Theodore waited patiently in the lounge room for Abigail to return from her shower. He had the TV on, but he scrolled through his phone instead of watching whatever the characters on the programme had to say. Soon, Abigail emerged wearing nothing but sleep shorts and a tank top. The warmers in Theodore’s house made it impossible for her to survive in the sweater she had initially picked out. They had agreed to watch a movie together. However, Theodore was already bored. But, he enjoyed being around Abigail, so he didn’t protest the arrangement. In fact, he was thrilled that she wanted to do something so mundane and ordinary with him. But when Abigail kept asking what he wanted to watch and he always told her to choose anything, she realised he wasn’t the movie type of guy. Yet, when she proposed doing something else, he protested. “Are you ready?” Abigail asked, feeling a bit invisible compared to his phone. Theodore shifted his gaze from his phone for a second as he heard the sharpness in her tone. “Of course. I was waiting on you.” “What are you looking at?” Abigail gestured to the phone and scanned the screen swiftly. She saw a photo of a gorgeous brunette woman at the Eiffel Tower, posing with the brightest smile and cutest shoes. Theodore noticed Abigail’s curiosity and quickly scrolled past the picture. A cute family of dogs replaced the woman’s spot, but Abigail had already seen it. “Who was that?” she asked, popping a chip in her mouth. “No one.” Theodore was suddenly intrigued by whatever she was willing to watch as he locked the phone and focused his gaze ahead. Abigail hummed softly, knowing that he was lying but decided against pressing further. She trusted that he knew what he was doing. Abigail skipped through the channels slowly. She didn’t decide on what she wanted to watch, so it was left to Theodore’s hundreds of channels to do the trick. After five minutes of skimming, Abigail was about to give up when something interesting caught her eye. She instantly jumped two channels back until she saw it again. It was the business news channel, and a familiar yet terrifying face was all over the screen. Abigail gripped Theodore’s hand as she pointed at the screen. “Him!” she shrieked. “I know that guy!” She increased the volume as the reporter spoke. “. . . that the alleged ‘family man’ was a fake all along. Reports claim that Mr Damaso was arrested today for fraudulent activities and is facing multiple lawsuits from his wife and son. It was believed that . . .” The reporter’s voice trailed as Abigail turned to Theodore, who watched the programme intently and proudly. “That’s him,” she told him. “That’s the man who drugged me that night. Oh my gosh, he was involved in fraud? This is crazy!” “… Damaso’s son, Anthony, brought this to the attention of the police, after expressing that he had been holding onto this information for years,” the reporter added, evidently enjoying the drama. “When asked why he kept this information a secret for so long, this is what young Damaso had to say.” The screen suddenly shifted to an interview setting outside of the courthouse. “My father was never a saint in my eyes. For someone who claims to be a family man, he was barely a father to me. He shut me out of his business, and for years I had been trying to get a foot in. But when I did, I learnt that my father had smuggled money from all his shareholders’ accounts and somehow got into other people’s personal books too.” “Oh my gosh!” Abigail gasped. “He threatened me to stay quiet, claiming that he’d take me down with one phone call to his lawyer. And he was right. But I just needed some proof to show everyone that he wasn’t the man he claimed to be.” “And did you get it?” the interviewer asked. Anthony beamed and focused his gaze at the camera as if searching for the person he spoke about. “Ah, yes. Thanks to Theodore Adams, I received disturbing but useful news. Of course, I’m heartbroken, but it was just the edge I needed to get leverage over my father. There’s no way he can take me down with him now.” Despite everything else Anthony said, Abigail could only focus on one thing. Did he say Theodore Adams? As the reporter took over her story again, Abigail faced Theodore with a raised eyebrow. He tried to avoid her intense gaze, but he could almost feel it burning through his head. “Did you have something to do with this?” The question was much calmer than Abigail anticipated, and slowly, Theodore nodded as he finally met her wide eyes. “I . . . I saw him that day at La Reine. He recognised you, and I kind of lost it. I swore to myself that I’d ruin him.” “You surely did,” she mumbled, staring straight ahead. Abigail wasn’t surprised that Theodore knew Vino. In such a small world, he could’ve known Beyoncé for all she knew. Reluctantly, Theodore held her hand. “Are you mad?” Abigail shook her head. “I’m not mad. I’m just . . . Why didn’t you tell me?” “I knew you’d be upset. I figured seeing him again wouldn’t be the best for you.” “You’re right.” She sighed. “But I still wish you’d told me that you were doing something so big on my behalf. I