Page 28 of Sniper

My eyes tear up, and I rasp, “I know you're all in, Theo. Buying me things doesn’t prove that. Being here, the way you are, putting Autumn to bed, finding her a daycare so I can work during the day instead of at night, and paying most of her tuition does….”

He chuckles, leaning his head back. “How in the hell did you find out, and why do I still have my balls?”

I laugh. “The woman let it slip, and yes, I was hurt at first, and I wanted to tear your balls from your body….” He raises a brow with a smirk. I continue, “My mind came up with crap that I know was crap, but I thought about it and realized you love me.” He smiles, not denying my words. “And I realized you love Autumn, and I know it’s hard for you when you see me stranded when my car breaks, or when you come here and see me sleeping on the couch. I thought I’d give you this one and not throw pasta in your face like I did when you bought the couch.”

We did end up in a make-out session after he chased me for throwing the pasta at him, so it was totally worth it.

Theo grins wide before grabbing my hips and lifting me. I gasp, holding in a squeal so we don’t wake Autumn as he positions me on his lap, straddling him.

Gently he unclips my hair from the top of my head, then runs his fingers through the curly locks. He grips the back of my head in his hands, making me gasp again as he pulls me forward before his lips caress mine. Against my lips, he whispers, “I do love you, Aurora, so fucking much.”

My tears form again. “And I love you,” I reply, and then kiss him hard.

He wraps his left hand around my back, holding me close, his right hand gripping my hair tightly as I open my mouth for him, trying to push the memories back of him holding my hair tight, as Theo pushes his tongue through my lips and massages it against mine. His taste fills my mouth, keeping me with him and out of the past.

Theo groans, holding me tighter, causing me to feel his hardness against me, and my heart pounds with realization?—

I’m ready. This is it….

Worry hits me as he gently maneuvers us so I’m on my back on the couch, his body over mine.

I don’t get the sick feeling; I don’t feel like I’m being suffocated. My body welcomes his heat over me, but panic hits me that I’m going to taint him.

Theo breaks the kiss, pressing his forehead against mine, and rasps, “I want you, Firecracker, but only if you're ready. If not, then we’ll just make out….”

My heart leaps, my stomach flips, and I grip the back of his neck, swallowing my fear, and whisper, “I want to. I’m ready, Theo.”

His eyes race between mine before he nods, and then slowly moves his hands and grips my sweater.

I hold my breath as he gently lifts it up and over my head, and I suck in a breath. I look at him as his eyes take in my naked breasts, and I watch his throat bobs before he leans back, moving one hand over his head, behind his back, and grabbing his shirt before yanking it off.

A lump forms in my throat at seeing his body properly for the first time. My eyes go to the devil tattoo on his left pec, my trembling finger gently tracing over it.

He smiles and admits, “I thought it was cool…”

I nod as my eyes travel over his body, taking him in, looking at every line, every tattoo all the way down to the strip of hair from his navel disappearing below his waistband.

God, he’s like a work of art….

He presses his body against mine, and I look up. We lock eyes as he leans forward and takes my lips again. Our tongues massage against each other’s as his left-hand goes to my breast, his thumb lightly going over my nipple, making me gasp, him swallowing the sound.

The urge to squeeze my legs hits, needing pressure. He reads my body perfectly, and moves his hand from my nipple, down my body, lightly touching my skin and sending goosebumps all over me.

When he reaches my jeans, he breaks the kiss, pressing his forehead against mine, our eyes locking.

My breath stutters with how intense he’s looking at me. I feel like I need to look away, but I can’t; he has me locked in.

Keeping eye contact, he undoes my jeans, and slowly drags them down my body, pulling my jeans off along with my panties.

I’m completely bare in front of him, and fear takes hold.

Am I really ready for this, or is it too soon?

Am I going to give him my filth, my dirt?

Seeing my discomfort, Theo stands up, undoes his jeans, pulling them and his boxers down, his hard member pops up, and—oh my….

“Uh, I uh, Theo, that’s not going to fit,” I stutter, and he grins. He leans forward, places his hands on my knees, and pushes them apart. His head goes between my legs, making my eyes widen.

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