4. Theo
Chapter 4
Theo
I blink, trying to process the bomb Austin just dropped. Skylar Deveraux. The name echoes in my mind, stirring up a whirlwind of emotions I thought I'd buried years ago.
Okay, that’s a lie. The only thing I’ve buried is my cock in her sweet, sweet pussy. At least, that's what I imagine in my late-night fantasies. And my shower fantasies. And my middle-of-the-day fantasies.
Skylar Deveraux was and will always be my dream girl.
"You guys can handle the nanny situation, right?" I manage to croak out, my voice sounding foreign to my own ears. "I need some air."
Austin's brow furrows with concern. "You good?"
I force a weak smile, but it’s all I can muster. "Yeah, just...need a minute. I'll catch up with you later."
Before either Austin or Cohen can protest, I'm out the door, my feet carrying me to the back patio. The warm afternoon sun hits my face, but I barely register it. My mind is locked on one thing, one name. Skylar.
I pause and look at the quaint little building with a rustic charm that seems almost too perfect for its surroundings in the back yard. The ivy creeping up the stone walls, the slanted roof, and the wooden shutters on the windows—everything about it screams nostalgia. It feels out of place and at the same time, like it’s meant to be here, tucked just far enough away from the main house that it’s separate but still connected.
The smell of freshly cut grass mixes with the faint scent of wood and leather, taking me back to summers long gone. To simpler times, to moments when things weren’t so complicated. When I wasn’t constantly fighting the pull of a past I couldn’t escape. I was only ever fighting the desperate need to be next to her.
Could it really be her? After all this time?
I can almost hear the laughter, the voices, the way we used to talk for hours without a care in the world. Skylar and I...it was like nothing else mattered when we were together, like the world outside of that small, shared space didn’t exist. It was the only place where I felt truly free, truly myself. With her.
But then the reality sets in. Time has passed. Things have changed. People have changed. Even if my feelings haven’t.
I run a hand through my hair, tugging at the curls in frustration. "Get it together, Theo," I mutter to myself, trying to shake off the feeling gnawing at me. "It’s probably not even the same person."
But what if it is?
The thought sends a jolt through my body, equal parts excitement and terror. My chest tightens as I think of all the years that have passed, of the way my life has been a slow-motion collision course with nothing but regret and the longing for something I can’t have. Skylar. She’s been the one thing I’ve never been able to shake, the one who slipped through my fingers like sand.
I haven't seen Skylar in years, not since our families tore us apart. The memory of our last goodbye still stings. The wound is fresh, as if it happened yesterday.
I lean against the patio half-wall, my eyes never leaving the carriage house. "This is crazy," I say aloud, shaking my head. "There's no way it's her. It's too...convenient. Too perfect."
A chuckle escapes my lips, tinged with a hint of bitterness. "When has anything in your life ever been perfect, Theo?"
The sound of laughter drifts from the carriage house, carried on the gentle breeze. It's faint, barely audible, but it makes my heart skip a beat. I strain to hear more, to catch a glimpse of movement behind the curtained windows.
"You're losing it, man," I tell myself, running a hand over my stubbled jaw. "Next thing you know, you'll be camping out here with binoculars."
But I can't bring myself to move. I stand there, rooted to the spot, my eyes fixed on the carriage house as if it holds all the answers to questions I've been asking for years. What if this is the moment everything changes? What if this is the moment I get the chance to make things right? My mind races in a thousand different directions, but my feet stay firmly planted, unwilling to move, unwilling to let go of the fantasy that it might actually be her.
That she might still feel the same, too.
I take a deep breath, inhaling the scent of freshly cut grass and blooming jasmine. The memories flood back, unbidden. Skylar and I, sneaking out at night to meet in her family's garden. The way her hazel eyes sparkled in the moonlight, as though she held the entire universe in her gaze. The soft curve of her lips when she smiled at me, a secret just for the two of us.
The weight of those memories presses on me, pulling me under like an anchor. "Enough," I mutter, pushing away from the wall. "This is ridiculous."
But my feet have a mind of their own. Before I know it, I'm walking across the lawn, each step bringing me closer to the carriage house. To her. My heart pounds in my chest, a thunderous rhythm that drowns out all other sounds.
