A/N:

Hey my lovelies! First off, I just want to say I'm so sorry for not posting as regularly as I usually do. I've been stuck in a bit of a writer's block lately, and honestly, even now I'm not 100% sure if this chapter is good enough-but I didn't want to keep you waiting any longer! 😘

Also, I'm back in school (cue dramatic sigh), so sadly I won't be able to update every day like I'd hoped. BUT I'm aiming for at least two updates a week, so don't worry-I'm not disappearing!

I really hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please don't forget to vote and drop a comment-your feedback means the world and helps keep me going.

Love you all so much. Xoxo
- Whathepeach.

T H E O G R A Y

"WHERE'S JAXON?" I ask as I tug my sweatshirt over my head and toss it into my locker. The air inside the room is already thick with the familiar scent of sweat, muscle rub, and something vaguely like old socks.

I kick off my shoes and start pulling on my compression gear.

"Uh, he texted me yesterday," Cameron says, glancing up as he tightens the strap on his pads. "Said he'd be coming in late. Something about needing to read."

The room bursts into laughter.

"Jaxon? Read?" Logan snorts, nearly choking on his protein shake as he slumps into the bench beside his locker. "Are we talking about the same Jaxon here?"

I shake my head with a quiet grin. "Maybe he's turning over a new leaf."

"Yeah, right," Logan says, still laughing. "Last I checked, he thought GPA was some kind of workout supplement."

"Hey," Sam pipes up. "Don't knock him too hard. I heard he's one of the smartest guys in his department now."

That earns him a round of skeptical groans.

"Smartest?" Logan scoffs. "The guy asked if dolphins lay eggs."

"He was hungover!" Cameron defends through a laugh.

"Still."

Sam snorts. "Five bucks."

"Ten," Logan challenges, smirking when Sam's lips twitch.

"You're on."

Right then, the locker room door swings open and in walks Jaxon, eyes glued to his phone. He closes the door with his foot, slings his bag off his shoulder, and lets it drop beside his locker.

"Speak of the devil!" Logan calls, giving Jaxon a firm pat on the shoulder. "Where've you been?"

"Huh?" Jaxon looks up, pulling one earbud out. "What did you say?"

"He's asking where you've been," Sam says. "Coach told us to show up early."

"Oh." Jaxon strips off his shirt and starts peeling out of his shoes. "I texted Cameron to let Coach know. I stayed back to study. Exams are coming up."

Logan's jaw drops.

"Ten bucks!" Sam shouts, immediately slapping Logan upside the head with a grin.

The room bursts into laughter-even Jaxon cracks a grin as he sinks onto the bench and starts suiting up.

"You guys bet on me?"

Sam shrugs, smug. "Logan didn't believe you actually read, so... he decided to make me rich today."

"Can you blame me?" Logan scoffs. "You don't exactly look-"

"Smart, I know." Jaxon grins. "It's a gift. I prefer to look dumb."

"Why?"

"So dumbasses like you make stupid bets," Jaxon replies coolly, then turns to Sam. "I'm getting half."

"Not a problem," Sam grins.

"Oh Theo." Jaxon turns to me. "I saw Soph today."

"Where?"

"The library close to here," Jaxon says. "The librarian's voice woke me up from a nap. I saw her and her friends leaving-she didn't look all that happy. None of them did."

My chest tightens a little.

I hope she's okay.

I open my locker, grab my phone, and unlock it.

"You trying to text her?" Logan asks, his voice suddenly closer.

"Uh... yeah," I admit.

"Why?"

"Jaxon said she didn't look happy."

"Maybe she's sick," Logan offers.

"If she was, I'd know."

"Maybe she skipped breakfast," Sam adds.

"We ate together this morning and I made sure she was full."

I even got her a snack incase she starts craving something sweet. My thoughts says.

"Then maybe she's just tired."

Tired? She didn't seem tired when she was on top of me in my car this morning, kissing me like she never wanted to stop. Pretty sure I was the one who left breathless.

