Longing for You

  “What did you just say?”

  “Nothing.” He grabbed the glass, chugged the rest of the tequila, then slammed it back to the counter. “I drank too much tonight. I’m saying things that make no sense.” Icy eyes landed on her. “But don’t worry. I promise what happened tonight will not affect our date tomorrow. I owe my brother that much.”

  He backed away and spun toward the bed. He didn’t make his first step toward it before she grabbed his upper arm.

  “Theo, wait. I’m sorry for Mike’s behavior. I don’t know why he’s acting this way. I swear to you, he and I are not in a relationship. When we agreed to hook up, it was for fun. That’s it.”

  “You don’t have to apologize to me. We’re not dating.” He peered over his shoulder. “You can fuck whoever you want.”

  Her lower lip twitched. She took a deep breath, refusing to let him see how much his words hurt. “That’s not the point. He has no claim to me and no reason to start a fight.”

  “It’s not the first time I’ve fought for you.”

  “Beg your pardon?”

  Theo shook his head. He brushed off her question and plodded toward the bed. She darted around and cut him off. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “It’s nothing.” When he tried to pass her again, she forced him back to the wall. His brows knitted in a glare. “What the fuck?”

  “Don’t brush me off, Theo.” She fisted his shirt like Mike had. “You said this isn’t the first time you’ve fought for me. What are you implying?”

  “I’m not implying anything. I’m telling the truth. This isn’t the first time I’ve defended you, Cassie.” He gave one last effort to move away without touching her, but she pressed her arm to his chest and knocked him back. A moment later, his shoulders slumped. “Why do you think I beat Parker’s ass?”

  His question caught her off guard. She’d thought about the same fight not long after he stormed out of Midnight Blues. Guess he had too. “I thought he was picking on you again.”

  He shook his head, accentuating each twist as he clenched his jaw. His face grew closer to hers, then he chuckled. “I didn’t give a shit what he said about me. I was used to it. It was the fact that he shoved you against the wall when you told him to piss off.”

  Cassie’s stomach flipped. She removed her arm from his chest and loosened her grip on his shirt. “You witnessed that?”

  “Yeah…and I wanted to kill him. I was making my way across the corridor when he left. You were so rattled. You took off in the other direction and ran right into me.”

  “That was you?” When he nodded again, she lowered her hand and glanced at his chest. “I was so upset I didn’t know who I’d bumped into.”

  “I know…and I was so pissed at Parker that I couldn’t ask if you were okay. I passed Jonah afterwards. He told me not to do anything until after school. I would have waited too, but I ran into Parker and his crew on my way to my locker. As soon as he opened his mouth, it was on.”

  “That much I do remember.”

  She brushed the wrinkles out of his shirt, where she’d held it. Memories of his and Parker’s fight played through her mind. From the first punch thrown, to the one that sent Parker on his ass, she watched the fight unfold. She never knew why they were fighting or what they were saying to each other, but she knew how much trouble the fight would cause him.

  “Why’d you do it, Theo? You were already in so much trouble. You knew what would happen if you…” Her breath caught when he gripped her arms and spun her. She was trapped between his body and the wall, but she made no effort to push him away.

  “I couldn’t stand by and let him treat you the way he did. He had no right touching you.”

  “He wasn’t the first asshole I’d dealt with. You didn’t have to defend my honor. Your whole life was turned upside down…because of me.”

  He pressed his hand on the wall as he leaned closer. “And I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I’d do anything for you, Cassie.”

  His hand warmed her thigh. The delicate caress of his fingers stopped when he reached her hip. The heat of his lips brushed hers, but he eased away when she touched his chest.

  “Tonight, you told me I wasn’t worth it.”

  “I was angry.”

  “And now?”

  His mouth lifted in a lazy smile, then he touched her cheek. The warmth of his fingertips trailed to her mouth, over her lips, and down her neck. When he reached her breasts, her breathing increased.

  “Now I just gotta know.”

  “Know what?”

