Chapter 32
The car hummed along the dark streets, the music blasting as Lily drove with the windows down and sunroof open. Daphne leaned back in her seat, arms folded, her lips still tinged with the remnants of her playful attitude. She was riding high on the excitement of the night, but beneath that, there was a tinge of defiance that refused to settle down. She glanced over at Lily, who was still gripping the wheel.
"So," Daphne said, breaking the silence, her voice teasing, "Are you seeing anyone?"
Lily's lips quirked up in a small smile, "Yeah."
"Who?" Daphne sat up.
"His name is Jake," Lily laughed. "We've only been on two dates. But he hasn't asked me to be his girlfriend or anything like that. We're still getting to know one another."
"Do your brothers know?"
"Of course not," Lily snorted. "Are you kidding?"
Daphne laughed, remembering the way Theo had gotten uptight about Lily dating. And just as she thought of him, her thoughts flickered back to the way he had looked when she walked away from him at the restaurant, his possessiveness hanging in the air like a storm cloud. It was oddly satisfying.
As they continued to drive and near the street where the party was supposed to be, the music growing louder with every turn. Suddenly, a sleek motorcycle revved beside them, the sound of the engine cutting through the air, drawing Daphne's attention. She turned her head just in time to see the riderâdressed in a black helmet and a leather jacketâsignal toward the side of the road.
Lily glanced over, frowning.
"Is he trying to get us to pull over?" Daphne asked.
The motorcycle pulled even closer, as though urging Lily to make a move. But Lily wasn't having it. With a quick flick of her wrist, she swerved slightly, keeping her foot firm on the gas pedal.
"You have got to be kidding me," Lily muttered under her breath. She glanced at Daphne, a look of determination crossing her face. "I'm not pulling over. Ignore him."
But the rider wasn't backing off. He accelerated, zipping ahead of them, then pulling in front of Lily's car, forcing her to hit the brakes sharply. The car screeched to a halt, and Daphne's heart jumped in her chest. Her mind scrambled to understand what was happening.
"What the hell are you doing?" Daphne grabbed Lily's arm as the girl took off her seatbelt and opened the car's door.
"It's fine, relax," Lily said. "I know him."
"What?" Daphne exclaimed. "You know him?"
"Unfortunately," Lily muttered once more as she stepped out and walked over to where Gabriel waited for her in the middle of the road.
"I'm pretty sure I can run you over and get away with it," Lilu said, crossing her arms over her chest. "What do you want?"
"Where are you headed at this time of night, angel?" Gabriel asked, lifting his helmet's visor.
"None of your business," Lily said.
"It is very much my business if you're headed to the party down the road," Gabriel's eyes narrowed.
"What if I am?" Lily challenged. "Alexa is there and Wendy is on her way. I also have a friend with me. So get out of my way or I can't be responsible for any damages to your bike."
"I don't want you going to that party, angel," Gabriel said calmly. "I'm sending Alexa back."
"Did you wake up this morning and start believing that I will listen to you from now on?"
"It's a beautiful dream," Gabriel smiled. "Any time you show up in my dream is beautiful."
Lily's face twisted in disgust as she turned away and headed toward her car.
"Good girl," Gabriel called after her.
Lily was tempted to flip him off. But instead she got back in the car and buckled her seatbelt.
"Is that Jake?" Daphne asked.
"No," Lily peered straight ahead. "Hold tight."
"Why? What's-"
Daphne barely had any time to finish as Lily hit the gas and swerve the wheel to the left. The car launched forward and off the road. Daphne screamed as Lily rode onto the sidewalk and navigated her way around Gabriel in the middel of the street.
"Lily, are you out of your mind?" Daphne demanded.
"I'm so over these stupid boys!" Lily slammed her foot onto the gas, bringing the car back onto the main road. She peered in the rearview mirror to find Gabriel shaking his head as he got back on his bike.
"Who was that guy?" Daphne looked back, her hair flying in the wind.
"Nobody."
"Why is nobody following you, Lily?" Daphne questioned. "Do you know him?"
Lily didn't look at her. Her eyes kept flicking to the rearview mirror.
"He's just some asshole," she muttered, brushing off the question like it was nothing. But Daphne could tell it wasn't. Lily was hiding something.
"What did he want?" Daphne asked.
"He's my friend's older brother," Lily sighed. "He bosses her around and he thinks he can do the same to me."
"You have enough of that at home," Daphne snorted, looking back at Gabriel as they pulled into a large crowded parking lot.
"Tell me about it," Lily said as she turned off the main road toward where a few of the guys were directing and assisting with parking. "What the hell is this?"