"She's perfectly fine," I mutter, eyes on my phone, thumbs ready to type.

Before I can even tap the screen, someone snatches the phone out of my hands.

"Hey!"

Logan grins, holding my phone just out of reach like a goddamn five-year-old. "Relax, man."

"Logan," I warn, stepping forward.

Sam whistles from the side. "Damn, man's gone full boyfriend mode."

I ignore Sam's comment and snatch the phone back before Logan can scroll any further.

Logan chuckles as he returns to his locker. "Come on, we're just messing."

"Yeah." I say dryly, shoving the phone into my back pocket.

His face holds a look-one that tells me he knows something. Something concerning Soph and me.
Well, I guess he does know, since yesterday's little incident happened at Lydia's place. He's been eyeing me ever since I walked into the locker room, waiting for the right time to corner me and ask what happened when we left together.

He doesn't need to know that.

My mind says absolutely not, but it doesn't stop me from thinking about last night... and this morning.

Soph is my girlfriend.

Even just thinking that sends a weird buzz through my chest. Strange, but in the kind of way that makes your chest feel full-in the best way possible.

It took everything in me to show up here instead of staying wrapped in her arms like I wanted to-like I planned to. But exams are coming, and she's trying to stay focused. I want her at her best. So I made a decision.

That doesn't mean I don't want time with her.

I do. Badly. But she comes first.

A proper date can wait. But it's coming. And it'll be worth it.

A date. With my girl.

"What's got you all up in the clouds?" Jaxon's voice cuts through my thoughts like a slap, pulling me back.

I blink, snapping out of my thoughts, and realize the guys are already on the rink, geared up and ready to start. I grab my helmet, slipping it on just as Coach strides in through the locker room doors.

The chatter dies down instantly.

Yup-time for practice.

No more daydreaming about Soph. Not until we're off the ice.

We all step onto the rink, each of us moving into our designated positions. Coach shouts instructions from his stand, and we follow them without hesitation. It's been a while since I last skated, but my body falls into rhythm like it never left-like the rink has been imprinted into me.

Practice runs for about an hour or two. We're all drenched in sweat, muscles burning, but our energy's high. Coach hasn't yelled at anyone in a while, which is a rare win-guess that means he's pleased.

"Okay, that's enough." Coach's voice cuts through the quiet hum of the rink, signaling the end of practice.

"Really, Coach?" Matthew asks, pulling off his helmet as sweat drips down his forehead.

Coach nods. "Yes. Your exams are more important right now than the third round. The higher-ups don't want the game becoming a distraction from the real reason you're in college."

Fair enough. Even if the league won't let us prioritize playoffs over finals, the NHL still requires certain academic qualifications. And no one wants to miss out because of bad grades.

"Alright then. Hit the showers and get your heads in your books. Good luck, boys." He offers a rare, brief smile before turning and walking off the ice.

"Thanks, Coach," we all echo as the team starts heading toward the locker room.

I'm just about to follow when I feel a nudge on my arm. I turn and see Logan standing there, holding his helmet at his side, breathing hard but wearing that damn look on his face like he knows something.

"What?" I ask, throat dry, sweat cooling against my skin.

He doesn't say anything at first-just studies me like he's reading my face for clues. And then he grins, full of mischief.

"You guys are finally a thing, huh?"

I shouldn't ask how he knows. It's Logan-weirdly observant, always lurking like a damn shadow. But I do anyway.

"How... how do you know that?"

He rolls his eyes like it's the dumbest question I've ever asked. "If you didn't ask her to be your girlfriend after that full-blown love confession at Lydia's, then something is seriously wrong with you."

"You guys... listened to us?" That's what sticks in my head. The memory of yesterday slams into me-me pouring my heart out, vulnerable in a way I never thought I could be. Not embarrassed by the feelings. Just... the part where I almost pushed her away. I still hate myself a little for that, even though she forgave me.

