With Every Breath I Take

Prologue: Breathe

Breathe in —one, two, three, four. Hold —one, two, three, four, five, six, seven. Breathe out —one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

I sat cross-legged and eyes closed on a beautiful yacht as I meditated and practiced my deep, rhythmic breathing.

I was in Greece for Athena and Alex's wedding and they were hosting a cocktail party —a day before the wedding ceremony. As the party progressed, and the socializing became too much, I found a quiet spot and attempted to calm my anxiety.

The fresh air and soothing sound of the waves guided me to a peaceful and tranquil place —far from the crowd and all my triggers.

Normally, I would be fine mingling with others and entertaining them. I considered myself both an extrovert and introvert. After all, my horoscope sign was Cancer. And like a crab, when I was out of my shell, I was outgoing and happy. But, if I was in my shell, I was closed off and wanted to be left alone. If something triggered my anxiety, I closed off immediately. I always found a quiet place to meditate and control my emotions.

I was almost finished with my meditation session when I heard someone clear their throat.

"Are you really meditating in the middle of a cocktail party on a boat?" a deep voice rumbled from above me.

I opened my eyes and looked up at Alex's handsome best man, Theo. Too bad he was as stiff as a board. I could probably use him to surf these beautiful ocean waves.

I rolled my eyes at him. "What's it to you? Nobody asked you to join me."

"I wouldn't join you if you begged me. I'm a grown ass man and know what is required of me as a wedding guest. Unlike you," he taunted.

"Na, na, na, know what is required of me as a wedding guest," I mimicked, scrunching my nose at him.

"Do you need help learning how to act appropriately at these events?" he asked me.

"Do you need help removing that stick up your butt?"

"Whatever, you crazy gypsy."

"Whatever, you stuck-up suit!"

He blew out a breath, shaking his head, as if I was some toddler throwing a tantrum. So, I stuck my tongue out at him.

How's that for a tantrum, asshole?

As he turned around to walk away, I could've sworn I heard him chuckling under his breath.

What the hell? What was so funny?

The following night, after the wedding reception, Theo and I shared a limousine —with Alex and Athena— back to the hotel. As the best man and maid of honor, we were expected to stay at the party until the very end. So, after one in the morning, we were finally calling it a night.

As the driver pulled in front of our hotel, we exited the luxurious car and walked into the lobby. We all stepped into the elevator and ascended to our floors. Theo and I were given rooms on the same floor, along with some of the other wedding guests. Athena and Alex were headed to the top floor to their honeymoon suite.

When the elevator finally stopped on the seventh floor, Theo and I exited and said our goodbyes to the newlyweds.

"Enjoy your wedding night, lovebirds," I called out.

"Yeah Alex, I don't want to see you until the day I have to leave." Theo teased. "Don't worry I'll entertain our little tziganikos."

I turned to face him; my brows raised. "Awe, look at you trying to learn Greek. But, I don't need entertainment from a frozen dolma."

He held up his hands and shrugged. "Hey, I could show you how warm I can be."

I heard Athena's laugh as the elevator door started to slide closed. "Stop trying to teach him Greek words," I yelled, as I faced her. "You're giving him more ammunition."

I could still hear her laughter as I turned to walk toward my room. Theo followed behind me.

"Slow down, Thalia. Why are you running away from me?" he asked.

I waved my hand at him and continued to walk down the hallway. "Whatever, just leave me alone."

I reached my door and pulled out the keycard from my clutch as Theo walked past me to his room. I let myself in and huffed out a breath. Why did Theo love taunting me? Why did I let him affect me so much?

Screw this! I would give him a piece of my mind.

I grabbed my keycard and walked out of my room straight to Theo's door. I knocked, loudly, and waited for him to answer. When he opened the door, I looked up and froze as I stared at him, speechless. He was standing in front of me with his shirt undone and his beautiful skin on display. I gulped and walked through the door into his room. He shut the door and faced me.

"What's going on, Thalia?" he asked.

"You! You're what's going on. What's your problem with me?"

He approached me, slowly. "My problem?" he questioned, confused. "I don't have a problem."

"Yes, you do. You won't stop messing with me. For over a year, you've been teasing me, insulting me, ridiculing me."

"No, I haven't."

"Yes, you have."

"No, Thalia, I haven't."

"Yes Theo, you hate me," I accused.

"No, I don't."

"Do!"

"Don't!"

"Do," I yelled.

Theo closed in on me as his hand reached for my face, cupping my cheek. "No Thalia," he whispered. "I don't." Then, his lips covered mine and he kissed me. He kissed me so intensely my body broke out in goosebumps.

Whoa! Maybe, he didn't hate me.

Theo's hands caressed my body as he deepened our kiss. His tongue tangled with mine as his hands reached my back and grabbed my bottom. He lifted me up, without breaking our kiss, and carried me to the bed. Our bodies intertwined together as we each fought for dominance. Theo was leaning over me –his hands reaching for my dress– when I heard loud shouts coming from the hallway.

"Did you hear that?" I asked him, pulling away from his kisses.

He looked down at me with his brows furrowed. "Hold on, gorgeous. I'll go check it out."

He slid off the bed and buttoned up his shirt. I followed him as he opened the door and walked into the hallway.

Whoever was out there, had just interrupted the best kiss of my life.