Daphne turned back around and gasped. Her eyes grew wide open as she took in the sight before her. The parking lot stretched out before them, an expansive, open space that had been transformed into something completely different from its usual purpose. The smell of burnt rubber mixed with the faint scent of gasoline in the air, and the low hum of large engines filled the night. The sound of bass-heavy music rattled the ground, coming from massive speakers set up around the perimeter of the lot. Bright, artificial lights from towering stadium bulbs bathed the area in an almost surreal glow, casting long shadows on the cars and people below.
It looked like a scene out of a movie, one of those underground gatherings that only a select few knew about. There were rows and rows of sleek, polished cars, their exteriors gleaming under the lightsâeverything from heavily modified muscle cars to tricked-out imports with neon underglow. Some of the cars were revving their engines, others had their hoods popped, and groups of guys were gathered around, showing off their rides with pride.
In the center of the lot, there was a makeshift race track. Two cars were at the starting line, ready to speed off as soon as the flag dropped. Lily and Daphne slowly got out of the car and looked at each other.
"Do your brothers know you hang out at these types of places?" Daphne demanded. "Lily Silvano, we are leaving right now. Get back in the car."
"Alexa is here," Lily shouted over the music. "I had no idea this was here."
"We're leaving," Daphne said, grabbing Lily's arm.
"Very good idea," came a voice from behind them.
Lily turned to find Gabriel walking up toward them. She instaly glared as he removed his helmet and headed straight for her.
"Get back in your car," he said. "Listen to your sister."
"She's not my sister," Lily stepped away. "And if I leave, it will be on my own accord. Not because you told me to do so."
Gabriel looked at Daphne, "Is she always this stubborn?"
"Brother and sister are on a roll tonight," Daphne shook her head. "Let's go, Lily. We're not staying."
"No," Lily said, her stubbornness being fuled by Gabriel's presence and his audacity to believe he can tell her what to do. "We're not leaving."
"Lily, Theo is not going to be happy-"
"I really don't care about Theo or about Gabriel," Lily declared. "I'm going in, Daphn."
"Young lady!" Daphne shouted as Lily turned on her heels and marched into the crowd.
"Are you her sister?" Gabriel asked, looking at Daphne.
"No, I'm her brother's .... girlfriend?"
"You sure?" Gabriel asked. "You don't sound so sure."
"Yes, I am," Daphne said. "Just help me bring her back to the car. This sobered me up. I can drive us back."
"Permission to throw her ass over my shoulder and drag her back?"
Daphne hesitated for a second before nodding, "Permission granted."
Together, Daphne and Gabriel followed Lily into the crowd. They called her name and watched her ignore them as she moved farther and farther into the crowd. But just when she began to head toward the race track, Gabriel stepped up right behind her.
Gabriel reached out and grabbed Lily's arm. His grip tightened as she tried to pull away. He tugged at her with such force that she stumbled backward into him.
"Lily!" He growled, a commanding edge to his voice. "Get back in your car."
Lily twisted her arm, shoving him off, her anger flaring. "Get off me!"
The people around them stopped to stare. A few of the guys began to make howling sounds as if to encourage a fight. Daphne pushed past a few bodies before coming up behind Gabriel.
"Lily, listen to me right now," she said. "We're leaving."
Before Lily could step away, he grabbed her again, this time yanking her toward him with force. Without hesitation, he threw her over his shoulder, lifting her effortlessly as though she weighed nothing, his arms holding her tightly against him.
"Put me down!" Lily screamed, banging her fists against his back.
"Sorry, not happening," Gabriel muttered, his voice a mix of irritation and determination.
Just as they turned to leave, a tall figure emerged from behind Daphne, cutting through the crowd with a purposeful stride. Gabriel barely had a moment to react as the stranger reached out and grabbed Lily off his shoulder, yanking her away with an unexpected force.
"What the fuck?" Gabriel shouted over the thumping music, his eyes narrowing as he tried to process the sudden change in dynamics.
The man, with dark eyes and a scowl etched into his face, didn't hesitate.
"Don't fucking touch her," he growled, pushing Lily behind himself as if claiming ownership.
Gabriel's chest tightened with a surge of possessiveness.
"I can say the same to you," he snapped, stepping forward with a clenched jaw. His fingers wrapped around Lily's hand, pulling her back to his side. "Get your fucking hands off my girl."
Lily's eyes widened in shock as the words tumbled out of Gabriel's mouth, but it was Theo's glare that made her heart stop for a moment. Her brother's eyes bore into Gabriel with an icy malice, his expression saying more than words ever could.
"Oh, good god," she whispered, her voice caught somewhere between exasperation and disbelief.
"Shit," Daphne muttered under her breath, her gaze flicking between the two men, the tension escalating with every second.
Theo's fists clenched at his sides, his whole body rigid with barely restrained fury. He didn't say a wordâhe didn't need to. His glare was enough to send a chill down anyone's spine. His hand reached out toward Lily's once again, his movements deliberate and controlled.
