by Mia Hoddell
“Yeah, I guess that would be hard to forget.”
He placed down the spoon he’d been using to share out the rice and glanced over his shoulder. “Everything to do with you is hard to forget, Raine. I remember it all.”
“I get it,” I said. “I couldn’t forget you either, even when I wanted to.”
Hurt creased his forehead. “You wanted to forget me?”
I picked at my t-shirt, not confident enough to speak the words and look at him. “I wanted the pain to stop.”
He blew the air from his cheeks. “You’re really going to have to explain this to me one day.”
“I know. I will.”
Chapter Seventeen
Teo
I’d let the subject drop on purpose. That didn’t mean everything had stopped playing on my mind. The only reason I’d let it go was because I could see her withdrawing in front of me. Raine had that stubborn glint in her eye combined with her fear, and I didn’t want to push my luck, especially when I’d wanted her to stay the night.
I still was struggling to believe she’d agreed.
Even though she was in my bathroom, I felt she was going to change her mind and demand I take her home at any moment. Since my shower she’d seemed more distant, like she was lost inside her own head.
Raine poked her head around the door, catching my attention from where I was sitting on the corner of the bed.
“Uh, do you have anything I can wear? I didn’t exactly bring clothes for the night.”
“You could always sleep naked. It wouldn’t bother me one bit.”
It would, but not in the sense I’d mind. I could live with a hard-on all night if I had Raine beside me, naked. Just the thought of it had my cock straining against my jeans.
“Teo!” Her cheeks flushed and her eyes were so wide they popped from her head. I liked seeing she wasn’t totally immune to me.
“What? It wouldn’t.”
She folded her arms across her chest, pursing her lips. With a chuckle, I got up off the bed and moved over to the chest of drawers. Pulling one open, I picked out a black t-shirt and threw it to her, fully expecting her to disappear back into the bathroom with it. Instead she remained in the doorway, holding the shirt up against her to check the length. It stopped mid-thigh.
“What? No shorts?”
“I don’t think I have anything that will fit you.”
That may have been a tiny lie, but sue me. I’m a guy and I wanted to see my girlfriend in my shirt and her panties. Big fucking deal.
Raine looked at me suspiciously, but headed back into the bathroom. She returned moments later once I’d stripped down to my boxers and settled under the covers. Propping myself up with an arm behind my head, I allowed my gaze to wander. With deliberate slowness, I took in her bare legs dipping out from beneath my shirt and up over her body until I met her gaze. Without jeans to confine my erection, it was going to be even more noticeable. There was something about seeing your girl in your clothes. It was like some primal ritual that marked her as mine and was sexy as hell.
All of those thoughts were dampened when I took in her nerves. She stared at the bed, hesitant to approach.
Trying to make it easier, I pulled back the covers. “Come on, Raindrop. I don’t bite.”
That earned me a weak smile. Crawling onto the bed, she said, “If I remember correctly, you do bite.”
“Only because you wanted me to.”
Another blush rose on her cheeks, and she retreated beneath the duvet like a turtle withdrawing into its shell. “I can’t believe you said that.”
“It’s only the truth.” I lifted one arm. “Come here.”
It took a little encouraging, but finally she gave in and slid across the bed until she nestled against me. It was where she belonged. She was the only woman I’d ever wanted to hold while we slept, and she was undoubtedly the last.
I kissed the top of her head. “Night, Raindrop. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
Unfortunately her breath skimming my bare skin did nothing to help my arousal. I’d hoped she’d fall asleep so I could slip out of bed and take care of it, yet as time drifted by it became evident she wasn’t. When I glanced across at my clock, thirty minutes had passed and she remained as tense as when she got into bed. Her breathing hadn’t calmed in the slightest, and every so often she’d sigh.
“Are you okay, Raine?”
She propped herself up on my chest, flicking her hair over one shoulder. “Yeah, just can’t sleep.”
“What’s bothering you?”
She glanced away, indecision in her eyes.
“You can talk to me, Raine.”
“I’m scared.” She didn’t meet my gaze when she said it, her voice barely a whisper.
“Of having a nightmare?”
Her gaze snapped to mine this time. “I’m going to kill Dustin,” she hissed angrily, already trying to pull away from me as if she planned to follow through on her threat that second.
Holding her firmly in place, I said, “Dustin didn’t tell me anything, baby. He’s been annoyingly stubborn. I heard them on two occasions when you had them. Remember?”
Guilt flooded her features. “Oops. Okay, maybe I won’t kill Dustin.”
“I’d say that’s a good idea.” She didn’t laugh, her eyes glazed over. “Is that the reason you’re not sleeping? Because you’re scared of having a nightmare?”
She nodded. “I’m scared of a lot of things, but I don’t want you to see me like that.”
I pulled her against me, cradling her head against my chest. “What else scares you?”
“Why are you awake?”
The rapid change of subject was unsubtle to say the least, but I let it go. Her eyes were beginning to droop and she yawned around the words.
“Because you are.”
