by A J Kent
“You’re here man, that’s all that matters.” Thomas says as he pats me on the shoulder.
“Have you spotted your girl yet?” Henley asks as he crosses his arms across his suit covered chest.
My girl.
I love the sound of those words.
I love that my friends are even referring to her as my girl.
I mean they have been referring to her as that since day one.
I smile at Henley before looking out into the crowd of rookies who are excitedly sat down on the sprawl of white wooden chairs that are placed in front of the stage. I scan the crowd and my heart nearly falls from my chest.
There she is, my girl, my woman, my life.
Rory is sat in the fourth row, a little off to the left with Charlotte by her side. She looks breath-takingly beautiful. Her blonde hair is curled and flowing loosely down her face and she seems to be wearing a red dress.
Red, my favourite.
The smile on her face makes my heart flutter and the blood rush around my body. Did I just say that my heart fluttered? Yes, I did. That is what that woman does to me. If I didn’t have an in-depth understanding on how the human body functioned, I would believe that Rory was the one controlling the beating of my heart.
My heart beats for her.
My dick throbs for her.
A tapping of a microphone and the screechy noise it makes has me snapping my eyes from Rory and moving them to focus on Director Frieson who is currently taking the stand.
“Good evening new recruits, ladies and gentlemen, families and friends,” Frieson says into the microphone which instantly silences the rookies and their families. “I am so happy and privileged to be here with you today to celebrate your success and graduation from the FBI training academy. I know getting to this point was not easy. You competed against hundreds of people to get your places in the academy, you’ve spent countless hours studying and learning about how the Bureau functions and operates, you’ve gained experience in intelligence and analysis, you’ve witnessed unthinkable things, life changing things and you’ve pushed your minds and bodies to limits unimaginable to those outside of the academy. Each and every one of you have risen to the challenges that we have thrown at you and showcased your individual talent and skillset that we deem desirable and useful. You have taken those talents and spun them into something wonderful, something fresh, something life changing and something that will see you through the next stages of your career. You have worked alongside the best of the best throughout your training and you will continue to work with these men and women. You are now one of them. You owe your successes to them. They’ve trained you and pushed you to be the best versions of yourselves. They identified your weakness and praised your strengths. You are the next generation of agents, analysts, law enforcement officers and foreign partners. You are the future of the academy. Now it is time for you to stand on the front lines of history and make a difference. Do your job, change lives. Serve, protect and save lives. Never forget the values of this Bureau. Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity. Wear those words with pride. Do us proud”
The rookies and their families erupt into controlled chaos as they applaud and celebrate the words Director Frieson has just spoken. The crowd of qualified rookies jump up and down, screaming with excitement at the top of their lungs. Their family and friends are stood with them, their faces beaming with pride. I clap my hands and cheer, directing my applause and celebration towards one special woman in particular. I remember this moment. It was probably one of the best days of my life. It was the first step out of the darkness for me and even though everyday had its challenges, both personally and professionally, I finally felt like I belonged somewhere. I finally felt that I belonged to something, something meaningful and somewhere I could make a difference to those around me.
“So, what is the plan for tonight? Are you going to come and celebrate with the rookies or do you have something else you need to do?” Henley asks as he watches the crowd, his eyes glued to a particular redhead.
I smile and put my hands in my pockets, “I’ve got somewhere to be.”
He laughs, “Does that somewhere involve a certain blonde haired, blue eyed beauty by any chance?” he questions.
“That it does my friend. I’m finally going to tell her how I feel tonight. I’ve had it planned for a while.”
He raises his eyebrows and a smirk overcomes his face, ‘Shit man, that’s very brave of you. What if she doesn’t feel the same?’
I shake my head and laugh, “Man, you remember I was in hospital and you and Rory were in my room together?”
He nods slowly before his eyes double in size, his brain registering what I am about to say, “I heard everything you both said. I heard you tell Rory to tell me what she was feeling. I heard every word man.”
“Fuck, Theo. Why didn’t you say anything? Do you know how hard it was to keep my fucking mouth shut? I could see how much you wanted each other” he laughs.
I’m not surprised he didn’t tell me to be honest. He may be my best friend and would do everything and anything for me, but Henley is one of the most honourable people I’ve ever met. If he says something, he keeps his word. He doesn’t deviate.
He is one of a kind.
“Even if I said something you wouldn’t have admitted to it. You gave your word to Rory man.”
“That I did,” he looks down at his watch and looks back up to me, “Well what are you waiting for man, go and get your woman. It’s about fucking time don’t you think?”
I pull Henley in for a brotherly hug and say goodbye to Thomas and Fin before heading to the Lincoln Memorial. I’ve never been nervous around women, but I think that is all going to change tonight.
Tonight is the night.
Tonight is the night I tell Rory Holmes I love her.
Tonight is the night I finally speak those words.
I love Rory Holmes.
28
Rory
I’m a qualified FBI agent.
I’m a freaking special agent.
