Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
THEO
Nothing could have prepared me for how spending a night with Evie rewired my brain. One night with her in my arms, and I became a new person. Even though I’ve been single for too long, I’m not without experience.
I know this is how things tend to feel initially, at least for most people, but it isn’t for me. I’ve never felt this free, even though we’re not free at all. There are so many reasons for us to keep it all under wraps.
I don’t care anymore. She’s all I care about. I cancel all my appointments the next day, making sure it’s done before she wakes up. I’m careful as I do it, texting with my back to her.
This is our day, and I plan to make the best of it.
It would be easier if we were back home. I don’t know any good date spots here, and I don’t know the language, but I’ll pull every connection I have to make sure I can treat Evie the way she wants to be treated.
I roll over and climb on top of her, burying my face in her neck. This is already becoming one of my favorite places—on top of her, releasing all my worries, only existing with her. Flesh-to-flesh.
She sighs happily and rouses beneath me. “Did I sleep in too late?”
“No. It’s our day off.”
Her fingers curl into my hair. “Is it? So, we can stay here all day?”
“No, baby.” I chuckle. “I’m taking you out. We’re going on a trip.”
She yawns and shakes her head, closing her eyes. “I told you… we don’t need to go to Spain.”
“That’s not where I’m taking you. It’s an hour train ride—you’ll love it.”
“Fine.” Her eyes flicker open, meeting mine with her adorable, sleepy gaze. “I trust you.”
“Good.” I press my lips together. “Speaking of trust… last night. We could have been safer. I’m so sorry.”
She shakes her head. “I’m on birth control, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“That takes care of one worry.” The corner of my mouth ticks up. “I haven’t been sexually active since the last time I was tested. I’ll show you my results; I think they’re somewhere on my laptop.”
“Okay.” She nods. “My last test was a few months ago.”
“Have you had any partners since then?”
She shakes her head, blushing furiously. “To be honest… I’m not used to talking about this so openly. I mean, I usually use a condom. That was my first time… without one…”
I swallow thickly. Fuck. I’m the first person to fill her like that. The thought alone rouses desire, but I push the feeling away. I have other things for us to do—the rest will have to wait.
“Get used to it. This is how we’ll be talking about these things.” I peck her lips. “You should get used to me filling your pussy, too. You’re mine for as long as you want to be.”
“Oh!” she gasps.
“And get dressed.” I push my fingers into her soft, fleshy thighs. “We’re leaving soon.”
Leaving for the day is what we need. No nosy, peering eyes to follow us around. No worrying about someone seeing me gazing at her. No reminders that I’m her boss. It’s just us, like it should be.
God, I want to show her off. I would have been doing it all along if we had met in a typical fashion. She’s beautiful. I can’t take my eyes off her as we sit on the train, even though she barely gives me a second of her attention.
Her light blue dress perfectly complements her eyes, making her look like a fairy. The shimmery glitter on her lids does, too. I’ve gotten used to seeing her without makeup, in her office wear, and even in her pajamas…
Evie is beautiful no matter what she does, but I can appreciate the artistry of her appearance in moments like these. She’s a painting, and it’s my pleasure to admire her.
“You’re staring,” she mutters, tapping at her phone.
“What else am I supposed to do?” I whine, teasing her with my tone. “You’re not talking to me.”
She looks up and shoots me a playful glare. “My emails are blowing up, Theodore. I wonder why.”
“Theodore?” I laugh loudly. “Is that what you call me now?”
“Only when you’re in trouble.”
I move forward, capturing one of her legs between mine. “Mm… is that what’s happening? Am I in trouble? Will you punish me once we’re home?”
“Hm…” She considers my question and shakes her head. “I don’t think so. I’ve never been the dominant type.”
“Noted.” I can fit in either role, so that’s fine by me. I may not have had many sexual partners, but the ones I did have included a bit of experimentation. “I’m sorry. Did my rescheduling ruin your work?”
“It didn’t ruin anything, but they’re all coming to me for clarification.” She shrugs. “I have it under control.”
“You shouldn’t be working today. It’s our day off—and our first trip together.”
The irony of my telling someone to stop working isn’t lost on me. Everett will kill me the next time I see him, but he may be proud that I’m taking a break, too.
“I’ll stop as soon as we arrive,” Evie says, “I promise.”
It would be helpful if I could be quiet and give her time to work as she pleases.
Impossible. All I want to do is look at her, talk to her, and be with her.
I gaze out the window, watching the passing trees, but it only lasts a minute.
My mind wanders—or rather, my eyes do—to the gap of skin between her stockings and skirt.
“While we’re on the topic of sexual interests…”
She giggles. “Is that the topic we’re on?”
“I think so.” I lean forward, my eyes flashing dangerously. “If you weren’t so busy… on this train? What do you think?”
She looks around our little compartment. “It’s private enough. Almost too private.”
“Evie!” My brows lift, and I lean back, shocked.
“I’m just saying. I wouldn’t mind a little more of a thrill.”
“Another thing for me to note, then.” I nod. “But, as this is our first date, I’ll keep my hands to myself.”
She pouts, but with her attention back on her phone, it feels halfhearted. “That’s too bad.”
“What else should I know about you?”
“You should know…” Her eyes trail lower. “That I almost asked you to tie my wrists with your belt last night.” The words come out quickly, and she covers her mouth with her hands, as shocked as I am.
