With Every Breath I Take

Chapter Eight: Whoa, Abs

Abs, abs and more abs!

Whose idea was it to have a pool party with so much eye candy?

I turned to face Athena, narrowing my eyes at her, as she lounged on the chaise next to mine. "Athena, why did you have to invite the men?"

She continued to sunbathe as she stared up toward the sun, wearing her sunglasses. "Thalia," she huffed, impatiently. "How many times do I have to tell you? Alex lives here. Of course, he'd be invited."

"Yes, but Theo is here," I whined, sounding a lot like Teeny.

"Ugh, Thalia! Don't act like you haven't been staring at him for the last hour."

"Whatever," I grunted. "They're just a distraction. I've literally counted eighteen abs and that's not including Nico because...eew."

Nina approached me, holding two micheladas. "He has a four-pack, Thalia. And that's only because of all the Armenian food I feed him," she defended, handing me my drink.

"Well, you're more than welcome to check him out, Nina."

"Don't mind if I do," she mumbled as she took a seat on the lounge chair on my other side.

"Hey guys," Lottie yelled from the entrance of the backyard. "I've brought the pizzas." She walked toward the outdoor dining set and placed five boxes of pizzas on top of the table.

Liam rushed out of the pool, leaving the game of beer pong he was playing with the other guys. "I'll help you with those Lottie," he called out to her.

"Liam, what the hell man," Alex shouted as he held on to the inflatable pong float. "We were in the middle of a game."

Liam waved his hand at him as he approached Lottie and smiled at her.

"What is going on between them?" I whispered to Athena.

She shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not sure, but I better get up and help them set the table."

I watched as she stood and walked toward the sliding glass doors that led to the kitchen.

Then, I looked back toward the pool and caught Theo staring at me. I stared back at him and arched my eyebrow. I observed him as his smile grew brighter and brighter. Shaking my head, I looked away.

Once Athena announced that lunch was ready, I approached the dining table and took a seat, grabbing a slice of pizza. And, of course, Theo rushed after me and grabbed the chair next to mine. I spent the next thirty minutes trying to ignore him while he attempted to have a conversation with me.

"I'm really enjoying your yoga class, Thalia," he claimed, trying to butter me up.

I rolled my eyes. "Sure, I noticed the way your eyes followed my ass."

He cleared his throat as his cheeks blushed red. "Umm, sorry about that. In my defense, you're freaking stunning and your body is so graceful and beautiful, especially when you're posing, I can't help but to look."

I waved my hand at him. "Whatever, just leave me alone."

I reached for another slice of pizza as Lottie cleared her throat.

"Uhh, so guys, I have an announcement to make," she said in a very quiet tone.

We all stopped and stared at her.

"So, umm, I've decided to move back to LA," she mumbled.

"What?" Liam breathed, staring at Lottie open-mouthed.

"Yeah, I'm thinking of getting things settled in New York and moving here in a month or two," she added.

Alex stood and approached her, giving her a hug. "I'm so happy you're moving back, little one," he whispered.

Liam continued to stare at Lottie, speechless. But, his eyes looked calculating.

Well, that was interesting.

After another three hours of swimming and sunbathing, I entered one of Athena and Alex's guest rooms to wash up and change. I placed my large tote bag on the bed and was reaching for the ties of my bikini top when I heard a door open. I turned toward the en-suite bathroom and froze.

Whoa, abs!

Theo walked toward me with a white towel wrapped around his waist. His body glistened with water droplets.

"Thalia," he smiled as he approached me. "This is a nice surprise."

He invaded my personal space as his fingers caressed my wrist and slowly glided over my arm toward my neck. Theo leaned in and his mouth brushed my neck, kissing and nuzzling me.

I moaned and tilted my head, giving him more access.

"Gorgeous," he groaned. "I've missed you so much, baby. I need you. I can't breathe without you."

My body was burning up, but I shivered with goosebumps.

How could I be hot and cold at the same time?

As his mouth continued its assault, his hands embraced me. His fingers skimmed across my back toward my bottom. When his hands squeezed my cheeks, I pushed him away and walked around him.

"No, Theo," I warned. "I don't want this."

"What?" he asked with wounded eyes. "Was I moving too fast?"

"Yes, you've been moving too fast for weeks."

"Thalia, I'm trying to give you some space. But, it's killing me. Sweetheart, please I'm begging you to give me another chance."

"I know you want another chance. You haven't stopped cornering me since I left your place that night. It's overwhelming, Theo. The constant calls and text messages. The singing Cupids and showing up at my apartment and my yoga classes. You're suffocating me."

"Suffocating?" He bit his lip as his eyes shined with tears. "Princess," he croaked. "I don't want to suffocate you, but I don't know how else to get you to forgive me."

I shook my head. "I don't know, Theo. I don't know if I can."

And then, I turned and walked out of the room, leaving my things on the bed. I could return for them later.