Chapter Eighteen - Appetizer

It's finally January and I'm free from grading and the Christmas festivities. After a few days of not seeing Theo in person I've invited him over for an impromptu date night at home. I want to spend some time with him before work starts up again in two weeks. We rang in the new year with our families and grandma spent the long weekend with us which was amazing. Aria certainly enjoyed the endless cuddles and baked treats.

Theo doesn't know I've planned a date so I'm excited to see what he thinks. I make sure everything is ready before setting the table and tidying up. But just as I'm about to go change into something nicer the doorbell rings. I know for certain it's Theo and walk over to open the door.

"You're early!" I pout and he shoots me a confused smile.

"I didn't know I was supposed to arrive at – wow." He breathes once he sees the sitting room all set up.

There's candles, string lights and rose petals everywhere. The double doors to the kitchen are open where the dining table is in view. I've decorated it with candlesticks, a vase of roses and nice tableware. I close the door and stop in front of him with a nervous smile.

"Sunshine, this is amazing! You didn't have to do this. I know you must be tired." He murmurs as he hugs me.

"Absolutely not!" I shake my head as I turn in his arms to face him. "All my time has been taken up by exams, grading, and Aria's parent-teacher meetings. Let me make it up to you."

"Char –"

"For once don't be stubborn!" I plead and he sighs defeatedly before playfulness glints brightly in his eyes.

"Well, if you're so adamant on making it up to me I have some suggestions on how else we can spend our night."

I fight the blush threatening to stain my cheeks once I remember our night the day after Christmas. Ever since then I've been craving his touch and kisses more.

"Whatever you want tonight you'll have." I wind my arms around his neck before whispering. "Just name it."

We stare into each other's eyes and the intensity in his leaves me breathless. The tension between us has been building like a rope coiling tighter and tighter. I can't deny any longer how much I want us to go further and I know Theo feels the same, especially from the teaser a week ago.

He pushes closer until his lips are just a breath away. I tilt my head slightly upwards in desperation to make them collide with mine but he pulls away at the last second. Chuckling huskily at my immediate pout he finally gives in and kisses me. I melt against him and like always he's there to steady me.

"Fuck sunshine." He groans once we break away. "Do we have to eat dinner first?"

"Dinner first. But don't worry you can have me for dessert later." I wink and chuckle when he bites his lip. "Come on, I made your favorite."

I reveal the duck dish and the sides along with his favorite wine. "You're really spoiling me tonight aren't you? Sorry for ruining the surprise."

I laugh in response and nod as we take our seats. "That's okay. As long as you don't mind that I'm in a sweater and leggings."

"I think you look very fancy." He teases and I roll my eyes playfully.

We dig in and I feel proud when it tastes as good as it looks. I don't cook duck quite often so I've been anxious to see if it turned out alright. We talk about the past few days and what we've been up to. Although we've been texting almost every day it's not the same.

"One of my employees is relocating so I've been in HR meetings to narrow down the candidates. We're bringing back two of them tomorrow." He says as he takes a sip of his wine.

"Do you have a good idea of who you're going to pick?"

"Yeah but we're going to do some tests with them to see how they handle certain situations just to be sure." He shrugs half-heartedly with a small smile. "Has your trip been finalized?"

"Yes, me and Aria are leaving this Friday and we'll be back on Wednesday. Jessica, Poppy and Jacob are meeting us at the hotel." I perk up in excitement before frowning. "Are you sure you don't want to come along?"

Me and my school friends finally decided to meet in New York for a few days. We haven't seen each other since before I left the UK so I'm very excited. Aria will be coming with me because I want her to enjoy New York with me and of course, all my friends love her to bits and would constantly pester me if I didn't bring her.

"Next time...I promise. Unfortunately, I've got too much going on at work." He smiles as he takes my hand and brushes his thumb across my knuckles. "Hunter's back to work already so he's not sure if he can join in to show you guys around but Zoe will be free most of the time whenever you need her."

"I can't wait to see her again and of course, Ariel. She's so cute!" I grin and he agrees with a laugh. "Do the kids have any favorite uncles?"