Gabriel didn't wait for an invitation. "What the fuck did I just say?" he barked, pushing past Theo's raised hand and shoving him away. His voice was a low growl, as much a challenge as a warning.
Lily and Daphne gasped in unison. The moment Gabriel's hand made contact with Theo's chest, the atmosphere crackled. Theo's eyes flashed with rage, and without a word, he swung. His fist landed with brutal precision, the impact sending a shockwave of pain through Gabriel's skull. Gabriel staggered backward, barely managing to stay on his feet as his head swam with the force of the blow.
He blinked away the stars in his vision just in time to see Theo grab Lily and pull her further from him, the sudden movement igniting Gabriel's temper. His body tensed, every muscle primed for retaliation. He lunged forward, ready to take Theo down, but before he could make another move, Lily stepped in between them.
"Stop! Stop!" she yelled, her arms outstretched, her voice desperate as she tried to shield both of them from further violence. "This is my brother!"
Gabriel froze, the words hitting him like a cold splash of water. The weight of Lily's plea hung in the air, making him hesitate. He shot a look at Theo, their eyes locking in a silent stand-off.
"Teddy," Lily turned to her brother. "I know him. Stop, please."
"Why the fuck is he putting his hands on you?" Theo growled.
"I'm trying to get your stubborn mule back into her car," Gabriel spat out a mouth full of blood.
"What did you call her?" Theo stepped around Lily and lunged toward Gabriel, shoving him back.
Daphne screamed as Gabriel swung and his fist collided with Theo's face. She jumped forward and grabbed Theo's arm before things could get any uglier. A crowd had already formed around them and the tension in the air could be lit with a match.
"Stop!" Lily yelled again, grabbing her brother and holding him back along with Daphne.
"Are you ready to go now?" Daphne demanded.
Lily nodded, "Yes.....please. Let's go."
"Jesus Christ!" Daphne yelled as she turned Theo around and pushed him toward the back of the lot.
_____________________________
As the elevator doors slid closed, the silence felt suffocating, pressing in on all sides. Theo stood on one side, his posture rigid and tense, while Lily and Daphne stood together, casting nervous glances at him. Theo's face was shadowed beneath the stark lighting, his jaw clenched, his eyes dark with a barely restrained fury. A fresh cut above his browâcourtesy of Gabrielâhad already started to bruise, the edges smeared with faint traces of dried blood.
Lily swallowed hard, glancing up at her brother with an apology she didn't quite know how to express. She took a shaky breath, her voice barely a whisper.
"Teddy...." she began. Theo's name hung in the air for a few seconds as Lily waited for him to look at her. But when he didn't, she continued. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I'm... I'm so sorry."
Theo didn't look at her. His gaze was fixed straight ahead, his expression hard and unreadable. He stood like a fortress, and she could sense the storm brewing beneath the surface. His silence was worse than any words he could have thrown at her, the weight of it settling like a lead weight in her chest. Daphne shifted uncomfortably beside her, sensing the tension in the air but unsure if she should intervene.
The elevator's soft hum was the only sound as they ascended floor after floor. Lily's gaze dropped to her shoes, feeling like a child under her brother's unspoken reprimand. Her fingers twisted together, and every breath felt too loud, too fragile, in the heavy silence.
Just as the elevator chimed to signal their floor, Theo finally glanced down at Lily. His expression was cold, guarded, but his eyes betrayed the worry beneath his anger. For a brief second, she caught the flicker of concernâthe brother who'd always been there to protect her. But as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished again.
"Let's go," he said quietly, his voice taut with control. He stepped out, and Lily and Daphne followed, each of them too aware of the unspoken words that lingered in the space between them.
"Theo, I'm so so so sorry," Lily tried again as they walked into the lavish suite. "I should have left as soon as we got there but-"
"You're right," Theo nodded as the doors closed. "You should have turned your ass right back around as soon as you got there and you-"
Daphne looked up as Theo's eyes turned toward her.
"You were the adult in the situation."
"I wasn't there encouring her, Theo," Daphne frowned. "I was literally trying to get her back in the car. We were going to leave. There was no way I would let her stay there."
"Who the fuck was that guy?" Theo looked toward Lily.
"Gabriel," Lily spoke, tasting the bitterness in her voice. "He's my friend's brother."
Theo's anger simmered visibly as he paced the length of the room, his shoulders tense, his jaw clenched in barely-contained fury. He stopped, turning his intense gaze onto Lily, and the air seemed to thicken.
"Lily," he said, his voice low and controlled but vibrating with barely restrained anger, "do you have any idea what could've happened tonight? Sneaking off to a place like that, with people like him?" His eyes darkened at the mention of Gabriel, and the cut above his brow only served to make him look even more dangerous. "I don't care if he's your friend's brother or the Prince of Egypt. You are to stay the hell away from him."
