Page 60 of Heat Hesitation

She can't help it, she's livid and green with envy. All three of us can smell it, but just like Fletcher taught, she shakes it off and applies that practiced smile.

"Theo, I'm so glad I ran into you. I'm just here…" She blushes demurely, looking down at the ground then glancing up at him through her lashes. I tense beneath Theo's heavy arm, but he's the picture of cool, not falling for it.

Bridgette flutters her lashes since he makes no suggestive comments toward her like she expected, considering the vibrators and dildos surrounding us—this is one of the weirder situations I've been in—before continuing, "I've been browsing, collecting things for my new nest."

"That's nice. Bianca, right?"

I smother a laugh. It would be petty if I didn't.

"It's Bridgette, and don't you pretend you don't remember my name. You've whispered it enough." Her voice drops an octave. Gone is the demure omega, and in her place is the viper from the luncheon. I know she's just trying to get a rise out of me, but it's working.

"Ready to go, butterbean?" He turns to me without further acknowledging her.

I glare at him, but he gives me a cheeky smile full of promise. He pinches my ass as I grit through my teeth, "Sure thing, love bucket." He purses his lips, holding back a laugh.

As we exit the store, my hand clasped in his, he cries, "Love bucket!?"

"I'm still workshopping it. Better than yours! Butterbean?"

"Love bucket sounds like a receptacle for cum."

I snort, slapping my hand over my mouth. With an arm wrapped around me, hugging me into his side, he kisses my cheek and walks toward the car with me in tow.

He's so amazing. He's been amazing all day. He's honest, silly, flirty, but incredibly thoughtful and more observant than I give him credit for.

When he realizes I've stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, his grip tightens as he turns to face me.

"You alright, cupcake?" He smiles warmly, and it's so damn pretty, it takes my breath away. He runs his thumb over my lip, and we might as well be in a bubble for all the attention I'm giving people around us right here on this busy street.

"Yeah. I was just thinking about how much I like you."

His smile drops away. It takes a moment, heated silence between us, but his hands wrap around the back of my neck, and he kisses me.

He kisses me like he loves me.

That's what I should have said. That I was just thinking about how much I love him. He crept in under my defenses and broke down my walls.

Our kiss deepens, and when awareness of our surroundings pulls us out of our bubble, I grip his shoulders.

"I was just thinking about how much I love you," I amend. It was an impulsive thing to say, right here, right now, but it's true.

I've bonded with Enzo; he knows how I feel even if I haven't said the words yet. I plan to bond with Asher as soon as he's ready. But Theo needs to know how I feel.

His expression morphs. It's not instant. I watch as my words settle in. Rearranging and adapting inside of him.

Suddenly, I'm yanked forward. I don't scent any anger or bitterness, his honey and lemon still mouthwatering, tantalizingly sweet, so it takes me a second to catch up. His hands are practically shaking when he shoves me in his car.

"Theo?" I whisper, confused at his urgency, while he drives recklessly, whipping us through downtown. He pulls up in front of the Constantine Industries high-rise less than five minutes later, not bothering to park legally.

My hand gripped in his, he tugs me forward, tossing his keys at one of the doormen. We bypass rows of security check-ins. He stabs the elevator button, and moments later, we're swept up to the thirtieth floor.

He ignores the greetings from a bank of receptionists who call out his name, some with hopeful, flirtatious tones. I snarl under my breath, but it only makes Theo squeeze my hand tighter.

I spot Sully through a glass wall, whose brow furrows when he sees us. I lift my hand in an awkward wave, but I'm pulled away, dragged around like a rag doll, past Enzo's office—which I only know is his because his scent is so strong, and my bond lights up as I pass the door—into what I presume is Theo's.

He slams the door shut behind us.

I'm shaking, jittery with excitement.

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