  He crossed his arms and gripped the sides of his shirt, pulling it off. When it hit the floor, he leaned closer. Both hands went under her skirt. He cupped her ass and swept her lips again.

  “I want to know how it feels to be inside you.”

  Her panties stretched when he tugged the sides. The fabric left her skin and grew taut before finally snapping. A sense of excitement filled her at the sound of her clothes ripping. For the first time tonight, there wasn’t anything standing in their way.

  And judging by the look in Theo’s eyes, he was determined to finish what they’d started.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  What was left of Cassie’s panties fell to her toes. She lifted her chin to meet Theo’s gaze, but the longer he hesitated the more impatient she grew. Then his hand slipped between her thighs. All that mattered was the heat radiating from him, the way he rubbed her clit, the gentle graze of his teeth on her neck.

  He left her speechless. Each breath came harder than the one before it until she was panting. His mouth trailed lower, past her collar, down her chest. He raked his teeth over her breasts, biting them through her shirt. She fisted his hair and gasped for a breath.

  The heat of his hand faded from her thighs, but there was little time to complain. Buttons popped and hit the carpet when he ripped open her shirt. He yanked it from her body then lifted the cami over her head. Her skirt fell next…

  She’d never been undressed so quickly, nor was she completely nude. Theo was tugging her bra straps down her shoulders. As it loosened from her breasts and fell off her arms, she unbuttoned his jeans. She pinched his zipper between her fingers, but she didn’t get a chance to lower it. Theo grabbed her wrists. He pulled her hands away then pinned them above her head.

  “I want to savor this moment.”

  His eyes fell over her body, taking in every inch of unclothed skin. Her face warmed. It wasn’t like she’d never been nude in front of a man, but this time, she felt vulnerable.

  “Damn, Cassie.” His raspy voice gave her chill bumps. “You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this.”

  Her belly tightened. A dull ache formed in her chest, making her breath catch. “I hope I live up to your expectations.”

  He glanced up. “No…you exceed them.”

  Something clicked. It was like two puzzle pieces. When joined together, the picture made sense. She and Theo were the same. All they needed was to connect their bodies. Then everything else would make sense.

  “So, are you going to keep me pinned to the wall and stare at me all night?”

  “No.” He shifted her wrists to one hand and swept the other down her side, from her breast, to her stomach, then her hip. “I’m going to fuck you, Cassie. Just like I’ve always wanted to.”

  The words sank in as his mouth covered hers. She tucked away every thought but the feel of his tongue in her mouth. His zipper lowered. The sound of denim hitting the carpet resonated below. Then warm, silky skin brushed her thigh.

  Her stomach knotted, the anticipation of what was next, too surreal. She wanted to feel his hips moving with hers, wanted to feel his cock sliding in and out of her. Waiting became unbearable.

  His fingers pressed back to her clit and swirled. She wiggled her hips, desperate to feel more. When she tried lowering her hands, his grip tightened, then he slammed them back to the wall. She whimpered against his lips before he eased back.

  “I don’t care
who you were with last weekend, or any weekend prior. Tonight, you’re mine, Cassie.” He plunged his fingers inside her, swirling them deep. “Don’t fight it and don’t rush it. Give in to me.”

  He nipped her neck and worked his hand until she moaned. “God, Theo… I want you to fuck me.”

  “Beg me.” His voice vibrated her neck. Her nipples hardened as the ache increased.

  “Please.” Her voice cracked as he thrust deeper. “Oh, God, please fuck me.”

  It hurt to speak when all she wanted was to cry in pleasure. She wiggled her hips again, hoping to satisfy the need growing within her body.

  Then he pulled his hand away.

  Her body spun again, then her breasts brushed the wall. Theo’s chest warmed her back. His arms curled around her body, then one hand plunged back to her clit. The other massaged her breasts, alternating between them as his lips swept over her neck.

  He slid them up to her ear and whispered, “Spread your legs.”

