Chapter 5

Erica

Life has a funny way of biting you in the ass.

I said specifically before I came here that I wasn't going to let anything I found in this town through me off my axis. And then I met Theo Marcer. It's been exactly 72 hours of knowing this man and he's thrown my world completely out of orbit. With how I feel when I'm around him, I don't see things going back to normal. I don't know how I can move on and forget he exists. I don't think I can do that actually. I glance up the stairs toward where Joy is, passed out drunk from a few too many drinks.

That's a hiccup. Despite the fact that we lost touch, Joy was my best friend. To this day, I've never replaced her, never found another friend who comes anywhere near how close we were. I can't just sleep with her dad the first time I come back into her life.

But, God do I want to do it.

I hear the front door creak open, and my heart skips a beat. Theo's back. I glance over my shoulder, and sure enough, there he is, walking in like he owns the place.

"Hey," I say, straightening up and trying to act nonchalant. "Joy knocked out upstairs. She's crashing in my old room."

Theo chuckles, that deep, rumbly sound that sends a shiver down my spine. "Well, I'm glad to hear you two had fun today. Even if it was a bit of a mess."

I don't know why I say it, but it just slips out. "I'm glad you and Joy were here today. I didn't think I'd be so affected by going through all my parents' stuff. I mean, considering how they treated me, I thought I'd be fine. But it's weird, you know? Harder than I thought."

Theo's eyes soften as he walks over, setting the pizza boxes down on the counter. "It's normal to still feel something about the loss of a parent. My dad raised me without my mom, and he was always rough on me—a hard man to please. I hated him most of my life and still I was wrecked when I held his hand as he passed away from cancer. Despite what they do to us, they're still our parents. They're ours to grieve however we can."

His words hit me harder than I expect. I hadn't really thought about it like that before, and it makes me feel seen. I look up at him, caught in his gaze. The way he talks about his own experience it's raw and honest. It makes me want to tell him everything, but instead, I just nod, feeling the lump in my throat.

Theo's gaze locks with mine, and for a moment, time seems to freeze. I can't look away from the intensity in his eyes, and before I even realize what's happening, his lips are on mine. The kiss is everything. It's urgent, fervent—there's no hesitation.

My breath catches in my throat as he presses me back against the counter. His hands are on my hips, pulling me closer, and the heat of his body against mine is overwhelming. I can't get enough of him. I'm lost in the kiss, my fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer as I arch into him.

His hands roam over my back, slipping beneath the sweatshirt, and the sensation of his touch against my skin sends shivers through me. I feel his breath hot against my neck as he kisses his way down, and I can't suppress the gasp that escapes me.

The world outside vanishes as he trails his lips lower, his hands guiding me to sit on the edge of the counter. I'm panting, my body already on fire from his touch. When his mouth reaches the waistband of my pants, he hesitates for a moment, his eyes meeting mine with a question that I answer with a needy moan.

Theo doesn't waste any more time. He tugs down my yoga pants and underwear in one swift motion, his eyes dark with desire as he takes in the sight of me. Normally, I know I would feel exposed, but the look in his eyes makes me feel desired, wanted in a way I've never experienced before.

His fingers trace gently over my thighs, making me shiver with anticipation. Then, with a low growl, he leans in and finally tastes me. His tongue flicks against my sensitive folds, and I cry out, my hands gripping the edge of the counter for support.

The sensations are electric. Theo's tongue moves with a skill that has me gasping and writhing against the counter. He takes his time, savoring every inch of me, and I can't help but let out a string of moans and whimpers as he brings me closer to the edge.

I hear Joy's voice call from upstairs, and it's like a splash of cold water against the heat of the moment. "Erica? Did Dad bring the pizza yet?"

I try to steady my voice, but it comes out shaky, betraying the pleasure I'm experiencing. "Not yet, Joy!"

Theo's mouth doesn't stop its delicious assault, and I'm struggling to keep my voice steady as I continue talking to Joy. Theo's relentless, his tongue working magic as he alternates between gentle flicks and deep, consuming licks.

Joy's voice floats down the stairs, oblivious to what's happening. "Okay, I'm going to go lay back down. Get me when the food gets here."

"Will do," I manage to reply, my voice trembling with a mix of pleasure and desperation. I slap a hand over my mouth to stifle the sounds threatening to escape as Theo's tongue brings me to the brink.

The pleasure is building, a hot wave crashing over me as I reach my peak. I shudder against the counter, my whole body trembling as I come undone under his expert touch. The intensity of the orgasm leaves me breathless, my vision blurring as I clutch the edge of the counter for dear life.

Theo finally pulls back, his face glistening with the evidence of his devotion. He looks at me with a mixture of satisfaction and hunger, and I can't help but gasp for air, feeling a strange mix of relief and longing.

When I finally catch my breath, I look up at Theo, my eyes wide with a mixture of disbelief and satisfaction. "Wow, that was...I've missed out."

Theo raises an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Missed out? What do you mean?"

I blush, feeling suddenly exposed. "Well, I don't usually let men, um, indulge between my legs."

Theo cuts me off, his voice low and dark. "Are you telling me that no one's ever eaten you out before?"

I go bright red, my cheeks burning. "Yeah, but I didn't know it was like that. Now that I know what I'm missing out on I'll—"

"You'll what, Erica?" The question gives off the feel of a threat or challenge and there's a healthy dose of jealousy as he adds, "If they weren't worthy to do it before, don't expect to let them have you after me."

"Well that's not really a concern. No one's…" I trail off with wide eyes as I realize what I'm confessing. "I mean, um, never mind. Anyway!"

Theo stares at me, his expression unreadable for a moment before he speaks again, his voice even darker. "Erica, are you a virgin?"

I puff out an embarrassed breath, feeling the weight of his question settle over me. "Yes. But, by choice. I wanted it to matter, you know? It didn't have to be special or whatever, but I wanted to know I wouldn't regret it. I just didn't meet anybody that I felt like I'd be happy with my choice."

I don't say it out loud, but right now, I'm starting to think Theo might be the one I'd want to lose it to. Except, Joy is an obstacle, and I don't know how to navigate this.

Theo's body is strung tight, his fists clenching and unclenching. He looks at me with dilated eyes, and his voice is heavy with desire. "Erica, you are the ultimate temptation."

His words send a shiver down my spine, and before I can react, he's kissing me again, more thoroughly this time, his fingers threading through my hair. I'm lost in him, my hands gripping his shoulders as he devours me with his mouth.

But then, he pulls back, his gaze intense. "I'm going to go collect my self-control in my truck before I take your innocence right here. Eat something."

He presses a kiss to my forehead and with that, he walks out the front door, leaving me breathless and disoriented, staring after him.