Page 65 of Unforeseen Love

How is it that no matter what we do physically, it’s his words that have me feeling the most exposed and vulnerable?

“You’re beautiful, Sienna,” he says. His words hold so much conviction, and I have to blink back the urge to cry.

He leans forward, capturing my mouth with his in a kiss that leaves me ultimately at his mercy. He peppers kisses on the corner of my mouth and nose before drawing back, holding my stare. My chest tightens with a sudden pang. I don’t know when it happened or when my feelings for him shifted from loathing to lust, but it’s so much more than that, and yet, I can’t even form the word––the four-letter word. Because then I’ll have to admit whether I want to or not, I am his in mind, body, and soul. And that terrifies me to my core.

“Hey, what has you thinking so hard?”

I open my mouth but no words come out, and he must sense my apprehension. Thankfully, he doesn’t push.

“Come, let’s get cleaned up,” he says. Pulling out of me, I miss the connection immediately. I laugh, leaning on my elbows. His joggers are at his knees, the evidence of our climaxes all over the bed.

“Go on, you go shower and I’ll strip the bedding,” he says.

And I do, because I need a moment to collect myself.

I probably take way too long in the shower, but it’s the one place other than riding my bike that helps me clear my mind.

After I’ve washed and conditioned my hair twice, I wrap myself in a towel and step back into my room.

Theo has re-made the bed, but he’s nowhere to be seen. I take the time to blow dry my hair. Usually, it’s a couple of waves with the hairdryer and then either sticking it in a bun or tying it in a plait, but I’m not ready to speak to Theo just yet. I still need to get my thoughts in order, so I used the time drying my hair to do just that.

I’m pulling on an oversized T-shirt when Theo taps on my door before entering, holding a steaming cup of what smells like chamomile tea.

“Here.” He places it on the coaster on my bedside table.

I go onto my tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “Thank you.” I inhale his freshly showered scent before taking a small step back, but he quickly reaches out and pulls me into his arms.

“Are we good?” he asks, and I hear the uncertainty in his voice.

I tilt my head back slightly to look at him. “Yeah, of course. That was…” I wave my hand, trying to find my next words.

“Kind of intense,” he says.

I nod. “And unexpected. But in a good way,” I quickly reiterate.

It’s one of the things I enjoy about him, he’s so much more spontaneous than I am.

Taking my hand, he leads me back over to my bed and pulls the duvet back for me to climb in and sit up against the headboard.

“Thank you for changing the bedding.” I’m quickly hit with a scent that is so very him. “Wait, is this your duvet?”

He walks around to the other side and joins me.

“Yeah, yours is in the washing machine, but I’ll wait until tomorrow to put it on.”

Reaching for my tea, I bring it to my lips. “Well, that’s sweet of you. What will you use?” I ask. His eyes flick to mine as I try to hide my smirk behind my mug.

“Ha, ha, very funny,” he says.

Sipping my tea, I let out a satisfied sigh.

“You want me to stay with you, though, right? I mean, if you didn’t, you’d tell me if you needed space?”

I glance over and notice his expression is pensive, and I feel bad––he’s not usually like that. He’s always so laid back.

Placing my tea back down, I take hold of his hand until he turns to look at me.

“I wouldifI did, but for some strange reason, you’re kind of growing on me.”

---