Chapter 7

Erica

I really need to start looking before I open my door.

"Um, hey," I manage to greet, my voice coming out shaky. "What's up? What are you doing here?"

Theo stands there, looking incredibly hot in a sweatshirt, Levi's, and boots. His rugged, casual look makes my breath catch. I'm totally caught off guard, my heart pounding as I try to gather my thoughts.

Theo's eyes lock onto mine, and he holds up a set of keys. "Your car is done," he says with that easy smile that makes my stomach flip.

"Oh? That was it? I could have met you at Steven's shop. You didn't need to come all the way down here." I reach for the keys, but Theo holds them just out of my grasp. My brow furrows in confusion.

His voice softens as he adds, "Cards on the table? I also just wanted to see you. I probably shouldn't, but can I come in?"

My heart skips a beat at his words. I nod and step aside, trying to keep my cool. "Sure. Come on in."

As Theo walks in, he stops right in front of me. He picks a piece of lint off my sweatshirt, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through me. "Another old boyfriend's sweatshirt?" he teases, his eyes gleaming.

I blush, feeling a bit self-conscious. "They're comfortable," I mumble, trying to sound nonchalant.

Theo takes a good look at me, his gaze lingering. "I'll give you mine instead," he says, his voice dropping to a low, seductive murmur, "and you can get rid of these."

My heart races at his suggestion, and I feel a rush of excitement. I nod, feeling a thrill run through me. "Okay."

Theo leads me to the couch, and we sit down together. There's a charged silence between us, and I can feel the heat radiating from him. His hand finds my leg, and I shiver at the touch. His fingers trail up and down my thigh, sending sparks through me.

"I missed you," he says softly, his gaze locked on mine.

The words hit me like a wave, and I can't help but reach out to him. My fingers brush against his cheek, and I whisper, "I missed you, too."

In an instant, his lips are on mine, and it's like a dam has burst. The kiss is fiery, desperate, full of the longing we've both been holding back. His hands are in my hair, pulling me closer, and I can't get enough. I'm arching into him, my hands roaming over his body. His mouth trails down my neck, his kisses hot and demanding.

His hands find their way to my sweatshirt, tugging it off with a rough urgency. I gasp as the cool air hits my bare skin making my nipples pebble, and Theo's eyes darken with desire.

"No bra, Erica. You're being a tease."

"It's only teasing if I don't let you touch. You can touch me all you want, Theo."

He pulls me closer until his body is pressed against mine. He kisses his way down my chest and his tongue leaves a trail of fire. I moan as his lips brush over my nipples with his touch driving me wild.

He moves with a confident, practiced ease, his hands and mouth exploring every inch of me. The sensations are overwhelming, and I'm lost in the moment, my body responding to him with a need I didn't know I had. I arch into him, gasping and moaning as he brings me to the edge.

"Tell me to stop," he commands as his hands continue doing things to me that make it impossible to follow directions.

"I can't," I mewl, my head thrashing back and forth. "I won't."

"You should," he responds darkly before he nips at my skin, hard enough that I know it'll leave a mark.

I don't care.

"I want it. I want everything," I call out, my voice coming out in pants. "I want you."

He pulls away for a second and I groan in frustration. But, he looks me over before he pulls me roughly to my feet and into his arms. "Bedroom," is the only warning I get before he's carrying me with bounds up the stairs.

When we enter my bedroom, Theo lifts me effortlessly, guiding me towards the bed. He lays me down gently and his eyes never leave mine. His fingers trace the curve of my body with a touch that is both tender and intense. He's careful and considerate, making sure I'm comfortable and ready.

Theo's gaze is hungry as he looks down at me, his breath coming in shallow gasps. He slides his hands down my sides, his fingers grazing the edge of my leggings. With a swift motion, he tugs them down, taking my underwear with them. The cool air hits my skin, and I shiver in anticipation.

"You're beautiful, Erica," he whispers, his voice deep and rough with desire. "Every time I see you like this, I can't help myself."

