inside of his thigh, feeling the fabric of his shorts against my nose.
This time, Theo’s hand came down to his leg, his fingers twitching near mine.
“I’m sorry you feel that way.
Just tell me what you need,” he said, and his tone gentler.
I turned my face away and ran my lips along his thigh again, holding my breath.
His hand moved to my jaw, thumb an inch below my chin, a warning and a plea for control.
“I know things have been kind of tense between us, with the whole Torren thing,” Lex said.
If only he knew.
Theo’s thumb moved higher, brushing against my lips in a way that made my stomach flip.
“It’s understandable.
I’ve already told you nothing’s going on,” Theo lied smoothly.
I shook my head a little, in defiance.
His thumb pressed a little harder against my lips, a gentle reminder to behave.
“So you say…” Lex muttered skeptically.
“So I mean,” Theo interjected.
Lex clicked his tongue.
“It’s not even about that,” he complained.
“Lex, I’d love to be your best man.
I’m not too busy to be part of your life, and I would be honoured,” Theo said.
I smiled broadly, a warmth spreading through me at the thought.
It was a rare glimpse of his gentle side, which reminded me that even with his tough exterior, he could be kind when he chose.
“How did you know?” Lex asked, surprised.
“Your lovely wife-to-be told me.” I licked my lips, feeling the tip of his finger brush over them.
Lex sighed, and Theo chuckled softly.
“Don’t be upset.
She was just trying to help.
I would never have guessed on my own.
Why didn’t you just ask me?
It didn’t have to be a big production.
A call would have been enough.” Theo had such a wonderful voice.
Its low, deep register sounded in my chest under the desk.
He dragged his thumb over my lip and I exhaled quietly.
“Theo, I know how bad things have been with Dad.
Ever since he said he was stepping down, he’s been on you nonstop.
You’ve been here all day with him.
When did that ever happen before?” Theo’s finger halted.
“You know how Dad is a control freak.
He’ll get used to it and move on.
It’s just a phase.” “I thought he killed your project,” Lex said.
Theo tensed again.
I frowned.
“He hasn’t,” he replied curtly.
“But I thought…” Lex’s voice trailed off hesitantly.
“He hasn’t,” Theo repeated firmly.
Was that what had put him in such a bad mood yesterday?
I grasped his wrist gently, and he resumed moving his thumb.
He seemed lighter today, and I didn’t want him slipping back, especially not after he’d finally kissed me.
“I’ll drop it, okay?
I didn’t want to burden you.
I thought I’d ask when things got better, but they haven’t,” Lex admitted.
Theo relaxed, his thighs parting slightly.
“It’s not a burden.
Besides, if not me, are you going to ask Henry?
Can you imagine the bachelor party he’d throw?” Theo joked.
Lex laughed.
That was better.
I brushed my lips over Theo’s thumb, and he shifted in his seat.
“God no.
I actually have some requests regarding that,” Lex said quickly.
“Let me guess, no strippers?” I smiled as Theo’s hand stilled against my face.
He resumed stroking my bottom lip with his thumb, and I flicked my tongue out to graze it lightly, this time with intent.
His hand curled gently under my jaw.
“No strippers,” Lex agreed.
“It’s not like I want them, but good luck keeping them away from our little brother,” Theo said, his voice sounding a bit unsteady.
He inhaled deeply as I leaned forward, letting his thumb slide into my mouth and over my tongue.
“And no deserted island getaway either,” Lex added.
“It’s got to be a getaway.
Come on, Lex,” Theo protested.
“Fine, just don’t let Henny help too much,” Lex conceded.
Unable to resist, I took his thumb all the way into my mouth, sucking lightly.
Theo adjusted himself in the chair.
“I promise I won’t,” he replied.
I released his thumb, guiding his index finger into my mouth.
As I swirled my tongue around it, he leaned forward slightly.
“Are you okay?” Lex asked him.
Triumph bubbled in my chest.
I released it and let his middle finger join in.
“I’m fantastic, Lex.
I just need to make a call before heading out.
Why don’t we have lunch on Sunday?
You can walk me through what you want.
Just us,” Theo suggested.
“Sure.
You’re going to be back next weekend?” Lex asked.
I continued running my tongue over his fingers, lightly nipping them with my teeth.
“Yeah,” Theo answered.
“You’ve been in the city a lot lately,” Lex noted suspiciously.
“And I expect you’ll see more of me.
Now both of my brothers live there.
Plus, I have a lot of work to take care of.
Ari loves it.” I paused, frowning.
Who the fuck was Ari?
“That’s actually nice, Theo.
I’m glad,” Lex said warmly.
I bit down on Theo’s fingers.
He tried to pull his hand back slowly, but I held onto his wrist.
“So, I’ll see you Sunday?
I’m sorry, I really have to make that call,” Theo insisted.
“Sure, and thanks for agreeing,” Lex said, the chair scraping as he stood.
“Thanks for asking, Lex.
Truly, I’m honoured,” Theo replied.
I took his index finger into my mouth again, savouring the moment as I pulled away slowly, my lips lingering on his skin before finally releasing his hand, feeling the warmth fade.
“Say goodbye before you leave,” Lex called as his footsteps receded.
“Sure thing,” Theo responded.
The door clicked shut, and silence filled the room.
Theo moved back slightly, looking down at me with wide, amused eyes.
His lips twitched into a smirk.
“Yes?” I asked innocently.
“What the hell was that?” he asked, lifting his hand.