Special Agent, Rory Holmes reporting for duty.
I did it, I actually did it. After everything that happened with my father, my abduction and Theodore’s near death experience, I never thought in a million years that I would be able to utter the words that I am a special agent. I never thought I would be able to graduate and celebrate with my best friend, Lottie and I never thought I would be stood here, breathing and alive.
I’m a special agent.
I’m alive and a special agent thanks to one very special man.
Theodore Riley, my whole world. My everything.
Without Theodore I don’t even know where I would be right now. If he didn’t show up when he did, I would have already been six feet under, rotting and lifeless. If he didn’t show up when he did I would have been dead, I would have been murdered, there’s no doubt in my mind about that. I would have been another statistic and another victim whose life was taken from her too early.
Theodore showing up was a distraction. My father and his wench anticipated Theodore showing up, but they didn’t anticipate him bringing the cavalry with him. Even though him arriving when he did was a distraction to their apparently well thought out plan, it wasn’t a welcome distraction for me. I’ll never be able to get his limp and lifeless body out of my mind. I’m trying to forget; I’m trying to overwrite the negative images with positive ones, but it is difficult. He endured so much trauma. His body was injured but so was his mind. I hate to think how life would be today if he didn’t turn up. If he went back on his word to keep me safe, to protect me.
Life today would be very different for him.
Theodore saved my life in more ways than one that day and I can’t wait to tell him tonight.
I’m ready.
He told me it wasn’t my fault that he was shot. He told me it wasn’t my fault that he was in that hospital bed fighting for his life. It’s been hard to accept his words. My demons have been fighting around t
he clock in my head, whispering things into my ears, but I believe him.
I believe his words.
Tonight, I am going to make Theodore mine. Tonight we are going to talk about everything. The past, the present, the kiss, the sex. Everything.
My heart beats for him.
I take a deep breath and walk past the reflection pool, before making my way up the white, marble steps that lead to the Lincoln Memorial. The sound of the water and my heels clicking on the solid floor are the only noises I hear.
My breath hitches and my feet stay firmly stuck to the ground as if there is some magnetic force keeping them there as Theodore walks towards me looking sensational and delectable in his suit.
“Agent Holmes,” Theodore says with a big smile on his face.
I laugh and wait for him to reach me as my feet are still refusing to play ball, “Agent Riley,” I shoot back.
Theodore reaches me in a few steps, and he wraps his arms around my waist, turning my whole body to molten lava.
I used to hate how my body responded to his touch when we were teenagers. I didn’t quite understand what it meant at the time, all I know was it felt like five thousand electric shocks shooting through my body anytime he got close to me.
Theodore drops his arms from my waist and my body already craves his touch to fill the now empty void soaring through my body.
“So how does it feel to be able to finally call yourself an agent?” Theodore asks as he grabs my hand and lowers my body gently onto the Lincoln Memorial steps. The coolness of the marble shakes through my body as my dress rises, causing my thighs to touch the smoothness of the steps.
I stretch my legs out in front of me not bothering to adjust my dress that is bunched up, exposing just the right amount of skin that has Theodore’s eyes glassed over and filled with heat. “With everything that happened, I’m just relieved we finally got to this day.” I admit, not afraid to hide my true feelings from him.
He nods, “I was scared for a little while,” he pauses as he turns his head to look at me. “I was scared that we wouldn’t be able to share this day together but I’m relieved that everything fell into place.”
I was scared that we wouldn’t be able share this day together as well.
I was scared that I’d never see him again but I’m not quite ready to admit that.
“Why were you scared that we wouldn’t be able to share this together?” I question as I shuffle my body closer to his, craving even a brush of his body against mine.
He shakes his head and rubs his hands down his thighs, I would love those hands on me.
“When you got abducted, I thought I would never see you again. I thought I lost you. The thought of never seeing you again was too much. I already lost you once, I wasn’t prepared to lose you again.”
I wasn’t prepared to lose you again.
His words ripple through my body like a tsunami tidal wave crashing through and causing destruction to everything in its path.
I know he’s admitted before that he never wants to lose me, I know he’s admitted that he’s always going to chase after me but a small part of me, a very small part of me didn’t quite believe his words. I know his words were sincere and truthful. I want to believe him, but I’m scared. Life never goes my way. There’s always one obstacle after another, a hurdle I have to fight tooth and nail to overcome and I thought Theodore would be the same. I thought he would be another obstacle I would struggle to succeed at. Another hurdle that would take all my power and energy to master.
“We got here in the end.” I say before moving my eyes to look at the reflection pool in front of us, the reflection of the moon and the surrounding lights glistening on top of the water, “It might not have went the way we expected but we got where we needed to be. I’m exactly where I want to be.”
He clears his throat and looks at me, “What do you mean your exactly where you want to be?” he questions with fire building behind his mesmerising emerald green eyes that entice me and consume me like a bee to pollen.