Kissing the top of her head, I ran my fingers through her hair. Playing with her hair always used to send her to sleep. “Go to sleep, baby. I’ve got you and I’m not letting go. You have nothing to be scared of.”
Finally, I felt her body relax against mine and her breathing evened out.
Chapter Eighteen
Raine
Teo woke me up by trailing lazy kisses over my shoulder and down my back. Still half asleep, I leaned back into the warm cocoon of his arms. I’d forgotten how good it felt to wake up in his embrace.
I inched back, trying to get as close to him as possible when something hard poked me in the ass. I yelped, my eyes shooting open as I giggled.
“Sorry,” he murmured, his voice gruff from sleep. He slackened his hold, but didn’t let up with the kisses. One thing I had forgotten was how sexy he sounded when he woke up in the morning. The rich, gravelly tone made my insides quiver with excitement.
“Did you sleep well?”
I looked at him, beaming uncontrollably. “I didn’t have a nightmare.”
“See? I told you nothing would happen around me.”
I rolled my eyes and mumbled, “Yeah, you’re amazing.”
“I’m glad you finally realise it.”
Teo kissed me softly and I moaned into his mouth. My hips moved on instinct, grinding against him. He had just rolled me on top of him when we were interrupted by my phone blowing up on the drawer beside the bed. The high-pitched shrill rang on and on, growing louder with every ring as it came off “do not disturb” mode.
I composed myself then reached for the device. When I moved to slide off of him, Teo held me in place by my thighs. His strong hands encircled them, keeping me against him as they ran over me and added fuel to the fire he’d ignited within me.
The second I glanced at my screen, all thoughts of what Teo wanted to do to me vanished.
“Crap.”
“What is it?”
“I think we may have scared Dustin slightly.”
I clicked on the first message.
Dustin: Hope you’re okay.
The next message came an hour later.
; Dustin: Haven’t heard from you so I’m checking in again. Let me know you’re okay.
I read through rest of the message quickly, all of them sent last night.
Dustin: Raine, I’m starting to worry now. Please let me know you’re okay. Teo said he’d be home before dark.
Dustin: Raine???
Dustin: Okay it’s 3 a.m. and you’re not home. Let me know you’re okay.
Dustin: Nadine hasn’t seen you either. Do I need to kick Teo’s ass?
Dustin: Raine, please let me know you’re safe.
I couldn’t help my laugh, only because nothing had happened. His concern for me was sweet and not misplaced. Some people would find the numerous texts annoying and restrictive, yet Dustin had reason to worry and his loyalty meant a lot. I had meant to let him know I’d decided to stay with Teo, but I’d forgotten amidst everything that had happened.
“Your brother is freaking out.” I glanced up from my phone as Teo’s began ringing. “That’s probably him too.”
Teo picked up the device and looked at the screen. Instantly, he slid out from underneath me and out of the bed. “No, it’s Mickey. I have to take this.”
I typed out a reply to Dustin, telling him I was okay and still with Teo.
It felt right to be in Teo’s bed, in his arms, and in his house. It could have been my house at some point, a thought I still struggled to process. My mind refused to wrap around the idea that Teo actually bought a house. For us.
Could I really give it all up again?
Aston’s warning drifted through my thoughts. Was I really going to let him win a second time?
Staying with Teo was a risk, yet it was one I couldn’t bring myself not to take. I’d lived without him for a year, and the last few weeks I’d been happier than I had in a long time. I didn’t want to give all of that up because of one bastard.
If Aston wanted to take us on that was his choice. We were stronger together, and I knew Teo would protect me. No matter how powerful my fear, I needed Teo. Losing him would be just as difficult as anything Aston threw at me.
Teo returned from the bathroom, and the frown creasing his forehead was all I could focus on.
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
Teo puffed his cheeks out then slowly released the air from them. “I’ve been called into the factory.”
“And?”
Placing a hand on either side of where my legs were stretched out on the bed, Teo rested on his fists. He leaned into me, his eyes fixed on mine. “And I’d rather stay here with you.” He kissed me, a light, featherlike touch. “In bed.” He kissed me again. “Doing this.”
Each time his lips touched mine, a bolt of electricity prickled my skin, and every time he backed away he stole my breath.
I raised my arms, linking my hands behind his neck the next time he brought his mouth down to mine. Holding him against me, I fell back against the bed and knocked him off balance until he lay on top of me, supporting himself with one arm above my head. Following my lead, his tongue skirted around my lips, demanding to be let in. His tongue swept inside me, teasing and tasting. My legs wrapped around his waist, drawing his hips into me to press his hardness against my core.
A guttural noise came from the back of Teo’s throat as he broke away. He rested his forehead against mine, his breathing laboured. His eyes were clouded with dark hunger and, feeling playful, I pulled on his hips again while I tilted my head up to reclaim his mouth. Teo growled, his growing arousal rubbing against me.
“Don’t start something you can’t finish, baby.”
I looked up at him with a devilish expression. “Who says I can’t finish this?”
For a split second he looked like he considered my words. The desire in his eyes deepened to a palpable intensity, and then it was gone with a shake of his head.