Lily's mouth opened to agree, but Theo held up a hand, silencing her. "Don't even think about arguing with me. You stay the fuck away from him."
Daphne stood silently nearby, watching as Theo disciplined his sister. She should have been anxious for Lily's sake, maybe even irritated by Theo's forcefulness, but instead, she found herself transfixed. There was something compelling in the way he stood, his stance protective yet fiercely authoritative, his usual charm replaced by a raw, unfiltered anger she only ever saw once before. The depth of his voice, steady but edged with concern, stirred something unexpected inside her.
Theo's protective fury over Lily made Daphne's heart beat just a little faster. He was unwavering and utterly determined to keep his sister safe, and as much as Daphne knew she should focus on calming him down, she couldn't ignore the pull she felt. She bit her lip, her eyes lingering on his clenched fists, his strong jawline, the way his eyes flashed when he mentioned Gabriel.
What the hell is wrong with you? Daphne asked herself.
"I didn't mean for things to get out of control," Lily's voice was quiet. "I don't even like the guy. He's obnoxious and arrogant. I hate him."
Theo took a steadying breath, looking at her with a mixture of frustration and worry. "He has some nerve touching you like that. And you said Alexa invited you to this place? That's his sister, right?"
Lily looked up, and jumped in to explain, "Yes, but she's not like him. I don't know why she was there. Alexa isn't like her brother at all."
"You need to stay away from the both of them," Theo ordered. "I don't like them."
"But-"
"Lily," Daphne found herself clearing her throat, breaking the tension and trying to stop the girl from arguing with her brother. "Let's talk about this in the morning. Stay here with us tonight."
"But Alexa i-"
"I'm sure Alexa is nothing like her brother," Daphne pleaded with Lily to understand and drop the topic for the night. "But it's mbeen a long night. Let's all just drop this for now."
Lily looked toward her brother, her eyes full of rebuttal and concern. Daphne held her breath, praying they listened and did not drag the topic for the night.
"I'll take the spare room," Lily said quietly at last. "But Daph, I think your stuff is in there?"
From the corner of her eyes, Daphne watched Theo turn his head toward her. He didn't say a word as he continued to stare out the window to the city below.
"Yeah," Daphne sighed. "Theo takes too long in the shower so I use the spare room to get ready. But it's fine. You can stay there tonight."
"Thanks," Lily mumbled as she picked up her purse and turned toward the bedroom.
Daphne exhaled with relief as Lily headed to the spare room, letting the door close behind her with a soft click. She turned to see Theo still standing by the window, his silhouette framed by the city lights outside. The tension in his shoulders hadn't quite left, and his gaze was distant, shadowed with a lingering frustration that seemed to darken his eyes even in the dim light.
With a quiet sigh, Daphne crossed the room to enter what was just moments ago her own. She gave Lily a quick smile before grabbing her clothes and the small toiletry bag, then quietly closed the door behind herself. Her bare feet padded softly across the suite as she headed to Theo's room, slipping inside and closing the door. The quiet of his room was oddly soothing.
The cool air inside the bathroom prickled against her skin as she set her things down and turned on the shower, waiting for the water to warm up. She unzipped her dress and slid it off, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Smudges of makeup clung stubbornly under her eyes and a faint redness dotted her cheeks. With a gentle sigh, she tied her hair up, slipped out of the rest of her clothes, and stepped into the warm spray, letting the water soothe the tension out of her shoulders.
After few minutes of scrubbing her skin, cleaning her makeup and washing her hair, Daphne turned off the water and grabbed the white towel off the rack. She slipped into her black satin night dress and allowed herself a few seconds to savor the cool fabric against her freshly showered skin.
Taking a deep breath, Daphne opened the bathroom door and stepped back into the room, already feeling the fog of exhaustion beginning to settle over her. She halted in her tracks, however, when she looked up and saw Theo standing by the large king size bed.
His hands undid the buttons of his shirt before pushing it off his shoulders in one smooth motion to reveal the taut lines of muscle across his chest and stomach. Daphne's eyes widened as she quickly took in the sight of him, feeling her breath catch in her throat.
Theo caught Daphne's gaze, his eyes lingering on hers just as her's did on his. For a long moment, neither of them moved, the quiet drawing them into each other's orbit. His eyes were darker in the dim light, and she found herself studying the slight curve of his mouth, the quiet confidence in his stance, the way he seemed to be looking right into her and through her all at once.
Her breath stilled, as if captured by his, and there was something in the way he looked at her that felt like a gentle pull, drawing her in without a single word spoken. She couldn't tell if he was going to say something, or if she wanted him to. But the thought faded as her gaze drifted up to the cut above his brow.
Returning to the bathroom, Daphne picked up the first aid kit. She tucked her wet hair behind her ears as she walked back into the room and approached Theo. Her steps soft and slow against the plush carpet.