"Why wouldn't we?" Logan shrugs. "You were there when I asked Lydia to be my girlfriend back in high school."

"No, I wasn't."

He snaps his fingers. "Ah, right-you weren't. You were hiding behind the door in the music room when I asked her out."

I chuckle. That's true.

Logan was shaking in his pants when he realized he had a crush on Lydia. He bugged the hell out of me for days, asking how to talk to her-especially after swearing she wasn't his type. Then a few weeks later, he was head over heels.

"Fine." I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck as my ears start to heat up. "I asked her this morning."

His eyes widen. "No freaking way." He laughs. "What did she say? And please tell me you actually said in a good way?"

I scoff, skating ahead of him. "Of course I did."

He's quick to follow, blades cutting into the ice beside mine. "And? What did she say?"

I glance at him, the grin already stretching across my face.

"What do you think?"

He hits my shoulder playfully, though there's still a sting to it. "Fucking finally," he says, shaking his head with a proud grin. "Can't believe you're in love, man."

"Right?" I mutter, half-laughing, half-stunned. Back in high school, I was dead set on staying single-wanted to be grounded, independent, able to stand on my own before even thinking about someone else.

But I guess the world doesn't work that way.

"Now I get why you've been wearing that hair tie on your wrist. She made you wear it this morning, didn't she?" Logan smirks as we step off the ice and start taking off our skates before heading into the locker room.

"Yeah," I lie, straight-faced. No way I'm telling him I've been wearing Soph's hair tie for weeks, even before we were official. There are limits to how much I'll let Logan know about how far gone I've been. I didn't even know I was Soph-crazy until recently.

"Well," he says, nudging me again, "are you guys going public with it, or keeping things low-key for now?"

We're just a few steps from the locker room when I pause at his question. It catches me off guard-not because it's hard to answer, but because it's the one thing I haven't thought about.

It's a good question. One I should've asked Soph before now.

I was too consumed with the fact that she said yes-too lost in the high of finally calling her mine-to think about whether she'd want people to know. Whether she'd be okay with it.

"We haven't talked about it," I admit, frowning as the words leave my mouth. I hate how uncertain they sound.

Logan must pick up on that because he sighs. "You guys should. It's better to talk about it before you accidentally do something in public that makes her uncomfortable."

He's right. Soph had always made it clear she didn't want anyone seeing us as more than just friends before. And aside from the Betty act we pulled up in the parking lot when we kissed, no one else had been around to see what happened. That was different.

"I will," I say quietly, already making a mental note to bring it up when I see her.

Logan claps a hand on my back as we push through the locker room doors. "Good. Because if you start getting all dreamy-eyed and kiss her in front of everyone then she slaps you out of shock, I'll pretend I don't know you."

We both laugh and walk into the locker room-only to be greeted by the sight of a completely naked Jaxon chasing Gerrard, one of the guys around with his socks.

"You're fucking nuts, Jaxon!" Gerrard shouts as Jaxon doesn't stop the chase and keeps laughing like a fucking psycho.

"Do you honestly think this dude will ever grow up?" Logan asks, deadpan.

I shake my head, chuckling. "I highly doubt it."

●●●

After practice, I text Soph as I enter the school library. Even though it's packed, I don't have much of a choice-I don't have the energy to leave campus and try to focus somewhere else.

She still hasn't replied, and it looks like she hasn't been online in a while. I tried calling her but it keeps saying switched off.

The place is already full-heads down, eyes on books, and a few people already looking drained. My attention keeps drifting between where I'm walking and checking my phone, hoping she comes online soon.

A sudden wave from across the room pulls my focus. I squint in the direction and realize who it is.

"Sandra?"

She's sitting with a group of friends who look like they're deep into studying. Probably the same reading partners she mentioned when she helped me with my practical.

I wave back, and she points to the empty seat across from her, silently inviting me over.

