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“I doubt it,” he answered. “She’s in Florida with her sister.”

  “But what if she does?” I pushed.

  He looked over rapidly, his eyebrows drawing together. “Then I’ll handle it, Chloe.” He rolled over, putting his hand on my waist and tugging me closer. “I know what you’re thinking, that I’ll change my mind about us—or that she’ll get me to change my mind. I won’t. There’s nothing to worry about when it comes to that.”

  “Are you going to sell your house?” I murmured.

  I could see his teeth glisten from the moonlight. His beautiful, full smile. “Would that make you happy?”

  I shrugged, but really I knew it would deep down.

  “It will be sold eventually. I won’t need it.”

  “Where will you be staying?”

  He planted a kiss on my forehead. “Here, in Bristle Wave with you.”

  I don’t know why his statement made me feel so warm and fuzzy, but it did satisfy me, even if just for the night.

  He stroked my cheek, putting himself between my legs. “Stop worrying. She won’t show up. It will only be for two nights, max. We’ll be in and out.”

  “Okay.” I craned my neck so my lips could reach his. He pulled back so I couldn’t touch them.

  I scowled.

  “Do you trust me, Knight?”

  “Yes, I trust you,” I responded.

  His hand ran down my waist and then around to cup my ass. “I only want you. You know that, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you know that everything else we have to figure out will be figured out, right? Together?”

  “I’m just a little nervous. I guess I’m not ready to face it yet, but I’m here for you. I swear.”

  He watched me for several seconds, scanning me for the truth. Then, he finally gave me the kiss I was craving, but with a little tongue. He held the right side of my face and I pushed my groin into his, clutching his hip, keeping him close to my body.

  He groaned, and when our kiss came to a brief pause, he murmured, “That’s my Little Knight.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  CHLOE

  Two days later and I was packing up for my trip to San Francisco before the sun had completely risen.

  I took Mr. Lint up on the offer of hiring a substitute for the next few days. He was surprised, especially since we only had one week left of school, but the schedule for my students was easy. Simple. They were going to be watching a lot of movies, making popcorn treats, eating ice cream, and answering simple questions.

  It was the last week of school, for Christ’s sake. I didn’t believe in such hard work for the start of summer. They were only kids, and most of their grades were great.

  I told Mr. Lint I wasn’t feeling well and might have had a stomach flu, and that I needed those days off to recover. He understood and didn’t ask many questions at all, to my surprise.

  “I have to make sure I’m back for at least the last day of school. I want to see them off, you know?” I picked up my suitcase and started packing the clothes I’d pulled out of the closet.

  The sun had just risen. I was so accustomed to waking up early for school that being up before sunrise was a habit. Theo had stayed the night, but he needed to get ready himself so I knew he was going to be heading back to his hotel soon.

  He was standing between the frames of my bedroom door, leaning on it by the shoulder. His arms were folded as he watched me, a small smirk playing on his lips. Pushing off the frame, he walked my way and picked up one of my folded sundresses.

  “We’ll be back before that. You can finish up what you have to do here with your students and then I’ll have something else planned for us afterwards. The perfect start to summer. I’m not letting you spend all your time in this house with all his shit here.”

  I shrugged, avoiding his eyes.

  “I know you feel guilty about it,” he stated. “I know you too well, and I know it’s bothering you.”

  “It would be wrong not to feel guilty, don’t you think?” I finally looked up at him. He handed me the dress. I accepted it, placing it in the suitcase and then going back for my sandals.

  “Maybe,” he mumbled.

  I tossed the sandals inside and then turned to grip his shoulders. “But if you think that I’m going to let my guilt stop us from having a good time, then you’re wrong, Mr. Black. I’m still going to San Francisco with you, and I very much look forward to what you have planned for us when we get back.” I pecked his cheek.

