Theo (Obsessed Alpha Book 4) Read online

I scoff, “That’s because you’re in love with her. One day you should work up the nerve to tell her.”

  I rush out of the house and into my vehicle. My will is so weak when it comes to Phoebe that if I steal a moment to say goodbye, I won’t leave at all or worse, will take her with me. I know that’s freaking out of the question. If anyone comes after me, I won’t be able to protect her adequately.

  As I make my way out of the estate, I look back to see her looking through our bedroom window. I close my eyes and force that image down. A longing in her eyes matches my own. I can’t see those bright babies from a distance, but her entire expression gives away her sadness.

  Damn. I don’t know how I’m going to handle being without her, even for work.

  Chapter Five

  Phoebe

  I happen to look out of the bedroom window and see him drive away. My world just spun off its axis, and he left me here without a word. In fact, he walked out of the bedroom before I could even remember where I was this morning. Now, I’m alone in a freaking mansion in some suburb of Chicago. I’d been so focused on him and why he took me that I forgot to pay attention to any signs or mile markers. I’m seriously the worst person to be in charge of keeping me alive.

  Feeling defeated, I go into the bathroom and take a shower. Once I’m out, I go into the closet and see what he’s picked for my collection. I grab the first sundress I find. I know they’re not going to let me go anywhere, so I might as well be comfortable. The smell of bacon hits my nose. I’m almost down the stairs when one of the guys who helped nab me stands at the bottom.

  “Hello, Mrs. Christakos.” I blush at the title that he’s using, but he’s well aware that we have had no time to marry since they brought me here.

  “I’m not married to him. You do know that, right?” I remind him, making him smirk.

  Shaking his head and chuckling, he says, “Yes, we do, but he’s told us to call you that.”

  “Well, Phoebe works for me.” I march down the last two steps to get within a foot of the brute. He’s as tall as Theo and about the same muscular build, but something tells me that he’s Theo’s clean-up guy.

  “Hello, Phoebe. I’m Diego. Sorry about yesterday.”

  Twisting my lips and crossing my arms over my chest, I scoff, “Are you really?” I don’t believe that for one minute.

  “Only about frightening you, but that’s about it. Come on. Griselda is making some food.”

  “So does Theo normally leave this late for work?” I ask as I follow him toward the kitchen. My stomach rumbles so loudly that I can’t hide that I’m starving even if I wanted to.

  “Actually, he had to handle a business emergency. He was scheduled to work from home today, but it didn’t work out that way. He’ll be back tonight, though.”

  “So what am I supposed to do while he’s gone?”

  “Whatever you want in the house. If you need anything, let me know, and I can have someone run out and get it.”

  “What, is that below your pay grade?”

  “No. I was told to stay here to look after you two ladies.”

  Griselda rolls her eyes at him and winks at me. “Mrs. Christakos, you just have to ignore him. He takes his job too seriously.” There’s definitely something between those two, and it makes me smile.

  “It’s Phoebe.” I’m not comfortable with people calling me that. I’m not his wife.

  “At least while the boss isn’t around,” Diego tells her.

  Griselda gives him a nod and a wink. Do they really think Theo takes it that seriously? I don’t understand the man. “Yep. So would you like some food? I’ve made some bacon. Do you want some eggs and pancakes to go with it?”

  “Just some scrambled eggs. Thanks.” She turns around and gets back to work. She pulls out a plate and slides it over to Diego just as I sit down at the breakfast bar.

  “He loves pancakes.”

  “Didn’t figure you for a pancake man,” I remark. He nods his head with a mouthful.

  “Orange juice or milk?” she asks me as she whips some eggs in a glass bowl.

  “Orange juice, please.”

  “So are you two, um…a thing?”

  “No, oh no.” Her protests cause him to growl.

  He takes a drink of his milk and scowls at her. “You weren’t saying that last night.”

  “Well, in the light of day…” She turns around to make my eggs.

  “Are her eggs done?” he asks with an indifferent tone, taking another bite of his pancakes before washing them down with his milk. Something in his eyes says he’s feeling anything but indifferent.

