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Chapter Seven - Cowboy


"Hey cowboy." I chuckle as I walk up to the pen that Theo has guided his horse into.

He grins widely as he jumps off before making his way over to me. I push up on my tip toes so I can lean over the fence just as his lips meet mine in a soft peck. "Hey sunshine."

"So, what did you call me over for?"

"Well Aria is slowly mastering how to ride a horse and I think her mom should too." He smirks cheekily as he walks out of the pen to meet me.

My eyes widen before I shake my head vehemently. "Absolutely not! There's no way I'm getting on that horse."

"Scared?" He teases as he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me flush against his body.

"No!" I huff and look away with heated cheeks.

He laughs before his lips brush against my ear and elicit a shiver. "I'll be right there with you sweetheart. You have nothing to worry about, trust me."

"W-What if it panics or –"

"I'm with you." He soothes before kissing me reassuringly. I melt in his embrace as desire slowly burns within me. "Rio's a calm horse. It'll be fine, okay?"

"Okay." I whisper before he takes my hand with a sweet smile and pulls me into the pen.

Theo helps me up and joins me seconds later. He holds the reigns in one hand while his right one is splayed across my abdomen to hold me protectively against his body. The butterflies flutter crazily in my tummy as the heat from his body seeps into me. The more time passes the calmer I become until I'm leaning against his body fully relaxed.

As we make our way through the woods my eyes widen in amazement at the scenery before us when we break out on the other side. There's a lake with trees surrounding the perimeter and a field filled with a variety of flowers. It looks stunning. I can also see another house from here which I assume are the neighbors.

But what I spot next brings a tender smile to my lips. Theo's arranged a little picnic by the water just where the flowers stop growing. He helps me down off Rio's back and I hug him tightly before we walk over. A dark wooden crate sits in the middle with a vase full of the various flowers from the field in it. There's numerous snacks and drinks set on top with cushions placed down around it.

"I was babysitting Noah one day when he was quite young and brought him to this field. Mom had said she wanted flowers planted here but I made the mistake of turning my back for a few seconds to plant some. He ended up running around and scattering all the other flower seeds we had brought. That's why it looks so random." He explains with a husky chuckle.

"I like it, it's so colorful." I grin as I turn back to face him.

He smiles before grabbing a bottle and glass. "Wine?"

"No thank you. I don't drink." I shake my head and accept the apple juice he offers me.

"Never have or just stopped one day?" He asks as he leans back on one arm and sips on his beer using the other. "If you don't mind me asking that is."

"Not at all. Whenever my ex had alcohol in his system he would become more controlling and vulgar. Seeing what it turned him into and how he lost control under the influence of it made me never want to drink again. So, I don't." I shrug as I run my fingertips over the blades of grass.

"What do you mean by him losing control?" Theo utters darkly as his eyes narrow.

"Just scream in my face and push me around when I didn't do as he said. Or if I told him off for groping me inappropriately in front of his friends. Corner me and punch the walls right by my head...stuff like that." I notice his fists clench and jaw lock in anger. I sigh softly as I look out at the water, suddenly feeling lighter. "I was going to break up with him anyways because it had become toxic. Then I found out I was pregnant with Aria."

The memories come rushing back along with the emotions I felt during those tough years of my life during and after pregnancy. I clench the hem of jumper tightly only to feel warmth envelope them seconds later.

Looking up I meet Theo's gaze and although he smiles shakily his eyes are brewing with a dark and deadly storm. As if he can't resist he tugs me onto his lap and hugs me tightly. I sigh in content as I rest my chin in the crook of his neck and close my eyes for a moment.

"I hate that you had to go through that." He murmurs while gently stroking my hair. "You don't have to continue if it's too much. You're not obligated to tell me anything you don't want to Char."

"You deserve to know the heartache I'll carry with me forever Theo. Before we're in too deep."

"Too late for that." He whispers so quietly that I almost don't catch it.

I pull away and stare at him in surprise. The tips of his ears turn pink and he shrugs half-heartedly. His index finger plays with a curl of my hair while the other rests on my waist.

"I care for you Charlotte and I could never dream of hurting you. I like you for who you are; a strong and sweet woman who feels like sunshine whenever she's around." He grins and winks boyishly when I blush. Leaning closer he dips down and brushes his lips ever so softly against mine before speaking lowly. "You have every right to carry that pain so please don't be ashamed about it. I just hope I can take it all away some day."

"Thank you for making me feel better." I smile and kiss his cheek. "Can we talk about something else though?"

"Your wish is my command. See that concrete deck over there?" He points in the distance and I nod when I spot it. "That used to be Ryder's, my older brother, and Ella's spot. They'd go there and talk for hours almost every day."

"That's so cute!" I squeal and he chuckles in response.

We talk about anything and everything as we eat under the afternoon sun. I find out that his favorite color is orange, he loves Thai food and visited Thailand on a trip with his college friends too.