  He nodded. “Good.” He pulled me closer, his palms drifting down my waist. “That’s what I like to hear.” He bobbed his head towards my suitcase. “Finish packing. I have to run to the hotel to get some stuff, but when I get back, we can catch some breakfast and then we’ll be set to leave.”

  “Okay. Sounds good.”

  He grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it.

  I burned inside, beaming up at him. I didn’t want to pull away and neither did he. But he did eventually, and I watched him leave the bedroom in his dark wash jeans and black T-shirt.

  I looked out of the window and saw him hop into his car. And when he left, I couldn’t believe the instant desolation I felt. He was only going to be gone for thirty minutes, at most, but every time he walked away it reminded me of how I felt without him.

  I shook my head, laughing as I went to the bathroom to gather my toiletries. I was still acting like that college girl.

  It was a seven-hour drive from Bristle Wave to San Francisco. As I rode, I was still a little worried about the whole idea, though I refused to tell Theo that.

  What if Sheila showed up while we were there? What if she was already there?

  I fidgeted in the passenger seat several times. The leather was nice, but I just couldn’t get comfortable.

  A hand landed on mine and I picked my head up, meeting Theo’s gentle brown gaze. “You’re worrying too much, Chloe.”

  “Am I?” I watched him carefully before sighing. “How are you so calm about this?”

  “Because I know she isn’t going to come back. Trust me, she would make it known. I’m only checking in on a few things and packing some of my stuff. That’s it. We’ll only be there for two nights and then we can go back home to Bristle Wave, where we belong.”

  I liked the sound of that, but even more so I loved how he used the words “we” and “home.” It was strange how he knew exactly what I was thinking without me having to say it.

  Perhaps I did suck at hiding my emotions.

  “I guess I’m just thinking about all the bad things that could happen instead of the good. Like her showing up . . . or maybe she’s coming just as we are about to go and she sees us leaving the house together.”

  “She already knows about you,” he informed me, and I whipped my head up, as if I didn’t already know that. But the way he said it was different. Like she knew more than just my name.

  He pulled his hand away to grip the wheel. The smooth ripple of the tires on the road proved that he kept them and the car in maintenance often.

  “She knows my name and more?” I probed. “Like what?”

  “That you were Izzy’s best friend . . . and that we did things together to end that friendship. I caught her reading Izzy’s diary once. She asked me about it but I didn’t tell her much about it. I lied. Said it just happened.”

  “Oh, my God. This is insane then! A death wish!”

  He chucked a laugh. “Look, I know you think she’s a childish woman after what we dealt with before, but trust me, she’s no fool.”

  “Well, how do you know that for sure?” I asked and I was utterly curious. “You hardly knew her—at least, not like how you know me.”

  He side-eyed me, caught off guard by my statement. His lips pressed thin and he was quiet again.

  When he finally spoke, I was relieved. “I know her enough to know she wouldn’t jeopardize anything—especially her life. She’ll move on. She’s six years younger. She has time to find real love.”
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  I didn’t respond to that. How could I respond to that? He knew her a lot more than I ever could, but something still made me wonder if he was saying that just to make me feel better. He didn’t seem so sure himself.

  I stared at the endless road ahead, placing my hands in my lap.

  “Let’s focus on us,” Theo murmured, his hand coming close. “Let’s stay positive.” It traveled up and he squeezed my upper thigh. When I looked over at him, he had a mischievous smile on his lips.

  I couldn’t help my laugh. “Okay. We’ll focus on us.”

  “That was the promise, right?” He inclined a smooth eyebrow.

  “It was.” I smiled way too hard before making my next statement. “I guess next time you’ll have to punish me for breaking that promise.”

  He laughed, a genuine, deep, and sexy laugh. “Now that’s something I’m looking forward to.”

  A hand rubbed my arm.

  “Chloe?”

  I jolted awake and looked toward the driver’s seat. A light smile swept across Theo’s lips. His hair was a little messier now, like he’d been running his fingers through it, most likely out of sheer boredom or impatience during the drive.

