Page 42 of Stolen Kisses

I nod my head once, giving Em a tight smile. “Thank you.”

She pulls out of my embrace and as I watch her make her way toward her front porch,I know there’s no going back for me. I want to experience that level of intimacyover and over again for the remainder of my days on this earth, however long that may be.

–nine–

–emma–

When Theo invited the boysand me over for a BBQ he was having for his dad’s birthday, I was reluctant to accept. I don’t know what’s going on between us, but I’m not convinced we’re at the stage of meeting parents or celebrating family events together. However, he insisted, and here we are. Standing on his doorstep, nerves as big as butterflies take over my stomach as I knock on the screen door.

My body heats at the memory of what I allowed Theo to do to me against his truck. It didn’t take long for his masterful touch to set me flying into the stratosphere. His kisses caused a sensation overload on their own—I was powerless once he added his fingers. It’s been an incredibly long stretch without that type of attention and I hadn’t given much thought to having sex again. But since that night, it’s all I can think about.

Last weekend, the boys were supposed to go to their father’s, but he was getting married and didn’t want them to attend. I was dreading the weekend to be honest,becauseIeven struggled to comprehend their father’s decision to exclude his own children from his wedding day—let alone how the kids would feel. It turned out that I didn’t need to worry. Theo had the kids doing all sorts of carpentry work around our house and his. I don’t think they actually stopped the entire weekend, andwhere Austin occasionally got bored and came to me looking for something different to do, Lachlan soaked up every new task, skill, and instruction. He adores Theo and working with timber; reveling in the attention to detail that’s required.

My front fence has been restored to its former glory. I have new cupboard hinges and handles on all of my kitchen cabinetry, the boys’ closets have new shelves, and I have some brand spanking new bookshelves to display my signed paperbacks in my living room. While the boys were busy doing all of their manly activities, Kenny and I were busy keeping them sustained with delicious home-baked goods—I’ve been loving having a little girl around the house. The weekend spilled over to the first full week of summer vacation with the boys, particularly Lachlan, assisting Theo in completing some of his orders, while Kenny, Austin, and I pottered around having tea parties, playing in thebackyard, and working in the garden.

Italmost feelsas though we’re a family, which is utterly ridiculous,of course.

As our vacation routine became established, Theo and I managed to steal kisses here and there. Simple touches setting my body on fire at every available moment. He’s not even shyaboutshowing affection in front of the kids, whereas I’d rather keep it away from them until I’m sure this is something solid.

Hefeelssolid, sturdy, reliable.

Everything I look for in a partner. Everything I thought I had with Preston, but didn’t. The package that it all comes wrapped in is pretty spectacular, too.

The screen door opens, breaking me from my thoughts. The man at the door isn’t Theo, but I would recognize the features anywhere. He has the same azure-colored eyes as his son and granddaughter. The creases around his eyes and mouth suggests he smiles a lot and his thick head of salt and pepper hair with more salt than pepper indicates a man of a certain age. His build is fit and strong, though he’s not as tall as his son.

“You must be Theo’s neighbor, Emma.” He greets me then turns to my boys, studying them closely. “And you must be Lachlan.” He gestures toward my eldest son. “And you must be Austin.” He gestures toward my smaller one. “Kenny and Theo have told me so much about you all, I feel as though I already know you. Come in, come in.” He steps to the side of the doorway and the boys walk in, saying hello as they pass.

“Hi, Mr.Driv—” He waves his hand in the air, cutting my words short.

“Cristo, please.”

I smile and nod. I was always brought up to refer to people older than myself as mister or missus. “Hi, Cristo. Happy birthday.”

He takes my hand, pulling me forward, kissing each of my cheeks. Then he gently cups them in his hands. “Thank you, lovely.” Maybe this is why Theo is always so demonstrative in his affection. He steps back from me, his smile wide and eyes crinkled around the corners, nodding his head to himself. “Yes, yes, this will work wonderfully.” He takeseach of my hands in hisand holdsthemaway from my body, studying me from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. “Yes. Very good. I’m very happy.” To say I’m puzzled by his behavior and comments would be a gross understatement. I feel like stock that’s being inspected by a prospective buyer. He drops onehand anduses his grip onthe otherto pull me inside. “Come, come.”

Following him inside, amazing smells tickle my nose, and my tummy grumbles in response.Oh my gosh, how embarrassing!Theo’s dad smiles at me, seemingly happy that I’m hungry. Theo told me not to bring anything this afternoon which felt all kinds of wrong, so I broughtmy homemaderocky road as a pseudo dessert. I see Austin’s left it on the kitchen bench, so I quickly stash it in the fridge to prevent the chocolate from melting before heading out onto the back deck to join Theo and the kids.Theo switchedout the old glass sliding doors for beautiful bifold doors, opening up the kitchen/dining room to the outside deck, making it feel like one big space.

Theo’s standing at the grill looking delicious in cargo shorts and a pale blue t-shirt. His outfit is nothing special, but I can see the flex and movement of his back muscles as he tends to the meat.

“Theo, look who’s arrived!”Cristoannounces.

The man who twists my tummy on the regular, turns around with a wide smile which lights up his face. His eyes travel from the top of my head, pausing on my breasts then my hips, continuing down to the tips of my toes. This is the second time in a matter of minutes I’ve been thoroughly inspected, though Theo’s eyes on me heat my body. He takes the three steps into my space, cups the side of my face, and leans in to place a gentle welcome kiss on my lips.

ON. MY. LIPS.

In front of his dad! In front of the kids! Though to be honest, I think they’re pretty used to seeing his displays of affection now. He glides his nose upwards along mine, before whispering, “You look gorgeous.”

Heat rises from my chest, warming my cheeks. He makes me feel like a young girl, dating for the first time with the intensity of the attention he directsmy way. Not that I’m saying we’re dating, because I don’t really know what we’re doing. He makes mefeelas though we’re dating. His hand grasps mine as he pulls me toward the grill to keep an eye on the meat.

“Is there anything I can do to help? Set the table or anything?” I gesture toward the outdoor table.

Cristo answers, “I’ve got it. You keep Theo company.” He steps inside and I turn to check on the kids. They’re playing with the Frisbee, careful to keep it away from the house. I think Austin and Lachlan learned their lesson about climbing to rescue things from up high, so they’re much more careful now.

Theo wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me close to his side. I’ve become more comfortable with his proprietary touches, but I’m unsure what it all means. We haven’t talked about anything in terms of a relationship; we haven’t even been on a date, but he acts as though wearea couple and theroutinewe’ve fallen into over the past few weeks suggests we are. All I know is that this is the longest form of foreplay I’ve ever experienced. Kisses and touches over clothes. Nothing more since the night of the dance. There’s never an opportunity with the kids around. It’s not like the two of us have had the opportunity to fall into bed together.

“What’s going on up here?” Theo taps the side of my head, dragging me from my thoughts.

He always says what’s on his mind, whether it comes across as intended or not. Maybe I should take a page out of his book? I look at his face; study it closely. Seeking any sign that he doesn’t really want to know what I’m thinking. What I see is genuine interest in my thoughts. I take a deep breath, ready to ask him what’s happening between us.

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