Chapter Six
IN HIS EMBRACE
˖ ᡣ𐭩 ⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚

   Theodora could hardly believe she'd let Kate talk her into this.

   There she stood, her heart racing as she faced what she hoped was Boone's room. Kate had seen Boone walk into this room earlier and had insisted Theodora should join him. Despite her repeated protests and claims that Kate was being ridiculous, she found herself here, driven by a mixture of curiosity and a desire to please.

   She knocked softly, her hand trembling slightly. The instant regret hit her, and her eyes widened in panic. She almost turned to leave, but before she could, the door swung open, revealing a... shirtless Boone.

   Theodora gulped, her throat dry.

   "Hey, darlin', ain't this a nice surprise." Boone said, flashing a grin that made Theodora's heart flutter. His eyes roved over her with a mix of surprise and appreciation.

   Kate had somehow managed to convince her to wear a bandana as a makeshift shirt, claiming that Boone would find it appealing. Along with the bandana, she wore a pair of denim shorts. The outfit made Theodora feel self-conscious and out of place, but she had decided to go along with it, hoping for Boone to like it.

   "What're you wearing?" Boone asked softly, his tone gentle yet curious.

   Theodora's face flushed a deep red. "You don't like it?" She asked, her voice trembling with anxiety. She felt a wave of doubt crashing over her, convinced that this was a mistake.

   "No, no, I love it." Boone's laugh was warm and reassuring. He placed his hands on her waist, his thumbs gently brushing against her exposed skin. The sensation sent goosebumps racing over her body. "Just surprised you're wearin' it. Doesn't seem like you."

   "I wanted to wear it for you." Theodora admitted shyly, her voice barely audible as she looked down, her cheeks still burning.

   "Well, I'm very thankful, pretty girl. You look stunning." Boone's grin widened, and he moved closer, resting his head in the crook of her neck. He pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her skin, sending a delightful shiver down her spine. "Would you like to change into something more comfortable, baby?"

   "Yes, please." Theodora replied, nodding with relief and a touch of embarrassment.

   Boone opened the door wider, inviting her inside with a gentle gesture. As she stepped into the room, Boone went to his drawer and pulled out a shirt. Theodora's heart sank for a moment, thinking he might be putting it on himself, but her disappointment quickly faded when she realized he was offering it to her. The gesture was kind and thoughtful, and it made her feel a little more at ease as she prepared to change into something more comfortable.

"You can change in the bathroom, or I can just turn around." Boone mumbled, his awkward shifting on his feet betraying his nervousness. "Whatever makes you more comfortable."

"You can turn around." Theo replied, offering a reassuring nod. Boone immediately spun around, his movement so abrupt that he nearly lost his balance. Theo couldn't help but let out a soft giggle at his clumsiness, which made Boone's cheeks flush a deeper shade of red.

The moment felt surprisingly intimate. Theo's smile remained as she untied the bandana, carefully peeling it away from her skin. She slipped the bandana off and began replacing it with Boone's shirt. As the fabric settled against her, she was enveloped by Boone's familiar scent, a comforting and warm presence that made her feel at ease.

She walked over to Boone and tapped him gently on the shoulder. He jumped slightly, turning around to face her. His eyes widened in admiration as he took in the sight of Theo wearing his shirt. The fabric, oversized on her frame, practically swallowed her whole. Boone's gaze softened, and he found himself appreciating the view much more than the bandana she had worn earlier.

(Though, he still enjoyed that bandana.)

"Did you know the word 'bandana' actually comes from the Hindi word 'bāṅdhnū,' which means 'to bind.'" Theo said, her voice slightly shaky as she noticed Boone's intense stare. Her cheeks turned a shade of pink under the scrutiny. "The practice of wearing a bandana dates back centuries, with origins in South Asia where they were used as headscarves and to protect the hair."

"God, I love it when you talk dirty to me." Boone said, his grin taking on a devilish edge.

Theodora rolled her eyes in playful exasperation and gave his arm a light punch. The impact was gentle, but Boone's laughter was genuine and warm, a sound that Theo found unexpectedly captivating. She couldn't help but smile at how his laughter made the entire moment feel light and easy, despite her initial nerves.

   "Now, what do I have the honor of helping you with today?" Boone asked, raising an eyebrow with a playful smile as he toyed with the hem of his shirt, which hung loosely on Theo's smaller frame. His fingers traced the edge of the fabric, making her smile grow wider.

   "Just wanted to see you." Theodora replied softly, her voice filled with affection. Her smile was tender, carrying a warmth that seemed to melt the space between them.

