Page 80 of Where We Call Home

“What about this one?” I asked, stepping away from the cart to tap on a light brown swatch that reminded me of milky hot chocolate. It was moody yet beautiful—just like her.

Theo grabbed the swatch, adding it to the growing pile in her hand. She looked like she was hoarding rare Pokémon cards, ready to trade at any moment. The colorful cards fanned out in her palm, each one carefully selected.

“That pairs really well with the accent color,” she said, pointing to a soft emerald green.

Sure. What did I know?

She reached into the cart and pulled out a blanket she’d found on a random shelf. Holding it up to compare the two colors, she nodded to herself, her bottom lip caught between her teeth in thought.

That small, familiar motion set my blood humming. My mind betrayed me, flashing back to the morning when she’d bitten her lip just like that—naked and aching beneath me. Heat surged through my body, and I shifted uncomfortably, desperate to redirect my thoughts.

Theo had become the best part of my life. She fit so effortlessly into my home and my routine that I hardly remembered what it was like before she was here. Free time was now spent with her, whether watching TV, playing Scrabble, or just talking.

Thursday nights used to be solo grocery runs after work. Now, I swung by the house to pick her up first. Dinner had gone from frozen pizza to shared meals, more work but worth every second.

Theo wasn’t just a part of my life—she completed it in ways I hadn’t even realized were missing. She accepted me for who I was, never asking me to change.

I loved that about her.

Loved.

“What do you think?” Theo’s voice broke through my thoughts. Her hazel eyes were locked on mine, and she laughed softly, shaking her head.

“I think the baby, who shall remain unnamed, will love it,” I teased, trying to recover from my wandering thoughts.

“Oh, come on,” she groaned, turning to face me.

We were close now, nearly chest to chest—if it weren’t for the bump—in the middle of the aisle. Her eyes widened slightly, and her smile faded as the air between us shifted.

I couldn’t look away. The apples of her cheeks, the freckles scattered across the bridge of her nose, and the warm intensity of her gaze had me rooted in place.

Something came over me—maybe it was all the baby stuff, or the way she’d slowly let her walls down for me. Maybe it was the memory of her coming undone in my arms or the quiet intimacy we’d built over time.

I lifted my hand, cupping the side of her face, my fingers brushing behind her ear. Without hesitation, Theo tilted her head up, her lips just inches from mine.

“Whatever you want, Honey. I’m happy with it,” I murmured.

Was this a mistake? The last time we’d been this close, it was her choice—driven by desire. This time, it was mine—driven by something much deeper.

“Can I kiss you?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Theo hesitated for a moment, then licked her lips and nodded.

I leaned in, pressing my lips to hers in a gentle kiss. Theo kissed me back, and we both closed our eyes, savoring the moment. Her soft, pouty lips moved against mine in a controlled rhythm—not frantic or needy like the other day, but slow and tender.

Here I was, standing in the middle of a store, kissing Theo. The world around us faded away. All it had taken was one look, and every hesitation disappeared, replaced by the simple need to follow through on what I’d been craving since that first taste.

Theo’s hands slid lazily around my waist, pulling me closer. I could’ve stayed like that forever, her warmth grounding me, her lips sending sparks through my veins. Time seemed to stand still, and I clung to the pure bliss of the moment.

As much as I wanted to keep going, I knew I couldn’t. If I did, I might not be able to stop.

Reluctantly, I pulled back, letting my hand linger on her cheek, my thumb brushing her skin in a soft, reassuring gesture.

“What was that for?” Theo asked, tilting her head, her hazel eyes searching mine.

“I don’t know,” I admitted honestly. The moment had taken over, and I’d simply acted.

Theo smiled, rising onto her tiptoes to plant another quick, lazy kiss on my lips. It was sweet and fleeting, but it left me wanting more.

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