Samantha
Theon dropped me off in my room before heading to his own. I took a deep breath, reaching into my suitcase for my pajamas, and I'd already changed and brushed my teeth when a small knock on the door leading to his room sounded.
I followed there, finding Theon standing there watching me, also already in his pajamas and with the ends of his hair slightly damp.
" Hi... " I tried not to stare at him.
" Hi, I came to tell you that I got a flight for tomorrow at eight o'clock," he returned.
" You decided to leave so early," I teased him.
" I'd rather not be on my grandmother's honeymoon," he replied with a half smile on his face.
I couldn't help but smile back. Theon looked agitated and I couldn't blame him; the day had been full of surprises. I sidestepped him, entering his room and going to the window just to watch the view, while he followed my every move with curiosity.
" Have you talked to your mother yet? " I questioned, turning to him.
Theon had grabbed two bottles of orange juice from the fridge, handing me one as he stopped beside me.
" I explained to her what happened, and she asked me a thousand questions, but I'll deal with it tomorrow," he assured me as I opened the bottle.
" I can't blame them," I returned with a half smile, "I don't think anyone expected a Vegas wedding.”
" No, I guess not," he smiled, looking away.
I followed his gaze, listening to the sounds of the city bring back some memories. Only a few months ago this place was a part of my life, and now it was so strange to be back.
" Do you miss it? " Theon asked, seeming to guess my thoughts as he sipped his own juice.
" I don't know, it's different. It feels like it's been so long since I've been here," I shrugged, "it's another life.
" But, do you miss it? " he insisted.
" Before, at this time I would be on stage, or up on a balcony, dancing at the second or third show of the night," I couldn't contain a small smile at the thought.
" You miss it," he noted.
" I miss being the center of attention," I admitted, "I love being on stage, and I feel that I was good at what I did. Not that I don't enjoy taking care of the girls, they are amazing too, but in the end, they are the spotlight and not me. I know it sounds bullshit, but…”
I shrugged, sighing as I turned my back to the window, watching the room around us, wondering where Charlie was at that moment.
" It's not bullshit, you've had a major change in your life," he assured me, turning to me, "and in my opinion, you are the highlight, Sam? Always will be.”
I bit my lower lip, feeling my heart speed up at that statement. My mind was once again caught up in our conversation on the plane. I looked away, feeling the need to get away from that environment.
" I think I'm going to go to sleep," I stammered, looking into his eyes, my heartbeat still slipping.
Theon leaned over, reaching up to my face, taking a lock of my hair and tucking it behind my ear. I widened my eyes slightly at his approach, but in the end, he turned away, placing a soft kiss on my cheek.
" Good night, Samantha…”
He started to walk away, and I took a deep breath, taking in the scent of his perfume, and turned my face slightly toward him, my lips only inches from his. My gaze was drawn to his mouth before returning to his eyes. My heart raced, and before I could think too hard, I closed the distance between us.
Theon brought one of his hands to the back of my neck, matching the kiss with desire. His tongue danced in my mouth as I felt my lower back pressed against the window sill with his body pressed against mine. Every second of that kiss was as if I was transported back to months ago when I first met him and we spent those days together. My body reacted immediately to his touches, yearning for that contact, causing my mind to shut down all the reasons that screamed that I should keep my distance.
I ran my hands up the inside of his shirt, feeling the warm skin of his abdomen under my fingers as I lifted the garment to expose his torso. Theon ran his free hand down my lower back, tracing every curve of my body with adoration as he pulled me away from the wall and toward the bed, breaking the kiss only to let me get rid of his shirt.
I felt the soft sheets of the bed under my body, and soon Theon was on top of me. I bit my
lower lip as I contemplated the sight of him again shirtless, my contemplation interrupted when he lowered his lips to my neck, sighing against my skin as he inhaled my perfume, I closed my eyes at the shiver that ran through my body as I scratched the back of his neck.
God, he's perfect!
His perfume was intoxicating, his touches and kisses seemed calculated to drive me crazy. With each piece of my clothing that he shed, I felt as if I was going to paradise. I could feel his devotion as he explored every part of my body, making me forget how wrong what we were doing was.
The whole time my mind could only focus on Theon and the way he made me feel.
Everything was different than before, maybe Theon was more careful because of the pregnancy, maybe we both wanted to enjoy this moment more, or maybe we just weren't the same people we were months ago. But still, when we finished and I ended up nestled in his chest, listening to his rhythmic heartbeat and feeling all the tiredness wash over me, the last thing I wanted to think about was what it all meant and whether it was right or wrong. I just wanted to record that moment in my mind and leave it to freak out about Charlie later, when regret finally overcame me.
Unconsciousness drove me into a deep sleep, lulled by Theon's breathing and his heartbeat. I awoke the next morning to the first rays of sunlight beating down on my face. I rolled over in bed, my naked body covered by the sheets, watching the father of my son still sleeping peacefully.
" And once again, you screw up, don't you? " I mumbled in Spanish before getting up with a resigned sigh.
I couldn't say that I was sorry for what had happened, and that if I could go back in time, I wouldn't do it again. But I still felt guilty for all the people who were involved in the situation.