   Boone's gaze softened at her response. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her gently toward him. His head nestled into the crook of her neck, and Theo instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. Her fingers slipped through his hair, twirling around his curls as she held him close. The sensation of his warmth against her was comforting and intimate, creating a cocoon of closeness between them.

   Boone practically melted into her embrace, his body relaxing in the security of her touch. The world outside seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in their own quiet, shared space.

   After a few moments of shared tranquility, Boone pulled back slightly, positioning himself just in front of her face. His eyes locked onto hers, and their lips hovered close enough to feel the warmth of each other's breath.

   "Can I kiss you, baby? Please?" Boone asked, his voice soft and pleading, tinged with a mix of vulnerability and hope.

   The sincerity in Boone's voice and the earnest look in his eyes made it impossible for Theodora to resist. He sounded so sweet, his plea wrapped in genuine affection that tugged at her heart. How could she deny such a heartfelt request from someone so sweet? With a shy but resolute nod, she gave her consent. Boone's lips gently met hers, closing the small distance with a tender and loving kiss that deepened their connection and left both of them feeling utterly cherished.

   Boone eased himself back until he was sitting on the edge of his bed, his hands firm but gentle as they guided Theodora closer. With a tender tug, he pulled her onto his lap, her legs instinctively wrapping around his waist, resting comfortably on either side of his thighs.

   "Is this okay?" He questioned softly. She could feel the warmth of his body against hers, the steady rise and fall of his chest as they breathed in sync.

   "Yes, please."

   His lips began a slow, deliberate journey, placing featherlight kisses on her skin, starting at her temple. He traced a delicate path over her cheeks, pausing to nuzzle the softness before moving to her jawline. His breath was warm against her neck, and she shivered as his mouth found its way lower, peppering her skin with kisses that were as sweet as they were heated. As his lips reached the sensitive curve of her collarbone, he lingered, letting his tongue graze the area lightly before pressing another kiss.

   With each tender nibble, he would soothe the spot with a soft brush of his tongue, his hands running up and down her back in slow, calming strokes. Every kiss and caress was a promise, each touch imbued with affection and care. Theodora sighed softly, her fingers tangling in his hair as she tilted her head back, giving him more access. Her heart fluttered in her chest, her body relaxing into his embrace as though it were the most natural thing in the world. Boone's every motion made her feel like she was drifting, lost in a sea of warmth and gentle reassurance, floating on a cloud of pure bliss.

   Boone's hands slid down to the small of Theodora's back, his fingers pressing firmly as he pulled her closer, their bodies melting together. His lips never ceased their journey, now tracing the hollow of her throat with a delicate blend of urgency and restraint. Each kiss felt like a silent confession, words unspoken but deeply felt in the way his mouth worshipped her skin.

Theodora's breath hitched as his hands began to explore her sides, his touch sending a slow burn through her veins. She felt as if time had slowed, the world outside the walls of the room fading until only they remained, wrapped in the quiet intimacy of the moment. Her hands, once tangled in his hair, now drifted to his shoulders, fingers pressing into the solid muscle beneath his shirt as she held on tighter, savoring every sensation he was evoking in her.

"Boone." She whispered, her voice soft, almost a plea. His name on her lips made him pause for just a heartbeat, his forehead resting against hers as he breathed her in. Their eyes met, and for a moment, they simply stayed like that, suspended in a space where nothing else mattered. Boone's thumb brushed her cheek, his touch as gentle as a whisper, and he smiled — a small, tender curve of his lips that sent a wave of warmth flooding through her.

"I've got you, baby." He murmured, his voice low and reassuring, as if the very act of speaking might break the spell they were under. His lips found hers again, this time slower, more deliberate, as if he were savoring the moment, memorizing the taste of her. The kiss deepened, growing in intensity, their bodies leaning into one another, lost in the electric connection that pulsed between them.

He shifted their position, lying Theodora on her back before continuing his pursuit.

Theodora's heart raced, every nerve alight as Boone's hands slid beneath the fabric of her shirt, his fingers tracing the bare skin of her waist. His touch was both reverent and possessive, sending shivers cascading down her spine. She gasped softly, her own hands moving instinctively, trailing down his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her palms.

They were a tangle of limbs and breath, their movements slow but full of yearning, every touch an affirmation of the unspoken bond between them. Boone's kisses grew bolder, moving from her lips to the sensitive skin just behind her ear, his breath hot against her as he murmured something unintelligible, his voice thick with emotion.

Theodora could barely think, could barely breathe, completely caught in the moment, her heart swelling with a mix of desire and something deeper, something she couldn't quite name. Boone pulled back just enough to look at her again, his eyes dark with affection, his forehead still resting against hers. They shared a quiet moment, their breath mingling in the space between them, the room alive with the quiet hum of their connection.