"Do you meet up with them often?"

"Every year." He nods with a grin. "It was a little difficult in the first year when we all finished college. That's why we organize trips every year to catch up with each other."

"That's so nice. What years did you enjoy the most? School or college?"

"Definitely college! There was a lot more freedom and I couldn't have met the guys if I hadn't attended." He chuckles with a faraway look. "What about you?"

"School. I met Jessica, Jacob and Poppy there who are my best friends." I smile fondly at the memories of us in those years. "We went to different colleges and couldn't meet up as much so I definitely preferred our school days."

"Are you guys still in touch?"

"Everyday. They're planning to visit after the new year, sometime early January." I perk up excitedly and he smiles at me. "We really want to visit New York."

"You can get Hunter and Zoe to show you around if you want? Or if you guys want to explore by yourself they can give you some tips on where to go?"

"That would be amazing! They wouldn't mind?" I bite my lip nervously and he shakes his head with a laugh.

"Trust me, even if Hunter can't get away from work Zoe definitely will. She's a photographer and loves any opportunity to explore the city."

I smile in relief before asking him if he has any trip planned with his friends. We continue chatting for another thirty minutes before I need to pick up Aria from school. I move to tidy up but he whirls me around before pushing me forward.

"But Theo –"

"There's no need. I can clean up later." He replies and stubbornly refuses to let me turn around.

I give in and he hugs me close with a satisfied smile. We get back on Rio and this time I'm much calmer around the stunning horse. I spend our ride looking around at the vast land and brushing my fingers through his mane before we reach the stables. Theo helps me off and I follow him into the stables to watch him get Rio settled back in.

"Done, let's go." He takes my hand and we start making our way to the front.

But just as we've rounded the corner we see Noah rush out of the house and towards the gates with his wallet in hand. Theo curses under his breath when his brother walks back moments later with bags of food.

"Noah! Didn't I tell you to stop ordering takeout?!"

"So, you don't want your usual?" He dangles the bag in the air tauntingly which makes me look at Theo. "Hey Charlie!"

"Hi Noah, enjoy!" I chuckle when Theo sighs and nods in defeat. "Oh yeah, your parents are away right?"

"Yeah, they'll be back in three days but dad's definitely going to find out that we've ordered takeout multiple times." He rolls his eyes playfully as he drapes an arm around my shoulders.

"I can cook you guys some extra food if you want?"

"Oh, I can cook sunshine but try convincing Noah to eat anything remotely healthy." He grins as we stop by my car. "I threatened him for the first week but found him eating at a restaurant the next. So...I may or may not have joined him."

"Ah so your resolve came crumbling down then." I smirk cheekily and he holds his hands out in a surrendering motion.

"What can I say? Food is one of my weaknesses."

"And what are the others?" I ask while highly aware that he's backed me up against my car.

"Hmm..." He trails off as his arms rest on either side of my body. He steps closer until our lips are just a breath away and my heart starts to race in anticipation. "Your gorgeous eyes that take my breath away...your sweet smile that can bring me to my knees...your touch that drives me crazy –"

"Theo..." I shake my head as a fierce blush heats my cheeks.

He leans in and pulls me against him by my waist. I release a shaky breath when the need to kiss him becomes overwhelming. "I could go on forever darlin."

Unable to help myself I press my lips to his. He groans huskily before tangling his fingers in my hair. I hesitantly bite down on his bottom lip before soothing the sting. His reaction is instant as he hoists me up. My back hits my car door as I wrap my legs around his waist.

He coaxes my lips to open before deepening the kiss hungrily. My nails dig into his shoulders as his kisses travel down the length of my neck but I don't think he minds. Short pants escape me and I moan his name softly which is quickly swallowed by his lips crashing down on mine again.

"Get some brother!" Noah all but hollers from the front door which has us jolting apart.

My feet hit the ground just as my eyes widen in realization. I groan in embarrassment and cover my face. "Oh my god!"

"Fuck off Noah!" Theo laughs loudly as he hugs me.

Noah jokingly boos at us before going back inside. I sigh as I rest my forehead against Theo's chest which is still shaking from his laughter. He pulls away and tilts my chin up before pecking me sweetly.

"And on that note I should get going." I smile and back away when he nods in understanding.

"Text me when you're home okay?"

"Will do. Bye Theo."

I get into the car and am about to close the door when he leans in and kisses me fiercely. A surprised whimper escapes me as I feel him put my seatbelt on. I shake my head at him when he pulls away with an innocent look.

"Thought you might like some help." He shrugs with a wink.

"How very generous of you." I can't help the smile that blooms across my lips.

I finally close the door before starting up the car. "Bye Theo."

"Bye sunshine." He grins just as I pass him on my way out of the gates.

"Irresistible, handsome devil." I mutter to myself with a smile as I drive on with him on my mind.





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