Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 98226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
My thighs clenched. “That doesn’t sound so bad…”
Theo thumbed my jaw with a knowing smile. “Don’t worry, Aspen,” he whispered. “There will be plenty of time for me to fuck you properly.”
Another zing ripped through my stomach, and I held my breath, closing my eyes at the feel of his warm thumb against my skin.
“But for now, let me spoil you,” he said, popping my butt as he hopped out of bed. “After the last forty-eight hours you’ve had, you deserve it. Eat. Get dressed. Meet me downstairs.” He paused at the door, nodding to the closet at the far end of the suite. “Emma unpacked your bag for you. I hope you don’t mind.”
Then he left me, and I gaped at the camera next to me, at the luxurious bed I was in, at the vast and stunning room and the equally impressive view out the windows.
What is even happening right now?
How is this real life?
I closed my eyes on a squeal, allowing myself sixty seconds to flop around in the bed in a fit of giggles before I sat up, still breathing hard, still shaking my head in disbelief.
Then, I scarfed down some food, quickly got dressed, and ran downstairs with my new camera in tow.
Theo was right — San Marco di Castellabate was stunning.
With its golden beaches, turquoise water, and sea cliffs that seemed to extend up into the heavens themselves, I found myself lost in wonder as we made our way through the little villages that made up the area they called San Marco. I toyed with the settings on my new camera, completely wrapped up in the experimentation of getting to know it. Theo had outdone himself with the various lenses he’d paired with the gift — each of which I knew cost over a thousand dollars — and never in my life had I held so much expensive, elegant camera equipment in my backpack.
I felt like a little kid again, wide-eyed and all smiles as we weaved through the sights.
And when my hand wasn’t on my camera, it was in Theo’s grasp.
We held hands in public like it was a completely normal thing. He would even pull me into his side from time to time, pressing a sweet kiss in my hair.
We were walking inside a small boutique when he pulled me into the corner of the shop, kissing me breathless until I pressed against his chest with a furious blush, looking to make sure the shop owner hadn’t seen us.
And suddenly, that little feeling that had tugged at the corners of my heart earlier that morning was back.
“I’d like to jump inside that head of yours,” Theo mused, brushing my hair back from my face as his eyes searched mine.
“Not a whole lot going on at the moment.”
He laughed. “I think that’s a lie.” His arms wrapped fully around my waist, and he leaned against the shelf behind him, settling in. “Talk to me.”
I blew out a breath, looking around at all the luxurious clothing that surrounded us. Just like in Positano, I knew without looking that every item in here was well out of my budget, but nothing more than pocket change to Theo. When I brought my gaze back to his, I struggled to find the right words to explain what I was feeling.
“Everything happened so… suddenly,” I started. “But then again, I feel like it’s been happening for years, like I’ve been staring at a tree and watching it grow from a seedling to a giant oak.”
Theo didn’t interrupt. He just nodded, letting me know he was following.
“I just…” I swallowed. “I feel… guilty. I feel wrong.”
At that, Theo’s brows tugged together, and he tightened his grip on my waist. “What on Earth do you have to feel guilty about?”
I gave him a look. “Come on, you know the answer to that as much as I do. You and I… the other night… before everything went down with Joel.” I swallowed, uncomfortable even saying his name. “I shouldn’t have let myself get so close to you,” I said softer, and this time, my eyes locked on his. “And yet I couldn’t stay away.”
Theo inhaled a long, steady breath before he let it go. “I know the feeling well.” He paused. “Is this… am I doing too much, too quickly? Do you want me to back off?”
“No,” I said immediately, before I could even really digest the question. It was like my body and heart and soul answered for me before I could say something stupid. I clung to him more, gripping his shirt in my fists. “That’s the last thing I want.” I shook my head, staring at my hands on his chest. “Does that make me the worst human being to ever live?”
“What?” Theo shook his head on a laugh. “No. It makes you honest.”