“Being sat here with you is all I’ve ever wanted. I’ve dreamt about this moment since I walked away from you all those years ago, Theodore. I’ve dreamt for this since we were eighteen and I’ve longed for you since I knew what attraction was.”
His jaw clenches and his body stiffens as he sits up straight. My chest starts to rise and fall rapidly as the fear of rejection overcomes my body. The warm evening air does nothing to cool down the chills shooting through my bones, the faint shimmer of water from the reflection pool fills my sense but does nothing to block out Theodore’s heavy breathing that cripples my body.
Theodore turns to face me again, the look on his face causes my lungs to collapse and malfunction right in front of him, “I’ve dreamt of this day too. More than you know” He admits.
I’ve dreamt of this day too. More than you would ever know.
The words cause my heart to pound against my chest, trying to escape the confines of my ribcage that is acting like a barrier, a jail cell.
My heart beats for him.
“What do you mean Theodore?” I question.
He sighs and reaches out for my hand, my body finally feeling at home with his soft hands touching mine.
“I’ve not been completely honest with you these past few weeks.” He says as he looks into my eyes, his pupils dilating.
He’s not been completely honest with me.
What has he been hiding? What doesn’t he want me to know? Does he not want to be around me anymore? Does he really hate me?
Thousands of different thoughts swim around my head as the oxygen evaporates from my lungs, causing me to choke on the warm air.
“Calm down, Rory. It’s okay, I’m not going anywhere.” He says as he rubs his free hand on my back, calming my body more than he will ever know.
“What have you been lying about?” I manage to splutter out as I manage to get my breathing under control.
A small smile covers his lips that makes my thighs clench together, “When I was in hospital, you thought I was asleep.” He pauses. Where is this going? “You thought only Henley could hear what you were talking about.”
Oh shit. I know where this is going.
“I heard everything you said Ror, I heard every single word that left your pretty mouth. I wasn’t fully awake. At first I thought I was dreaming but I realised it was real, I was drifting in and out of consciousness so I couldn’t really make myself known so I just let you talk, I just led there and listened.”
He heard every word.
I can’t believe he’s known all this time and hasn’t said a thing. What sort of game is he trying to play? Was him knowing and not telling me some kind of power trap, some way to have control over me. I hate that I’m thinking bad of him, but it just doesn’t seem right. Surely if someone said they loved you and always have, wouldn’t you want to broach on that subject even if you didn’t feel the same.
“So why didn’t you say anything? Have you been using the information against me or something?” I question with a bit too much bite in my tone.
His body cringes and he curses under his breath before gripping my hand tighter.
“I didn’t say anything because I wanted to wait for the perfect time.”
“The perfect time for what, Theodore?”
The perfect time to tell me he hates me and doesn’t want anything to do with me.
“I’ve only ever been in love twice, Rory.”
The thought of him loving other people causes my body to still and my heart to stop.
“I don’t want to know how you’ve loved other people” I confess.
He pulls his hand free from mine and places his soft finger on my lips, the urge to wipe my tongue over the pad of his finger is almost unbearable.
“Both times have been with you. You and only you.”
I suck in a breath and my eyeballs bulge form their sockets, I go to speak but he presses down firmer on my lips with his finger.
“I’ve always been in love with you Rory, there’s never been a moment in my life that I’ve never been out of love with you. When you left me, I was broken, shattered, hurt, but I never stopped loving you. I hate to admit it, but I tried. I tried to forget you. I tried to love someone else, but you never left my heart.”
Theodore Riley loves me.
He moves his hand from my mouth and takes hold of my fingers once again, “No matter the hurt, no matter the time we spent apart, no matter the years of darkness I endured, my love to you remained constant. My love for you has only grown with every minute of every day.”
Years of darkness. What does he mean?
“You are to most beautiful person I’ve ever laid my eyes on. Inside and out. You’re the light to my darkness, you’re the autumn leaves that make me smile when they start to hue purple and orange, you’re a sunset and a sunrise. You mesmerize me, everything you do and say consumes me, cripples me even. You Rory are my past, my present and my future. You have always been my past, present and future. You complete me, you’re the last puzzle piece that my heart needs to function properly, you’re the reason I breath, you’re the reason I smile, you’re the reason I’m alive. I’ve had dark times that I resent, but your face always pulled me out of the darkness. Thoughts of you kept me sane, you’re the one that puts light back into my soul.”
You have always been my past, present and future.
“I didn’t think love like I’m feeling was possible. You’ve held my heart longer than you can imagine. My heart has always belonged to you Rory. You’re the calm to my storm and the sun to my rain. When I first laid eyes on you all those many years ago, I knew you were the one. I knew you were the one that I would spend countless days and endless nights thinking about. You don’t understand how special you are. Your kind, you’re a strong soul, you’re powerful, you put the needs of others before your own, you’re a passionate lover and a hard believer. Your intelligence captivates me, and your heart completes me. I keep falling in love with you every single day, each time harder and more powerful than the last. My love for you gets deeper, more enchanting, more enthralling. You complete me, Rory.”