wouldn’t have let you.” Theodore’s eyebrows furrowed. “And why not? He deserved whatever he got. If you only heard the things he said about women as if they were just pawns in his life.” “He did deserve it,” she agreed, “but there are so many ways this could’ve gone wrong, Theodore. What if he attacked you? What if he came after you? With a man like that, he must’ve had some nasty people by his side. Even though I know your business is clean, that man could have cooked up something and—” “Abigail.” Theodore held her other hand with a sigh. “I know how to protect myself.” She wanted to tell him that she could too, that she didn’t need him to trouble powerful men for her sake, and in turn, put his entire business in danger. Abigail didn’t believe she was worth it. However, Abigail didn’t know how to form such a lie. Because in truth, if it wasn’t for Najay and Theodore, Nicholas would’ve probably already found her. She was far too vulnerable and broken to protect herself now. Abigail was a strong woman, but Nicholas, Vino, Mark and all men like them got to her and continued to get to her. She sighed, defeated. “You still should have told me.” “I know.” “But your heart and intentions were in the right place. I probably would have had a breakdown if I saw him in person again, especially with everything with Nicholas right now. And I am grateful for everything.” Abigail bit her lip, trying to hide her smiling face. “I guess it does feel good seeing that look on Vino’s face being hauled away by cops like the low-life he really is.” Theodore’s face broke out in a smile. “Yeah, he did. And hey, don’t worry about me. I’m fine, okay?” She nodded. “Okay.” “That reminds me . . .” His words hung as he left for two minutes before returning with a thin folder and a pen. “What’s this?” Abigail asked as she retrieved it. “Your restraining order. I just need your signature, and the rest will be history.” Abigail scanned the paper carefully to ensure she heard correctly. Meeting his eyes again, she shook in disbelief. “How . . . When . . . Theodore . . .” “I told you I’d get it for you within three days. Here we are.” “But.” Abigail wasn’t sure what her question was, but she placed the folder on the coffee table to face him fully, eyes wide and earnest. “Why do you do this, Theodore?” she noticed how bad that sounded, so she tried again. “I mean, why do you go out of your way for me? Since the very first night you saved me, you’ve done so much for me, and I don’t ever think I’ll be able to pay you back.” He tucked a tendril of hair back in her bun as he pulled her closer to him. “At first, I didn’t quite know why I did it. But now, I want to see you happy, and I want you to feel safe. And if I can do anything to assure that, then I will.” “But . . . why?” she questioned; her voice was almost inaudible. In truth, Abigail was terrified for the answer because she could already see it in his eyes. However, instead of what his heart said, Theodore said, “Because you’re you, Abigail. You’re spectacular and unique, and you deserve so much out of this life. I want to be the one to give that to you. That is if you’d let me.” For some reason, it sounded like a proposal, and the idea of it scared Abigail to her core. Still, she couldn’t do anything but nod in agreement. Her heart wouldn’t allow anything else. “I . . . I still don’t know what’s so special about me, but I was darn lucky to run into your life.” She giggled at the irony. “Literally.” Theodore’s chest vibrated with a chuckle as he pulled her lips between his teeth, pushing her down against the couch as he deepened the kiss. Abigail sighed in contentment and openly welcomed his embrace. She buried her hands in his hair and allowed him to explore her lips and neck with his warm, tender kisses. Chapter includes mature content. Read with discretion. If Theodore wasn’t good at anything else—which he was—he was an excellent kisser. Abigail hadn’t had experience with many men in her life, but none of them kissed the way Theodore did. Of course, there was that kissing booth in high school where the student body president forced her to participate, claiming that it was ‘A duty to the school’. Abigail had spent the entire afternoon trying to get her mouth clean, even though there had been good and bad kisses. But the point was that no one she had ever met had the gift that Theodore had. Perhaps it was the fact that he made her feel beautiful and special in this love language. His kisses were never purely instinctual or demanding. It captured her entire soul and wrapped it around his finger smoothly. It was like he spoke to her with the way he moved his tongue over the base of her neck or through the way he nibbled on her lips before resuming the kiss with deep, paced passion. Abigail almost felt self-conscious, thinking that perhaps she wasn’t doing such a good job as he was. So, she ran her fingers through his thick, silky hair, tugging ever so often in a way that drove him crazy. She could feel him pulsing against her thigh, and though the thought that she aroused him excited her, it scared her half to