"Sit," she cleared her throat and murmured, gesturing to the edge of the bed.
Theo raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. He moved to sit down, allowing her to step in close.
Daphne opened the kit, her fingers brushing over gauze and antiseptic, and then she reached up, gently tilting his face so she could see the cut above his brow. It wasn't deep, but a small line of dried blood marked his skin, a harsh reminder of the night's chaos.
"This might sting," she warned, dabbing a cloth with antiseptic and pressing it gently to his brow. Theo flinched ever so slightly, but his gaze stayed on her, intense and unwavering, making her all too aware of the proximity between them. She focused on her task, feeling his steady breathing against her fingers as she cleaned the cut with tender care.
Daphne's fingers brushed his skin, and her heart raced, suddenly hyper-aware of the intimacy in the silence around them. His eyes were fixed on her face, a flicker of something unreadable in his expression that sent a shiver up her spine. She stood between his legs as he sat still for her on the edge of the bed. His fingers were so close to her bare legs, she could almost feel their warmth kiss her skin. But he didn't touch her.
"How did you know where we were?" Daphne asked quietly.
"I have Lily's location," Theo tried to pull back, his brows furrowing from the way his skin burned.
"Don't move," Daphne placed her hand on the edge of his face and turned him back toward her.
"She was so stupid tonight," Theo sighed. "Dad's going to lose his shit if he ever finds out."
"She wasn't going to stay," Daphne said. "She's telling the truth when she says she didn't know what kind of place it was. I think it was Gabriel....she seemed to really get worked up once he showed up."
"I don't like that," Theo scowled.
"Down side to having a beautiful sister," Daphne smiled. "All the boys will flock to her."
"That guy is the poster child for red flags," Theo reached up and wrapped his fingers around Daphne's wrists. "I'm going to make sure he gets no where near Lily."
"I don't think she will complain," Daphne laughed quietly. "You have a smart sister. But she is also young. She'll make mistakes, Theodore."
"Will you stop calling me Theodore?" Theo rolled his eyes.
"That's your name," Daphne smiled, hesitating for a second before giving into the urge to push his hair back.
"You only call me by my full name when you are upset or furious with me," Theo sighed, almost as if relieved by her gentle touch. His eyes closed and his fingers tightened around Daphne's wrist.
"Furious," Daphne scrunched up her nose. "I don't think I've ever been furious with you.....maybe tonight we were close."
"Why tonight?" Theo asked, his tone soft as he slowly opened his eyes.
Daphne's smile faltered, and she looked away, focusing on cleaning his brow again to buy herself a moment. Theo tilted his head, catching her eye.
"Daphne," he pressed gently, his thumb tracing slow circles against the back of her knees. "If something's bothering you, just say it."
With a quiet sigh, Daphne set the cloth aside, straightening to look at him.
"It's just..." She hesitated, gathering her words.
Theo waited, "Yes?"
"When you were talking to Nara earlier...," Daphne began. "You didn't... well... you didn't introduce me as your girlfriend. You called me you co-project manager."
"Which you are," Theo said.
"Yes, I know," Daphne said as she stared at Theo's shoulder and traced patterns on his skin. "But I'm also your 'girlfriend'."
Theo peered at her, his eyes unreadable. He watched her closely as his hands continued to rub up and down the back of her knees.
"You're not really my girlfriend, sunshine," he said after a long pause. "But would you like to be?"
Daphne's breath caught, her fingers stilling where they traced patterns on his shoulder. She felt her heart thud, that single, vulnerable question hanging in the air between them like a delicate spark.
For a moment, she couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze, her eyes focused on his collarbone as her thoughts raced. The slow, steady warmth of his hands on the back of her knees grounded her, pulling her back to him, to this moment she'd longed for but hadn't dared to expect.
"Daphne." His voice was soft, coaxing, his thumb resuming those slow, soothing circles that made her skin tingle. "Look at me."
With a shy, tentative breath, Daphne lifted her gaze, meeting his eyes. They were warm, open, watching her with a gentle curiosity that made her feel as though he was seeing right into her. His fingers moved up, tracing the curve of her leg with a tenderness that made her heart ache.
"Be my girlfriend" Theo said, his voice a low murmur, as though he was sharing a secret meant only for the two of them. "My real girlfriend."
Daphne felt her lips curve into a small, hesitant smile. "Are you sure you're ready for that, Mr. Silvano? Can you handle a girlfriend like me?" she whispered, a playful glint flickering in her eyes despite the vulnerability she felt.
Theo's mouth lifted in a slight smirk, his hand sliding up to her waist, drawing her closer until there was barely a breath between them.
"Sunshine," he murmured, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering against her cheek, "I've been ready for a while now. Just needed you to catch up."
