Chapter 19: In Which They Argued

She wasn't able to dwell in her worries because as soon as she was done with Kate, the others swarmed over to her, asking for a reading. Aurora obligingly agreed.

After the forth reading, Kate persuaded the large group to let the poor psychic have some rest. “This is supposed to be her vacation and you’re making her work.”

Aurora shot her a smile of thanks. She gave them the address for Madam Zoya’s, said goodnight to Kate and went back to her room.

Theo wasn’t there.

Aurora looked around the large, empty room, then sat at the edge of the bed. Her gaze wandered to the darkness beyond the tall, glass doors. The silence was consuming her. Where did he go?

Maybe he went for drinks with friends, she thought and sighed. She pictured him, lounging on a couch somewhere, swirling a glass of whisky in one hand and hugging Audrey with another…

No! She squeezed her eyes to force the image out of her mind. What’s happening to her? She’s acting like a neurotic girlfriend, as if… as if… she really is his girlfriend. Why should she care if Theo’s with Audrey or not?

Now, you’re being silly. Theo asked you to be his girlfriend to get Audrey off his back. Why would he be with Audrey?

Yes, she’s being silly. Aurora chuckled dryly at the carpeted floor and then let out a long sigh.

She missed Theo.


******


The curtains kept most of the sunlight out, but they glowed softly like a crystal ball in the dark.

Consciousness seeped into the orange-red hair goddess. As she stirred, she heard a gentle, dull droning in her ear, like she was on a plane, flying high up in the sky.

She opened her eyelids and Theo’s sleeping face filled her view.

It was then she felt a heavy arm draped over her waist and a pair of legs that weighed like logs, trapping hers. A smile of relief touched her lips as she stared at his face.

He looked so peaceful, Aurora didn’t dare to move an inch, fearing that the slightest movement would interrupt his rest. Wide awake with nothing much to do, she decided to memorize his face. This was the first time she had seen him completely relaxed. He has the most gorgeous profile - powerful thick brows, sharp nose and beautifully shaped mouth. She wants to run her thumb across that plump lower lip.

His soft black curls have fallen loosely over his forehead and he exuded the natural ruggedness of a dangerous cowboy. Her smile grew into a grin as she closed her eyes. She used to fantasize rolling in the hay, making love with a sexy cowboy.

“What’s so funny?” Theo’s morning voice was husky and seductive.

Aurora’s eyes opened in surprise. She blinked at the warm smile spread across those perfect lips. God, she wanted to kiss him.

“Now, you look dangerously sexy,” he breathed a chuckle.

“Where were you last night?” The second the question was out, Aurora regretted it. Perfect timing, she remarked in silence. You just ruined a wonderful morning.

He inhaled deeply then tightened the arm around her waist and pulled her against the firm muscles of his broad chest. The feel of his warm, bare skin startled her. Is he naked?

“You’re killing me, babe. Stop moving,” Theo warned with another chuckle.

Aurora accidentally brushed across something hard and instantly knew what he meant. She didn’t dare to move a muscle. She could feel his heart beating fast under her finger tips and suddenly felt flattered. Smiling contentedly, she snuggled closer into his warmth and rested her lips against the base of his throat.

After a brief moment, he answered, “I was out at the beach.”

Aurora felt relieved somehow. He wasn’t lazing on some couch with Audrey. Then, her brows wrinkled. “Why were you at the beach?” Then, she silently added, Why didn’t you bring me along?

As if reading her thoughts, he replied, “You were busy reading palms, so I went alone.”

“So you were at the beach all alone?”

It was his turn to crease his brows. His eyes flew open. “What’s that supposed to mean?” He leaned back to take a good look at her.

“Well,” Aurora avoided his eyes and stared at his chest while rummaging her mind for the right words to say. “Audrey left after you did, so I thought--.”

He sat up and Aurora realized that he was only bare chested. When she met his gaze, he looked annoyed.

“You thought that I was with Audrey?”

Aurora slowly came to a sitting position. “Well, she did leave after you did. And you didn’t tell me where you went.” She was sounding more and more like a suspicious girlfriend by the second, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself.

Theo was suddenly serious. “Why should I tell you where I’m going?”

It was like a slap on her face. She paused at him, astounded. He was right. What has gotten into her?

This is not her. They were bound together by a business deal and she had been the one who kept reminding him about it all this while, pushing him away, now all of a sudden she was acting possessive over him.

“You’re right. I’ve overstepped. I’m sorry.” She turned from him and got off the bed.

“D*mn right you are,” he growled.

Stunned by his snarky attitude, Aurora spun around and folded her arms. “What’s wrong with you?”

“What’s wrong with me?”

“Yeah, what’s wrong with you? I apologized, didn’t I?”

“I don’t want your apology,” he snapped.

Aurora was baffled by his outburst. What the hell’s the matter with this man? He’s clearly being difficult!

“Then what the hell do you want, Theo?”

“You!” He thundered, his face in hers. “I want you!”

Aurora inhaled sharply at the sight of his handsome features crushed into a helpless rage.

“I want you to trust me. I know it’s hard - we’ve only known each other for less than two weeks. But I still want you to trust me!”

He raked his hair in an attractive, masculine way, and added in a gruff voice, “All this while I’ve been telling you how much I’m attracted to you; how much I want you. Yet you suspected me of wanting to go back to Audrey.”

“I…” The words lingered at her lips. How can she tell him? What would he think of her if he knew the truth? It was all her doing - her family debt, the blackmail. As much as she resented her problems, she knew, in the deepest and darkest bit of her heart, that she deserved them.

“I’m not worth it.” A tiny whisper escaped her lips.

He heard her. Every word. Loud and clear. Her admission confounded him. His gaze broadened. Was that why she put up such a front before him? Because she thought that she wasn’t worthy? D*mn you, Theo. Why didn’t you think of that?

“I’m not worth it, Theo.” Her low voice grew more solid.

Theo moved in front of her. “You are worth it. D*mn it, Aurora! Stop shaking your head at me.” He gritted his teeth.

She backed away from his hand. “This has been a mistake.”

Theo stopped dead with apprehension.

“I shouldn’t have agreed to the deal. It was all wrong.”

“Don’t do it, Aurora.” Theo took another step forward.

But, Aurora took another step back and held up her palm to prevent him from moving further.