Page 20 of With Us

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Clutching my umbrella, I fought against the whipping wind as I made my way to Java Brew. The umbrella was pointless, the wind pushing the rain right under the barrier and into my face. Still, I took what protection I could. It hadn’t rained in weeks, and it was definitely making up for it.

Between the horrid weather and the ridiculously early time, the skies were still dark. So much so, in fact, I didn’t see anyone else until I crashed into them in front of the café.

“Whoa, you okay?” a deep voice asked, his hands circling my waist to steady me.

With a yelp, I lost my hold on my umbrella. A strong gust of wind took it, and I was already mentally saying goodbye when the man’s hand shot out and grabbed it.

Handing it back to me, I finally got an unobstructed view of his face.

“Theo?”

If I’d thought Luc had looked exhausted at the beginning of the week, it was nothing compared to Theo at the end of it. He was soaked. The bags under his dark eyes had their own full set of luggage. The tension in his expression only relaxed as his gaze travelled my face.

“Cazzo, I’m happy to see you.” His voice was low and intense. Before I could say anything, his mouth dropped to mine.

There was no gentle easing into the kiss. There was nothing gentle about it, period. One of his large hands covered the side of my face, his thumb pressing my jaw up as his fingertips dug in. His other arm wrapped around me, his hand stroking my back.

I stood frozen for a moment, taken off guard. A week before, he’d been warm and sweet at dinner, but he hadn’t even hugged me goodbye. Suddenly, after no contact since, he was back and kissing me.

In the pouring rain.

As if we commonly made out.

Once the shock wore off, I wrapped my soaking arms around his shoulders, nearly losing the umbrella again in the process.

Even through the noise of the falling rain, I could hear his low groan. His tongue danced with mine as he tightened his hold, shifting me closer before suddenly stopping.

Just as abruptly as it’d started, Theo pulled away and ended the kiss. He rested his forehead against mine, his sharp inhale followed by a slow exhale.

“Been wanting to do that since the first time I saw you,” he rumbled.

“More coffee beans would’ve been spilled, but I’d have still let you.”

He grinned as he stood upright.

“You look exhausted,” I blurted.

“Such flattery.”

“No, you… I mean, you look great. Well, better than great, but—”

His deep chuckle interrupted me, for which I was thankful. Both because I loved hearing the sound, and also because my foot wasn’t tasting so good.

“I’m exhausted,” he confirmed. “It’s been the week from hell, and all I thought about was when I’d get to see you.” My heart was pounding in my chest, but before I could say anything, he continued. “You have to get out of the rain. Are you working tonight?”

“Yeah.”

“Will you text when you’re done?”

“It’ll be really late.”

“That’s okay, still text. You work tomorrow?”

“Not the morning here, but in the afternoon at Weggies until late again. I’d try to switch shifts, but the store manager tomorrow is a jerk.”

Theo shook his head. “That’s okay, I obviously get it. Text, okay?” His mouth dropped to mine again, his tongue sweeping inside just enough to tease.

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