Darn Knit All (All Access #3)

Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

MAI

Mai

Why is there a half-dead plant on my doorstep? Is this a threat?

Theo

Would you believe me if I said it was a present?

Mai

If this is a symbol of your regard for our relationship, we have issues

Theo

This did not go how I thought it would

A tear slipped free as Theo moved inside me. The alarm clock by the bed glowed in harsh red digits, 3:48 a.m., a stark reminder of the rapidly dwindling time we had left together.

“Come with me,” I whispered, needing him.

I hated how the inevitability of our separation hung heavy in the air, infusing each touch, each kiss, each whispered word with a bittersweet intensity.

Theo’s hands roamed my body with reverent hunger, his fingertips tracing the contours of my curves. I kept my eyes open, committing every touch, every groan, every shiver to memory. I clung to him, my nails raking down his back, desperate to imprint the feel of his skin against mine, to etch this moment indelibly into my being.

We moved as one, our bodies entwined. Each powerful thrust of his hips, each sensual roll of mine, built the desire between us. Despite the ticking of the clock, we didn’t rush, desperate to draw every second out.

As the dawn began to creep through the windows, painting the walls, Theo’s kisses changed. They became desperate, hungry, rough.

I met him stroke for stroke, our rhythm building to a crescendo, the unspoken depths of our feelings pouring through our physical connection.

I love you .

The words hovered between us, unspoken, unacknowledged. I wanted to taste them on his lips, whisper them in his ears, write them onto his heart.

He gathered me close, his lips trailing worshipful kisses along my hairline, my temple, my jaw, before claiming my mouth in a kiss that left me breathless and aching.

“Now,” he murmured, nipping at my lip. “Come for me, Mai.”

His hand slipped between us, his fingers sliding across my clit as he adjusted his angle. He moved me, finding new depth, a new tempo, a new way to drive me wild.

I clawed at Theo’s back, my head falling to the bed as I arched up, pressing my hips to his as he fucked me, made love to me, rode me into oblivion.

I came, clutching around his cock as I heard his shout, his thrusts growing uneven as he followed me over.

We collapsed together, our limbs intertwined as we gasped for air, both of us carefully avoiding the clock.

But the real world intruded with the incessant beeping of the alarm.

Theo reached out, slapping the alarm clock as he pulled me close, kissing my head.

“I don’t want to go,” I admitted in a whisper. “Don’t make me.”

He sighed, running hands over my back in soothing, slow strokes. “You have to, Mai. It’s only for four weeks. It’s too good an opportunity to pass up.”

“Can’t you come? Please?”

He cupped my cheeks in his hands. “You can do this, Mai. I know you think you need me, but you don’t. I promise. It’s going to be scary. It’s going to be hard. But I’ll be a phone call away if you need me.” He let go of my cheeks to catch my hand, pulling it to his lips. “When you’re lonely, think of this.”

He kissed my ring—the ring he’d given me.

I closed my eyes, forcing myself to be brave, to be strong, to be the woman he saw in me.

“I can do this.”

“Yeah, you can.”

I swallowed, fighting back the fear. “I’m doing this.”

His fingers brushed stray dark strands of my hair from my cheek. “And I’ll be cheering you on the whole time.”

I relaxed against him, placing my ear over his heart. “What will you do for the next four weeks?”

He sighed. “I….”

I lifted my head. “Theo?”

He shook his head. “I need to have a conversation with Linc.”

“About?”

“Leaving the company.”

I stiffened. “I thought you loved it there?”

He sighed again, raising a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. “The timing of this conversation is shit. We have to get you to the airport.”

“Then give me the abridged version while I pack.”

I waited until he gave a sharp nod.

I rolled out of bed and pulled on a robe, beginning to pack as I waited for him to start.

Theo shuffled up the bed, shoving a pillow behind him so he could lean against the wooden headboard.

