“After you left like that I kinda realized you came with us this morning. You don’t have another way home, so drive. Tobias has calmed down, but there’s no need for you to wait until we’re ready. Just go and get some rest. It might really help.”
My body warms at his words, I could get used to this Theo. Maybe I should complain about being pampered, but I really am exhausted. I need to get back and unwind. But wait, “If I take the car, how will you two get home?”
“It’s called a taxi. Oh, and please don’t destroy my car. If I get back and it looks like your train-wreck of a car, I will be pissed,” he says. But even with all this, he keeps smiling at me, even nudging my arm playfully. I rub my eyes with my fleshy palms. I look like a mess. “Here,” Theo offers me a handkerchief and uses it to rub at my face, removing some of the black smudges. I really look like a raccoon.
“Thank you, Theo.”
“It’s nothing. Come on, I’ve got to get back to work, but I’ll walk you the rest of the way, if that’s okay.” He raises a brow, waiting for my response.
“Sure,” I reply. I follow him back to work, parting ways at the elevator. I head in and he gives me a little wave. He waits for me to go down to the parking lot, and heads right back to the offices. I touch my lips, thinking of the last time with Theo. At least now I can look at it fondly without all the anger and rage.
I make it to the car without issues and drive it back to the apartment. The valet glares at me, ready to accuse me of stealing I bet, but he bites his tongue and just takes the keys from me. He isn’t willing to anger my bosses. I’m just glad I got the damn thing back in one piece. I hadn’t been so confident getting home. I was terrified of scratching or denting the car.
Even I will admit, I’m not the best driver. I’m shocked I even passed my driver test. I managed to parallel park once for the test, and since then didn’t even attempt it. Hence all the dents on my car. I’m one of the worst parkers and have hit many stationary objects mainly trying to reverse, not that I’ll admit that to Theo. He can believe all of that is from a previous owner.
I get back to my apartment, sit down, and glory in the absolute silence. I have free time! I don’t have to worry about running out my battery on my phone for once. I open up one of my reading apps and pick out a good story. I need a drink to fully appreciate it. I pour myself a large glass of vodka and drizzle it with raspberry syrup from the pantry.
I take a seat on the couch, stretching my body out and diving straight into my current favorite book on the platform. I flip through page after page, unable to set it down. I barely even drink my drink, I’m on edge the entire time. I wish I could give the author a tip!
A loud knock interrupts my reading and I glance over at it, scowling. I’m on the last chapter, I don’t want to stop. “It’s open,” I call. I don’t even bother leaving my seat, this is too good.
Theo walks in, closing the door behind him and takes a seat across from me. What is he doing here? I want to look to see the time but considering I managed to get to the last chapter I don’t want to stop.
“What are you reading?” Theo questions after I ignore him. I hold a finger up motioning for him to wait a minute. Thankfully, he actually listens.
“A book on Patreon called Dark Desires by a woman named Jane Knight.”
“What’s it about?” Theo questions, shifting closer to me.
My lip twitches, should I really tell him everything? It’s hard to sit there with my thighs clamped together as my heart beat pounds through my body. Jane is a master at heat and I can easily imagine the two male leads in the reverse harem as my bosses. “There’s a waitress that works at this diner. She’s having these heated dreams and then this guy shows up that’s from the dreams. He ends up being one of her mates and is trying to protect her from this crazy killer beast.”
Theo’s eyes widen a bit. “One of?”
I nod. “Yeah, I told you, I like reverse harems. One woman, lots of men. Though a few of these men are perfectly fine with keeping each other entertained while they’re waiting for their lady,” I chuckle at him, but he doesn’t turn red. If anything, he looks genuinely interested.
“Hmm interesting, I will have to check it out. What did you say the author’s name was again?” Theo asks, pulling his phone out of his pocket.
“Jane Knight, but it’s on Patreon.”
Theo nods to my words. “Yes, and I signed up for it to help support her. If you like her, then I’m sure she’s great at her craft.” He turns his phone around to show me he’s signed up for her highest tier, show off.
“So, what has brought you here?” I ask, keeping the snap from my voice.
He chuckles at me, eyes twinkling. “You’ve got my keys.”
My cheeks burn, I forgot all about it. “Sorry.”
“And, I got you a present.” He announces with a smug smile. “And before you get worried or yell at me, no, I didn’t spend any money on it.”
“Present?” He said he hasn’t spent any money, so that means I can possibly accept whatever he has done. But he doesn’t have anything in his hands.
“Go open the door to the courtyard,” his words are soft, but excited. He wants to see my expression over this present of his.
I set my phone down and make my way to the courtyard door. I pull the curtain away from the windows. Out in the dark, a blob of black is pressed against the door, waiting for me. I squeal, thrusting the door to the side as I race out and throw my arms around his big neck, I thought I lost him! “Where did you find him?” I gasp.
Pesky tears are brimming again. I’ve been so emotional today and I’ve read instead of taking that needed nap.
Theo pretends not to see me on the verge of breaking down. He rises up another several notches on my rankings. I wipe my eyes off on the dog. “He was at your old storage shed, sulking and lonely and crying over a belt you left there. Bit of a crybaby if you ask me. He was a bit bigger than you let me believe, I barely got him into the taxi, and do you know how upset the driver was?”
I shake my head, burying my head in his fur and resting my face against his furry one. He licks me, clearing away all traces of my tears. Am I allowed to be this happy?