Page 46 of Claimed By my Frenemy

I hesitate for a moment, then nod. “Yeah, it’s just...Steve. He’s putting a lot of pressure on me about the resort.”

Mia’s expression softens, and she sits down beside me. “Tell me about it.”

I take a deep breath, feeling the need to be honest with her. Somehow, I feel like Icantell her about it. “He’s really pushing to get your property. He doesn’t understand why you won’t sell, and he’s not happy with the idea of scaling back the resort plans.”

Mia’s eyes narrow slightly. “But I thought we had an understanding. I thought you weren’t going to push me anymore.”

I rush to answer her. “I’m not. I promise, Mia. I’m not going to ask you to sell again. I told Steve that too, but he’s not listening. He’s giving me a week to convince you or he’s… Well, I don’t know what he’s going to do.”

Mia looks down at her hands, clearly thinking. “What options does he have? I mean, he’s your partner, not your boss, right?”

“I might have to put the project on hold. At least until I can figure out a way to move forward without your property. But that means Steve and I might not come out of this still a team. In fact, I’m pretty sure he’s already decided that he never wants to work with me on another project again.”

Mia’s eyes meet mine, and there’s a mix of emotions in them. “Theo, I don’t want to be the reason your project fails.”

I reach across the space between us and place a hand on her knee. “You’re not. This is on me. I’m the one who needs to find a solution that works for everyone. And honestly, I care more about you and your happiness than any business deal. That’s why I’m not badgering you. The only reason I’m telling you is… Well, you asked why I look stressed, and I want to explain. I want to be honest with you.”

Mia’s eyes soften, and she takes my hand from her knee, lacing her fingers through mine. “Thank you, Theo. That means a lot to me.”

I squeeze her hand, feeling a connection between us that goes beyond words. “You mean a lot to me, Mia. More than this project. And this project is worth a few million, so that’s a compliment.”

She laughs, and I love the light sound tinkling in the air.

Before she can say anything else, I close the distance between us. I think the only way to assure her that I really only want what’s best for us is if she knows how much she means to me.

My kiss is gentle at first, but then it deepens. I can’t seem to hold back what I’m feeling for Mia, and the truth is that I don’t want to. Mia responds, her arms wrapping around my neck as she pulls me closer. Her body presses into mine.

Then, suddenly, she straddles me where I’m sitting on the couch, her hips pressing into mine. I kiss her harder and harder, but it’s not enough. I want more.

I pull Mia’s head back slightly by her ponytail, and she’s forced to look up. I slowly kiss my way down her neck until I reach the fabric of her paint-stained T-shirt.

It’s in the way. I want to get rid of it, but I don’t want to cross any boundaries Mia might have set up.

I pull back just enough so that we both have breathing space. “Are you good if I…” I let my voice trail off as I grab the hem of Mia’s T-shirt.

“Yes, please. Don’t stop.”

The sound of Mia practically begging me to continue touching her is all I need to encourage me forward. I yank Mia’s T-shirt over her head. Now, her breasts are directly in front of me with almost no barrier. The desire I feel to take them in my mouth is overpowering, and I fumble with the clasp on Mia’s bra.

When it comes off, I grip her breasts tightly, taking one in each hand and squeezing. Mia moans and pushes her hips harder against mine. I’m hard, and my dick is throbbing with need. I want to push myself inside her and make her scream, but that has to wait.

First, I want to pleasure Mia. I take one of her breasts in my mouth, my tongue circling her nipple until I pull it into my mouth and suck on it gently.

Mia's breathing quickens, and her hands tangle in my hair, pulling me closer. Her moans grow louder as I continue to suck on her breast, my free hand exploring the soft curves of her body. I can feel her hips grinding against me, the heat between us becoming almost unbearable.

I want to take off all our clothes. I want us to be naked, so I can feel her skin against mine.

I move my mouth to her other breast, giving it the same attention, while my hand slides down her stomach and slips under the waistband of her pants. I slide my fingers into herunderwear, and Mia gasps. She’s wet and ready. I begin to stroke her gently, feeling her body respond to my touch.

"Theo," she whispers. She doesn’t need to say anything else, because she communicates so much with just that one word.

I lift my head to look at her, our eyes locking. "I want you, Mia. Now.”

She nods, standing up from the couch. She starts removing the rest of her clothing quickly, then she reaches for me and pulls me to my feet. She undoes my belt and pushes my pants down. Her desperation makes her clumsy.

Finally, she has my boxers down, and my erection springs free. We're both naked, and I lift her onto my hips. She wraps her legs around me, and my dick is pressing hard against her stomach as we kiss and kiss and kiss.

I don’t have patience anymore, and I can’t keep teasing her.

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