Page 32 of When It Burns

One glance in her direction clues me into the fact that we aren’t talking about Michael anymore. “Margaret, I -” I start to say but she lays her hand over mine and interrupts me. The motion stops the mindless petting I was tracing across Bear’s head, and the pup lets out an annoyed huff.

“I know. Theo has been the only family I’ve had for the last fourteen years, and the last few days with you it seems like he’s finally living again. I can’t tell you how much that means to me. But go easy on him for me, please. He has a really hard time letting people in. And I think you could be the one to remind him that hearts don’t stay broken forever,” she says. A stray tear has collected in her eye, but she smiles at me through her emotions. “And just remember no matter what happens with y’all, you still have to be my friend. This town is too damn small for any other option.”

A small laugh bubbles out of my lips, and I squeeze the hand Margaret has over mine before responding, “Oh, I promise.”

I lean over to hug her as Hannah walks through the door, “Shit, what’d I miss? You both look pretty damn depressed,” she calls out grabbing the wine glass Margaret had left out for her.

“Oh, not much. Just talking about Theo,” Margaret responds.

“Oh my God, did she tell you about the kiss?” Hannah yells.

Margaret looks like her eyes are going to pop out of her head before she screams, “Y’all KISSED?! Oh my GOD!” I look at her face for a hint of anger, but instead, she looks completely excited. “Yep, we’re totally gonna be sisters-in-law,” she says with a huge smile, and with that, we all dissolve into a fit of hysterical giggles.

Yep, I think tonight is just what I needed.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

THEO

Damn, Caroline and her flirty texts.

I hadn’t been able to focus on another thing since my phone had lit up earlier. Our kiss this week has been on a constant loop in my brain, and seeing her at practice has done nothing but heighten my desire for her. I tried to focus on the film Will called us over to watch, but all I’d been able to think about was the way she responded to my touch.

As I pull into the driveway, I feel a shot of excitement run through me when I notice Caroline’s car is still parked outside. I pull up beside her empty vehicle as I see Hannah walking towards hers. She stops at my window and waits for me to roll it down. “You hurt her, and I’ll make sure they never find your body? She’s my best friend and she deserves endless orgasms and a man that doesn’t fuck around. Got it?”

I give her a nod before saying, “Yes ma’am.” She walks off without another word, and I can’t help but smile at Caroline’s best friend. I know it isn’t the most normal response to a death threat, but I like knowing that Caroline has someone who loves her so fiercely. I also make a mental note to not piss Hannah off because I am positive she wouldn’t hesitate to carry out her threat.

I lock the door to my truck and make my way inside. Reaching the living room, I see Caroline sitting on the sofa with my dog in her lap. The little traitor has his head resting on her chest, and he’s looking at her like she hung the damned moon.I feel you, bud,I think to myself. Caroline moves to fold the blanket she had thrown over her legs, trying not to disturb Bear as the end credits roll on screen toSweet Home Alabama. Her back is to me, and I take a moment to watch her before my sister says, “Hey, Theo.”

Caroline jumps slightly, and Bear lets out a frustrated huff before jumping onto the floor and collapsing. Without the additional ninety pounds of mutt, she’s able to twist around and make eye contact with me. “Oh, hey Theo,” she says with a smile.

“How was y’alls night?” I ask them, unable to take my eyes off the way Caroline’s shorts hug her curves. She looks cozy enough to crawl straight into bed.

“Like anyone could have a bad night with Melanie Smooter,” Caroline replies. “Thank you so much for dinner, Margaret. I still have to work in the morning so I should get going. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon for Boot Scooters right?”

My sister nods. “Yep, wouldn’t miss it. Our DD and I will pick you up around seven?”

“Yep, sounds like a plan. See you then!” Caroline says before turning her attention to me like she’s trying to decide what she should do.

“I’ll walk you out,” I say, not missing the way her eyes heat at my words. I hear my sister mumble under her breath something along the lines of “Of course you will”, but I ignore her as I follow Caroline outside.

We make our way to her car in silence for a few moments before she says, “How was film night?”

“It was fine, but I must admit I was pretty damn distracted, Miss Tyler,” I respond. By now, we are standing beside her car so I move in closer to her as she leans against the door.

“Oh really? That’s terrible. What were you thinking about Chief Johnson? New fire safety protocols?” she asks, leaning into me.

I step closer, erasing the space between us before replying, “Not quite ma’am. I was actually thinking about pushing you against that hay bale again. But I thought next time we could see how much you like it when I kiss a different set of lips.”

Even in the dark, I can see a small blush creep up her neck before she responds, “Oh is that right?”

I don’t break eye contact when I respond, “Quite. I haven’t been able to get the image of your pretty little legs wrapped around my face while I run my tongue up and down your slit until you moan my name loud enough for the neighbors to hear out of my head.” I feel her breath catch as she pushes her body in closer to mine, so I continue, “I bet you’ll sound so damn good when you come for me, Sunshine. Thinking about your breathy little moans has had me so hard I can’t even think straight.”

Caroline’s lust-filled eyes blink up at me until she says, “Theo, I swear to God if you don’t kiss me right now I’m gonna-” I don't give her time to finish her threat before I close the distance between us. I kiss her hard, reaching for her hips and maneuvering her until she's sitting on the side of her hood with her legs wrapped around my waist. Her fingers slip into my hair, and she gives it a tug causing me to let out a growl. I swear I didn’t think it was possible for my cock to get harder than it was, but I’m proved wrong as she moans into my ear.

“Oh, my God,” she whimpers in my ear as I lightly skim my fingers over her center through her shorts. “Theo, oh my, that feels so damn good.”

I pull back slightly, running my hands up her sides before running my thumbs over her breasts. I know if I don’t stop this I’ll end up taking her on the side of her car, and while my cock is certainly fond of the idea, I don't want to rush this and mess it up. “You’re so beautiful, Sunshine. And while I would love nothing more than to kiss you all night, it’s late and I’m really trying to do this right.”

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