I try to ignore the ache in my chest—the one that’s always been there, waiting for the right time to resurface. If I focus, maybe I can shut it off again. Maybe I can just see her, confirm whether it’s really her, and walk away like nothing happened. But I know that’s a lie. Deep down, I know that if I see her again, I’ll never be able to walk away.
I pause at the edge of the path leading up to the front door. "What are you doing, Theo?" I ask myself, but I already know the answer. I need to see her, to know if it's really her.
My hand trembles as I reach out. I hesitate, then pull back. No, this is crazy. What if she’s not here? What if she has company? The thought sends a rush of pain through my body. For a moment, I consider turning around, heading back inside, pretending I never saw the carriage house at all. Pretending I didn’t feel my entire world shift when I heard Austin say her name.
But then I shake my head, trying to clear it. "Focus, Theo. You’re here to confirm her identity, not..."
I trail off, unable to finish the thought. Taking another deep breath, I raise my hand and knock on the door, the sound echoing in the quiet afternoon.
"Just a minute!" a voice calls from inside, and my world stops spinning.
That voice. I’d know it anywhere. It’s her. It’s really her. My stomach flips, my pulse races, and for a brief moment, I forget how to breathe.
The door swings open, and suddenly, I’m face to face with Skylar Deveraux. My Skylar Deveraux. Time seems to stop as I drink in the sight of her.
She's changed, but then again, she hasn’t. Her chestnut hair is longer now, falling in soft waves around her shoulders, brushing against the curve of her neck. Those hazel eyes I remember so well are wide with shock, framed by dark lashes that make her look like she’s stepped off the cover of a fashion magazine.
My gaze travels down, taking in the barely-there shorts and low-cut tank top she’s wearing. I swallow hard, trying to keep my composure. She looks as stunning as I remember, and the weight of all the years between us presses down on me like a storm.
"Theo?" she breathes, her voice a mix of disbelief and something else I can't quite place.
The sound of my name on her lips breaks something inside me. Without thinking, I reach out, my hand cupping the back of her neck. I pull her toward me, pressing my lips to hers with an urgency I didn't know I possessed.
God, she feels real. She tastes real. The softness of her lips, the warmth of her skin under my palm—it's all exactly as I remember, yet somehow even better. Every touch, every movement feels like the culmination of everything I’ve been yearning for all this time.
I pour everything I've been holding back for years into this kiss, hoping she can feel it too. The longing, the regret, the love that never truly faded and probably never will. The way her body presses against mine, like she’s never been gone, like we’ve never been apart, sends a flood of warmth through my veins.
Is this real? Am I dreaming? If I am, I never want to wake up.
Part of me expects her to push me away, to slap me across the face for my audacity. But she doesn't. Instead, I feel her hands gripping my shirt, pulling me closer. I can feel the warmth of her body, the way her breath comes in soft gasps against my lips. It’s real. She’s real.
I deepen the kiss, my tongue tasting the sweetness of her, as though I’m trying to make up for lost time, for all the years I’ve spent wondering what might’ve been. I can barely think as Skylar kisses me back with equal fervor. Her lips are soft yet demanding against mine, and I feel like I'm drowning in sensation. When we finally break apart, both breathless, I rest my forehead against hers.
I look into her eyes, searching for any hint of what she’s feeling. She’s quiet, her chest rising and falling as though she’s struggling to catch her breath too. Her fingers are still curled into my shirt, and I can’t help but wonder if she feels the same urgency, the same fire that’s burning inside me.
"Theo, I don't understand," Skylar whispers, her voice trembling. "How... why are you here?"
I want to explain, to tell her everything, but words escape me. All I can focus on is her proximity, the scent of her shampoo, the way her chest rises and falls with each breath. I've dreamed of this moment for so long, and now that it's here, I'm overwhelmed.
"I can't...I just need..." I trail off, my hands cupping her face. My thumbs trace her cheekbones, relearning the contours I once knew so well. "God, Skylark, I've missed you so much."
Skylar's eyes, still wide with shock and a hint of something else, meet mine. The uncertainty and question in her gaze are palpable, but I can see a glimmer of recognition there, too. A flicker of the past we once shared.
Her lips are still glistening, swollen from our kiss, and I can't help but lean in to taste them again. I want to know everything, feel every inch of her.
"Theo," she whispers, her voice barely audible, as she closes her eyes and lets out a small sigh. Her hands grip my shirt tighter, pulling me closer as if afraid I might disappear at any moment.
