“Snowflake, calm down.” A hand gingerly stops me from yanking the IV out. “Shh, you’re safe. I’m here. No one is going to touch you. I won’t let them.” Theo’s voice finally penetrates through the panic and calms me. His face comes in view, eyes locking with mine. “Breathe with me, baby.”
He motions for me to breathe, and I do, I follow his breathing. Slowly I feel myself calming down, but I can still feel the tears spilling down my cheeks.
“I promise, you’re safe,” Theo says, his tone deep and soothing. Leaning forward, he presses a tender kiss to my forehead. “I’m right here, Snowflake, and I’m not going anywhere.”
I nod, tears still streaming down my face, but I’ve calmed down exceptionally. “I’m sorry.” The two words slip softly from my lips, and I’m not sure if he actually heard me.
“Blake, don’t ever apologize for something like this. You did nothing wrong,” he rasps tersely, eyes narrowing, jaw clenching. But his touch stayed gentle. “If anyone should apologize. It’s me. It took us far too long to find you, and I’m so fuckin’ sorry for all the pain you endured.”
Flashes of Ethan and my parents mixed with the one I received on my phone the day I was kidnapped. Then I remember my mother bragging about how she used Theo to play games with me. She talked all about it and then went on to rant about my trust and them being broke because I wouldn’t sign over what’s rightfully hers.
More tears spill down my cheeks as I shake my head. “No, don’t apologize. It’s not your fault. Leave the blame where it should be, the ones who took Mia and me.”
“Fuck, I love you,” Theo says haggardly and kisses me thoroughly. But he ends the kiss far too quickly for my liking. Sighing, he presses his forehead against mine. “We’ve got a lot to talk about. First, we need to get the doctor in here and get you checked out. You and our little one,” he murmurs, pulling away and dropping a hand to my stomach.
* * *
To say I’d been a little more than shocked if not scared out of my mind at the idea of being pregnant is an understatement. I didn’t know what to think at the time, but I’m more than grateful our baby survived.
Theo lays back down and holds me close to him. “What was this one about?” he asks, reaching out while switching the low light lamp on next to the bed. He does this every time.
Of course, he knows about my nightmares. Theo’s been right here for each and every one of them.
“It was of my mom and dad taking turns with the belt they used on me,” I whisper, pressing deeper into his shoulder. My nightmares are not always the same. Some are of my mom. Others of my dad. But most of them feature Ethan.
While in the hospital, Theo thankfully didn’t question me. I knew he was giving me time. Mainly because the doctor suggested I not do anything stressful or strenuous. After getting back home, I finally told him as I relaxed into his arms. Having him hold me as I explained all that I remember happening. Theo was tense throughout the entire time, but not once did he flip on me about it all. No, he stayed holding me—doing as he’s doing now.
Adjusting myself in his arms, I rest my casted wrist on his stomach. Theo gingerly touches it and strokes his fingers up along my forearm.
“We’ll find them, Snowflake. They won’t hurt you again. They won’t get the chance to even try it if they wanted to,” Theo murmurs, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
I nod, releasing a shuddered breath. I hope he’s right. I don’t want to think about what will happen if they get their hands on me again.
“Do you want to get up or go back to sleep?” Theo asks sweetly. Sometimes he’ll carry me to the kitchen, where he makes me hot chocolate.
Tilting my head back, I smile softly at him, thinking of how for the past two weeks, he’s carted me around the entire place. I have crutches, but with one hand in a cast for at least another week, he’s not risking me falling.
I find his actions sweet and loving, though. It’s also annoying since I’ve not had a moment to be alone. Granted, I’m not ready to be fully alone. It’s just where Theo goes. I go. That is unless he’s got to go take care of business. When he does this, I’m with either his mom and dad, Clara and Demetrio or Leo. Or Christian—during the times he’s around. He’s practically moved to Mia’s while she’s recovering. I’ve talked to her on the phone, the two of us having a crying fit about the other. She promises she’ll be okay, but I’m not so certain about it.
I push the thoughts away and reach up to strum the tips of my fingers through his beard. Other than him kissing me, we haven’t done anything, not really, and honestly, I want to feel that connection with him again—I need to feel it.
“Will you make love to me?” I ask quietly, unsure of how he’ll react.
“Snowflake,” he whispers my name, a hand coming up to cup the side of my face as he rolls me to my back. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”
“Yes.” I nod, licking my bottom lip nervously.
Theo looks deep into my eyes before he closes his and sighs deeply. Does that mean he’s not going to? But before I can tell him he doesn’t have to, he lowers his face until his mouth is on mine, and his lips are ever so gently guiding mine open.
At a very slow pace, Theo works the shirt I’d put on to sleep in up and over my stomach further up my chest. He breaks his mouth from mine long enough to pull it completely off. Then he kisses me again while running his hands over my body sensually.
I moan when his fingers find their way under my panties and cup my heated center. Theo breaks his lips from mine and peppers kisses along my jawline, nips my ear. He moves down the side of my neck, works his way to my breasts, where he gives them both attention.
My body arches into his touch, his fingers in my panties pull away, and then he removes them completely. Everything seems to blur together, with feelings of him touching me everywhere. When his mouth finds my entrance, I cry out in sheer pleasure. He takes his time building a slow burn within me unlike any other. The moment I come, it’s as if everything around me shatters and rebuilds itself all at the same time. This is because while I’m still coming, Theo seats himself inside me and starts moving. He thrusts his cock inside me, his eyes coming to mine.
No words are needed. The only sound filling the room is our breaths mingling together. Theo watches me, makes me come, and I keep mine on him as he releases his inside my pussy.
Time seems to stand still as he hovers over me, his cock still planted within my depths.