  She complied. As soon as she stood with her feet apart, she placed her hands on the wall and leaned into him. “Theo, please…”

  The tip of his cock brushed her inner thigh. A surge of excitement shot to her core. So did he.

  “Oh, fuck…” She arched her back and tightened around him. A chill ran down her spine as he fisted her hair. Her head jerked to the side.

  “That’s not even all of me, baby,” He swirled her clit faster and pushed further in.

  She moaned louder, losing herself in the feel of him, in the thickness that spread her wider, in the throb of his cock when he sank the rest of the way in. He stilled his hips as she contracted around him. His fingers kept swirling but she couldn’t move from the weight of his body. His cock pulsed the harder she tightened around it. How did he have so much restraint?

  “Please, Theo. Fuck me. Make me yours.”

  He withdrew slowly then drove back inside. “You’ve always been mine, Cassie. You just didn’t know it.”

  His teeth scraped her skin as he pumped his hips and slammed into her. Her body heated. Every inch rose with goose bumps. Not even the coolness of the wall could keep her from sweating. She was on fire and he was the flame burning her alive.

  She rotated her hips, taking him deep when she met his thrusts. Low, gritty groans left his lips. He began panting.

  So did she.

  Pressure built within her. She tried to push off the wall, but his body kept crashing into hers. There were no complaints. She loved it, loved getting fucked hard. Knowing it was by Theo turned her on even more.

  A moment later, it all came to a halt. The heat of his body faded as he withdrew from her. She turned to see what was wrong when he yanked her to his chest. His mouth covered hers then he lifted her. By the time she wrapped her legs around his waist, they were moving across the floor. His body jarred hers with every step.

  The bedding teased her back as he lowered her to the mattress. One swift thrust and he was back inside her, driving his cock in and out, hard and deep. Each roll of his hips caused the friction between them to increase.

  He felt so good. The way he pressed to her, the natural rhythm of their bodies, the feel of his hands all over her. Each touch drove her insane with want. He didn’t dare stop again.

  As his hand curled underneath her ass, he lifted her higher and plowed into her again. She cried out. No discernable words left her mouth, only moans and grunts. Her hips rose to his. His rocked hers back to the bed. Thrust after thrust he pounded into her. She fought to keep her eyes open, but the pleasure he was providing kept making them flutter closed. Then he kissed her again.

  “Cassie…”

  “Yes…?” She forced her lazy lids open.

  “Submit to me.” He brushed her lips with his. “I want to feel you come. Don’t hold back.”

  Her voice grew shaky. “I’m not.”

  “Yes, you are.” He plunged deep again and accentuated his thrusts. “What are you afraid of?”

  She couldn’t tell him the truth, that she feared never feeling this type of pleasure again with him. It would make her seem weak—needy. Guys hated needy women, and she’d never needed anyone.

  Until now…

  “I don’t want you to stop.” She slid her hands down his back, over his ass. She grabbed it and wiggled her hips faster. Her clit pulsed. “Please. Don’t ever stop.”

  She dug her fingers into his skin, causing him to groan this time. He leaned his head to hers. The heat of his breath warmed her face. She couldn’t explain the desperation choking her, the desperation to wrap her legs around him and never let go.

  So she did.

  He didn’t mind. His hand ran over one leg, down to her ankle and back. Then he pinned her hips to the bed, delivering short, hard thrusts.

  “I’ll never stop. I can’t.” Another sweep of his lips left her in a haze. “You belong to me.”

  “Then you belong to me too.”

  “I have since the day I met you.”

  His words did more than shock her. They sent her over the edge. The delicious tickle that formed grew out of control. His next thrust caused a series of spasms. She tightened around him.

  “Yes,” he whispered. “That’s it, Cassie. Submit to me.”

  His voice sounded distant, or maybe it was the fact her mind had shut down. The ache overwhelmed her. She bucked against him and cried as the first wave of contractions hit.

  “Oh…” As he sank deep and held his position, she writhed against him. “Oh, God… Theo.”

  “Fuck yes,” he growled. “Come for me.”