death too. Would he expect more from her now? Since they have obviously gotten much more intimate, will he want to feel her body wrapped against his in the cold of the night? Abigail wasn’t quite sure if she was ready for that step yet. Especially not with everything happening with Nicholas. Even though it had now been put under control by Theodore and his fairy godmother-like ways of getting things done, the awful man still occupied most of her mind, and Abigail wanted her next intimate moment to be exceptional with a clear mind. So, despite her body’s protest, she pulled away from Theodore, breaking the kiss. The disappointment was evident, but his eyes also showed that he wouldn’t force her to do anything she didn’t want to do. They were soft and gentle—almost questioning as if asking what it was that she wanted. Abigail smiled at him as she traced the outline of his jaw with her thumb. With everything in her, she wanted to grab onto his lips again and claim them as hers, but she knew that it would lead to something she didn’t know if she was ready for, even if her body definitely was. “Are you okay?” Theodore asked, moving to sit up since he still hovered above her. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her with his body weight. “Yes,” she mumbled. “I was just a bit out of breath.” But by the way she dropped her gaze to the ground as she spoke, Theodore could tell that this wasn’t the real reason why she had broken the kiss. He smiled gently. “Abigail, we can take this slow. Really slow. I haven’t always been a patient man, but for you, I’ll wait.” Abigail mimicked his smile. “Where have you been all my life?” “New York,” he retorted. “But I have been in the city for two years, and I’m just finding you.” “Nuh-uh.” Theodore leaned in and pecked her lips. He couldn’t help it. “I found you.” Abigail giggled and wrapped her arms around him, ready to trust her instinct and have one more kiss when she remembered something. “It’s Wednesday”, she pointed out matter-of-factly. Theodore nodded. “Yes.” Then he went for her lips again, but Abigail pulled away. “I’m supposed to be dancing tonight, Theodore.” Her voice was almost scolding as if he was to be held accountable for not remembering their agreement. And by the confusion on his face, he didn’t. “Oh, that?” he asked when he finally realised what she meant. “Abigail, you don’t have to dance for me anymore. I will still have my accountant send you the money every week, but that contract was simply a ruse to keep you safe and closer to me . . . And it worked.” He smirked as his voice dropped an octave. Abigail scowled playfully but dodged his kiss again. “I’ll meet you in the room in fifteen minutes.” She swiftly rounded the chair and bowed to his ear as she added, “Be ready on the chair before I get there.” He wasn’t sure if he was intrigued or stubborn. On one end, he wanted to insist that if she didn’t want to strip for him, she didn’t have to. On the other hand, he didn’t want her to be his employee anymore. But if the woman wanted to dance, why not let her? Just as she instructed, Theodore made his way to the room he specifically had designed for Abigail’s dance sessions. Since everything with Nicholas and Vino, they hadn’t used the room, but Theodore still ensured that money was sent to Abigail’s account. He even wanted to pay for the rest of her tuition and whatever she owed in student loans from her undergraduate programme. But he decided that he’d ask her first. The last thing he wanted to do was make her feel attacked, especially since he knew how sensitive Abigail was. Just as she promised, Abigail, or Kitten, rather, emerged, wearing a skimpy black dress and laced knee-length boots. Theodore bit his lips as he watched her sway her ass from side to side as she placed the CD in the player, already driving him mad. She knew what she was doing too, as she grabbed something from her waist and moved towards him. Under the dim lights, Theodore could see that it was two pairs of black handcuffs, and his eyes widened as he stared at the blonde-hair woman now smirking down at him. Abigail truly became another person when she wore that wig, and quite frankly, Theodore enjoyed it. “What are you doing, Abigail?” he asked, even though it was pretty evident. She smirked. “Abigail’s not here, Theodore.” Her manicured fingers crawled along the length of his arm to his wrist, where she clamped the piece of plastic around it. “But you’ve been a naughty boy, haven’t you?” “Fuck.” Even the way she spoke was sexy. Theodore had never wanted any woman this badly in his life, let alone so quickly too. Kitten stood to her full height as she raised her index and slowly shook her head. “No cursing, Theodore.” Theodore bit on his lip as she walked to the stage area. With each swing of her hips, he got harder, and she hadn’t even started moving yet. Perhaps it would be best to end these sessions because if they’d continue, Theodore wasn’t sure how long he’d be able to control himself. The music started; the room suddenly got smaller as Abigail sauntered towards her pole. Or, as Theodore