Page 106 of Alpha Theo

I stop in my tracks, yanking her in by her hand like a rubberband. She lets out a little puff of air as her chest collides with mine, those blue eyes wide, questioning.

I drop her hand, bringing both of mine up to tuck her hair behind her ears, then cup her face. “You’re so beautiful,” I growl, dropping a kiss on her forehead.

I feel her palms cruise up my chest, her arms looping around my neck. She pushes up on her tiptoes, pressing her lips to mine. I kiss her back tenderly, wrapping my arms around her body possessively.

“Will you stay with me tonight?” she murmurs against my lips.

After the crazy day we’ve had, it isn’t even a question; I don’t want to let Brooke out of my sight until we’re safely back on six-pack territory- and even then, I might not.

“Of course,” I growl, my lips moving against hers.

She pulls back, gazing up at me with the sweetest fucking smile on her face. “Let’s go,” she whispers.

Oh yeah, baby. Let’s. Fucking. Go.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Brooke

I don’t know what possessed me to invite Theo to stay in my room tonight. I was lost in the moment, not thinking about the ramifications of what could happen or what it would mean. Blinded by the connection of the mate bond and my own reckless desire. It’s what I want, and for once, I’m not over-thinking or proceeding with caution; I’m allowing myself to be bold, free. To live in the moment. To be the person I always wanted to be but was too afraid to become until Theo walked into my life and started knocking my walls down.

I know we’re in a suspended state of reality right now. This happened the last time we were in Denver, like we were in our own little bubble. Like all we had was each other. And today only intensified those feelings, because when I walked into that chaos unfolding at the hive, when I felt that fear curling in my belly, the first thing I thought of was Theo. And then he was there, and through the madness, the only thing I needed was Theo. His presence calmed me, kept me centered. Made me feel safe.

Astrid wasn’t kidding about the huge spread they prepare for dinner in the packhouse. A lot of people must reside there, because an entire counter in the kitchen is covered in large serving trays with a variety of offerings, enough to feed a small army. Theo and I pile our plates full of a little bit of everything, settling at one of the four large kitchen tables to eat. It feels a little rude to dig in without our hosts present, but I didn’t even realize how hungry I was until I smelled the food- and I’ve never eaten so fast in my life. Theo puts down a second plate before we head for the guest quarters.

My heart races as we walk side by side down the darkened corridor, the motion activated lights flickering on overhead in succession as we make our way toward the same rooms we stayed in during our last visit. We pause when we reach them and I glance up at Theo, our eyes meeting, locking.

“I guess I’ll just, uh… grab my stuff?” Theo asks, throwing a thumb over his shoulder to indicate the room across the hall.

I just nod, wordlessly, reaching for the door handle of my own room. I twist it and push it open, not bothering to close it behind me as I flip on the light and cross the room to where my duffel is resting on a chair. I unzip my bag and start fumbling through it when I hear footsteps in the hallway, turning to look over my shoulder.

My breath catches in my throat. Theo’s standing in the doorway, filling it with his large stature. His energy is so dominant, so predatory, but I’m not afraid. He’s magnificent. All of my instincts are telling me to trust myself in this moment- to trust my heart, not my head. To let go.

I straighten, my lips curling into a smile on their own accord. “What are you waiting for?” I ask, setting a hand on my hip. “Another invitation?”

Theo grins, stepping inside and dropping my backpack and his own duffel onto the ground beside the door, pressing it closed behind him.

He gives a little flick of his head, beckoning me. “Come here, beautiful.”

I’m not sure I even make the decision to move before my feet are carrying me across the room toward him, the magnetic pull of the mate bond yanking me in his direction.

He doesn’t wait until I reach him- he stalks toward me, crashes into me, scoops me up by my waist. As soon as my feet leave the floor, my legs wrap around his torso, my arms around his neck. His lips crush against mine in a hard, bruising kiss. I moan into his mouth, tug at his hair, feel his hardness at the apex of my thighs.

I let go. Because I trust myself, and because I trust Theo. He doesn’t just want sex; he wants something more- something permanent. Something we can only give to one another.

I break the kiss, pressing my forehead against Theo’s and staring into his eyes. His wolf is showing, and I’m sure mine is looking right back. We’re both breathless.

“Not to be presumptuous, but… should I grab a condom?” Theo asks, his voice gravelly, his chest rumbling against my body.

“Ugh!” I wriggle against his hold, dropping my feet to the floor. “Way to kill the mood,” I grumble, rolling my eyes.

Theo laughs, pulling me tight to him as I try to push against his chest. “Hey, I was just asking! Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

I sigh, shaking my head, though I can’t wipe the smile off of my face. I look up at him through my eyelashes, mischievous. “Yeah,” I whisper, waggling my eyebrows. “Grab one.”

His own brows shoot up. “Really?”

I sink my teeth into my bottom lip, nodding.

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