  “We’re here?” My words came out in a croak.

  I cleared my throat when he nodded.

  I looked from him to the house in front of us. It was painted a blue-gray, with white shutters, a cement stoop, and a white guardrail that led up to the wide, red door.

  The sun was set now, but I could make out everything: the well-kept bushes and pedicured grass, the bed of dahlias outlining the guardrails. It was beautiful; the perfect home for a married couple. It was almost too beautiful.

  “Come on.” Theo climbed out of the car and shut the door behind him. I pushed out gradually, still staring ahead, unable to pull away.

  So, this was the home he shared with her. I must admit, it was lovely, and I envied her even more for it. Able to come home to a place like this, and share it with a man like him. That must have felt great, knowing he was home waiting for her, knowing he was probably whipping up one of his delicious meals to share over dinner.

  Jealousy seized me, clenching tight in my gut.

  An arm draped around my shoulders and Theo pulled me in close, loosening that ball in my belly, but only a little. “You gonna stand out here the whole time or come in?” He grinned down at me, revealing those perfect dimples.

  I put on a light smile for him, wrapping my arm around his waist. “Let’s go, Mr. Black.”

  He held me snug and close as we made our way up to the stoop. He took out his keys and released me to unlock the door. When it was open, I felt a swarm of anxiety shoot through me.

  Inside. We were really going inside.

  I took in a sharp breath as I walked past him. When I was far enough inside, he shut the door behind us and then turned to punch a number into the beeping alarm system.

  “It was a long drive. I know those gas station snacks didn’t fill you up.” He stepped around me and scratched the top of his head. He was nervous about this too—trying to avoid the big elephant in the room, I could tell. He only scratched his head or jaw when he was apprehensive. “You hungry or anything?”

  “Sure.” I grabbed his hand. “But tell me something . . .”

  “What’s that?” he asked, stepping closer and looking down into my eyes.

  “You’re nervous too . . . aren’t you?”

  “Somewhat.”

  “Is it because you’re afraid she’ll show up, or because right now we’re in the home you shared with her and you don’t know how I’ll take it?”

  He smirked. “You’re too smart for your own damn good, you know that?”

  I put on a playful, smug grin. “Just asking.”

  “I believe it’s the latter. I’m not so much worried about her returning as much as I am about you being here.” He tipped my chin and placed a warm, full kiss on my lips. “I want to know everything you’re thinking, you understand? If you feel uncomfortable in anyway, you let me know. I’ll do what I can to accommodate you. You know that.”

  “I’ll try and keep an open mind. Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve done things with you in the home you used to share with a wife.” God, that sounded so bad.

  “No, it wouldn’t.” He drew me in with a hand gripping my ass, our groins meshing, mouths close, and eyes focused on each other’s lips. “But I really wish you’d stop throwing that in my face. You could have been my wife a long time ago, and you know it.” He caught my bottom lip between his teeth and then released it. “This time, don’t run, Chlo. Face the trials with me.”

  I nodded, but I couldn’t pull away from his mouth. I wanted him to do that again. And again. And a hundred more times.

  “You want me to kiss you right now, don’t you?” he tested, voice like smooth velvet.

  I nodded again, quicker this time.

  “I bet you do, baby.” A smooth laugh vibrated throughout his entire body and then he picked me up, allowing our lips to collide. I draped my arms around the back of his neck and he spun around, storming down the hallway and into the living room.

  I didn’t pull my lips away. I refused to break the kiss. I absorbed everything he gave, every passing of his tongue. My back landed on something hard, and when I opened my eyes, I realized we were in the kitchen.

  I looked over and I was on a counter. An island counter.

  Theo worked hard to pull my shorts and panties off as I cupped his face and kissed his forehead. His mouth traveled down, from my chin, to my throat, and then between my breasts. He kissed me there with his soft lips, and then continued down, kissing my pelvis and the valley between my thighs.

