10. Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Helene

I t's been three days, and I'm still walking in a daze. That night with Theo—that was the definition of hot monkey sex. We kept at it all night long, in his shower, on the bed, in the kitchen, you name it. If it was a horizontal surface, we fucked on it. But it wasn't impersonal. Theo always made sure I felt cared for. He calls me a goddess, and he treats me like one.

Now, my guilt has gone up a few notches, and I don't know how or when I'll be able to tell him the truth. Things between us are moving really fast, and I couldn't stop them even if I wanted to, which I don't. Today we have that barbecue with his friends and I'm really nervous. Will they like me? Will they see right through me?

"Mags, will you come in here?"

I call my sister to my room. When she pops her head in, I turn around and show her two different summer dresses.

"Where are you going?"

"A barbecue with Theo's friends."

"Why are you even trying on dresses? You prefer jeans with everything."

I blush profusely and put the two dresses on the bed. I'm not going to confess to my sister that I want Theo to check out my legs, which are one of my best features.

"I want to wear a dress. Just leave it at that."

I pull out two more dresses and show them to her.

"Oh, ew. You want to give him easy access, don't you?" She scrunches her nose.

"Just go. You're not going to be of any help."

"We need to talk about this guy."

"He checked out. What more do you want?"

"I just want you to be safe."

"We are."

"Ewww. Invite him for dinner or something. I'd like to interrogate him myself." Marguerite smiles. "I mean, talk to him."

"Okay, now go. I'll decide on my own."

I finally put on a white sundress with red and blue flowers all over. My sandals are red, and I'm leaving the hat because I think it's too much. I do grab some sunglasses because the day is bright and shiny. I'm not sure who is going to be there, and I'm freaking out a little bit when the doorbell rings. I get my purse and open the door.

Theo holds up a huge bouquet of red roses and gives me a thorough kiss. He knows how to get me to my happy place quickly, and I adore him for it. I take the flowers from him and put the purse on the table beside me.

"Let me put these in water. Roses are my favorite."

"I know."

"Exactly how much did I divulge on those posts?"

"Quite a bit, actually. I was tempted to DM you and tell you not to put so much personal stuff in there, but I remembered I needed that information to get to know you better."

"Well, I won't do it anymore. If there's anything you need to know, you can ask the old-fashioned way."

He grabs me by the waist and holds me close.

"I'd like to ask the sexy way. With you naked in bed."

"We've got an appointment to keep."

"My friends won't mind."

"Come on, I want to make a good impression. Let's go."

I peel his hand away from my waist and pull him towards the door, picking up my purse along the way. I lock my door and then go to the passenger side of the car. He opens the door for me and buckles me in, putting his hand on my knee when he does it. I steal a kiss while he's doing that, and I swear he blushes.

The drive takes us to a swanky part of town, and finally, we stop at a gated community. Theo talks to the guard, and he's let in. The houses are huge and look so expensive.

"Who will I be meeting?"

"Just my two best friends and their significant others."

"Okay, do you think they'll like me?"

"You're a goddess. Everyone will like you."

"You see me with rose-colored glasses. I'm flawed, just like everyone else."

He looks at me intently.

"Your nose might be a little too pointy, but that brings out the rest of your beauty."

"Theo."

"You're an easy person to like, Helene. Stop worrying."

He reaches out to my knee and squeezes it gently, comforting me. He doesn't take his hand away, making me smile like the Cheshire cat. When the car stops, I'm in awe of the mansion before us.

"Theo, I don't think I'm dressed well enough to enter a house like this."

"I'm in jeans and a t-shirt."

"We should go back and get changed."

"Nope. They'll be dressed casually, too."

I scrunch my face at him and he just laughs out loud. He comes and gets me from my side, and we walk hand in hand towards the door. He takes his keys out and opens the front door. My eyes almost pop out of my head.

"You have keys to their mansion?"

"For emergencies."

He walks me through the living room towards the back, where I can hear several voices talking and laughing. At least they are in a good mood. That should make things easier.

When we open the door to the patio, everyone screeches.

"Theo!"

"Finally!"

"We need someone to man the grill." Someone shouts.

"I'm sure Max is perfectly capable of doing that," he says. "Hey, let me introduce you to Helene Hudson, my girl."

I blush at that. We haven't discussed our relationship yet, but I guess that's as close to accurate as it can get.

"Hello everyone." I give a weak wave from where I am standing and squeeze Theo's arm.

"Some liquor might be good right about now."

"Oh yeah? Your wish is my command. Why don't you sit on one of those loungers over there, and I'll meet you with something sweet, like you."