Daphne's heart fluttered at his words, and before she could think twice, she leaned forward, closing the space between them in a soft, breathless kiss. His hand slipped up to cradle the back of her neck, pulling her even closer as he kissed her back, slow and deep, as if sealing this fragile, newfound promise between them.
A rush of warmth spread through Daphne as Theo's fingers slid gently through her hair, anchoring her to him. Her hands found his shoulders, pulling him closer, feeling the solid warmth of him against her as his lips moved over hers, each kiss deeper, more urgent than the last. Theo's other hand drifted to her waist, and with a firm but careful shift, he flipped them around, easing her back onto the bed, his body settling over hers.
Daphne's heart raced, her breaths quickening as Theo hovered above her, his eyes dark and intent as they traced over her face, her flushed cheeks, her parted lips. He leaned in again, capturing her mouth in a kiss that was soft at first, slow and unhurried, but it didn't take long for it to build, growing more intense as his hands began to roam, exploring the curve of her waist, the dip of her hips, the softness of her thighs.
His fingers pressed gently against her skin, sliding under the edge of her dress, his touch both thrilling and soothing, igniting something deeper within her with every brush of his hand. Daphne arched into him, her hands slipping around his neck as she kissed him back, matching the urgency of his lips, letting herself melt completely into him. She felt safe in the way he held her, in the way he paused now and then, as if making sure she was still with him, that she wanted this as much as he did.
Theo's lips left hers only to trail along her jaw, down the soft line of her neck, each kiss sending a shiver through her as his hands continued to explore, mapping the shape of her with a reverence that made her breath catch. Daphne's fingers tangled in his hair, her own hands exploring the expanse of his shoulders, feeling the taut strength beneath his skin as he moved, the weight of him grounding her even as her senses drifted.
When he finally looked down at her, his eyes were filled with warmth, the playful spark softened by something deeper, something she recognized as much as she felt. He leaned down, brushing a final kiss to her lips, gentle and lingering, as if savoring every second.
When they finally pulled away, Theo's forehead rested against hers, his eyes closed, a gentle smile curving his lips.
"So," he murmured, his voice warm and teasing, "does this mean I can officially call you my girlfriend now?"
Daphne laughed softly, the sound light and full of relief, feeling the last remnants of her worry dissolve.
"Yes," she nodded. "You can officially call me your girlfriend."
"Good," Theo murmured against her skin, his mouth nibbling at the edge of her face. He tightened his arms around her, as if to make sure she wouldn't slip away. "Was that all?"
"What do you mean?" Daphne's eyes fluttered close as she arched up to meet his lips.
"Why you were furious with me tonight?"
"That and....." Daphne gasped as she felt Theo move his hips and press down onto her body.
"And?" Theo teased, biting down on her earlobe.
"And you going out to dinner with Nara," Daphne's nails curled against his skin.
"She doesn't mean anything to me," Theo said, biting and nibbling his way down Daphne's neck and shoulder.
Daphne's breath hitched as Theo's mouth left a warm, tantalizing trail down her shoulder, his words a low murmur against her skin, each one stirring something deep and consuming within her. She felt his fingers brush along the edge of her nightgown, pushing the straps down with a deliberate slowness that made her body respond in ways she hadn't expected. His lips traced over her bare shoulder, lingering there as if savoring every inch of her skin.
"Are you sure?" Daphne whispered, trying to think straight through the feel of his mouth and the weight of his body pressing into her.
Theo lifted his head, his eyes meeting hers with a steady, reassuring gaze.
"Yes," he said, a small, tender smile playing at his lips. "I thought it would be nice to get dinner with an old friend. But the whole evening I couldn't stop my thoughts from racing back to you. I couldn't stop talking about you to Nara. It was as if I needed her to know loud and clear that you are in my life."
Daphne's pulse quickened as Theo's words sank in, each one wrapping around her heart, tightening her chest in a sweet, dizzying ache. Her skin tingled, ignited by his touch, his hand brushing over her stomach, making her breath hitch and her heart pound faster.
"You have no idea how hard it was to sit there and pretend like I was focused on anything else," he murmured, his voice low and rough with desire, his gaze tracing over her with a kind of reverence that made her shiver. "And then, seeing you walk in wearing that dress... it was all I could do not to pull you to me right there in front of everyone."
A blush spread over Daphne's cheeks as she felt his hand continue its descent, igniting a path that left her trembling beneath him. She tried to find her voice, but it came out in a soft, breathless whisper. "So... you couldn't stop thinking about me?"
Theo's eyes darkened, his lips curving into a slow, almost mischievous smile as he leaned down, his mouth brushing against hers in a kiss that was gentle yet filled with undeniable hunger.
"Baby," he whispered against her lips, his voice filled with warmth and intensity, "I don't think I ever stopped since the moment I met you."