  Without any words at all, he spread my legs apart and buried his face into my pussy. He clutched my hips and hauled me towards the edge of the counter, tilting my hips so he could eat me in full.

  I gasped as I held the edge of the counter and felt the moans he made between my thighs. The vibrations reverberated throughout my entire body, his tongue skimming my nub. I panted raggedly, one hand shooting down and threading through his thick, silky bed of hair.

  This . . . this would never get old. Ever.

  “Taste so good, Chloe,” he groaned as he came back up, trailing kisses up the length of my body. He hovered above me, and I felt his cock poking at my entrance. “I’ll take you here first.”

  He gripped my wrists and pulled me up so I could sit up straight. When my ass was hanging off the counter edge, he pressed between my legs and I showed no resistance at all. He was inside me, and I couldn’t help but gape.

  He felt so big.

  He noticed my reaction and tilted his head, bringing his mouth to the crook of my neck. His strokes built up quickly, and our panting increased. My hands clutched his T-shirt, and I thrust my hips closer, driving him deeper.

  “Shit, Chloe. Why do you always feel so fucking good,” he asked in between panting breaths. His hands came down and wrapped around my ass. He picked me up and turned so my back could hit the wall, grinding deep and full, and I moaned louder, feeling every inch as he slid in.

  “I had a dream about this,” he muttered, thrusting. “Right here. Me and you, against this very wall. I was making the sweetest love to you. I was making you mine,” he sighed, pressing his forehead on mine. “And you were loving it. You were afraid, but I’ve got you now,” he murmured against my lips. He kissed me fiercely and I held him tighter. “I will always be here for you, Chloe. Never forget that, baby.”

  He lifted his head, pulling his mouth away when I feigned for another kiss.

  “Tell me you’ll never forget that,” he demanded.

  “I will never forget it, Theo,” I breathed, and he gripped me tighter, supplying fuller thrusts. I felt him grow tense, but he didn’t stop. He was close.

  “You and me feel too perfect together. We were fucking made for each other.”

  He held on, and then he released a ragged breath, dropping his face in the curve of my ne
ck. He let out a heavy grunt and I knew he was coming.

  He squeezed my ass in hand, planting small kisses above my collarbone, making me feel an endless swirl of heat in my core.

  With a big exhale, his large body softened and he rested his cheek on my shoulder. He kissed the tip of my nose when I turned my face in his direction.

  “I love you,” he crooned. “I really fucking do. How many times have I said it since I first saw you?”

  I broke out in a large grin. “Many times,” I laughed, poking his nose. “But it’s okay. I love you, too.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  CHLOE

  After the mess we’d made in that kitchen, I told Theo I needed to clean up before dinner. I took a long, hot shower, smiling beneath the stream like a kid in a candy store.

  There was a black cotton robe hanging on the back of the bathroom door with a red T on the chest. I knew it was Theo’s. Fortunately there wasn’t one for her.

  I heard sizzling when I came down the stairs.

  When I walked into the kitchen, he heard me and looked sideways with a spatula in hand. He did a double take and I bit back a smile.

  “I think you’re asking for it again.” He shut off the stovetop.

  “Our bags are still in the car and it was the only thing up there to wear that was in plain view.”

  He walked around the counter to get to me. “I’ll get the bags. Watch the food.”

  I nodded and he walked out of the kitchen, picking his keys up off the table in the hall and then making his way towards the front door. When it shut behind him, I maneuvered towards the stove to see what he was cooking.

  There were large pink shrimp in a skillet and in the pot was some linguini pasta. Shrimp linguini? Yum.

  Twirling around, I started to search for the plates in the cabinets to start setting the table. I found them in the one beside the wine glasses. I pulled two of them down and then grabbed some silverware, heading for the dining room table. . . wherever it was.

  As I walked around the corner with a small smile, that’s when I saw the pictures, hung on the dining room wall. Wedding photos.