“He’s really going to be gone? Elena said he had some massive cheating ring.”
“Yeah.” He shoved his fingers through his hair. “The thing about Daniel is he’s a narcissist. He had this scam going, and it was successful, but he needed people to know he was behind it, so he dropped hints about his access to test codes and essays to the guys in the frat. With Elena, he out and out told her what he was doing. Going hand in hand with his narcissism was his feeling of indestructibility. His computer password is his birthday, and he rarely locks his door. It was so easy, it almost wasn’t satisfying.”
I raised my brows, a wide smile spreading across my face. I loved hearing how stupid Daniel was. Pride goeth before the fall and all that. “But it was.”
He stared down at me, nostrils flaring, then some of the twinkle came back to his eyes. “Yeah, it was. It’ll be even more satisfying watching all his stuff get tossed out of his room. That’s coming soon.”
“You ruined him.” Just like I’d said, and sincerely meant, I would ruin Amir, Theo had done this for me.
“I will ruin anyone who even thinks of harming you.” He took my face in his hands, tipping it back gently, his expression fierce. “And not because I’m trying to win you back. This is for always. I will always fight with you and for you.”
...the kind of man who’ll be shoulder to shoulder with you in battle, and when push comes to shove, they’ll step in front of you and take the brunt of it.
I cleared my throat, at a loss for what to say or think. “Well…” I sighed and stepped into him, my front flush with his. “I think I should buy you some mozzarella sticks as a thank you.”
Theo’s expression broke, and a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I have to go to work in an hour.”
“That’s enough time for a heap of mozzarella sticks.” I tipped my chin up. “And since you’ve been so nice, I’ll even buy you a cookie.”
“I’m not going to say no to an offer like that from my girl.”
Every time he called me his girl, my heart thumped so hard I could almost hear it.
“You just get to decide I’m your girl?”
“No.” He tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “It wasn’t a decision. You’ve been my girl since you smashed my car. That was a fact, even when I was being stupid. You were always mine, and I’ve been unequivocally yours.”
I was beginning to think maybe he truly was mine.
Chapter Twenty-nine
Theo
We were driving through the desert, Helen had her window down, her feet propped on the dash of my new economy sedan. Every once in a while, she’d shift, and the tiny bell on her ankle had a subtle jingle.
We’d been talking for the last two hours since we dropped off Luciana at her friend’s apartment to spend the rest of the day and night.
That kid was perceptive. The minute she saw me with her sister this morning, she let us both have it, but especially me.
“It’s really about time you guys got a clue.”
That was how she greeted us when she’d spotted us waiting for her in The Palisades parking lot. Side by side, not touching.
Helen barked a laugh. “What’s that supposed to mean, kid?”
She propped her hands on her hips. “You guys are so obviously in love. I could be blind and still see it. And where’s Theo been for the past few weeks while you were all sad and grumpy?”
I turned to Helen. “Were you sad and grumpy?”
She folded her arms. “I’m always grumpy.”
“No, you’re not.” I stared at her hard, trying to read her. “What about sad?”
She pushed my shoulder, but there was no force to it. She let me catch her hand and thread our fingers together.
“Shut up, Theo.”
I tugged her to my side and murmured into her hair, “Dog days are over, Tiger.”
Luc sighed, her hands clasped at her cheek. “I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!”
Helen’s sigh was filled with a lot more annoyance, but her fingers tightened around mine, letting me know she didn’t mean a second of it.
“Fine. Theo’s back,” Helen agreed.
Luc poked her finger at me. “And you’re not going anywhere again.”
I pressed our joined hands to my chest. “And I’m not going anywhere again.”
Now, we were driving. I’d told Helen to pack an overnight bag, and she did, without asking any questions. Pretty sure I was still riding high in her esteem because of my work attire. Setting up Daniel’s fall had also been a big part of it. I’d never desired to be any kind of hero, and by all accounts, I’d never lived like one, but when Helen smiled at me the way she had when I told her what I’d done, I got a little bit of a high. It made me think while I might not be a hero, I’d always work my ass off to be Helen’s champion if she kept giving me those smiles and that blanket of heat in my gut.
Three hours into the trip, we stopped for gas and snacks. Helen came out of the convenience store with gold Elvis sunglasses and a Twizzler hanging out of her mouth. When she got to me by the gas pump, she traced the Twizzler along my mouth, then quickly replaced it with her lips.
“We’re going to Vegas, aren’t we?” She pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head. “You’re showing me where you grew up?”
I tapped her nose. “Yep. I thought maybe you’d like to see the bright lights too.”
“I hate to tell you this, but I’m underage. No gambling.”
I cupped her butt and pulled her into me. “I hate to tell you this, but even if you were twenty-one, I’m broke. Sightseeing is free, baby.”
“You’re not going to try to marry me, are you?”
The thought didn’t freak me out, but it wasn’t on the agenda for this trip. “Not today.”
She bit her bottom lip, but she couldn’t hold back her grin. Then she reached into her bag and pulled out another pair of Elvis glasses. “Here. These are for kicking Daniel’s ass since I’m not allowed to say thank you.”
Laughing, I slid the sunglasses on my face, knowing then just as solidly as I’d known for weeks, or maybe since the first time I saw her, this woman was going to turn my life upside down, and I was going to love every second of it. Because I was in love with her, and when it came down to it, I couldn’t think of much I wouldn’t do for her.
“I need some red on my lips, baby. It’s been too long.” Hooking her around the waist, I pressed her against my car. Reaching up, she took my sunglasses off, then she ran her nose along mine and grazed her fingertips across my jaw and cheekbone and tipped her head back, inviting me in. I came readily, taking her mouth with mine in a slow, deep kiss. It wasn’t wild, but it was passionate. It wasn’t desperate, rather seeking. I asked, and she answered in soft sighs and the wet slide of her tongue.
“You’re mine, you know,” I murmured against her lips.
“Mmhmm. And you’re mine?”
“Yes. I’ve given you every reason to doubt that, but I’m telling you right here, I won’t again.”
She patted my cheek. “You better not. I bought you Elvis glasses, Theodore.”