"Hey," she says in a low voice.

"Hey," I reply, starting to pull out my books.

"You ready for the exams?" Sandra asks, glancing between the book in her hands and me.

"I guess," I say, flipping through one of mine. "I can't jinx it now, so I'll just say no."

My eyes drift to my phone on the desk, waiting for a notification from Soph. I don't know why I'm acting like this. In the past, I wasn't like this with her-or if I was, it was never this intense.

We literally saw each other a few hours ago, and I already want to see her again. And again.

Sandra lets out a quiet chuckle. "Completely understandable. But you don't need any help with the practical part, right?"

"No," I shake my head. "Thankfully, I remembered what you said. Thanks again."

She waves a hand. "No need-and you're welcome." She smiles and turns back to her book.

I lower my head and finally focus on mine, too.

Time feels like it starts to slow down and the more I read, the more it feels like hours. Staring at the page in front of me, I read the same sentence over and over, but nothing sticks. The words bounce around in my head like they've got nowhere to land. I try to mentally revise a few topics-terms I should know by heart-but it's like trying to write on water. Everything slips away before it settles.

I clench my jaw, willing the fog in my brain to lift. I can't afford to zone out now.

After what feels like an eternity, I check my phone-only thirty minutes have passed. My head's already pounding, a dull ache forming right behind my temples. I glance around the library. Everyone looks like they're deep in focus, but I know most of them are probably just as lost as I am. Faking it until the answers magically appear.

Sandra's still at her desk, completely locked in. Her eyes move steadily across the page, fingers flipping through the textbook like she's in a zone. I wish I had that kind of clarity right now.

Maybe I need a textbook as well.

I exhale quietly, push my chair back, and stand. My shoulders crack when I stretch, the tension crawling up my spine.

I grab my phone and slip it into my pocket as I head deeper into the library. Biochemistry textbooks are mostly kept inside the library so I walk further.

Some students sit on the floor, backs resting against bookcases, laptops balanced on their knees or notebooks flipped open in their laps. The deeper I go, the quieter it gets-almost like the air here is heavier, filled with tension and desperation.

Turning past a narrow corner of the bookshelf, I spot a shelf lined with textbooks I actually need. Finally. I step toward it, scanning the spines for something remotely useful, hoping my brain will cooperate once I start reading something that clicks.

Then I hear it.

"I hate my height so much," a soft voice mutters from the other side of the shelf, low but laced with frustration. There's a slight shuffle, followed by, "Ugh... Just fucking fall."

I pause, already recognizing that tone before I even look.

Curious-but mostly certain-I shift a few books aside and peer through the gap in the shelf.

I hold back a laugh, watching the scene in front of me unfold-my mind fully abandoning the textbook hunt as soon as I spot the woman who's been running wild in my thoughts all day. She's on her tiptoes, arm stretched as far as it can go, reaching for a thick textbook perched just out of reach on the top shelf. Her brows are pinched together in frustration, lips pressed into a tight line, and her fingers keep brushing the spine like she's trying to will it down with sheer determination.

Quietly stepping past the shelf I'd been focused on, I angle myself so I can see her more clearly. My side leans casually against a shelf as I fold my arms, just watching-amused, mostly, because no one really comes to this side of the library. Her little grunts and muttered curses echo softly as she struggles to grab the book.

My gaze drops from her face to the hem of that short skirt she's wearing, eyes tracing the smooth length of her legs. I hadn't realized it was that short... but I guess I should've. My hand had slipped under it pretty damn easily when we were in the car.

It's tight. Tight enough to drive a guy insane. And hell, she looks hot.

Really hot.

I shake the thoughts from my head, forcing myself to remember Logan's words-about keeping things quiet for now, about how she might not be ready for this to be public.

So I take slow, careful steps toward her, making sure not to make a sound. She doesn't notice me-she's too focused on that stubborn book.

