Page 35 of Muse (The Forbidden Hearts #1)

SOPHIE

I take Theo’s hand and just go.

I don’t know if she recognized me or if Mrs. Crenshaw truly understood what she saw… and even if she did, she has no idea who he is. We’re fine. It’s all going to be fine.

At the gate, I pull out my phone and fire off a quick text to Sal, letting her know I’m heading home with Theo. I’ll give her the details later.

Let her enjoy the rest of her night in peace.

We slip into his car, the smooth leather cold beneath my thighs. The moment the door shuts, I finally exhale a full breath. It feels like I’ve been holding it since the second I saw Mrs. Crenshaw in the crowd, watching us. The tension in my body eases, just a little.

Then the guilt creeps in. I need to tell Theo. And just like that, my anxiety flares to life all over again.

“Theo…” My voice is low and tentative.

He doesn’t hesitate. “Are you okay? I know that was horrible, and if I?—”

“No, it’s not that,” I cut in. “I saw… When we went to leave, I saw my mom’s friend in the crowd. Mrs. Crenshaw. I think she saw the whole thing.”

His body goes rigid beside me, hands tightening on the wheel. His jaw clenches so hard I hear it pop. He doesn’t move, doesn’t blink. Doesn’t even breathe.

I wait. Seconds drag like hours and I don’t dare speak again. He seems so fragile in this moment. Like he’s holding back his emotions, trying not to break open.

Finally, he exhales, the sound sharp enough to make me wince. His gaze finds mine, and the fear I see there almost knocks the air from my lungs.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, Soph.” He shakes his head, voice hoarse. “It’s not your fault. I just…” He trails off with a sigh, and I reach for his hand, squeezing it tight.

“There’s no way she knows who you are. It’ll be fine. You’re just some stranger at a fair.”

He nods slowly, but the unease in his eyes doesn’t fade. “I hope so.”

He throws the car into drive, and we pull out, heading toward home. Hopefully his. I don’t ask, though. I’m scared of the answer. What if tonight broke something? What if he drops me off and just disappears?

But we turn onto the familiar road, the one that leads to his place, and I spot the soft curve of his smile as his headlights hit the garage.

Relief floods through me. He didn’t let go. He’s still here.

We pull in and the garage door shuts behind us. He rounds the car before I can move, opening my door like always. One of a thousand little things he does for me without thinking. Gentleman instincts. Or maybe just Theo instincts.

Inside, Winnie bounds over in a blur of brown fur. I crouch down, letting him lick my hands, grateful for the distraction. Theo lets him out into the backyard, then disappears into the kitchen.

When he returns, he hands me a cold bottle of water. I take it, watching him out of the corner of my eye. He’s moving too fast, his shoulders tight and his breathing shallow.

“Thank you,” I murmur, trying to catch his gaze.

He won’t look at me. Just keeps tidying invisible messes in the living room. Straightening papers, adjusting a coaster. Nervous energy rolls off of him in waves that permeate through the room.

“Hey…” I step closer. “You alright?”

He finally stops, dragging a hand down his face. “Yes, Trouble. I’m okay.”

He turns to me. “The real question is, are you? I should be focused on you, not my own worries.”

“I’m okay,” I say. “You saved me. Again.”

His brow lifts. “Again?”

“The night of the party, remember?”

His expression shifts, softening. Sadness flits across his face. “I will always save you, Trouble. Though I’d prefer not to have to. I’d rather keep you here, safe. Always out of harm’s way.”

A flush creeps up my neck, and I smile. “I’d like that, too.”

He steps closer, his voice lower now. “And if Cole so much as likes a post of yours again, you tell me. I’ll take care of it. Of you .”

There’s something dark in the promise, protective and feral, and I melt under the weight of it. No one has ever defended me like this. No one has ever seen me like this, or even cared to try.

“Hopefully, I’ll never have to see him again.”

I move into Theo’s space, winding my arms around his waist. His wrap around me instantly, pulling me against his chest. He smells like home.

“Soph…” he murmurs into my hair. “Do you think your mom’s friend will say something? ”

I hesitate. “Honestly, I don’t know.” I pull back just enough to meet his eyes. “But even if she does, I’d never tell anyone it was you.”

His jaw clenches again, but then he nods. “Even if you did,” he says softly, “I wouldn’t regret this. Not for a second. I wouldn’t regret you .”

My heart twists. I rise onto my toes and kiss him.