  “Just about.”

  It takes another minute, and then she serves them to me with some bacon. As soon as she sets the plate down, Diego has her in his arms, cradling her. “Excuse us.”

  She objects for a second before his mouth takes hers. Then they are out of the room. Swooning like a madwoman, I eat my breakfast, remembering what it was like to be in Theo’s arms.

  I take a bite of my food and then look around the large kitchen. It’s a dream kitchen that any woman would love to have in her home. I’m a great cook, and when my mother got sick, I did it often, and then my bastard father used me as his personal servant.

  They aren’t back by the time I finish my food, so I clear my plate and glass, washing them before leaving the kitchen. Time to roam.

  ***

  And time was what I had. It’s time for bed, and Theo’s not back. Work, my ass. Maybe he went to see his other woman. He probably keeps her close to his work. I pick up a book from the small library and read until I fall asleep on the sofa.

  I don’t know what time it is, but strong arms cradle me and carry me to bed. “Diego, I was comfortable there.”

  “Diego?” Theo growled.

  “Sorry, I didn’t know you were back. Your guard dog is really serious about keeping us safe.”

  He chuckles, and the sound makes me forget how angry I am at him. “Sorry it took so long.”

  He brushes his lips on my temple, and I take in his scent, breathing him in. Immediately the happiness fades. “You showered.” It’s not a question, but a statement of fact.

  He smiles down at me, and my body burns with longing. He opens the bedroom door and says, “I’ve been home for an hour. There was a fire at the job site. I didn’t want to wake you smelling like cinder and soot.”

  “Oh.” It’s crazy that I feel unsure about how to feel. In a matter of a minute, I vacillated between happy, angry, embarrassed, and sad. It must be because I’m sleepy.

  “Come on. Let’s get some sleep.” The sheets have been pulled back already, so he lays me onto the bed and slides in next to me.

  “I was sleeping,” I mumble.

  He wraps his arm around my waist and cradles my body on his. “Without me. Now it’s time for us to get some sleep together.” Theo’s soft lips kiss my temple again, and his hand rubs my back until we both pass out.

  Chapter Six

  Theo

  Absolutely shit was accomplished during my time in Springfield. It pissed me off because I had to stay away from Phoebe for a whole day for nothing. Coming into the house to find her sleeping on the sofa made my heart swell. I imagine she tried to stay up and wait for me. It eased that pain I had in my chest all day.

  I’m back downstairs in my office, typing another email to the staff, informing them the transition is delayed until a later time. We have a dozen staff members moving down to the new facility in a month. Now it’s going to have to wait until I can figure out how bad this is going to set us back. Many of my employees already made arrangements to move with their families, so I need to figure out all the logistics and pay for their losses.

  My phone goes off, and I’m afraid of what fuckup there is to deal with today. It’s actually Graham Hamilton, the owner of the cruise liner. “Hello, Mr. Hamilton.”

  “Call me Graham. Unless you’ve changed your mind about the sale.”

  “Ha. No. I’ve sent the paperwork to my lawyers completely signed. We have to meet with the agents handling that matter. I can be in the city tomorrow morning if that works for you.”

  “That’s great. I can meet you at my lawyer’s office, and we can get this all done and over with.” We end the call with a time and location. I’m going to make my money back on the cruise liner within the next two years, if not sooner, but it’s about maxing out my businesses.

  For the next three hours, I hardly leave my office, although most of the time, I don’t get a lick of work in. My thoughts were all on finding ways to make Phoebe happy. I’ve gone through her personal information and decided to create a special charity for kids like her who suffer from drug-addict parents. I hope she’s going to love that. Reading up on the matter, I learned that many of their lives are ruined, falling into the same habits or so beaten down that they don’t know how to get up.

  Next order of business is to call my board to discuss the options for the Springfield building. It takes me an hour, but in the end, we’re all in agreement to move forward like we planned, even if the timetable is pushed back.