I reach over her shoulder and pluck it from the shelf with ease. Her body freezes the moment she feels my body close, and when she spins around and sees me, her pretty eyes widen.

Cute.

My girlfriend is so fucking cute.

"Hey, gorgeous," I say softly, noticing just how close we're standing as I hand her the book. "Is this what you've been trying to get?"

She blinks up at me, still slightly breathless-whether from the stretch or the surprise, I can't tell. Her fingers brush mine as she takes the textbook, and I feel that familiar jolt shoot through me like my body's way of saying mine.

"Yeah," she says, voice low as her cheeks slowly turn red. "Thanks. I was about to climb the damn shelf."

I smirk. "I would've paid to see that."

She glares at me and smacks my chest with the textbook. "Perv."

I chuckle. "Me? A perv? Then what are you, love? I clearly remember you eye-fucking me this morn-"

Her hand shoots up to cover my mouth, her eyes wide in panic. "Theo!" she hisses, whisper-yelling like she's upset-but the blush on her cheeks and the glint in her eyes say otherwise. She's loving this.

I gently pull her hand away from my lips, keeping my voice low and teasing. "What? Can't I tease my girlfriend?"

"You..." she starts, then pauses, struggling for words before letting out a breath.

"I... what?" I lean in slightly, voice dropping as I smirk. "Say it."

I shouldn't do this. Not here. Not when we're this close in a quiet aisle where anyone could walk by. But the way she's staring at me-like she's daring me to break the rules-makes it damn near impossible to think straight.

I clench my jaw, fighting the urge to close the gap between us. My eyes flick down to her lips, and I see hers glance at mine. For a second, neither of us moves.

Do it. Kiss me. That's what her eyes say. And hell, I'm ready to do it-ready to lose myself in her right here, even if it ends with us tangled up between the shelves. I want her sounds, her moans, her begging. God, I love when she's loud and losing control.

But I can't. Not here.

I clear my throat and force myself to step back, just a little. "I tried calling you earlier. You didn't pick up."

Her eyes blink like she's snapping out of something, the heat in them fading slightly. "Oh-um, right. The girls and I switched off our phones while reading. It's just... easier to focus that way."

"Yeah," I nod. "It's not that serious. I just wanted to check how the reading's going."

"It's going well. Oh!" Her voice lifts like something just clicked. "Thank you for the snack. I really appreciated it."

I raise a brow. "Is that all you've eaten today?"

She laughs. "All day? It wasn't that long ago, and I'm fine."

"But you'll be hungry later, right?"

She shrugs. "Sure, but the girls and I can-"

I don't wait for her to finish. I reach into my pocket and pull out the cash I tucked there earlier.

"Here," I hold the cash out toward her, but she quickly shakes her head like I just handed her something dangerous.

"Theo, I'm fine." She hugs her book tighter and stares at the money. "I don't want to keep taking your money. You've done enough already," she mumbles, but I hear her clearly-we're standing close.

"Done enough?" I echo. "What are you talking about?"

She sighs. "Don't worry about it. I just can't take your money."

"Why not?"

"I don't want to."

"But I want you to."

"And I'm saying no."

"And I'm saying I want my girl to take my money."

She narrows her eyes at me, trying not to smile. "That sounds incredibly weird, you know."

I shrug then grin. "You're dating an incredible weird guy then."

She bites the inside of her cheek, clearly torn. After a beat, she sighs. "Theo..."

"Yeah?"

Her eyes lift to mine, soft and unsure. "You really want me to have it?"

"More than anything."

After a pause, she finally reaches out and gently takes the cash from my hand, her fingers brushing mine.

"Thanks." She smiles at me, warmly. "Really, Theo. Thank you."

The way she says it feels like more than just gratitude for the money I'm offering her. There's something else behind her voice-something she's hiding.

I smile softly, then lean in to press a kiss against her cheek. "You're welcome, love."

I feel her shudder under the touch, and I curse internally.

