Page 19

Mackenzie

I break from the kiss, scarcely able to breathe, and excuse myself to manage Levi. With a lot of cajoling, and after Theo plays a game of Madden with him, as promised, I get him in the bath and finally in bed. This was the best thing to get my mind off of where Theo and I were going. The kiss felt like sparks were dancing across my skin, starting at my lips and racing all the way down to my toes.

Now my brain is reengaged. I close the door to Levi’s room and move down the hall to mine, where I start getting ready for bed.

Theo appears in the doorway. “What are you doing?” He looks at me with his brow furrowed.

“I thought—”

“No.” He steps in, and his mouth is on mine. It erases every thought and excuse. He pulls me into his room and shuts the door behind us.

Last time this happened, it felt perfect—until he left. I have to believe he’ll move on again, just like before. But maybe if I know what I’m getting into and keep reminding myself it’s only temporary, it won’t hurt as much when he goes. I lean back, breathing fast, trying to reorient myself. But then his hands slide along the center seam of my jeans, and my entire world tilts.

“Mackenzie…” He speaks softly, like a warm hum against my blushing skin. “I can tell you’re very wet.”

My cheeks burn with heat, my body reacting in ways I can’t stop or hide.

He looks straight into my eyes. “Can I make you happy?”

The way he holds back is just as powerful as his touch. I stare at him, my mind at war with my hormones.

“I’ll stay dressed,” he adds. “I just want to make you come.”

A magnetic force builds in my stomach, pulling me closer to him like I can’t resist. My nipples tighten against my sweater, every nerve alive, straining for more.

“Tell me what you want,” he says, like a dare wrapped in something smooth and strong.

The words are out before doubt has a chance to stop them. “I want you to eat my pussy.” It’s a confession—honest and open—giving him a piece of myself.

Theo’s mouth curls into a playful smirk, his eyes shining with satisfaction. He’s enjoying every bit of the energy crackling between us. And damn it, I want to be wanted like this.

“Take your clothes off,” he demands.

All my hesitation disappears, replaced by a deep, aching need. This isn’t about what happened three years ago. It’s not about the messy past or the things we should be worried about. This is about right now.

His voice feels like silk against my body. Only Theo can make me feel this kind of want. With shaking hands, I grasp the hem of my shirt, focusing on the sensation—the slow drag of fabric over sensitized skin, the promise of what’s coming next.

Levi is just across the hall. Real life is right outside these walls.

But in this moment, none of that matters.

All I see is Theo and the way he looks at me, like I’m the only thing in the world.

There’s nothing but the pleasure he’s so eager to give.

Nothing but the exquisite, breath-stealing certainty that I want this.

That I want him.

His eyes are molten, moving over every part of me I’ve uncovered. He lingers at the lace of my bra, a pick from Tiffany. I laughed when she sent it over, thinking it was too much. But now, with Theo looking at me like this, I’m silently grateful.

“Damn.” The word slips from his lips, making me feel wanted—cherished—in a way I haven’t in a long time.

With a steadying breath, I unbutton my jeans, slipping them down my thighs inch by inch, aware of how Theo watches. I step out of them, leaving me in nothing but delicate lace and sheer vulnerability.

Theo pulls me in with a firm grip at my waist. His hands are strong and warm, holding me like I belong to him. I lean into his arms, everything else fading away.

“I can’t wait to taste you,” he whispers against my neck.

His lips travel downward, teasing along my inner thigh, each kiss soft at first, then more insistent. “God, Mackenzie, you’re so beautiful,” he breathes.

And with that, whatever little bit of control I had left slips away completely.

His fingers hook into the sides of my thong, dragging the fabric down in a slow descent. I lift one foot, then the other, the silk slipping away.

Theo folds them before setting them aside.

Something about that small, caring moment makes my breath catch. I don’t move. I can’t move. And now I know, with absolute certainty, that despite everything—our messy past, all the hurt we’ve caused each other—it’s still there between us. It doesn’t pull us apart. It’s part of what’s brought us here.