  The room spun. She closed her eyes and let go, allowing the spasms to overtake her. Wave after wave of pleasure shuddered her body. Her nipples formed peaks as he suckled both. It made her come harder.

  The more she contracted, the more he groaned. Then he was thrusting again. He pumped his hips so fast that the bed shook. It only heightened her orgasm. She could feel him swelling and knew he’d reach his release at any minute.

  And he did.

  His body jerked. His thrusts turned erratic, then he sucked in a shallow breath. “Fuck…”

  A gush of hot fluid filled her. She was too caught up in the moment to realize what it meant, and by the time she did, it was too late.

  Theo came inside her.

  * * *

  Theo lay motionless as his heart pounded with a fierce beat. He didn’t doubt Cassie could feel it too. He felt hers. If not for the rapid pace of his, theirs would be in sync.

  He couldn’t believe his oldest fantasy came true, even if it didn’t happen the way he’d expected. He sure wouldn’t have chosen a fight to bring about the opportunity, but he sure as hell enjoyed every second after.

  The way he took his time teasing her body hadn’t been easy, not when the one thing he wanted was finally in his hands. Literally. He sensed her desperation, and knowing he was the cause of it turned him on.

  After all the years he’d spent longing for her, it all seemed worth it in the end. He incited a want so deep in her that she’d never know peace without him. But regardless of living out his fantasy, something else had happened, something he feared the minute he concocted this stupid plan to seduce her.

  It backfired.

  Cassie may be lying beneath him, conquered by his pursuit, but he didn’t go unaffected. He said things—things he never intended to tell her, things he’d never admitted to himself. She brought it out of him, and no matter how much he wanted to deny it, he couldn’t.

  He was falling for her. Again…

  This was no longer a game to see if his fantasies were as good as reality. The challenge was over, and reality surpassed everything he’d imagined. Yet reality was a powerful bitch that knocked a person on their ass if they weren’t prepared.

  It was the same in his case, because reality gave him one hell of a blow to the gut. The thought of leaving Cassie behind made it churn. His chest grew tighter as a wave of panic washed over him.

  What the hell had he done?


  As the last of him spilled inside her, another thought came rushing through his mind. They hadn’t used a condom.

  Christ…

  “I, uh…got carried away and didn’t use—”

  “I know.” Her cheeks flushed. “I didn’t think about it either until just now. I never forget something so important.”

  “Me either.” He forced the lump from his throat but remained between her legs. “I swear I always use one. I’m sorry.”

  “It was an accident… I, uh… I have a clean bill of health.”

  “Are you on some type of birth control?” He noted the way she stared at him as if she wasn’t sure she heard him right, but she finally nodded. “Then there’s nothing to worry about. I’m clean too.”

  “Okay.” Her eyes lowered. Did she not believe him, or was something else wrong?

  “Cass?” He ran his thumb across her cheek when she didn’t look at him. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  He brushed his lips to hers then whispered, “Liar.”

  She finally met his gaze. “You said things tonight…things you might have said because you’ve been drinking, or maybe they were said in the heat of the moment. If so, I—”

  “Stop.” He kissed her softly then rubbed his nose with hers. “Yeah, I may be a little drunk, but the truth normally comes out when you’ve been drinking. Every word I said to you is true.”

  He felt her trembling but didn’t ask why. Instead, he curled his arms around her. Perhaps she was cold or uncomfortable. He remained atop her, but he didn’t want to move. In truth, he loved the way she felt against him. Besides, whatever was on her mind wasn’t over physical discomfort. It was something deeper.

  Guess his plan had failed after all. When she looked at him, she still saw the bad boy.

  “You don’t believe me, do you?”

  “Theo… You said I belong to you, that I always have.” The heat of her hand warmed his cheek when she cupped it. “You said you belong to me too.”

  And there they were. His words. The ones he hadn’t meant to tell her regardless of how true they were. Now she knew. There was no sense in hiding it anymore. “We flirted for years, Cassie. Didn’t you ever question if there was more to it?”