My body trembles under his words, the tension between us crackling like a live wire. Theo wastes no time, his hands moving with purpose, spreading my thighs apart as he kneels on the bed. The way his eyes darken with lust sends a surge of heat through me. I can feel the wetness pooling between my legs, and I know he can too.

"Look at you," he murmurs, his voice low as he runs a thumb down my center, "so ready for me."

I bite my lip, a moan escaping as he strokes me, slow and deliberate. His fingers work magic, and every touch sets my body on fire. I grip the sheets beneath me, my hips bucking up into his hand, desperate for more.

"Theo...please..." I gasp, unable to take the teasing anymore.

Theo smirks, leaning down to press a soft kiss on my inner thigh. "I love it when you beg," he says, his voice a dark promise. He presses another kiss, closer to where I want him most, and my body arches off the bed, aching for him.

And then, without warning, his mouth is on me. The sensation is overwhelming, and I cry out, my hands flying to his hair, tangling in the thick locks as his tongue moves against me with precision. He works me over with slow, deliberate strokes, and I feel like I'm unraveling. Every lick, every flick of his tongue sends a jolt of pleasure straight through me.

"Oh God, Theo," I moan, my voice trembling. "Don't stop."

He doesn't. His hands grip my thighs, holding me open as he devours me, his mouth relentless. The pleasure builds and builds until it's almost too much, and I feel myself teetering on the edge of release.

"I'm going to—" My words break off as my body tightens, and then I'm falling, shattering into a million pieces as the orgasm crashes over me. My back arches, my toes curl, and my entire body trembles with the force of it. Theo doesn't let up, drawing out every last bit of pleasure until I'm nothing more than a panting, quivering mess beneath him.

When he finally pulls back, I can barely catch my breath. He climbs up the bed, kissing his way back up my body, his lips soft and gentle in contrast to the intensity of what just happened.

"You okay?" he asks, his voice husky as he hovers over me, his eyes full of concern despite the desire still burning in them.

I nod, breathless. "Better than okay," I manage to say, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

Theo grins and presses a kiss to my forehead, his body warm and solid above mine. But I can feel the hardness pressing against me, and I know we're far from done. He shifts, tugging his shirt off in one smooth motion before standing to remove his jeans and boxers, never taking his eyes off me.

I watch, my heart racing as he strips down, the sight of his body making me ache with need all over again. He's all muscle and strength, every inch of him screaming power and control, but his eyes, there's so much tenderness there.

He climbs back onto the bed, his body pressing against mine as he settles between my legs. I can feel him, hard and ready, pressing against my entrance, but he pauses, leaning down to capture my lips in a kiss that's slow and deep. It's a kiss that says everything we can't put into words—the love, the desire, the connection that goes beyond just this moment.

"You ready for me?" he asks softly, his forehead resting against mine, his breath warm against my lips.

"Yes," I whisper, my voice trembling with need. "I want you, Theo. Please."

That's all it takes. In one slow, smooth motion, he pushes inside me, filling me completely. I gasp, my hands gripping his shoulders as he stretches me, the sensation overwhelming and perfect all at once. He pauses for a moment, letting me adjust, his forehead still pressed to mine as he murmurs words of reassurance.

"You feel so good," he breathes, his voice strained with the effort of holding back. "God, Erica."

I moan softly, my hips moving instinctively against him, urging him to move. And he does, pulling out slowly before thrusting back in with a deep, steady rhythm that drives me wild. The feeling of him inside me, the way our bodies move together—it's everything.

Theo picks up the pace, his thrusts becoming harder, more urgent, and I match him, meeting each one with a moan of pure pleasure. The sound of our bodies coming together fills the room, and I can feel myself building again, the tension coiling tight in my core.

"Theo," I pant, digging my nails into his back as I feel myself climbing higher and higher.

"I've got you, baby," he groans, his voice low and rough as he thrusts into me harder, deeper. "Let go. I've got you."

