Maybe I shouldn’t push Cass for answers, but despite her sweet smiles and outgoing demeanor, I can see that she’s hurting, and there’s more to it than Logan and heartbreak. She might not yet trust me enough to open up since we’ve not known each other long, but I’ve grown fond of her, and I hope my relationship with Theo won’t affect our blooming friendship.
With my own heavy sigh, I pull the flowers out, holding them in the crook of my elbow, and search for a note amongst the roses.
Roses are red, and freesias are blue.
Baby, I’m lost. I keep thinking of you.
Roses are white, and lilies are green.
You chose a knight, but I’ll make you my queen.
It’s the thought that counts, right?
I hate roses, and the poem is cringeworthy, but knowing Theo went to the trouble, my heart swells by two sizes. He’s not the one to voice his emotions and feelings aloud, but he took the time to write the poem, however awful it may be. It’s his way of telling me that he cares, that I’m important, and mean more to him than any other woman.
With the bouquet in hand, I leave the building through the main door, smiling when my eyes come across Theo. He’s waiting outside with Ares on a leash.
“There she is...” he says, tucking his phone away. He cinches my nape, pulling me closer for a deep kiss.
“Thank you.” I peck his cheek, holding the flowers upright. “They’re beautiful.”
Theo steps back, yanking the bouquet out of my hand. “Those aren’t from me. I know you don’t like roses.” He pulls out the small note. Muscles in his jaw tick as he reads. “What the fuck?” he clips, striding toward the trash can by the main entrance. “They’re from Dean, right?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. Cassidy signed for them when I was out on the golf course. Does it matter? It’s just flowers.”
“Of course, it matters! You think I’ll hang back while some asshole tries to steal you from me?”
A raging fire burns my cheeks, matching his anger and raising the stakes. “You think anyonecansteal me? You think I’ll leave you because someone sent me flowers?” I shove at him, puffing and pawing like a fighting bull, my voice bordering on shouting. “Don’t forget you’re the one who didn’t wantme, not the other way around. You have no right to doubt me, and you better make sure it’s the first and last time you ever do.”
Theo’s lips curve into a smile, dowsing the small torches swirling in his dark eyes. He grips my wrist, yanking me toward him for a kiss. “I didn’t want you?” he scoffs, amused, almost fascinated by the idea. “You shouldn’t have said that, little one. Wait till we get home.” He dips his head to whisper in my ear. “I’ll fuck you until those stupid thoughts are gone, and you understand that you’re all I want.”
One sentence and my chest tightens with breathless, fidgety anticipation. My nipples harden under the thin fabric of my summer dress, and my mouth turns dry and hot.
“We better hurry.” I weave my fingers through the hair at the back of his head, pulling gently. “Cass invited me to a girls’ night tonight, and she wants us to get ready at your place.”
“Our place,” he corrects. “You live there too. I don’t see a problem, but...” he skims his lips along the sweep of my cheek. “...you’re interfering with my plan of keeping you naked all evening, so I have one condition.”
“You want me naked before they come over?”
“You’re very clever.”
“So I’ve been told.” I slip my hand lower, stroking his cock through the thick fabric of his black jeans. He’s already hard. I bite my cheek, peering up at him. “Someone’s happy to see me.”
“He’s always fucking happy to see you,” he grinds out, pressing himself into my touch, my hand trapped between our bodies. “Makes me feel ten years younger.” I tiptoe my fingers up, tugging on the zipper, but he cuffs my wrist. “Careful, little one. If you don’t want me to yank that pretty dress up and fuck you against the building, you better not slip your hand inside my pants in public.”
I chuckle, squeezing him one last time. “Tempting, but I can’t lose this job, so we’ll have to find a different spot for indecent behavior.”
“I know just the place.”
We fall into step, crossing the parking lot and taking a shortcut through a labyrinth of side streets to a park where Theo lets Ares run around, chasing squirrels.
“Are you sure you don’t mind the girls coming over? I can tell Cassidy we’ll do it at her place.”
“I’m sure. What time are they coming?”
I pull my phone out to shoot her a text.
Me: What time should I expect you all?