With that, he captured her mouth in a deeper kiss, his hand exploring, igniting sparks that seemed to settle in every part of her as she melted into him. Daphne's hands roamed over his back, pulling him closer, feeling the strength in him as he held her, as if he couldn't bear to let even a breath of space come between them.
Every kiss, every touch felt like a promise, one that lingered in the air as he murmured her name between each caress, his voice a mix of tenderness and unrestrained longing. Daphne felt herself sink into him, wrapped up in the warmth of his touch, the intensity of his gaze, and the words that left her heart fluttering.
"Are you okay with this?" Theo asked, pulling back just long enough to give Daphne a few seconds to think.
"Yes," Daphne said breathlessly as she pulled him back to her mouth. "Don't stop kissing me."
Theo chuckled, a low rumbling thunder-like sound that made Daphne's belly tighten. She parted her legs and allowed him space to nestle in against her. When he pressed his rock-hard erection against her, Daphne gripped the hair on the back of his head and pulled herself closer.
"Mmm," Daphne whimpered in pleasure as Theo pushed her dress up and palmed her breast. His large hands began to play with her as he squeezed and rubbed her, toying with her hard nipple in between his fingers.
"You like that?" Theo kissed her ear and whispered.
"Yes," Daphne nodded.
Theo chuckled. He pulled his hand back and rolled off of Daphne. His eyes stayed glued on her as he rose to his feet and his hands moved to the buttons of his pants.
"Strip," Theo said, removing his belt and tossing it aside.
Daphne, dizzy and needing to feel Theo more then ever, sat up and pulled her dress over her head. She tossed it aside and looked up at Theo through her long think lashes.
"God damn," Theo smiled, his eyes racking over Daphne's naked body. "Come here."
Daphne squealed as he grabbed her ankles and pulled her to the edge of the bed.
"Now what?" Daphne asked, pushing herself onto her elbows. She watched as Theo kneeled before her. He picked up one of her legs and pressed a kiss on the inside of her knee. Daphne bit down on her bottom lip, hard. She placed the tip of her toe on his shoulder and nudged him to gain his attention.
"Believe me," Theo grinned, holding her ankle and her gaze. "You have my undivided attention, beautiful."
Daphne tilted her head to one side, letting her hair fall over her shoulder. She could not take her eyes off of Theo as he kissed her feet and then began to trail kisses up her leg. Her heart began to beat faster and faster as he moved closer.
"Spread your legs, baby," he said, coming to rest beside the inside of her thighs.
Feeling uncharacteristically shy, Daphne bit down on her bottom lip and parted her legs.
Theo arched his eyebrow to show his disappointment, "More."
"Theo-" Daphne blushed.
"Open wide or I will tie your legs to each bedpost, Daphne," Theo squeezed her thigh. "Come on."
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Daphne pushed her heart back inside her chest and tentatively spread her legs farther apart.
"Such a good girl," Theo said, holding her gaze as he lowered his mouth to blow on her.
"Ah!" Daphne gasped. "Theo!"
Theo chuckled, blowing again and brushing the tip of his tongue over her folds.
"Theo!" Daphne fell back on the bed, grabbing a fistful of his dark hair.
"Already, baby?" Theo lifted his head. "Really? I'm just getting started with you."
A laugh bubbled out of Daphne as she covered her face with her hands. She thought she had a second to calm herself when suddenly Theo dove back in between her legs. His hands pushed her legs apart and pinned them down as his lips kissed the most sensitive part of her body.
Daphne twisted onto her side, feeling the currents running up and down her body, setting her skin on fire. She gripped the silk sheets on the bed as Theo moved one hand up her body and pushed her back down on the bed. His fingers spread, pinning her down to make sure she couldn't move away from his mouth.
The whimpers and moans escaping Daphne's lips were heavenly prayers. Theo wanted to feel all of her at once as he licked her pussy up and down and around. Daphne smelled like sweet honey apple. Her scent made his stomach growl as he hooked his arms around her thighs and pulled her closer to his mouth. If she kept squirming away, he was really going to have to tie her down. She was going to have to learn that moving away was not allowed when he wanted to taste her.
Daphne was smooth and sweet. Theo couldn't stop his tongue from wanting more. He had his whole mouth on her yet it was still not enough. Each breath she took, each gasp that escaped her lips, each moan she tried to hide only made Theo hungrier.
"Theo," Daphne moaned, trying to push as his head as her legs began to shake.
"I know, baby. I know," Theo said, licking her faster, sucking on her swollen clit. He pushed his face farther into her core and moved his hands to her hips, trusting that Daphne wouldn't try to close her legs again. Gripping her narrow waist, Theo pulled her closer to his mouth, almost lifting her ass off the bed.
