Page 76 of Claimed By my Frenemy

“I’m going to be selling two of my properties and liquidating a few other investments. I’ve got the funds, though, and my financial advisor gave me the green light.”

"Why did you do all of this?”

Theo reaches for a cracker and piles it high with crab dip. I watch him. When he’s done chewing, he answers. “I didn’t have a choice. I couldn’t keep fighting Steve, not when he was playing dirty. Besides, things will be better like this. No more pressure on youorme.”

I take a deep breath, feeling a sense of clarity wash over me. "So, you did it because you wanted the resort to yourself?”

Theo finishes chewing completely. He looks across the table and makes eye contact. “Well, that’s one benefit, but…I also did it for you. What we’ve both put you through since the beginning of May isn’t fair.”

His words hit me hard, and I can’t respond right away. The waitress comes and takes our orders, and I hardly pay attention to where I point on the menu. When she’s gone, something has settled onto my shoulders. “So, Theo, you’re not going to keep any more secrets from me?”

He reaches out, taking my hand in his. "I promise, Mia. No more secrets. I want us to build a future together, based on trust and honesty."

I squeeze his hand, feeling a sense of relief. "Okay. Let’s try to move forward."

Theo smiles, a genuine smile that reaches his eyes. "Thank you, Mia. You have no idea how much this means to me. I… When we’re together, it just feels different."

“Different?”

“Oh, don’t make me get sappy,” Theo teases.

But I want to hear it from him. “I mean, if I eat a bad bean dip, that makes me feel different too, but it’s not an experience I want to repeat.”

Theo laughs. “Okay, if you want to make me say it, I will. I like being with you, Mia. I like how comfortable I feel, and I feel like we could have somethin—a lasting relationship.”

“You know, I think we could too.”

Our conversation becomes lighter then, and I feel like a real weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I enjoy my fish sandwich and the crab dip, and Theo and I talk about something that isn’t related to the bed and breakfastorthe resort.

When we’re done eating, I realize that it’s over. I’ll go back home now, and Theo will head in his own direction. I don’t like how that realization feels.

Theo takes my hand as we step out into the parking lot. "Want to take a walk on the beach?"

I nod, and we head toward the public beach access across the street. Theo must not want the night to end either.

“Now that we’re on the same page as far as our businesses go, maybe you can give me some pointers on advertising. I haven’t gotten any bookings yet, and I think the first booking is the hardest.”

“If you agree not to mention anything else about our businesses for the rest of tonight, then I’ll help you get some bookings.” Theo squeezes my hand, and I quickly agree.

The sand is still warm even though the sun is just a sliver in the sky. The world around us is a strange orange color, and in the sky above the water, I can see the stars starting to peek out.

We walk to the edge of the water and splash through it as we head down the beach in the opposite direction of our properties.

Suddenly, Theo stops and pulls me close, his arms wrapping around me. I feel my body heat up as soon as his skin touches mine. "I care about you, Mia. I hope that’s clear from tonight.”

It’s clear from tonight and the hard thing pushing against my crotch area. I feel a rush of desire for Theo, but I don’t have time to process it before he’s kissing me. His lips are hungry for mine, and my body responds before I have the chance to think through our actions.

I want Theo, and that’s all that matters. I’m tired of being a responsible adult. I just want to be myself tonight. Theo bumps his hips gently against mine, and feeling how hard his dick is makes me start to get wet.

I reach between us and feel his erection pressing against his pants.

"Let's go for a swim," he suggests, a playful smile tugging at his lips as he pulls back from my lips.

I glance around. The beach isn’t too busy, and it’s already getting dark. I pull myself closer to Theo and whisper in his ear. “Why go for a swim when I’m already wet?”

Theo squeezes me closer. “Because I want to see you strip down to your underwear.”

I look down at the dress I’m wearing and try to remember what I’m wearing underneath. I think it’s one of my cute panty sets, but either way, it’s dark. And I want Theo. And I’m doing what I want and not thinking about consequences.

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