"Oh shit-sorry," I mutter, pulling back quickly as I glance around to make sure no one's watching. "I shouldn't have done that."

"Why?" she asks, her voice quiet but pointed. I look at her and immediately catch the flicker of hurt in her expression. "You don't want people to know we're dating or what?"

My eyes widen. "What?"

She starts shifting away from me, and I waste no time in grabbing her waist, pulling her focus back to me.

"Wait, Soph, it's not that-"

"Is that why you don't want to kiss me?" Her voice rises slightly, her frustration bubbling to the surface.

"No, it's not that-"

"Then why." She adds then changes her mind. "You know what don't bother, just let me go."

"I will if you calm down," I say firmly, not loosening my grip.

She exhales sharply, gaze flicking away from mine as she hugs her book closer to her chest now.

"It's fine," she mutters. "Really, Theo. I get it. We're just... stressed, and I need to focus right now. I need to study."

I watch the way her fingers tighten slightly around the spine of her book, like she's trying to anchor herself-to push the emotions down. She gives me a small, practiced smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes, then steps back just a little.

"I'll talk to you later, okay?"

But before she can fully turn, I move.

I shut her up the only way I know how-gently but firmly sliding one hand to cup the side of her neck, my thumb grazing just below her ear as I pull her in and kiss her.

Hard.

She gasps against my mouth, her body stiff for a second, frozen in place. But I don't let up. I don't push further either-I keep it controlled, deep enough to make her feel it, but not so far I'll lose myself. My tongue doesn't move to touch hers, no matter how much my body begs me to. I know exactly where that would lead.

And it's not the time.

Slowly, I feel the tension in her melt. Her lips soften against mine and her shoulders relax. The voices I thought would walk pass us starts to fade away and the silence around comes back, making this side dead quiet.

I pull back before either of us can slip too far, brushing my thumb once more along her skin.

Her lips are parted, breath uneven, eyes half-lidded as she stares up at me like I just pulled the floor out from under her.

"You needed a break," I say quietly.

She blinks up at me, lips still parted, eyes wide with something between shock and heat. I watch as her throat bobs with a swallow and her grip tightens again on the book, like it's the only thing keeping her upright.

And when I thought I did too much, she proves me wrong.

"That was a short break," she replies breathlessly, her eyes still locked on mine.

And before I can process it, her mouth is on mine again.

The sound of the book slipping from her hands and hitting the floor barely registers. Her arms wrap around my neck, pulling me in as she presses herself against me like she's starved for this-for me.

My hands instinctively rest on her hip, holding her steady as we kiss. It's deep, needy, and yet I'm still trying to keep it restrained.

"You're not kissing me properly," she groans against my lips, frustration laced in her voice.

I chuckle, my forehead brushing hers. "I'm trying not to touch you, Soph," I say between kisses, catching her bottom lip just briefly. "We're in the library."

She shrugs like it's no big deal. "We're too deep here. No one will see us."

I pull back slightly, just enough to look her in the eye. "You naughty girl."

She scoffs, a half-smile tugging at her lips. "No, I'm not."

"Lies," I murmur, my voice low as I brush my thumb slowly over her bottom lip. "What did I say about the way you lie, hmm?"

She doesn't answer. Instead, I catch the way her breathing stutters, her chest rising just a little faster.

"Answer me, love." I drop my hand from her mouth, sliding it down until it rests at the side of her thigh. Her gasp is sharp, but she doesn't stop me. Doesn't move.

"Theo..." she breathes, a soft warning tangled with something else.

"You seem stressed," I say, voice edged with concern, even as my fingers trail slowly along the hem of her skirt. "Has my girl been reading all day?"

She gulps, the motion visible in her throat, then nods once. "Y-yeah..."

I hum, fingertips now sliding under her skirt and loving how her soft she feels.

"My poor baby," I whisper, leaning in, my breath ghosting over her ear. "All that studying... no wonder you're tense."

I move my hand just slightly higher-still careful, still teasing.