As I got dressed, I felt like the most hypocritical person in the world for doing exactly what I had said I wouldn't do and still not regretting it. I dragged myself back to my room, finding some messages and missed calls from Mike on my cell phone.
What am I doing with my life?
Mike is a nice guy and although we are not officially together, he likes me. He has been making an effort to take care of every detail and be attentive and this is how I reciprocate? The same situation involves Harper, even though Theon and she broke up so recently and I gave her my word.
I can't do this!
In the end, I got dressed and got out of there as quickly as possible, heading to the hotel restaurant to get breakfast. My mind kept going back and forth on the whole situation. I felt caught in a tug-o-war between my desire and what my morals were telling me to do.
Why can't I be selfish and self-centered for once in my life!
I stirred the plate of eggs and bacon I had gotten, not knowing how to act next. Maybe I would really end up freaking out about Charlie later.
A shadow fell across my plate, causing me to lift my head to find Theon standing beside me with a confused expression on his face. Maybe he didn't expect me to be gone from his bed when he woke up, or he was just curious that I had woken up so early after spending a good amount of energy on him last night. One way or another, I chose to ignore that look, forcing a smile afterwards.
" Good morning.”
" You disappeared.”
" Henry was hungry," I continued with a forced smile, receiving a shrewd look in return.
" Are you sure that was the reason? " Theon sat down at the table.
" And what other reason would I have? " What time do we have to be at the airport anyway?”
" Samantha. " he brought his hand to mine, causing me to hesitate for a moment before allowing him to touch me.
This gesture did not go unnoticed by Theon, who looked away soon after taking his hand, seeming to understand the message. I felt bad about that, but I wasn't ready to face what we had done yet. I needed to get it off my chest with my friend and try to understand how I felt before I talked to him.
" What time is our flight? " I asked again, without looking directly at him.
I was acting like an angry teenager, but I couldn't help it!
" We have some time," he sighed, getting up, "I'll let you finish eating and go pack my things. See you later.”
" Thanks," I smiled before watching him walk away, leaning my forehead against the table and letting out an agonized sigh.
What have I gotten myself involved in!
—----------------------
" Samantha, don't you think we need to talk? " Theon took a deep breath as he parked outside my house after a particularly long flight where silence reigned between the two of us.
" Theon, what happened…”
Before I could finish my sentence, Mike got out of the car that was parked across the street, waving when he noticed us looking in his direction. Theon on the other hand did not seem pleased by this interruption, but what could I do?
" I have to go," I sighed.
" Samantha…”
" Theon," I glanced meaningfully at the man across the street, who frowned as he noticed that we both hadn't left the car.
" Got it," he murmured, opening the door.
What did he want? To invite Mike over for tea and discuss everything we did the night before? Doesn't he realize how absurd that would be?
I got out of the car, being immediately enveloped by Mike in a half-hug, before he kissed me, causing Theon to look away, taking my suitcase out of the trunk and putting it on the floor without any delicacy.
" I got your message, did something happen to your friend? " Mike asked, referring to the text message I had sent earlier, telling him that I had to go to Vegas.
" No, actually it was Delphine," I forced a smile, "she decided to go to Vegas and Theon and I had to accompany her, didn't we, Apollo?”
" Yes, I have to go, it was good to see you, Laffay," he murmured, turning around to get back in the car.
" Is he okay? " Mike frowned, still with his arm around me as he watched Theon drive away.
I took a deep breath thinking about how I would handle the whole mess.
" Yeah, don't worry," I forced a smile, "shall we go inside?”
" Where's the pancake? " he questioned as I unlocked the door and the little beagle did not come to greet us.
Mike carried my suitcase inside, looking around for the dog.
" We left him at Iris's yesterday," I explained, "I'll pick him up later.”
I followed him into the kitchen, pouring myself a glass of water and trying to act as if the whole situation were routine.
" How was the flight?”
" It was good, do you want something to drink? " I asked.
" Samantha…”
" All right, what's the problem? " I took a deep breath, deciding to face the situation once and for all.
" I don't know, maybe this whole situation with Adamos," he returned, crossing his arms.
" Well, he is the father of my child, I made that situation clear from the beginning," I raised both eyebrows.
" I know that, but you travel with him from one moment to the next, and I only find out about it afterwards. I'm trying hard to keep an open mind because I really like you, but I don't know what to expect.”
" That crazy old lady decided to run off and get married in Vegas, should I have gone alone with her?”
" I thought you said you shouldn't fly anymore! At least that was the excuse for not spending Christmas with my family.”
" I thought we agreed to take things slow! We are just getting to know each other, you don't know my parents yet, and I am not spending Christmas with your family!”
" Well, I can accept going slowly if only we are going somewhere! Are we evolving, Samantha? " he decided to put me against the wall.
I looked away, absorbing his words. If this is really the way he wants to go.
" I don't know, Mike. I like things the way they are. I've had enough confusion in my life, but if that's not enough for you.”
He took a deep breath, looking around as he seemed to think about the best decision. I crossed my arms and waited for an answer, but it seemed that it would take a long time to reach a solution.