cXC #2
His effective words catch me off guard, and my mouth speaks before processing them.
“My life is far from roses and cheerful smiles, Theo, and from our recent conversations, yours seems to be the polar opposite. And as much as I’ve appreciated our time here together, I’d hate to be a nuisance in your close-to-perfect life. ”
Abort. Destructive Olive is here. Fuck, why do I do this? I look away and decide to stay silent after my mini outburst.
I can sense him studying me for what feels like an eternity, I regretfully turn to look back at him, and his expression hardens.
He then speaks roughly. “No one’s life is perfect, I can promise you that. It’s what makes our time here so individually unique.” If he only knew how absurdly unique mine was.
Just as I drift off into my overworking mind, Theo puts his hand on my thigh and stills me with his piercing glare.
“Our lives may not align perfectly together, but damn it, Olive, I know our souls were destined to dance.” My breath hitches in my achy throat—such a poetic bastard.
Every time this man speaks, it has this magnetic effect on me.
In this moment I can feel our souls desperately reaching toward each other like they are preparing to sing a beautiful song in harmony.
I slowly pull from his gaze and rub my hands together repetitively.
A nervous tick I’ve had since I was a small child.
I pull back into his stare and say with all but a whisper, “And what makes you so sure of that?”
Theo’s delicious lips purse together, and I hear a modest sigh escape them.
“Because the second our eyes found each other at that party, I felt it. And I know you did too.” The corner of his mouth quirks up.
“You may not know this, but your eyes tell everything, Olive. It’s one of the many things I love about you. ”
I let out a small gasp. Did he just use the word love? And damn do I admire the sound of my name rolling off his slick tongue. Mm, I can only imagine the performance that tongue could give.
“Olive, you’re doing that spacing out thing again,” he says with a faint chuckle.
I quickly snap out of it. “Ugh, sorry,” I say with reddened cheeks. All I can do in this heated moment is give him a genuine smile. He returns the small gesture with the cutest crooked grin. I catch myself wanting to touch his beautiful face, but I quickly refrain.
I almost feel my guarded walls give out. He’s a determined cannon ready to aim and fire. Theodore Ace Rivers is going to be the death of me, I just know it.
Theo and I barely talk on the walk back to the house.
Everything is fine, but I think I just needed a second to process the interaction on the beach.
I am not used to someone being so straightforward about what they want.
And most importantly what they want, being me.
This is different. Most douchebags just want to get in your pants.
Theo has clarified that he is feeling something more. He hasn’t disrespected me or attempted anything other than to know more about me. It makes me feel giddy and terrified at the same time.
Chase and Danielle are in the kitchen when we walk in. Her black hair is sticking up in different places, showing signs of possible foreplay. What gives it away is the red mark on Chase’s neck. I slant my eyes at Danielle, who then snatches her head towards Chase.
I curiously need to know, so I ask, “Um, is that a hickey on your neck Chase?”
Without thinking, he reaches up and rubs his neck like he’s able to feel it with his fingers. He opens his mouth but pauses and cuts his eyes to Danielle as if trying to find the answer to my question.
Danielle’s snaps back at me. “Maybe it is!”
I can’t help but snicker under my breath. “Cool, I didn’t know those were still a thing. Nice work, Danielle.” She scoffs at me immediately in response.
I give both the boys a quick wink and head for the stairs.
Once I am about halfway up, I yell out, “Looks like you got to straddle someone after all, Danielle!”
She lets out a loud huff and runs towards the stairs shouting, “Bitch!” I can’t help but laugh like a little kid. I haul ass towards our guest room with Danielle on my heels.
Thank goodness for long legs. I make it to the room before she catches me. I faintly hear the boys laughing downstairs, which tells me they’re getting a kick out of our banter. This is the first time they’ve really seen our playful side.
I lightly pat my cheekbones with a pink blush while staring at my reflection in the bathroom mirror.
I went with a more natural look for this evening.
I’ve never cared to cake makeup on my face.
For one, it is too much work. Second, I hate the taking it off part.
And to be honest, if I’m only appealing with my face covered in toxic products, I’d much rather be invisible and unnoticed.
My ashy brown hair falls below my breasts, holding crinkled beach curls. I love the way the salty air works its magic on each strand. I see so much of my mother when my hair is like this. The mother she once was long ago.
After trying on a few outfits I bought before this trip, I go with a sage green flowy summer dress.
The straps are around an inch thick, and the front cuts down into a V.
It reveals a small amount of cleavage, but just enough to keep it classy.
The length reaches right above my ankles with a high front leg slit.
I adore all things sage. Different shades of green make me feel at home.
How ironic considering my name. I don’t know how my mom came up with it, but I’ve always admired the uniqueness of my first and middle name.
See, there are some things I like about myself.
Danielle went all out for tonight, as she should.
She did loose curls on her hair, bringing it right above her shoulders.
She’s wearing a pink floral crop top with high-waisted denim shorts.
Her makeup is flawless as always. My best friend is stunning from head to toe.
Chase is most definitely going to choke when he sees her.