"Judah and Noah. They always have so much energy to keep them entertained. With everyone else it's always a fifty-fifty that they either stay calm or cry." He rolls his eyes with a playful huff. "Maybe someday I'll be one of my niece's or nephew's favorite."

I laugh along as he tells me some stories of how his brothers were when their children were first born. There's a lot of memories of them panicking, dreading to change their diapers, and falling asleep almost anywhere.

"Ryder fell asleep in the stables one day when Isaiah was a few months old."

"No way?! Did Ella find him or one of you guys?" I grin as we finish up our food.

"I found him...but I went and told Ella where he was." He smirks mischievously which makes me chuckle. "He got an earful about not taking care of himself because Ella kept finding him dozing off in odd places like that. She was just concerned though because although he's an amazing dad he doesn't know when to take a breather and fall back on her."

"He also runs his own company right? He was probably struggling to find the balance back then."

"Yeah they're all doing great now. It all comes naturally to Roman though which is surprising because I thought he'd be a bit more scatter-brained." He grins as he leans back before his gaze lands on something. "Did you do some more painting or drawing?"

I nod as I pick up the dishes which he helps with. "Yeah...it's for you actually."

"Wait – what? Really?" He smiles excitedly as I tell him to go sit on the couch.

I bring it over and hand it to him. It's a tall canvas with a painting of him on his horse, Rio. He's wearing a cowboy hat, his usual flannel shirt rolled up to his elbows and denim jeans. I tell him to open it as I get the dessert before putting on a movie he absentmindedly agrees to. Theo rips the wrapping paper delicately before his eyes widen in surprise.

"You painted this?" He stares at it in awe before looking up at me. "Char...this is incredible! I know you're talented but this is insane."

"Thank you. I've been a nervous wreck wondering whether you would like it." I laugh lightly as I take a sip of my drink. "I painted it from memory...from the times I saw you on your horse."

"I love it, thank you." He grabs my chin gently before pulling me in for a kiss. "I know exactly where to put it too in my room. Which reminds me that you've never seen the inside of my house."

I chuckle at his thoughtful frown. "Maybe you're trying to hide that you're secretly a messy person?"

"I can't stand it." He winks as he drapes an arm over my shoulder and settles down beside me. "A little mess is fine but everything gets cleaned and organized again on the weekends. I'd go insane trying to find stuff if I didn't tidy up every week!"

We laugh and chat throughout the movie as we eat the dessert, our attention occasionally drifting back to it for a few comments. Mostly we talk about future trips and holidays we'd like to go on, things we want to achieve before next year, and much more. But when music starts playing in the movie he perks up and turns to me with a cheeky smile.

"Can I have this dance?" He asks as he stands and holds his hand out.

I nod but a small yelp escapes me when he hauls me up. I crash into his chest and we laugh together as he twirls me around. He turns up the volume and we pay no mind to the actors talking through it as we dance. I wind my arms around his neck as we sway from side to side, his hands resting at the small of my back.

I drink in his features once more, gazing at him in adoration as I play with the ends of his soft hair. His sweet lips that I'm addicted to kissing quirk up into a smile as he stares at me with tender eyes. I inch closer little by little as my name escapes his lips in a breathless whisper. Unable to help myself, like usual, I tease the corner of his mouth which elicits a husky groan.

Then I pull away with an innocent smile and go back to dancing. I bite my lip to stifle my laughter at his surprised expression before it changes to playful in a matter of seconds. He tugs me closer before his lips come crashing down on mine in a hungry, lust-filled kiss. I fist his shirt in my hands as desire courses through my veins hot and heavy.

Within seconds I'm left cold.

I almost want to curse myself for starting this game of teasing when he breaks away to twirl me around. Amused smiles are on both of our lips regardless and I melt into his arms as he pulls me close again.

"The song's not playing anymore." I point out softly and he shrugs in response.

He dips me down and pulls the collar of my sweater to trail open-mouthed kisses from my jawline to my collarbone. "Do you want to stop?"

"No."

At that he pulls back and stares into my eyes. I know he realizes the double meaning in our words. I've never wanted to go further with someone as badly as I do with Theo. It's like an intense craving with a constant onslaught of memories about how his touch drives me insane, what his body feels like against mine and the inches of skin he's explored with his mouth.

"I want you Theo."

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