Her fingers grip the edge of the bookshelf behind her like it's the only thing keeping her upright. "Theo..."

"Shh." I whisper. "You deserve a long break, don't you?"

She nods.

"Would you like that, love?"

Another nod. Slower this time. Breathier

"Words." I trace the curve of her ear with my kisses. "I want to hear that voice of yours." My hand hovers around her underwear, waiting for her to give me permission or tell me to stop.

"I want it." She says in between desperate breathes, her chest rising fast.

"Perfect." I smirk, fingers brushing against the fabric of her underwear, not moving further just yet-only circling, just enough to make her whimper.

She bites her lip. "Theo, touch me-ah, shit!..." She clamps a hand over her mouth as my fingers slip under the fabric, finding her already soaked.

"You're so wet, love." My voice is low, hungry. She moans again, muffled behind her palm, and I move slowly, savoring the sound.

I didn't plan to take it this far-I really didn't. But the second she said she felt like I didn't want people to know we were together... I lost my grip. I needed to show her.

"You need to stay quiet, alright?" I say, and she nods, eyes hazy, dazed. "I'll be quick."

She nods again, her hand still pressed to her lips, the other gripping the shelf so hard her knuckles turn white.

"Spread your legs for me," I murmur. She obeys, and with a nudge of my knee, I slide the book she held out of the way and lower myself slowly, eyes on hers the whole time.

My hands skim the hem of her skirt, holding still. "I want to taste you, Soph," I say, my voice rough. "Can I?"

She hesitates only a heartbeat before whispering, "Yes... please."

God, that please undoes something in me.

I ease her underwear down, and before I let myself think twice, I move in beneath the fabric of her skirt, my lips finding her, and my tongue gives her a strong hard lick.

Her head falls back. "Ahhh-mmmh-mm!" she bites down on her fist to stay silent, legs trembling against me.

Her fingers slide down to my shoulders, gripping tight, and I feel the tremble in her arms as she leans on me for balance. She's close-I can tell by the way her breath stutters and the soft gasps she tries to hold back. Her thighs start to tense around me, so I place both hands firmly on them, anchoring her, holding her steady as I keep fucking her insides with my tongue.

"You taste so good, Soph." I praise her in between the thrust and she moans but quickly stays silent or try to.

The more she holds back her moans, the more tighter her grip. I try not to think of my own situation down there and focus on this vixen right now, loving how she's trying to stay quiet but it's not working.

My girl is a screamer so this is a very hard situation for her.

Her nails dig into my shirt and I feel her hips shift, like her body is trying to meet every movement of my mouth. She's right on edge.

Her knees buckle just slightly, and I grip her thighs tighter, pulling her just enough so she won't fall. I keep the thrust fast and slow, repeating the motion and then suck on her clit.

That does it for her.

"Theo... fuck..." She whimpers softly above me and I glance up, seeing her bite down on her lip, eyes half-lidded and heavy with need.

"You want to come, beautiful?" She nods fast. " Then come for me."

She lets out a broken gasp, her body shaking as she releases and I make sure to taste every ounce of her, not allowing a single drop to escape. After I'm done, I kiss the inside of her thigh gently, slipping her underwear back into place. I stand up, watching her, and see the flush still covering her cheeks, the red tint that makes her look even more irresistible.

I smirk, leaning down toward her. "What's wrong? Was that not enough for you?"

"You're insane," she mutters, weakly hitting my chest, before hiding her face against me. I chuckle, wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her closer.

"Only for you," I reply, brushing her hair back when she finally pulls away to look at me. My eyes are full of nothing but her. "I'm fucking insane when it comes to you."

She giggles-such a beautiful sound-and my heart stutters at the way it hits me. Her gaze flickers downward, and I can tell she notices me, standing proud and hard.

"You know..." she starts, her voice trailing off, like she's considering something dangerous.

"No," I cut her off, gently holding her shoulders to make sure she's looking me dead in the eye.