Maybe that's what he should get her. A golden pedestal for her to rest her ass on while giving him the perfect angle to her sweetness. Theo was sure they made such a thing.
"Theo!" Daphne's thighs squeezed his head as she chanted his name breathlessly. "Baby!"
Theo let out a low rumbling growl as he moved to both of his knees and buried his tongue deep within Daphne. She began to feel her legs and belly clench. Her hips moved against his mouth as the sweetest pain exploded in between her legs.
Theo let out another muffled moan as he tasted her on his tongue. She was better than he had imagined. And up until that moment, Theo didn't even realized just how often he had imagined what she would taste like.
As Daphne's legs relaxed, Theo lifted his head and climbed to his feet. He looked down at her, wanting to memorize the masterpiece that she was sprawled across the bed with her legs open and her pussy dripping. She gazed up at him with eyes that made his cock twitch. Theo removed his pants and boxers while keeping steady eye contact with the beautiful girl before him. He could see Daphne fighting herself to keep her gaze locked on his eyes and not on his cock. The corner of his mouth twitched as he grabbed his erection and stepped forward.
"You're allowed to look," he teased. "Please, I insist."
The crimson flush crept up Daphne's neck and cheek as she sat up and came face to face with Theo's cock. Her belly clenched and she felt herself grow twice as wet. When she looked back up at Theo, he smiled down at her seductively.
"I wish you could see how good you look right now," he said, touching the edge of her flushed face.
"Freshly fucked?" Daphne batted her lashes.
"You're about to be," Theo leaned down and kissed the top of her head. His nose lingered in her hair for a few seconds as he inhaled her scent. When he stood back up, he held her chin in between his thumb and forefinger.
"Open wide, princess," Theo said, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on Daphne's chin.
Daphne did as she was told. Keeping her gaze steady and locked with his, she opened her mouth and leaned forward. Sticking out her tongue, she licked his cock from the base to the tip.
Theo hissed as his jaw clenched and his hand grabbed a fistful of her hair.
"Already, baby?" Daphne smiled. "Really? I'm just getting started with you."
Theo chuckled, his eyes softening as his hand released her hair and caressed the edge of her face. Daphne smiled as she licked him once more, watching the pleasure on his face. She swirled her tongue around the tip of his cock like a lollypop before taking him into her mouth.
"Oh, fuck, Daphne," Theo's head rolled back. His hand moved to the back of her head and he pushed farther into her mouth.
Daphne wrapped her fingers around his base and used her other hand to cup his balls. She pushed him into her mouth as far as he could go while rubbing his balls. Her hand on his cock moved up and down as she moved her mouth faster and faster, setting up a rhythm, and getting him close just before slowing down to prolong the torture.
"Get on your knees," Theo said stepping back.
Daphne lowered to her knees and opened her mouth once more. Her lips were swollen as she stared up at Theo through her lashes.
"You okay, beautiful?" Theo asked, noticing the light shimmer at the corner of her eyes. "What's wrong?"
"I'm fine," Daphne kissed his cock. "I'm just.......you're so big....I underestimated how deep you can go."
Theo smiled, his hand back on her chin, "I felt the back of your throat."
"Want to feel it again?" Daphne asked.
"Yes."
"Yes, what?" Daphne waited.
"Yes, please," Theo grabbed her face and puckered her lips. Daphne smiled as he held himself and traced his cock around her mouth.
"Daphne," Theo hissed impatiently when Daphne didn't part her lips to let him in.
"Yes?" Daphne asked innocently. "What do you want, baby?"
"Open your mouth and take my cock," Theo said. "Now."
Daphne's smile spread as she leaned forward and did as he wished. She took his throbbing cock into her mouth and pushed him to the back of her throat. Ignoring the gag reflex and the tears welling up in her eyes, she moved her mouth faster and faster. Theo became breathless as she began to moan, tasting his salty cum on her tongue.
"I'm going to pull out," Theo said through his teeth as he began to twitch inside her mouth.
Daphne pushed his hand aside and moved closer.
"You want me to cum in your mouth?" Theo asked, both surprised and pleased.
Daphne shook her head.
"Then?" Theo could hardly get a word out.
Daphne sucked and licked until she felt him beginning to release. She pulled back but held his cock, moving her hand up and down, keeping the same rhythm as her mouth.
"On your face?" Theo smiled, realizing what she was settling down for.
"Yes," Daphne said, tilting her head back.
"Fuck me," Theo groaned as he stroked his cock along with Daphne and released all over her beautiful face. Daphne smiled and opened her eyes as the cum released onto her swollen lips.
"God damn," Theo gripped the back of her neck, watching her like an addict. "I'm going to remember this for the rest of my life."
"Take a picture," Daphne said, the cum on her lips sliding down as she spoke. "It'll last longer."
Thank you for coming to my TEDtalk.