Page 31 of Seductive Heat

She opens the door and the most beautiful sight is presented to me. There's a towel around Helene’s body, but her hair is wet and dripping. I didn't know her platinum locks would look so dark when wet. I reach for another towel and give it to her so she can wrap it around her head. She does that and looks at me expectantly.

"What are you doing here, Theo?"

"Maybe you should get dressed. That towel is giving me ideas."

She hesitates. "Sure, I'll be a few minutes."

I nod and go back to the living room. Restlessness fills me, and I start pacing around her tiny living room. When she finally comes back, I'm frozen in place. I was such an idiot. I knew I was in love with my goddess. Why did I have to go and be honorable and try and make something work with someone who could have messaged me months ago to tell me she'd had an emergency?

Realizing we're both silent, I clear my throat and remember the gifts. I pick up the flowers and bag and show them to her.

"These are for you. They're the first part of my apology."

"Is that right?"

I put both gifts down on the living room table and step a bit closer. I've never seen Helene like this. Quiet, serious, and without confidence. I did that to her. How do I make it right? I take another step forward, but she steps back and then sits down in one of the armchairs. Legs crossed in front of her like she's going to meditate.

"The date was terrible,” I start. “She's a gold digger and only wanted to know how much money I had and what I would give her in the prenup. I've never had a woman talk to me like I was her own personal bank, and she expected frequent disbursements."

"So your date sucked. Is that why you're here?"

"In part, but not completely."

"Then why, Theo?"

"Because I'm a fool, and I want you to agree to be Mrs. Fool someday."

Chapter 11

Helene

Theo was here, outside in my living room. I'm wrapped in a towel with wet hair and a strong desire to just grab him in my arms and forget everything that happened yesterday. But I can't do that. Theo really hurt me, and I don't know how he can heal my heart. I search my dresser for something to wear. I grab the first leggings and tank top that I see and put them on after donning some underwear.

When I walk outside, he shows me some gifts he's brought me and then starts talking about his date from hell. Do I feel for him? Not really. He's the one who went sniffing after another woman. Confetti is thrown around inside my head when I realize she didn't really care about him, just his money. This is what happens when you leave the goddess you serve. You get punished.

Then he says something tremendously sweet, and I want to forgive him.

"Aren't you going to say anything, goddess?"

"Am I your consolation price, Theo? Cause that's what it feels like. Your perfect match wasn't so perfect after all, so you come back begging me to take you back."

"Helene, I…"

"Yes, tell me more. Tell me how a man that used to worship me had no trouble dumping me like I was day-old news."

"Helene."

"You hurt me, Theo! You made me feel what no other man had ever made me feel. That I was small and insignificant and didn't deserve someone's love because a stupid computer hadn't matched me with you."

Tears start to flow from my eyes, and I wrap my arms around myself. Theo realizes I'm crying and hurries to gather me in his arms. I might be in his embrace, but inside it's just me against the cruel world.

"Helene, I thought… It doesn't matter what I thought. I hurt you, and that is unforgivable. I've never met a more vibrant human being than you. From the moment I saw you, I was lost to you. I have not been able to stop thinking about you all these months. And even when I was upset that you didn't tell me you weren't my match, I couldn't get you out of my head."

"Is that supposed to make it easier for me to forgive you?"

"I couldn't believe that I had found such an amazing woman by chance. The match should have been better, right? But I couldn't stop thinking of all we've shared these past few weeks. Every smile you've shared with me, every fun thing we’ve done together, every orgasm—” he tries to grin, “they all made me a stronger, better man. Helene, I can't live without you."

"I don't know that I can do this, Theo."

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