Smirk

"Let go of me!" her voice came out muffled.

The moment he let her go, things would end disastrously for him.

Eva curled her legs up and kicked out into nothing but air. She did it again and again, swinging her legs back and forward until the muscles in her stomach protested.

Be smart Eva, she thought to herself. Think. She focused on the feel of him, trying to gauge his height even though she had seen his tall length too many times. The chest pressed against her back was broad and hard…and a mixture of cold and warm. As was the hand against her mouth. She shifted, drawing a leg up to run her booted foot down his leg to find where his knee was.

"On second thought…" His voice was full of smoke, a decadent drawl as she drew her foot up the side of his leg. There was something odd about his voice now. It had a shadowy lilt that struck a chord of familiarity— Theo seemed frustrated. "I am thoroughly interested in exactly what you're attempting to do."

Eva's eyes narrowed as fury eroded the panic. She found the curve of his knee and then jerked her leg up to gain enough space to deliver a brutal kick—

He chuckled darkly, sidestepping her kick. "No, thank you."

The stifled sound Eva made against his palm was one born of pure, unfettered rage.

That midnight laugh came again, quieter, but she felt it along every inch of her back and hips. "I see you're not happy after seeing me after so long?"

Finally, he removed his hand from her mouth and Eva dragged in deep breaths, trying to ignore the feel of him against her.

"Theo, let me go," she spoke in a calm tone, totally opposite to what she was currently feeling.

"I don't think I want to."

"I'll scream." she threatened and released a ragged breath as she felt his hand slide down her side to pause on her thigh.

"Try and you'll see what happens."

"Why did you bring me here?" she asked instead and tried not to move as she felt his lips near her ear.

"There are some... unexpected guests that need to be taken care of. You can't be revealed to them, it's dangerous."

Eva scoffed. "So now you're going to make me hide?"

"Yes, unless you want to die?"

"So what if I do?" asked Eva, glaring up at his face to see that the color of them darkened.

"If you do." his hot breath landed on her lips. "Then the doom of the world will be your fault."

'Ok, that's it.' Eva pushed her elbow back which he easily dodged with a chuckle. Theodore yanked her toward his chest as he spun them, forcing her back. Within a few too-quick heartbeats, he had her trapped again, this time between the brick wall and his body.

"Dammit." Eva leaned back not noticing that she had just cursed, lifting her right leg—

"Can we not do this?" He shifted, simultaneously wedging a thigh between hers and catching her other wrist, bringing her hands together.

Eva fought, using every ounce of strength she had as he lifted her hands, stretching them above her head and then pinning her wrists to the wall. She drew up her other leg needing to get space—

"I'll take that as a no." He leaned in then, pressing his body to hers.

Eva froze. Air lodged in her throat. There didn't seem to be a part of her that wasn't in contact with him. Her legs. Hips. Stomach. Chest. She could feel him, his hips against her stomach, his stomach and lower part of his chest against her breasts—his skin through his clothing, cool as the first touch of spring.

Eva's senses were a chaotic mess as she forced air into her lungs—a breath that was fresh and citrusy. She wanted to remain alive but breathing seemed like a sin right now.

His gaze was piercing and no matter how much she had missed him, Eva wished that he would back up so she could just— think. Thoughts and emotions felt as if they were scattered everywhere leaving her vulnerable to his mercy. She wondered if he had any and received a 'maybe' in return.

Thick, wavy hair fell against his cheeks as he dipped his head. His gaze snared hers, and Eva couldn't look away—not even if the Queen of Vermont appeared beside them. Not when the wisps of violet swirled in his dark eyes and gave him an ethereal look.

Her throat tightened, but it was a surreal feeling to have someone look upon her face so intently. Being so seen left her feeling…vulnerable, which was why she had always opted to wear a bonnet. As silly and nonsensical as it was, a sense of wonder bubbled up.

"Fuck," he murmured.

Her heart lurched forward as her lips drew ragged breaths that landed on his chest. "What?"

His attention snapped in the direction of the lane again, and then his gaze met hers. "They're coming," he warned.

Before she could utter a single word, Theo lowered her arms and let go. There wasn't time to make use of the freedom. He grasped her hips and lifted her off her feet, sliding a hand down the bare length of her right thigh and hooking her left leg around his waist. A ripple of shock whipped through Eva. What in the—?