  A knock at the door catches me by surprise. “Come in.” It’s Griselda.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Sir. You missed lunch with Mrs. Christakos. I decided to bring it to you.”

  “Shit. Thank you, Griselda.”

  “Not a problem, sir.”

  “Where is she?”

  “In the library, reading a book.”

  “Should I interrupt her?”

  “I don’t know. You should never interrupt someone reading, but she may be waiting for you.”

  “I’ll take my chances. Thanks.” I stand up after taking a bite of my sandwich. I bring my water with me and search for Phoebe. As I creep qu
ietly into the library, the sound of giggling hits my ears. I stare at her, and she’s reading on her tablet.

  She’s so perfect and happy that I don’t bother to disturb her. I walk back out and into my office, and push my lunch to the side. Working hard becomes my mission.

  By three o’clock, I’m heading into the corporate offices for a meeting that I completely forgot was on my calendar. With rush-hour traffic just kicking in, I manage to make it into the meeting by four and out by six-thirty. The drive home, however, is a fucking nightmare. One thing after another keeps me from having dinner with Phoebe. I hate myself for this. I’ve essentially abandoned her. When I climb into bed, I pull her into my arms. Every time I hold her in my arms, I feel a sense of peace.

  “I’m sorry,” I whisper, kissing her temple. She doesn’t move in my embrace. Again, I miss having the time to find a way for her to fall in love with me. I know she lusts for me like I do, but I want her to want it all.

  Chapter Seven

  Phoebe

  It’s day four of my captivity. That’s what I’m calling it now. I’m held captive by a man who both captivates me and infuriates me all at once. Waking in his arms has been the highlight of my stay here so far. Most of the day, he’s at the office or working on some meeting. At night, we hardly speak; instead, he goes into his personal home office until I fall asleep. It’s then that he climbs in my bed at night, holding me close like he’s afraid I’m going to escape.

  I want more than that, and if he’s incapable of more, then what’s the point of me being here? After all, the auction is over, and my father probably thinks Theo has ruined me already. He hasn’t, of course. As much as I thought he wanted me for his own, it seems to be the opposite. We haven’t shared another kiss. I wonder if he regrets bringing me here. Maybe I should find a way to get out and move back to my old state and forget all of them.

  Opening the closet door, I pull out an outfit that I would have picked for myself. He has everything in here that I would like, even if it’s not sophisticated like him. He wears suits every day, and heaven help me, they are sexy as hell.

  I hop in the shower and then get dressed in a pair of khaki shorts and a white V-neck tee shirt. It’s plain, and I love how simple and yet comfortable it is. I press my hands down over the outfit while checking myself out in the mirror. I look young like this. I suppose at nineteen, I’m very young.

  My things were brought here the day after they nabbed me—the few things I own. Apparently, they snatched my purse after I ran from the house, so I’ve had that since then. I pull out my small makeup bag and add a little eyeliner and lipstick. Wow, I don’t look barely legal anymore. I smile in the mirror, and then I catch a glimpse of Theo behind me. He’s not smiling at all.

  I turn around, and he growls. “Where are you going?”

  Suddenly it strikes me that I can’t lie to him. “Um…Theo…I’m leaving.”

  “Leaving? Where? With whom?” he questions, staring at me with a look of pure dominance.

  I gulp and step around him. “I don’t know, and by myself.”

  His strong arm reaches out, and he grabs me, stopping my movements. “Phoebe, I don’t let my housekeeper leave without an escort. What makes you think that I’d let you risk your safety to go out alone?”

  As we face each other, his hand still on my wrist, I brush off his overprotectiveness. “I’m fine. The auction’s over. You don’t need to protect me anymore.”

  “You know that this was never about the auction. Why are you ready to run?”

  “Why? I’m here all day, prisoner to my thoughts, while you’re out doing whatever you like, coming home well after normal time, and then you say a few words to me and then it’s time for me to go to bed. I can’t help feeling like an unwanted guest. Even that piece of shit father of mine spoke to me more than a couple of times a day.”