It isn’t the answer I expect from Evie, but I can’t deny that my pants grow tighter. “Is that what you like? Being bound?”
“Well… maybe. Just a little.”
Dammit. I shouldn’t have brought up the topic. How am I supposed to keep my hands to myself now?
I clear my throat. “We could probably arrange that—once it’s not our first date.”
She squirms in her seat, her cheeks glowing pink. “I can’t believe we’re having this talk here.”
“Why not? I thought you said this is too private?”
“I guess I can’t believe we’re having it at all. You spent so long acting like you couldn’t be in the same room as me.” She lifts a brow. “What changed?”
“A lot.” I shake my head. “Seeing you almost get hurt. Seeing how sad you were when I was avoiding you.”
“What?” Her face screws up, brows furrowing. “You could tell I was upset?”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, Evie. I can tell when you’re faking a smile.”
“Huh…” She looks up at the ceiling thoughtfully. “I thought fingering me was what did it, that it made you obsessed with me, but I guess that makes more sense.”
“Jesus,” I mutter. “I mean, that may have helped. It was hard to stop thinking about you after that, but what I felt for you had already come before. Far before. Seeing your passion, whether it’s about baking or your job. Seeing how hard you work. You’re open-minded and flexible—”
“In more ways than one. Did you know I’ve dabbled in gymnastics?”
“Stop!” My face feels hot, even as I attempt to laugh her words off. “I’m trying to be sweet here.”
“Sorry.” She moves to my side of the compartment and rests her hand on mine, her head lolling against my shoulder. “It was longer for me, too. I liked you from the start.”
I already know. Her brother told me… in the same breath that he demanded I stay far away from her. I haven’t told Evie about the conversation, and I’m unsure if I want to. I don’t want to risk what we have. It still feels so fragile.
“Good.” I press my lips against her forehead. “Then it sounds like we’ve always been on the same page.”
EVIE
The train ride passes quickly, and the green scenery passes along with it, an hour of blurring trees and little towns. Spending time with someone I like as much as Theo makes it easy for time to fly by, and we’re alone. For the first time since we met, I feel like it’s the two of us.
Even in the cabin, there’s the looming thought that someone else may be around.
Now that we’re in a larger city, walking hand-in-hand on a beautiful, cobbled street, that’s the last thing on my mind.
His hand is warm in mine, and I’m safe with him—comfortable in a way I rarely am.
All I can think of is how good it feels to be alone with him.
Everything else is a problem for a later day.
“Hm…” He looks down at his phone, his strong brow furrowing. “This way.”
I haven’t bothered asking where he’s taking me. The last thing I want to do is spoil his surprise. When the shop comes into view, it isn’t surprising, but it is adorable.
Can I read the sign? Of course, I can’t—and I don’t have to.
The smell alone lets me know where we are.
Fresh bread, a strong smell of chocolate, and melting butter.
These scents are a comfort to anyone and usually enough to get someone’s mouth watering.
They’re more to me. They’re a warm hug—they’re home.
I gasp.
“Well…” He tugs my hand, leading me inside. “This is it.”
“A bakery?” I lift a brow, tempering my excitement. “You’re taking a baker to a bakery.”
“Well, yes.” He frowns. “I thought you might like to sample some of the local pastries. They’re supposed to have some of the best here, but if you want to go elsewhere.”
“I’m teasing.” I squeeze his hand harder. “This is exactly what I need. I still don’t know what kind of bakery I want to open, so visiting other bakeries can help me dream. I’ll find some inspiration.”
We get in line, and there are only a few people ahead of us.
“What do you mean by that?” he asks. “How many different kinds of bakeries are there?”
“That’s a loaded question. Some bakers specialize in wedding cakes or cakes in general. Then, there are bakeries like this—pastries, goods one consumes daily, like croissants and bread. Then, some people specialize only in specific things. A cake pop shop, for example.”
“There’s no way that’s a real thing.”
“Oh, but it is. I’ve been to one, and it was super cute, but I don’t know if I want that to be my specialty.”
I don’t say it aloud, but I consider the art of cake pops a tad juvenile. Then again, they are trending, which makes specializing in them a sound business plan.
“We’ll have to try a little of everything if you’re looking for inspiration,” he says.
I tilt my head to the side. “It would be fun to find inspiration in my travels. Not that I’ve traveled a lot, but…”
“Do you want to travel more?”
“I don’t know. It was never high on my list of priorities, but I think I do—especially now that I’m here.” I poke his side. “You gave me the travel bug.”
He smiles, watching me from the corner of his eye. “We can make that happen.”
We. Theo and I are still so new, if we’re anything at all, and I don’t know what to expect from him as a partner—is he my partner? There are still so many questions, but when he talks about traveling with me, I feel like we’re on the precipice of something great.
Maybe we’ll travel forever to get a moment alone, and I can try sweets from across the globe. Or not; he probably has other plans, but it doesn’t sound like a bad idea.
We spend our day gobbling up fruit tarts and cardamom-flavored bread.
Some of the treats remind me of the same ones I grew up on—similar to cinnamon rolls and so close to a blueberry pie that it almost makes me nostalgic.
Others are unlike anything I could ever imagine: pink berries served with milk and sugar, and soft cheese served with jam.
Theo is opening my eyes—and flavor palate—in ways I would have never imagined. My mind is racing with thoughts, all of which lead me back to the kitchen, but for once, I’m not in a hurry to start baking.
I want to stay with him here as long as I can. This is a good life.