Without thinking, I gently tug at her tank top, pulling it down. A groan escapes me as I realize she's not wearing a bra. Her dusky pink nipples harden in the cool air, and I'm mesmerized.
"You're still so beautiful," I murmur, my voice husky with desire.
Skylar's breath hitches as I lower my head, taking one perfect nipple into my mouth. The taste of her skin, the softness against my tongue—it's intoxicating. When I suck gently, she lets out a cry that sends shivers down my spine.
"Theo," she gasps, her fingers threading through my hair. "Oh God..."
I lose myself in the moment, in the taste and feel of her. All the years apart, all the pain and longing—it all fades away. Right now, there's only Skylar and me and this.
I switch to her other nipple, savoring the way she arches into me. Her body is so responsive, just like I remember. Without breaking contact, I slide my hands under her thighs and lift her into my arms.
"Bed," I murmur against her skin. "I need you."
Skylar wraps her legs around my waist, her arms circling my neck. "Yes," she breathes, her lips brushing my ear.
I carry her through the open door, my heart pounding as I glimpse the bed beyond. It's surreal, like a dream I've had a thousand times.
"Is this real?" I lay her down on the bed, our bodies still connected, I pull back just enough to look into her eyes. I run my hands up and down her soft curves, feeling the warmth of her skin against my touch. Savor it.
She looks up at me, her hazel eyes dark with desire. "I'm here, Theo. I'm real."
My hands tremble slightly as I reach for the waistband of her shorts. "Can I...?"
Skylar nods, lifting her hips to help me. As I slide the fabric down her legs, my breath catches in my throat. She's completely bare, and more beautiful than I ever imagined.
"God, Skylark," I whisper, drinking in the sight of her. "You're incredible. I've missed...everything about you."
I drop to my knees beside the bed, overwhelmed by the need to taste her again. I slowly lower my head, brushing a kiss against her inner thigh, savoring the taste of her skin. Her sigh vibrates through me, and I continue my journey upward, kissing and licking every inch of her skin until I reach my destination.
"Can I taste you, baby? Please?"
"Yes," she moans, her legs falling open in invitation.
I lean in, breathing in her scent, and press my face against her. As my tongue flickers across her sensitive flesh, we both groan.
She digs her fingers into my hair, her hips bucking slightly, urging me on. My tongue dances along her folds, teasing, tempting, building anticipation. Each movement draws a soft gasp from her lips.
I savor each taste, each sensation, committing them to memory again. Her body arches into me, a silent plea for more, and I oblige, my hands guiding her hips as I explore every curve and crevice of her.
I can't get enough of her taste, of the way she responds to every touch. I push her knees toward her chest, opening her up to me completely. My tongue explores every inch of her, savoring the sweet nectar I've dreamed about for so long.
Her taste is like a drug, intoxicating and addictive. I never could get enough of her.
"Theo," Skylar gasps, her fingers tangling in my hair. "Oh God, yes."
I repeat the motion, dragging my tongue along her folds, circling her clit. Again and again, I lap at her, drunk on her flavor and the little sounds she makes.
"You taste even better than I remember," I murmur against her sensitive flesh before sucking her clit into my mouth.
Skylar's back arches off the bed. "Please, don't stop," she begs.
I have no intention of stopping. I nip gently at her inner thigh, smiling at her sharp intake of breath. It's a move I know she's always loved, and I'm thrilled to find it still affects her the same way.
"Still like that, huh?" I tease, my voice husky with desire.
"Some things don’t change," she pants, her eyes meeting mine with a mix of hunger and vulnerability that takes my breath away.
I maintain eye contact as I slowly insert two fingers into her warm, wet heat. The feeling is indescribable, and I have to close my eyes for a moment to regain my composure.
"You feel amazing, Skylark," I whisper, curling my fingers inside her as I return my mouth to her clit.
I lose myself in pleasuring her, alternating between sucking and licking her most sensitive spot while my fingers work in tandem. Skylar's moans grow louder, her thighs beginning to tremble on either side of my head.
"That's it, baby," I encourage her, feeling her pussy start to clench around my fingers. "Let go for me. I've got you."
With a cry that sounds like music to my ears, Skylar comes undone. Her thighs tighten around my head as her inner walls pulse around my fingers. I continue to lap at her gently, helping her ride out the waves of pleasure until she collapses back onto the bed, breathless and flushed.