And with that, I fall apart again, my body shaking with the force of another orgasm. Theo's name is a broken cry on my lips as wave after wave of pleasure crashes over me, and I cling to him, lost in the sensation.

Theo follows me over the edge seconds later, his thrusts becoming erratic as he groans my name, his body shuddering as he spills inside me. We collapse together, a tangle of limbs and breathless moans, our bodies slick with sweat and the aftermath of what we just shared.

For a long moment, we just lie there, tangled together, our breaths coming in ragged pants as we come down from the high. Theo presses a kiss to my forehead, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from my face.

But, as always, reality has a way of intruding. Theo's phone buzzes on the nightstand, and he pulls it out, checking the caller ID. His expression changes to one of regret and frustration.

"I'm sorry," he says, his voice heavy with disappointment. "I have to get back to work. Trent's not there, and I need to cover for him."

I feel a pang of sadness, but I try to sound understanding. "It's okay."

Theo leans in, pressing a long, lingering kiss to my lips. "I'll come by later," he promises. "I'll make it up to you."

I nod, feeling better with that promise. "Alright. I'll be here."

Theo gets up, pulling on his clothes and grabbing his phone. As he heads for the door, he looks back at me with a soft, affectionate gaze. "I'm leaving my sweatshirt here," he says, handing me his NASCAR sweatshirt. "Now you don't need this one." He takes the old sweatshirt I was wearing off the floor. "I'll give you more, and you can get rid of the rest, too."

"Thank you," I respond, holding his sweatshirt close.

He kisses me one last time before stepping out of the room, taking my old sweatshirt with him. I hear the door close behind him, and for a few moments, I just lie there, feeling giddy and content, wrapped up in his sweatshirt. It's a comforting reminder of him, and I can't help but smile as I think about him coming back later.

Just as I'm starting to relax, I hear another knock at the door. I freeze, my heart leaping into my throat. I assume it's Theo, coming back for something he forgot. I scramble out of bed, pulling on the sweatshirt he left me, and rush to the door, excitement bubbling inside me.

I open the door, but instead of Theo, it's Joy standing there. I see the moment she realizes written over her face in real time. Her eyes skim over my attire, the bare legs, rumpled hair, and sweatshirt I know she recognizes as her dad's. The sight of her makes my stomach drop, and I feel a rush of panic.

"Joy," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "What are you doing here?"

She steps inside without waiting for an invitation, her eyes suddenly blazing with fury. "Really? That's what you want to ask me right now."

I close the door behind her, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Joy, I—"

"Don't," she cuts me off, her voice trembling with emotion. "Don't try to explain. I know what's been going on."

My heart sinks as I try to figure out how much she knows. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," she says, her voice breaking, "that you've been sleeping with my dad. You think I'm stupid? You think I wouldn't notice? That's his sweatshirt and his favorite one and you look like you got fucked two ways to Sunday."

I'm stunned by her accusation, and I feel a pang of guilt. "Joy, it's not what you think. It's complicated."

"Complicated?" she repeats, her voice rising in anger. "It's not complicated, Erica. It's just messed up. You're messing with my family, with my dad. Just like my mom did."

My heart aches at her words, and I try to find the right response. "That's not fair, Joy. It wasn't like that. Theo and I have something real."

"Real?" she snaps, tears streaming down her face. "You think it's real? You think you're going to be the next big thing in his life? I don't want him to get hurt again, Erica. I don't want him to go through the same shit my mom put us through."

"I'm not trying to replace your mom," I say, my voice pleading. "I care about Theo, and I care about you. I never meant to hurt anyone."

Joy's eyes are still filled with hurt and anger. "I don't want him to make the same mistakes. I won't let him. I'm ending this now."

She turns on her heels and storms out. Calling after her does no good and soon she's speeding away from me. I curse to myself and rake a rough hand through my hair as I think about my options. There's only one I can think of.

Beat her there.

Storming around the house, I find some clothes and my keys. As I climb into my car, I shoot off a text that makes my stomach churn.

She knows.