At first, it’s gentle. A soft press of our lips, a silent promise without words. But then it deepens, the kind of kiss that steals the air from your lungs. I feel his hands tighten on my back, and suddenly I’m lifting, climbing up him like a pole, desperate to get closer.

He cradles me in his arms, lifting me into the air, and walks us to his bedroom. No place I’d rather go. Our mouths never stop moving. Our desperation, love, and fear all mix into one. When he places me gently on the bed, he pulls back just enough for his eyes to meet mine.

“I love you, Sophie Wilson.”

My breath catches in my throat, and I swallow back the happy tears his words bring to my eyes.

“I love you, Theo Hayes.”

His eyes widen, hearing me utter the words for the first time. A smile stretches across his face, so wide it’s almost comical. I giggle at his expression, probably the happiest I’ve ever seen him look.

“You just made me the happiest man alive. I can die in peace now.”

I swat his shoulder, “No dying allowed. I need you here, by my side.”

He laughs, the deep rumble vibrating through me. Then he dips back down, taking my mouth against his, in the most tender kiss of my lifetime. It’s perfect. Soft and sweet and delicious in the best way. His body presses down against mine, fitting perfectly against me in all the right places .

One of his hands supports his weight above me while the other feathers down my arm, tracing the lines of it with an electrifying touch. My skin pebbles under his touch and I moan lightly against his mouth. The smallest touch from him has me already ready to explode.

I reach for the hem of his shirt, tugging it up to feel his skin against mine.

I want more. He pulls back, settling onto his knees between my thighs, and pulls his shirt off in one fluid motion.

I admire his toned torso, my fingers coming up to trail down his abs, following the light dusting of hair there down to where his jeans block my way.

My eyes jump back up to his, and the expression of pure admiration in his gaze is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

I reach out with my other hand, moving to undo the button on his pants. His hands come to meet mine, helping me, and then he’s standing, dropping his pants to the floor.

“Boxers too,” I whisper, my voice barely audible over my heartbeat pounding in my ears.

He quirks an eyebrow, “You sure?”

I nod my approval, and he obeys my command, standing there in all his naked glory. And then I’m sitting up, ripping my top and bra off and tossing them to the floor. Stripping off my pants and panties as quickly as I can, wanting him back on top of me, craving his touch.

His eyes rove over my body, and I try not to flinch, to cover myself. His gaze returns to mine, his eyes dark and hooded, filled with need.

“You are the most perfect thing I have ever seen, Trouble.”

I swoon. Falling deeper for him with each word that comes from his perfect, pouty lips. “Come here.”

He kneels between my thighs once again, settling back onto his heels. His hands fall to my thighs as he begins to massage them, never dropping eye contact. I reach up, noticing for the first time, a scar on his thigh. I run my fingers over it lightly, the skin raised in a small circle.

“What’s this from?” I ask.

“Oh, that,” he says with a chuckle. “Shot with a BB gun as a kid, the BB is still in there, actually.”

My eyes go wide, “Seriously? Does it hurt?”

“Nope, I don’t even notice it anymore.”

My attention leaves his scar and jumps to his cock, growing harder by the second. I reach out, my fingers lightly tracing over his impressive length. He twitches under my touch, a light groan escaping from his lips.

I smile softly, loving the sense of power I get when he is under my control. The way his body tenses and his breathing grows more rapid as my hands give him pleasure. It’s addictive, and I never want to stop.

“You’re killing me,” he breathes out.

“Then come here.”

He does, dropping down to me, pressing his body against mine. His hard length presses against my clit and I let out a breathy moan. I bite his lower lip softly, just enough to elicit another groan. He grabs my hands, pressing them to the bed on either side of my head, taking control.

Then he kisses me, demanding everything I have to give. He moves from my lips to my neck, nipping at my ear, making me squirm. Goosebumps prickle down my neck, down my arm. It’s ticklish, but in the best way.

His mouth comes to my breast, and he flattens his tongue, licking over my nipple slowly. My breasts grow heavy and full, my arousal heightened and every nerve in my body on fire. He takes my breast into his mouth, sucking on it gently as one of his hands releases mine and snakes between my legs.

He finds my clit almost instantly, his practiced hands knowing exactly how to touch me, how to make me moan. I arch into him, greedy for more .

“I want you inside of me,” my voice comes out low and needy. I’m willing to beg.

His eyes fly up to mine, “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” I nod, emphatically.

He rolls away for just a moment, retrieving a condom from his bedside table and rolling it on in a quick, fluid motion. The sight of it puts a smile on my face. Cole hated condoms and fought with me over having to use them many times.