  “I’m sorry, Phoebe. I really am. I’m new to this feeling, this wanting you around and trying to control myself so you don’t run. And here you are getting ready to leave me.”

  “Oh, Theo. I don’t even know why you want me here. If I’m not your mistress like I suspected you wanted, then what—”

  “Don’t ever call yourself that. Do you remember how I introduced you to Griselda?”

  “Yes. As Mrs. Christakos.”

  “Well, then, that’s what I want from you. I don’t know how to do this. But I need you. It’s more than your father owing me money. It’s more than he was willing to traffic you. I saw you and knew I had to have you.”

  “But you haven’t had me. For a week, I’ve lain in your arms, and you haven’t even kissed me again.”

  “Do you know why that is?” He cups my cheek, brushing his thumb over my bottom lip, pulling it down slightly. “Because I want you more than my next breath. Because I want you to want me just as much. I want you to say, ‘Theo, take me.’ It kills me and heals me to hold you every night. It’s like I’m getting the most dangerous thrill of my life. I love and fear going to bed with you because I am waiting for you to forget how I took you without your permission. I want you to submit to me of your own free will.”

  I push out of his hold, grab the hem of my shirt, and lift it over my head. “I’ve wanted you to take me even when I shouted the opposite. Whatever has happened between us, nothing —and I mean nothing—has changed the fact that I need you, want you. I just thought maybe you wanted someone with experience.”

  He raises his brow, tossing me a side-eyed comical gaze. “Are you nuts? I didn’t know about your innocence until the email, and then I was ten times crazier. It’s the reason I haven’t tried to seduce you. I’ve ached to be inside of you, filling you with my babies from our first kiss.”

  Chapter Eight

  Theo

  I came home after driving halfway to the office. Something inside me said to turn around, and I was right. She’s trying to leave. I can’t have that happen. I hold her close, tipping her chin to make her look at me as I lower my head and take her mouth. I’ve longed to kiss her like this for days, and I regret waiting. She melds into me, pressing her tiny hands against my chest, splaying her fingers over my dress shirt under my suit jacket. It feels so damn intense it’s as if I’m naked. I need more. My hands come over hers, stopping them and pulling back.

  “Sorry, baby. I don’t want to stop. I need to be sure because once I get you under me, there’s no going back. I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop myself. Are you ready for me?”

  “Please, Theo. Take my innocence.”

  Her pleading, throaty request makes my dick jerk. She has total control over me and has no idea how much. I groan, giving my shaft a squeeze to stave off the urge to come. I march her backward toward the bed until her ass hits the mattress.

  “I’m going to dirty you up and lick you clean, Phoebe.” I nudge her shoulders, pushing her onto the bed while I drop the jacket of my suit onto the floor. I watch her as I undo my cufflinks. Her eyes greedily stare at my movements as her tongue peeks out of her plump lips. My dick tents my slacks, making it hard to concentrate on the simple task of removing my shirt.

  “Strip, baby. You’ve got me so damn wound up that I need you naked now.” She nervously takes off her bra, revealing her massive tits to my eyes for the first time. I’m almost coming like a freshly plucked teen. My cock aches, heavy with need for her. I slide my shirt off just as she pulls down her panties. I can’t wait another second more. Kicking off my shoes, I make quick work of the rest of my clothes. Her pink pussy glistens between her thighs, coating them with her sticky wetness. I need to have a taste.

  “Kiss me, Theo,” she begs.

  “Where?” I know where I want to be. Her innocence shows when she blushes and doesn’t answer. Well, I don’t need one.

  I fall to my knees in front of her, parting her legs and tossing one over each shoulder. “Your pussy is making a mess all over your thighs. We can’t have that.” I growl, dropping my head and licking the sweetness off each thigh, moving higher until I hit her puffy pussy lips. My cock leaks cum onto the floor as I slip one finger into her honey and feel her tight walls clench around it. I bend and flex it over and over, trying to stretch her core. Her hips buck, and she cries out for more.