“I’ve realized that the only reason I stuck around was because I thought Linc needed me. And in the beginning when the whole place was falling down around his ears, he did. But now….” Theo raised his hands in a half shrug. “I’m superfluous.”

“I don’t think that’s true, but I understand the sentiment.” I folded my things into my suitcase, quietly considering his confession. “What would you like to do with your life?”

He shrugged. “No idea. But seeing you find your passion and pursue it—it’s inspiring as fuck, Mai. I’ve envied you these last few weeks. I want what you have.”

“High anxiety?” I asked, only half-joking.

“Passion. Drive. Determination. Commitment. Fuck.” He slumped on the bed. “I sound like a real catch right about now.”

I tossed a sock into my bag and crawled up the bed to settle beside him.

“You know, there’s a lot of power in not knowing what you want to be when you grow up,” I said lightly. “The world is your oyster. You can sample and choose whatever you want to do. That’s exciting.”

He chuckled, shooting me a look. “I guess that’s one way to look at it. Do you happen to know anyone looking for an intern?”

I leaned over, kissing the tip of his nose. “Consider this your challenge.”

“What? Unemployment?”

I shook my head. “Finding your purpose.”

“Would it be corny if I said my purpose is you?”

I snorted. “Yes.”

He ran knuckles over the curve of my cheek. “Not to mention unfair to turn you into my entire life. It gives off a whiff of stalker.”

“I prefer to see myself as a cult leader.” I pulled the sash free from my robe, grinning as his gaze dropped to my breasts. “Worship me.”

His hands came up just as there was a thumping knock at the door.

“Not a-fucking-gain,” Theo growled, dropping his hands. “What?” he called, sounding surly as fuck.

“It’s Bruce. Taxi leaves in five minutes!”

“Fuck!” I squeaked, springing out of bed. “Fuck, fuck, fuck!”

“You get dressed, I’ll pack,” Theo ordered, reaching for his crutch. “Hurry, babe.”

I raced around the hotel room, tugging on whatever was closest to hand as I attempted to both brush my teeth and run a comb through my hair at the same time.

I exited the bathroom, tossing my toiletries bag to Theo who caught it and plunked it in my suitcase. He’d somehow managed to pack all my stuff, set out my shoes and socks, and pull on some pants in the same short time I’d had to freak out.

Zipping up my suitcase, he leaned heavily on his crutch as he moved across the room. He opened the door to the hotel room, gesturing at Bruce to come in.

“Take this downstairs,” he ordered, pointing at the suitcase. “Mai needs a minute.”

Bruce glanced pointedly at his watch. “We need to leave in?—”

“Just take it down. She’ll be there.”

Sniffing, Bruce did as told, leaving us alone.

Finished with my laces, I stood, accepting my backpack from Theo. I tugged it on, search his face.

“Are we okay?”

Without hesitating, his free arm shot out, fisting my shirt and hauling me across the short distance between us. His lips caught mine, possessing me with hungry, delicious desire.

I returned his kiss, mindful of his crutch and balance.

“Never, ever doubt my feelings for you,” he grunted between kisses.

Breathing heavily, I stepped back, brushing at a stray tear. “I’ll see you in four weeks.”

Theo glanced over his shoulder at the clock on the bedside table.

“Twenty-seven days, eighteen hours, and thirty-nine minutes,” he agreed.

I sucked in a deep breath, twirling the ring on my finger. “Text me?”

“I will.”

He leaned over, kissing me one final time. “Enjoy it, Mai. You’ve earned it.”

“And you.” I waggled my finger in his face. “Go find your passion.”

With a parting, lingering glance, I opened the door and left.

It only took until the taxi left the hotel driveway for my courage to flee.

“What am I doing?” I asked, feeling my anxiety rise.

“Going to the airport?” Bruce said from his spot in the front. He glanced back at me, his eyebrow raised. “Are you hung over or something?”

I shook my head, turning away to stare out the window of the taxi, fighting for breath.

