Page 29 of Caught Stealing

And believe me, I tried.

Thankfully there’s a large enough break in the music for me to hope my cries will be heard. I shout the only name I can think of, the only one who might be within hearing distance, hoping I don’t get some rando answering the call instead.

“Theo!”

I wait for an answer, hearing nothing but the music increasing in volume as the new song starts building. God only knows when my next chance will be, so I shout again.

“Theo!”

Still no answer.

My head slumps back, the realization that I could very well be here until the party is over sinking in—and by my estimation, it’ll be hours from now.

I really fucked this one up.

Irritation—with myself, with Phoenix, with this entire situation—fills me, fueling me with fire for one final attempt at freedom.

“Theodore!”

His name leaves my mouth on a long, screeching howl—more animal than man—but it’s enough to have the music level drop dramatically. I hear murmurs and talking on the other side of the wall, before the sound of Theo’s voice comes from the other side of my door.

Relief floods me the second it opens, my roommate and savior, stepping into the room.

“You bellow—Jesus fuck!” Theo shouts as he slaps his hand over his eyes. “A little warning would be nice, Hold!”

A warning? Seriously?

“I was a bit preoccupied trying to get your attention,” I snap as he quickly shuts the door behind him. “Or, in case you hadn’t noticed, I’m a little tied up here.”

He looks ridiculous when he smirks with his eyes still covered, clearly amused by my word choice. “Well, can you include nudity as a preface when you’re in need of rescue next time?”

I scoff and pull at my restraints some more. “Oh, please. You’re an athlete. Don’t act like you’ve never seen another dick besides your own.”

“Yeah, but not your diseased one,” he mutters, shifting his hands to act as blinders while he grabs my discarded shirt and tosses it over my now flaccid cock. “Now, where’s the key so I can unlock you?”

“On the table by the door,” I tell him, nodding toward it. “And I’m clean as a whistle, thank you very much.”

He spots it immediately and grabs it before heading back to my aid.

“With as much action as you get? I doubt it.” The handcuffs rattle against the metal headboard while he fiddles with the locking mechanism before he looks down at me. “This might take a second.”

“Not like I haven’t been waiting here for a while as it is,” I mutter. “But I’m offended by your assumptions, ye of little faith.”

He snorts out a laugh as he releases the first lock. “You’re not offended by anything.”

The second lock clicks open, and I shoot up to a sitting position the moment I’m free from the cuffs, rubbing at the raw skin on my wrists. “I’m offended by being left rock-hard and handcuffed to a bed by the most infuriating person I’ve ever fucking met.”

“Yeah…” he says slowly. “Do I even want to know what kind of sex game you were playing to end up like this?”

“Not a sex game.”

“Again, don’t believe you.”

“Then you should probably get out so I can start making my plans of retaliation.”

“Figured as much.” Theo sighs, shaking his head while he rises to stand. “But you might wanna do it with some clothes on.”

I toss the shirtthat was providing my only means of decency at him, the fabric hitting him square in the face.

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