   Boone's voice was a quiet, desperate plea as he pressed his forehead gently against hers, his breath warm against her lips. "Let me touch you, baby," he murmured, his voice soft and laced with yearning. His lips were parted, his eyes closed as though the very request was almost too much to bear. "I'll make you feel good, baby, I promise."

   Her response came like a sigh, his name spilling from her lips like honey, sweet and full of need. "Please, Boone," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "Touch me."

   That was all the invitation he needed. His hands began their slow descent, fingers lightly skimming over the curve of her hips before tracing a path along the soft skin of her thighs. His touch was deliberate and tender, igniting a fire beneath her skin as his fingertips explored her with reverence.

   Boone's hands moved with purpose, trailing down her thighs with a touch so gentle it sent a shiver racing up her spine. His fingers danced along her skin, each caress more deliberate than the last, stoking the embers of desire between them. She felt her breath hitch, her body instinctively arching into him, seeking more of his touch, craving the connection only he could give.

   His lips found hers again, a slow, lingering kiss that left her dizzy. Every movement was an unspoken promise, a testament to the tenderness he held for her. Boone's hands slid higher, teasingly slow, brushing over her inner thighs as he pulled her closer. His touch was intoxicating, a mixture of restraint and passion that made her feel as if she might unravel at any moment.

   Theodora's fingers threaded through his hair, gripping softly as she let herself melt into his embrace. Her heart raced in her chest, pounding in sync with the pulse of longing building between them. Boone's lips parted from hers only to trail down her neck, leaving a trail of heated kisses that made her tremble beneath him.

   "Is this okay?" He whispered, his voice thick with emotion as his fingers paused at the hem of her clothing, waiting for her permission, his forehead once again resting against hers.

   "Yes," she breathed, her voice barely more than a whisper, eyes fluttering open to meet his. "I need you, Boone."

   At her words, his touch grew bolder, his hands slipping beneath the fabric of her clothes, tracing the contours of her body with a reverence that made her feel cherished, as if every inch of her skin were sacred to him. Boone's lips continued their journey, tasting her skin, savoring the softness beneath his mouth as his hands explored her with an intensity that left her breathless.

   In that moment, the world outside ceased to exist. It was just the two of them, lost in the heat of the moment, every kiss, every caress building the tension between them, filling the room with the sound of soft gasps and whispered names. Their bodies moved in perfect harmony, as if they were made to fit together, their connection deepening with every touch, every shared breath.

   "Boone... I—" Her words faltered, her breath quickening as her body responded instinctively to his touch. Her hips bucked against him, craving more, aching for release, every movement a silent plea.

   "I know, baby." Boone murmured, his voice soft yet commanding, a knowing smile playing on his lips as he kissed down the curve of her neck. "I've got you. Come undone for me, pretty girl."

   His words, like a promise, sent a shiver through her. And then, with one more tender kiss to her lips—slow and breathtaking—she unraveled completely, coming undone in his arms, her world spinning as he held her close.

Theo's body trembled as the wave of release washed over her, her fingers clutching at Boone's shoulders as if he were the only thing anchoring her to the moment. Her breath came in ragged gasps, and she could feel her heart pounding wildly in her chest, each beat echoing the intensity of everything they had just shared.

Boone held her through it, his hands still moving over her with the same gentle reverence, soothing the aftermath of her release. His lips brushed her forehead, then her temple, leaving tender kisses as if to remind her that he was there, that he wasn't letting go.

"You're perfect." He whispered against her skin, his voice filled with admiration as he stroked her hair, tucking a stray strand behind her ear. His eyes met hers, warm and steady, the intensity of the moment giving way to a profound sense of calm.

Theo's chest still rose and fell rapidly, her mind clouded with the haze of pleasure, but she managed a smile, her body sinking further into his embrace. "Boone..."

He smiled, his thumb tracing lazy circles along her waist. "You're everything, Theo." He kissed her again, softer this time, a kiss that spoke of comfort and reassurance, wrapping them both in the quiet intimacy of the moment.

"I'm not going anywhere, baby."

🌪️: ... so, how y'all doing?

🌪️: i feel like i wanted the smut in this book to be more fluffy than the ones in whirlwind... theo is the kind of girl to need praises and soft words through it, not really anything too intense.

🌪️: anyway, i hope you enjoyed and don't forget to comment and tell me your thoughts 🫶

🌪️: also... audrey, if you're actually reading my books, STOP! i don't want you reading this 🤧 it's embarrassing...