My phone vibrated in my pocket and I tugged it out, welcoming the distraction.

Theo

By now you’ll have started panicking. Don’t. You’re brave, Mai. You’re a lion, a tiger, a fucking bear. You are a warrior and a worrier—and both serve you well. But don’t let the worrier win when courage should triumph

I closed my eyes, centering myself.

I could do this.

I can do this.

I am doing this.

By the time we reached the airport I felt—if not less anxious at least a manageable level of anxiety.

“Oh,” I heard behind me as I stepped from the taxi. “It’s you.”

I glanced up to see Celeste exiting a limo, a coffee cup in hand.

“Celeste, hey.” I gestured at the airport. “Are you going to Milan as well?”

“Of course. This is my show, I’ll be there for the first week of filming before handing it over to my assistant director.”

“Ah.” I accepted my suitcase from Bruce and followed her into the terminal. “Did you want to get a muffin or something?”

She scoffed. “With my frequent flyer miles? I’m off to a lounge.”

I tried not to smile at Bruce’s disappointed expression. “Of course.”

She glanced at me as we walked. “I hear your boyfriend is flying home today. A pity, he’s quite good on TV.”

I huffed out a laugh. “Yeah, he’s definitely the more entertaining of the two of us.”

“I’ve never seen one person fuck up so badly—and yet you saved his ass time and time again. I lost a decent chunk betting you’d be out by the second round. It’ll make for great ratings.” We reached the terminal, slipping through security quickly.

“We’re this way,” Bruce said, pointing toward the gate. “Celeste is on a later flight.”

“Well, it was good to see you,” I said awkwardly to her. “Have a good flight.”

“Yes,” she answered, distracted by her phone.

I watched her walk off, something niggling at the back of my mind as she side stepped a group of air-hostesses.

They walked past me, and I heard one of them say, “… first day. It’s going to be hilarious. You’ll get everything wrong, but don’t worry. It’s only up from here.”

An idea smacked into me, snapping into my consciousness like a jolt of lightning.

“Celeste, wait!”

She turned, brow arched as I ran toward her, skidding to a stop in the terminal.

She glanced at her watch. “You have five minutes.”

“You said you found Theo floundering on Perfect Fit funny, right?”

“Honey, the man’s a complete himbo, fucking acting like he had some skills. I saw through you both on day one.” She shook her head. “I have no idea how you did it, but you somehow taught him how to not be completely useless in the process.” She chuckled.

I ignored her less that flattering assessment of Theo in favor of the bigger picture.

“What would you say to watching him do that again?”

Celeste shifted, transferring her coffee from one hand to the other. “Go on.”

“You could do a series where Theo tries different jobs from around the country. He’s great with people, charismatic, and you said he’s good in front of the camera.”

Her fingers clicked against her coffee cup as she considered my pitch. “What do I get out of this?”

“My everlasting devotion?”

“Try again.”

I searched around, trying to find the right incentive.

“You said yourself he’s hilarious. And you have to admit he’d be a great moneymaker. The audience will love watching him rise to the challenges.”

And I knew he’d love trying new things and meeting people. If he happened to find his calling along the way, so much the better.

I mentally crossed all my fingers and toes, praying she’d say yes.

“Hmm.” Her fingers stopped clicking. “Let me run this up the line. I’ll call you.”

“You like it?” I asked, delighted.

“I didn’t say that.” She made a tutting sound. “Don’t run after me at airports ever again. I like my anonymity.”

With that brisk comment, she turned on her heel and strode down the concourse toward her gate, leaving me to stare after her.

“Well, darn knit all,” I muttered, grinning. “She liked the idea.”

I reached for my phone but hesitated. I didn’t want to get Theo’s hopes up. I decided to wait until after I’d heard from Celeste. It would either be good news, or a funny story of how badly I pitched a TV show.

“Mai!” Bruce hollered from down the terminal. “We’re boarding!”

Turning, I raced to my gate, praying all would work out.