Page 39 of Theo
I couldn't free my leg.Blood trickled down my calf.Theo reached down and broke off the ends of the splintery wood that kept my leg captive.
"You guys are living in hell house," I said between a laugh and a cry.I reached up and put my arms around his neck, and he lifted me free of the broken step."You could at least put up a sign warning people about the man-eating steps.As I said it, a pit bull poked his head around the doorway."And speaking of man-eating."
"That's Crusoe's dog, Rosco.He's not man-eating unless you have sausage in your pocket.Do you have sausage in your pocket?"
"Not that I know of."I leaned down and looked at the tiny dots of blood following us."I'm dripping blood, but you know it sort of works with the rest of the décor."
Theo laughed and carried me into the kitchen.There were dishes piled in the sink and two empty beer bottles on the table.He used his foot to pull out a wobbly chair and set me down gently."You're not going to sue us, are you, lawyer?"he asked.
"Not for falling through your steps, but maybe for tonight's earlier ambush."
Theo grabbed a paper towel and wet it."Sorry, this is about all we've got for first aid."
"Wasn't expecting anything else."
Theo crouched down in front of me and gently wiped the blood.
"Ouch, splinters, I think.Stupid step.It totally ruined my dramatic exit."
Theo smiled up at me, and my heart melted."It was real impressive right up to you smashing through that step.I think I've got some tweezers."
"Seriously?What the hell have you been tweezing?"I asked.
"Let's just say this house is a forest of splinters."He walked out of the kitchen.The house creaked, but there wasn't an ounce of breeze outside.The walls and floors were so worn with use that I could hear Theo's footsteps upstairs.At least I hoped they were his.He came back down quickly.
"Found 'em."
"I'm feeling less than flattered that the step held for you giants, but the second I stomped on it, it disintegrated."
He knelt down in front of me.Suddenly his warmth and his scent surrounded me, and heat surged through me.And all he was doing was picking splinters out of my leg.He was the only man I'd ever known who could make me react physically just by being close.
"We avoid using that step," Theo explained, which made me feel only slightly better.
I jolted as he pulled free a nasty splinter.
He pulled another splinter and looked up apologetically."Sorry.That was the last one.We put up a sign, but it flew away."He wiped away the rest of the blood and leaned back to admire his handiwork."I think you'll live."
"Right.Well, I guess I'll continue with my dramatic exit."
"Uh yeah, I guess you don't want to stick around in hell house with that asshole who made a scene at the party.Sorry.Don't know why.I guess I just needed to get it all out and then seemed as good a time as any."
He pushed to standing and I followed.We were just inches from each other, and that same heat was swirling through my entire body.His gaze softened and intensified at the same time.
"Ace, I couldn't believe you walked away from me at that motel."
"They were threatening my parents, and there was a huge motive behind my ex-mother-in-law forcing through the marriage.I'll tell you about it sometime.Maybe we can meet for coffee one day and talk.You know, like old friends."I turned to leave, but he took hold of my hand.We both stared down at our hands.
"Fuck that," he said.
My throat tightened."Right.No friendship either.I understand."
"No, you fucking don't, Ace."He pulled me into his arms and slammed his mouth over mine.I threw my arms around his neck and clung to him as our bodies pressed against each other, and we devoured each other with kisses.
His fingers undid the buttons on my dress, and without taking his mouth from mine he pushed the straps off my shoulders.The dress dropped to my feet.His naked chest pressed against me as he lifted me free of the dress.
"What if someone comes in?"I asked breathlessly.
"I'll kill 'em," Theo growled as his hands circled my waist.He lifted me onto the table.It wobbled badly.