“No, Raine. We’re not going to have a quickie for our first time just because I need to leave.”
“This isn’t our first time,” I pouted, straining my arms to reach for him. It didn’t take much effort to bring him back down to me.
“You know what I mean.” Rather than kiss me like I wanted, he pecked me on the nose and moved to stand. He grasped my ankles, breaking the hold my legs had on him easily, and stepped back.
Sitting up, I made my pout more exaggerated. I didn’t want him to leave or for our perfect bubble to be broken. I could forget all of the threats surrounding me if I remained locked away with Teo.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?” I asked innocently.
“You know what.”
I did. Teo always had a weak spot for my pout. “I don’t want you to go.”
“Raindrop, it’s not like I want to, especially when you’re half naked and in my bed. I’ll come by your flat as soon as I’m done. I promise.”
“Fine, but you owe me.”
* * *
“You ready?” Teo asked.
He leaned against the door, a duffle bag over one shoulder and his car keys spinning around his index finger.
Hooking my final shoe on, I straightened and nodded.
The second we stepped out of the door we were halted in our tracks. People shouted at us, pushing cameras in our faces. Startled by the unexpected crowd and sudden attack, I tripped over my own feet with a squeal. I toppled backwards, the cameras following my every move. Teo caught me a split second before I could hit the ground. Wrapping an arm around my shoulders he buried me under his arm and I tucked my face against his chest. He guided us through the reporters, the clicks of cameras and barked questions surrounding us. They all merged into a single cacophony that attacked my senses, overwhelming and overloading my mind until I was hyperventilating.
“Keep your head down. We’re almost to the car,” Teo murmured against my ear, the anger in his voice barely restrained while the reporters shouted questions.
“Teo, are you finally settling down?”
“Is it true you two used to date?”
“What’s so special about this one?”
“Can you confirm that Raine Wilkins has a history of unstable behaviour that led to your split last year?”
The barrage of questions went on and on, our lack of response only fuelling them further.
“Ignore them, Raine. They’re only fishing.”
Teo guided me into the car and I felt like a criminal being manhandled into the back of a cop car. When the door slammed shut, it deadened the sound only marginally. Cameras and hands were pressed against the glass, scraping and screeching as they moved to try and get a picture. I dropped my chin down, allowing my hair to shield me. I balled my fists in my lap, and my nails bit into my skin, nearly hard enough to draw blood, as I fought to remain in control.
They knew who I was.
They knew we’d dated.
They were spinning stories about me that would put me in the limelight.
Aston had warned me and I hadn’t listened.
Teo’s door slammed shut and the car rumbled to life. He didn’t say anything until we left the few stupid enough to chase the car behind.
“I’m sorry, Raindrop. I have no idea how they found us. Are you okay?”
I clenched my fists even harder to hide the tremors. I wanted to say yes, but I didn’t know if I could because I knew exactly how they’d found us and what it meant.
“I don’t…know,” I said finally.
He reached over to take one of my hands in his, running a thumb over the back of it. I peered up at him through damp eyelashes.
“I really am sorry, Raine.”
“It’s not your fault.” I pulled my hand from his grip under the pretences of tying my hair up. What I really wanted was to distance myself from his touch. I’d been willing to ignore Aston’s threat earlier and call his bluff. However, he’d gone to work faster than I expected. He was singling me out and making me a target again. I didn’t need to ask myself whether I could put up with attention like that. I couldn’t. I’d thought I could, ye
t I was barely holding it together as it was, and knowing Aston he wouldn’t stop until he broke me completely or I was out of Teo’s life.
Teo glanced across at me, concerned. “Tell me what’s going on in your head right now, Raine. Don’t shut me out.”
“They’re going to print another story about us.”
“Probably.”
“They’re going to spin lies about me again. About us.”
“We’ll get through this, Raine. It’ll be old news within a day.”
I screwed my eyes shut, taking a deep, shaky breath. My hands wouldn’t stop trembling in my lap, the anxiety tightening my throat. I couldn’t believe I was about to speak the words I was thinking when earlier I’d been so sure. They sliced my heart into tiny pieces to think them; saying them would be thousands of times worse.
“I don’t know if I can do this, Teo,” I whispered.
“What? Raine, no. Don’t give up on us yet.”
“But—”
He took my hand across the console, slowing the car. The pain in his voice twisted the knife in my heart even further. “No, Raine. Don’t do this.”
“They’re never going to go away. I can’t live like this after—” I cut myself off, not needing to relive that night on top of everything else.
“They will, baby. They’ll get bored when they realise there’s no story. If we show them we’re unaffected by their attention, they’ll find someone else to cling to.”
I began shaking my head before he’d even finished. “You’re Teo Coates—they’re never going to get bored.” Aston won’t let them, I added silently.
“Please, Raindrop. Please don’t do this again.” Anguish filled his voice, the words cracking around his emotions. I couldn’t bring myself to look at him, knowing that if I did I’d change my mind.
“I’m sorry.”
The car pulled to a stop in front of my flat and I moved to slide out of the car without a glance back, but Teo’s grip held me in place.