Page 27 of A Cock and Bull Story

“Theo,” I shout a little bit louder.

Still nothing.

I do this three or four more times before I finally bang down the damn door. I even scream before I remember my window’s open. I quickly rush over and shut it; then, rush back to the bathroom, afraid that maybe Theo's passed out in the tub.

I turn the handle to find it unlocked and step inside because I'm saving his life—which is way more important than saving his privacy. But when I step into the bathroom, there’s no Theo. It's just a tub. . .

With a fish.

It looks like the same fish that Theo sent me a picture of the other night.

Oh my God, did the British hunk bring his pet fish and put it in my tub?

How did Theo even manage that—does he hide it on him in a plastic bag? It's surely tiny enough. I stare at the thing in horror. Where the hell did Theo go?

I run out of the room crying his name.

I rush to my bedroom, but no Theo—I even check behind the door and in my closet.

Sprinting out, I smack right into his muscled chest. Theo's dripping wet all over my wooden floor. Strong arms band around me and catch me as I fall.

“Belle, are you ok?” he asks frantically.

“No!” I gasp. “I couldn't find you! I went into the bathroom. I called your name and you didn't answer!”

“I was in the bathroom the entire time,” he says. “And I can't answer when I’m like that.”

“What do you mean?” I snap.

There'sno wayTheo was in that bathroom unless he was behind the door. . .

But, even then, his frame is far too large to fit behind it.

“My fish can't speak under water,” he explains.

I look at him like he's crazy.

That's it.

It's officially happened.

I found one of the sexiest men on earth and he's telling me that fish can't talk.

“Dude, I know fish can’t talk! How did you even get your fish in there?”

Theo squints at me in confusion. I squint back until a knock at the door makes us both jump.

“Shit,” Theo whispers. “Get behind me. I didn't hear from Jude that they were here.”

I step behind him, plastering my chest to his back, and wrap my arms tightly around him in fear.

After a pause, Theo lets out a hushed chuckle.

“Belle,” he whispers, “you're going to have to let go of me if you want me to go see who's at your door.”

“Oh, sorry,” I stammer, but I grasp onto him even harder, scared.

“It's ok. . . you can release my cock, now,” he suddenly chokes out.