"Why?"

I let out a fake laugh, shaking my head in mock disbelief. "You think I'll let you walk away after that, without bending you over right here? You're insane."

She gasps, her face turning into a mix of shock and embarrassment.

I lean down, keeping my voice low and serious. "So, for our sake... let's stop for now." I smirk, before quickly turning back to a frown. "And don't get it twisted-I don't want to hide our relationship. I thought you didn't either-"

"I do," she blurts out, quickly, before I can say anything more. "I already told Alex and Blair about us... and they're happy about it."

I nod, a smile spreading across my face. "I told Logan today, which means Lydia will know too."

She laughs lightly. "I won't be surprised if Lydia calls me later today."

But then, her expression shifts. She looks serious again, almost mirroring the same look I had moments ago. "I don't want to hide our relationship either, but I don't want us to just broadcast it. If people see us together then they see us together. Is... is that a good thought?"

I look at her, my thoughts momentarily quiet as I process her words. She's right. We don't need to shout it from the rooftops, but letting it slip in small ways will keep things less complicated-and much more thrilling.

"That's an excellent thought," I say softly, my thumb brushing her cheek. "Let them figure it out on their own."

She nods. "I like th-"

"Sophie?" My ears perk up as I hear someone call her name.

"That's Blair," Sophie whispers to me, leaning down to grab her textbook. "Oh, I forgot to ask you- the girls want me to stay with them for a while because of the exams. Can I?"

"Why not?" I reply with a shrug, my hand instinctively reaching out to her waist. "You don't need to ask me. You can do what you want, Soph."

She rolls her eyes, but there's a smile tugging at her lips. "I know that. I just..." She pauses, her eyes flicking away for a moment. "I wanted my boyfriend to know where I'll be staying for a few days. Is that wrong? Or is that not how dating works?"

I'm stunned for a moment, my chest tightening at the word boyfriend. I don't even know how to respond. So, I press a kiss to her forehead instead.

"That's how it works," I say quietly. "Sorry, I'm still new to this."

"Me too." She touches my cheek gently, her thumb tracing the line of my jaw. "But don't worry, we'll be fine."

We will be.

"Soph, seriously, where did you go?" Blair's voice calls out again from across the library. "I'm getting hungry and need a burrito like, now."

I chuckle, stepping back from her. "You better get going then."

She frowns at that, but nods in agreement. "I'm coming," she shouts back as she adjusts her skirt. I can't help but realize that this is the first time I've ever done this kind of thing in a library.

This girl-she's bringing out parts of me I didn't even know existed.

"Bye, Theo," she says, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek. Then she starts to walk away, but pauses and turns back to me, a hint of hesitancy in her eyes. "So, um, my mum wants you to visit her and my dad during the summer. She said something about wanting to thank you in person."

Oh.

"Really?" I ask, a little surprised. "Then sure."

Her face softens, a look of uncertainty crossing it. "Yes?"

"Why not?" I grin, trying to ease her nerves. "I get to stay with you during the summer for some time, so it's a win for me."

She smiles, and I swear it's brighter than before. "Okay, I'll tell her then."

She gives me a shy little wave before walking away quickly, disappearing down the aisle. Less than a minute later, I hear Blair's voice.

"What took you so long?"

"Sorry, It wae hard finding the textbook," Soph lies effortlessly, and just like that, their voices fade into the distance.

I stand there, letting her previous words sink in.

Her parents want to see me.

I know it's probably about the fact that I haven't been accepting any payments involving her-but still, I'm going to meet her parents.

That feels... huge.

Am I nervous?

Maybe a little.

But do I want to run away?

Fuck no.

I'm done running.

I told myself I was going to try-for her-and I'm keeping my word. I promised Soph, and I won't be like someone I know who always fails at that part. I'm not backing out.

I just hope Ryan won't mind me dating his sister.

Shit.

He's so going to kill me.