Theo’s lips trail up my stomach, his tongue tracing fire along my skin. Little bites send waves of shivers through me, and I grab his shoulders, trying to pull him even closer, to direct his mouth where I need him most, but he’s taking his time, enjoying every inch of me.

“Please,” escapes from my lips on a breathy sigh.

He just smirks against my skin, and then I feel it, the deft movement of his fingers behind my back. My bra unhooks, and before I can catch my breath, it’s sliding off my arms. The cool air hits my breasts, and my nipples tighten further. It takes my breath away, a need so strong it leaves me gasping.

Without warning, he grips my waist and pulls me atop him as he sits on the bed. I straddle him, my bare breasts at eye level. His gaze is hot, predatory. His mouth follows, kissing and nipping. It’s overwhelming and not nearly enough, all at the same time.

“Lie back,” he commands, his voice thick with desire.

I melt under his touch, like I’m floating through a dream. I slip off him and sink onto the bed. My heart pounds, my body buzzing with need.

I spread my legs wide, a silent invitation, and Theo dives in with passion. His palm is warm against my thigh as he lifts my right leg onto his shoulder. I’m exposed, vulnerable, and the heat in his eyes makes me shiver with anticipation.

“God,” he breathes, his fingers tracing the dampness between my folds. “You’re so wet for me.”

Then his mouth is on me, his tongue delving deep. The feel of his lips and teeth, the steady rhythm of his fingers—it all blends together, sending waves of heat through me that I can’t escape and don’t want to. I bite back a moan, remembering thin walls and Levi’s presence somewhere across the hall.

“More,” I whisper. My body tenses, coils tight, and then I’m there, climaxing with an intensity that steals my breath. It’s quiet, too quiet for his liking.

He gives me a playful slap, the sound sharp in the still room. “Come on,” he chides with a wicked grin. “You can do better than that.”

“Levi…” I gasp.

“He’s across the hall and fast asleep,” Theo assures me. “Just let go.”

I nod, trusting him completely. And when he leans in again, there’s a new intensity, like he knows exactly what I need, and he’s all in.

His mouth works magic, drawing pleasure from within me that spirals and grows until I’m crying out, louder this time, uncaring. A second climax rips through me, leaving me gasping and boneless.

Theo pulls away, his face glistening, and flops back against the bed.

I shake my head, this all feels too easy, too right. “We shouldn’t be this good at this,” I say quietly.

He laughs, low and warm. “But we are, aren’t we?” he says, not bragging, just stating the truth.

The heat slowly fades from my skin as I lie there, completely satisfied. I stretch lazily, then curl my finger at Theo, motioning for him to come closer. “Your turn,” I say, voice husky with the remnants of pleasure. “I want to taste you now.”

Theo’s lips find mine in a kiss that’s tender and deep, flavored with the intimacy of the moment. I can taste myself on him, a bold reminder of everything we just shared. He pulls back to look into my eyes, and the way he stares at me—steady and intense—makes me feel completely seen. It’s thrilling…and a little scary.

“Tonight was all about you, remember?” He moves a loose strand of hair away from my face, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip. The soft touch sends a new shiver down my spine, making me feel everything all over again. “When you’re ready for more, then it’s your turn to reciprocate. But not tonight.”

I nod, feeling a tiny bit of disappointment, but it’s softened by the promise that there will be another time, another chance to figure out what’s happening between us.

I pick up my clothes, pull my sweater back on and slide into my jeans. I can feel his eyes on me, watching, his stare full of things he doesn’t say, things I’m not sure I’m ready to hear.

Back in my room, I close the door behind me and lean against it. My breathing is still off, my heart pounding like crazy.

What did I just do?

The question keeps circling in my mind, playing back every touch, every breath, every quiet word. Want and worry twist together, leaving me unsure how to sort it all out.

But then something else slips in, a calm feeling, soft and steady, like peace cutting through a storm.

There’s nothing wrong with this. With feeling good. With the honest, simple truth of what happened tonight. It doesn’t have to be more than what it was—real, raw, two people needing comfort in each other.

I let out a slow breath and crawl into bed. The cool sheets feel nice against my warm skin. Maybe I don’t need to label what’s happening between Theo and me. Not now. Not yet.