Out of the Storm - COMPLETE

Chapter 9

Theo

SHE CROSSES HER arms and glances back before raising her chin. "Why do you keep calling me that agawhatever word?" she asks as she climbs in my passenger seat. When her feet are in, I stand over her and watch as she tries to delicately hike that pretty red dress up, loops her arms in the straps behind her, and tries to modestly buckle the five-point harness without exposing herself. A low growl unintentionally escapes.

"Sweetheart," I mumble as I slam the door, hoping to drown out my voice, the need and yearning for a little distance to situate my cock. Now's not the time to lose focus. But then again, if I'm serious with myself, I'd admit I've not been able to focus since I saw that picture of her.

She leans over and unlocks my door. "Thanks." I climb in and put the key in, igniting the rumbling engine.

"I didn't hear what you said the word meant."

I glance over at her and shrug as I press on the brake and give it some gas. Finally, I release the parking brake and push the gear shift in reverse. Kicking the clutch in, then releasing it, I extend my arm over the back of her seat, my hand brushing her shoulder, as I pull out of the parking spot. Even though that's the same red dress she had on in the video, she's wearing a stupid little white sweater over it today, so I don't get to touch her skin. "It's Greek for sweetheart."

She slides away from me. "I. Am. Not. Your. Sweetheart."

"Ha. It's just a saying. Like the Brits call everyone 'love'." Except she is a fucking spitfire sweetheart. And something about that turns me on so damn much. "It can mean nothing if you want it to." Pressing the clutch again, I put the car in first, but let us roll back a little before I give it any gas. "Or it can mean everything. It's too soon, though, so maybe after dinner you'll change your mind." I give her a lazy smile. I could so get used to her being my girl, being in that seat.

Except, you don't even know if you can trust her stupid ass.

"No, Theo. This dinner is about you investing your money with Hawke & Hemingway. That's it. Other than that, you can go fuck yourself." Blowing a breath out, I glance in the rearview mirror and realize we're still rolling backward. Kicking the clutch into while feeding the gas, the wheels catch, and our bodies are pressed into the seat as we speed through the parking garage. She grabs the side of the door. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Driving."

"Like a fucking maniac."

Turning the steering wheel quickly, I cut the corner, the tail end whipping around, fishtailing until it's time to do it again on the next level. "You're going to get us killed. She glances over her shoulder. "Is there someone following us?"

I chuckle as I focus on keeping us safe, staying in the middle of the parking garage, watching for other vehicles on the sides and trying to enjoy the moment without her ruining it.

"Theo!"

When we're to the ground floor, I apply the brakes, and we exit, as if nothing had just happened. Except we're both panting. The windows are fogging from our breaths. Damn. That's not the way I'd like to steam up my car with her, but it'll do. I love hearing her heaving. I glance over and savor the way her breasts are rising and falling.

She's looking around, completely paranoid. "Is there someone after us?"

I raise my eyebrows and smile. "What would make you think that?"

Her brows furrow. "I...uh. In there..." The restaurant isn't far. She needs to hurry up with her answer.

"You..."

I can't contain my grin. She's so fucking sexy when she's speechless. Because of me.

"The car earlier."

"I don't know where it went. I was just blowing off steam. Were you scared?" I ask, completely serious now.

Her eyes widen. "Blowing. Off. Steam?" And she looks like she's about to blow a gasket. And I didn't think her brown, almond-shaped eyes could get any larger, but they do. "Blowing off steam?" she screams as she shoves my arm.

"Hey! I'm driving. If you want to give me a hand job, a blow job, kiss me any fucking where, that's fine. But no physical abuse while I'm driving."

"You're disgusting, Theo."

I suck my lips in, licking them, then bite my lower lip. I should shut up, but damn, I find myself always wanting the last word with her. "That may be true. But you like it. Do you want me to tell you how I know you like it, Jules?"

Pulling into the parking lot, I put the car in neutral and pull the parking brake.

She crosses her arms and looks away. "No, but I'm sure you're going to tell me."

"Damn straight." I lean over, tilting her head back so she's looking at me. "Your breath hitches every time you're near me. You inhale my scent the same way I do yours, and every now and again, you squeeze those sexy legs closed." I trail my eyes down to that five-point harness. I strum a finger from her knee up toward the juncture of her thigh. "I'm guessing to dull the throbbing that's not being satisfied by the fucker of a fiancé you have. And you're curious if maybe I could fix that for you, but you feel guilty for even thinking such a thing."

She swats my hand away. "You're wrong."

"No." I shake my head. "My ability to read people is a gift." I search her eyes, trying to read her better. Because she's the one person I can't seem to get a grip on. Charlie. I can read him. He's a fucking asshole douche. Angelo. There's something there that makes him a little more redeeming than Charlie, but I can't put my finger on it. But her. I can't tell if she's good or if I just am willing her to be because I want to fuck her so bad. "And you most definitely want to squeeze them together. And you absolutely like me. I'm not sure if it's the mouth, the package, or a combination. But you're here with me because you're curious and because you like the way I'm making you feel."

She throws her head back laughing, and it's contagious. Damn, she's beautiful. "In case you've forgotten, you had me pinned against a concrete wall and practically kidnapped me into this meeting."

I put my finger up to her lips. Her pretty, pink, soft, kissable lips. My dick twitches. "Careful. We also established you could have chosen to leave many times tonight had you wanted. Remember, agapemèni?" Pulling my finger down, I drag her bottom lip with it. And just like I expected, her breath hitches and her eyes become hooded. I could go in right now and claim her lips.

She turns her head to the side. "We could go in circles all night. You owe me dinner. I'm starving."

I can't help but smile. Maybe I'll finally be able to read her more clearly during dinner. Best case scenario, I can tell she's not involved, she offers to cooperate, she sees what a dick Charlie is, and we end this going back to my place.