I rest my cheek against her thigh, my own breath coming in heavy pants. "God, I've missed you, Skylark," I murmur, pressing a soft kiss to her skin.
I surge to my feet, wiping my chin with the back of my hand. My heart's racing, and I can barely form coherent thoughts. All I know is that I need her, desperately. I can't help but gaze at her in awe, my desire for her intensifying with every passing second. As I strip off my own clothing, my eyes never leave hers.
"I'm clean, Sky. I swear I'm clean," I blurt out, the words tumbling over each other. "I haven't…I’m clean."
Skylar's eyes lock onto mine, her chest heaving. "Theo," she breathes, her voice husky with need. "Please...I want to feel you. Need you…fuck me, Theo. Please."
My breath catches in my throat. "Are you sure?"
She nods frantically. "Yes, God yes. Please, Theo."
I don't need any more encouragement. In one swift motion, I plunge into her, and we both cry out at the sensation.
"Fuck," I groan, overwhelmed by how incredible she feels. "You still feel so good. So perfect."
I start to move, slowly at first, savoring every inch of her. But the urgency builds quickly, and soon I'm thrusting harder, faster. Skylar meets me thrust for thrust, her nails digging into my back.
"Wait," I pant, slowing down. "I want...I want you on top."
In one fluid motion, I roll us over, settling Skylar astride me. I cup her face in my hands, drinking in the sight of her.
"Take your pleasure, Sky," I tell her softly. "Show me how you want it."
I pull Skylar's face down to mine, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. She begins to move, rolling her hips in a sensual rhythm that has me groaning into her mouth. I can't stop kissing her, my hands roaming over her soft skin, relearning every curve and plane of her body.
"God, Sky," I breathe against her lips. "You feel incredible. I've missed this...missed you...so much."
Her eyes flutter open, meeting mine with an intensity that steals my breath. "Theo," she whispers, her voice trembling. "I can't believe this is real."
I brush a strand of hair from her face, marveling at how beautiful she looks in the throes of passion. "It's real, baby. I'm here. We're here."
Skylar's eyes shine with lust and vulnerability, and I can't help but feel a tightness in my chest. I open my mouth to tell her how I feel, to tell her I never stopped loving her, not for one moment, but she twists her hips and tightens her inner muscles, and the only sound that escapes my lips is a gasp of pleasure.
Her movements become more frantic, her breath coming in short gasps. I can feel her tightening around me, and I know she's close. I slide a hand between us, finding that sensitive bundle of nerves.
"That's it, Skylark," I encourage her, circling my thumb. "Let go for me again..."
With a cry that's music to my ears, Skylar comes undone above me. The sight of her in ecstasy, combined with the feeling of her clenching around me, sends me over the edge. I follow right after her, my release hitting me so hard my vision starts to darken at the edges.
As the aftershocks subside, I don't pull out. Instead, I wrap my arms around her, burying my face in the crook of her neck. I breathe her in, savoring her familiar scent mixed with the musk of our lovemaking.
"Stay," I murmur against her skin. "Just...stay like this for a moment."
Skylar nods, her fingers threading through my hair. We lay there, hearts pounding in unison, as the reality of what just happened begins to sink in.
I finally roll us so I’m on top and pull out, watching with a mix of awe and primal satisfaction as my cum trickles from her. The sight stirs something deep within me, a possessive hunger I'd forgotten I was capable of feeling.
"Fuck, I've missed you," I breathe, my voice husky with emotion.
Skylar's eyes meet mine, a storm of emotions swirling in their hazel depths. "Theo, I..." she starts, then falters.
I reach out, cupping her cheek gently. "I know, baby. We've got a lot to talk about."
She nods, leaning into my touch. "This is...God, I can't believe you're here. After all this time..."
I pull her close, reveling in the feeling of her skin against mine. "I can't believe it either. When I heard you lived here, I thought I was dreaming."
Skylar chuckles softly, the sound vibrating against my chest. "Some dream, huh?"
I can't help but laugh, too, the tension easing slightly. "Better than any dream I've had in years."
We lay there in comfortable silence for a moment, fingers tracing patterns on each other's skin. I'm struck by how familiar yet new this feels, like coming home to a place you've haven’t been to in a long time.