My blush is back. I really like it when he says sweet things like this to me. Makes me feel special. In a matter of seconds, two women are sitting down on either side of me, crowding me a little.

"Hi, I'm Anne, and this is Brandy. How are things going with you and Theo?"

"Yes, tell us everything!"

I'm caught unawares, and I look toward the bar. Theo is busy talking to his friends and having a good time. I can tell from his smile and relaxed posture.

"Um, it's new." Is all I manage to say.

"Is it true he took you to Orlando?"

"Yeah, that was amazing. Theo notices details, and he surprised me with the trip to Universal to visit the Harry Potter park. We had an amazing time. He's amazing. I've said amazing too many times, haven't I?"

My blush deepens, and the women laugh, hopefully, with me.

"It looks like he's pulling all the stops to woo you. Were you really matched by an agency?"

I don't want to answer that and thankfully, Theo comes back with a margarita for me and a beer for himself.

"Are you two harassing my beautiful goddess? Did they upset you?"

"It's all good." I take a sip of my drink and moan a little too loud. "Sorry, but this is good."

"We want to know more about you," Anne says, looking at me with a serious face.

"Well, let's see. I'm thirty-eight, I teach at a special needs school, and I grew up here in Miami. I love reading, and I die a little bit every time I go to the frozen yogurt place to get some of their strawberry frozen yogurt."

"She's older than you, Theo."

"I don't remember that from the agency profile."

"No one wants to admit they're thirty-eight, trust me. I might have put down a lower number."

"Is it difficult working with special needs children?" Brandy asks.

"I'd say the word is challenging more than difficult. You need to love it with all your heart."

"Do you?" Anne asks.

I'm saved once again, this time by Max, saying the food is ready. We all go to the table and make up our plates. There's everything from burgers to hot dogs to steak. I fix myself up a burger and a hot dog and go back to my seat. Theo is next to me with a big piece of meat, and I smile at him. He's adventurous, all right.

While we're digging into our food, I study everyone carefully. They seem like nice people. The women are protective of Theo, and I understand their motivation. Theo has opened himself to me from the moment we met and he just keeps on giving me everything. I know he's not perfect, but he's close.

"How's your steak?" I ask him.

"Juicy. Max knows exactly how long to leave it on."

"Your friends care about you. I don't think they're done interrogating me."

"They'll be on their best behavior from now on. I promise."

"I can handle myself," I say defensively.

"I know that, but you shouldn't have to. Did I tell you how wonderful you look in that dress? That your legs go for miles?"

"I'm listening."

He comes closer to me, his mouth an inch from my ear.

"When we get home, I'm going to bend you over the couch, lift that naughty dress, bunch it at your waist, and take you from behind."

My arms burst out in goosebumps and I know my face is flaming red.

"Interesting." Is all I manage to say.

"You knew exactly what you were doing when you put on that dress, you minx."

His hands are busy right now with his food, but I know one of his hands will soon be on my knee as if he's marking his territory. I relax back in my chair and eat my food happily.

"How long have you known Max and Erik?"

"Since college. It took us a while to find out which business was best for us, but once we did, we put all our energy and resources into making it succeed. In a few months, we'll be celebrating our ten-year anniversary, hopefully with the opening of a new branch."

"Is that why you needed a mail-order bride agency? You're too busy to date?"

"Yes and no. If you must know, I'm rather shy and prefer to stay with my spreadsheets than go out to a club to dance."

"But you're a wonderful dancer, and you own a club. And you've never been shy with me."

"That's because I feel like I know you already."

Everyone gathers around us, and I start getting nervous.

"So, spill it," Anne says. "What are your intentions with our Theo?"

"Hey, he's the one that's been stalking me. I'm an innocent bystander." I protest.

They all look at Theo with surprise. He makes a face, telling me that his friends did not know about his extracurricular activities.

"She wasn't returning my messages. I'm a take-charge kind of guy."

"Since when?" His friend Max asks, smiling.

"What do you like best about our Theo?" Anne asks.

"He's very thoughtful and treats me like I'm royalty. He's spoiling me rotten."

My answer puts them at ease, and then they start telling me all sorts of stories about Theo in college, and during the years they were building their business. Theo takes it like a man and doesn't stop them from sharing all the details. In the end, they made me feel like I was a part of their group, and I'm really grateful for it.

Back at Theo's apartment, he does exactly as he promised me, and I end up with my dress worn like a belt. And I'm thoroughly ravaged by the man I'm pretty sure I'm falling in love with.