Page 43 of Afterglow
“Fine. But don’t shoot the messenger, okay?” He swallows. “Have Willow and Jayden ever…”
His question trails off, leaving me puzzled. “Ever what?”
He raises his eyebrows and nods towards my bedroom. I cough continuously, hitting my chest to remind myself to breathe. Theodore thinks my brother and best friend have had sex. I can barely cover my gag.
“Don’t put that thought into my mind. I don’t even want to think about it. But as far as I know, they haven’t.”
Theodore nods but his face tells me he doesn’t believe it. My stomach rumbles loudly through the room. Theodore snaps his gaze to my stomach.
“Have you eaten today?”
“No,”
Suddenly, Theodore is dragging me into the kitchen, forcing me onto one of our stools. My eyes follow him as he paces across the room, searching every cupboard and drawer.
“What are you doing?”
“What does it look like? I’m cooking for you,”
Is this usually what guys do for their friends? Even describing Theodore and I as friends is a long stretch. We’re more like acquaintances. At least, that’s what I tell myself every time Theodore tries to help me. It’s strange, though. I’ve never had someone put in this much effort to get me to like him. I assume that is the purpose behind his actions.
“Why do you have no food in your house?” he asks.
I don’t have a reasonable excuse in my mind. To be honest, I can’t actually remember the last time I boughtgroceries. Athena has been with Austin the past couple days and Sofia has been away for the past couple weeks since she is doing a work-based subject for her course, which is in another state. So, it has only been me around the house. I’ve grabbed a couple things for dinner but that is about it.
“Please tell me you have been eating,”
Theodore’s voice cracks, hitting me like an arrow to the heart. “I have been eating dinner,” I say, as if eating one meal a day makes it okay.
My mornings are always demanding, whether it is classes, work or completing assessments. And once I’m in a focused state I don’t want to move.
“Go get changed,” he says, although it sounds more like an order. “I’m taking you out for breakfast, then we are going to buy you groceries.”
I stare at Theodore, I’m not a fucking dog he can order around. “Say please,”
His eyes narrow before he stalks across to me, not worried that he is invading my space. Theodore is way too close, the gap between us is close to non-existence. His breath caresses my skin, causing my blood to hum.
My breath trembles as Theo’s lips inch closer to my ear.
“Pretty please, my Princess, will you change out of these flimsy pyjamas and let me take you out for breakfast?”
I lose the ability to breathe for a second, as Theodore’s intense stare pierces through me. Swallowing, I turn away from him and head straight for my bedroom door.
My brain combs over his statement—overthinking every word that came out of his mouth. Two words stick with me every step I take, they are all I can hear in his low voice, rugged and arrogant.
My Princess.
His.
My stomach flips at the thought of belonging to Theodore Knight. Memories of the first night I met him flash through my mind. I’ve avoided the attraction for three years but right now, I am so fucked.
Chapter 20
Theodore Knight
Ivividly remember meeting Jazmine Allen for the first time in freshman year.
On that day, I knew she would be the death of me so right now shouldn’t be a surprise. I want to take care of her in every way, especially after finding out she barely eats. I also want to bend her over the kitchen bench for not taking care of herself.