now saw it, her weapon of torture. She slid around it as the slow, seductive song filtered through the speakers, but he could only focus on her. Unlike the first time she danced for him and other times, this was much more intimate, more connected and personal. It was more like she was dancing for him instead of dancing for his money, and that made all the difference. The way she held eye contact and remained intentional with her movements made the performance better. For the first time ever, they were both aware of the electricity that sparked desire and passion in them both. Theodore’s lips hurt from how hard he was biting into them, but all he could focus on was the teasing, gorgeous woman in front of him, who had cuffed him to a chair and hardened his groyne. But it all went downhill when she slipped out of the dress as the song ebbed into its chorus. Theodore cursed under his breath as he balled his fists. She now wore nothing but a black thong and a lacy bra that showed the very imprint of her nipples. He had no idea how she found this outfit in such a short time or how she managed to change from a shy, giggling Abigail to this sassy, bold sex goddess before him. Slowly, Abigail bent over and snaked her fingers around the pole, lifting herself up to perform one of her exotic pole dances. Theodore always preferred these the most. They worried him, as he would sometimes fear that she’d fall and hurt herself. Yet, he enjoyed it because she was skilful in every twist, flip and turn. “Abigail,” he growled, feeling sweat forming on his forehead. At the sound of her name, Abigail slid from the pole and moved towards him. She hovered above him as the song slowed. Usually, this was when she’d perform her most exciting part of the dance, but she decided to do something different tonight. As if it wasn’t already torture enough, Abigail lowered herself on Theodore’s knees, ensuring that she stayed far away from his eager member. She curled her arms around his neck and moved her hips against him. Theodore fought the plastic cuffs with his last ounce of strength. Abigail was torturing him far too much, and he couldn’t take it. But the more he fought, the more Abigail made it worse. She was giving him the lap dance of his life, and she wasn’t even near his crotch. “Fuck it,” he mumbled to himself, making one last yank at the confined toys. His wrists burned as the cuffs fell to the ground in pieces. Abigail’s eyes widened as she gazed at them. They were cheap indeed. She paid like two dollars for them somewhere. As she tried to escape, Theodore grabbed onto her waist swiftly, holding her in place. Slowly, he pulled her closer towards his chest, inevitably forcing her to sit on his erection. She gasped at the feeling, and the excitement in her chest wouldn’t go away. “Where are you running off to now?” he asked in a growl with a smirk playing on his lips. Abigail gulped. “No touching, remember?” She tried her best to hold onto her Kitten voice and tone, but sitting on Theodore like this made it hard for her to do anything, even breathe. “Do you want me to stop?” he asked, but as he did, he trailed one hand over her bare back and the other down to her ass, gripping in a swift movement. Abigail gasped at the impact but eagerly shook her head. “Please don’t,” she mumbled as she moved her hips against him, much like she had done earlier against his knees and thighs. Screw Nicholas and everything else that had her feeling stressed lately. This was exactly what Nicholas would’ve wanted, for her to put her life and happiness on hold because of him. But at that moment, she decided that he wouldn’t steal her joy anymore. And being here with Theodore like this in every intimate way— this was her happiness. “What do you want me to do?” Theodore gulped, his erection growing painfully stiffer. He ducked his face to her neck, leaving tiny nibbles on her sensitive skin. Abigail bit her lip to suppress a moan as she threw her head back. He wasn’t even doing anything much, yet he drove her insane. Theodore’s hand left her back and circled her plump breast, squeezing and kneading the soft, tender flesh between his fingers. They were just like he imagined, and even under the lace bra, they felt so naked under his touch. “Hhmm?” he asked, almost desperate to get her consent. “What is it that you desire, Abigail?” “Y-y-you,” she mumbled. “I want you.” “Are you sure?” he asked as he swept his finger over her wet thong. He drew in a sharp intake of air when he felt just how eager she already was for him. He could take her right here right now against the chair, but he needed to hear her say it. “Yes,” she replied almost impatiently. Abigail grabbed onto his hand and slipped his finger past the fabric of her panties. Theodore smirked against her neck at this braveness. This wasn’t Kitten anymore. This was all Abigail. Heeding her request, he circled his thumb against her soft, sensitive bud in slow, torturous movements. Abigail threw her head back with a moan, gripping the fabric of his shirt to hold herself in place. Theodore grabbed onto her lips with his in a hot, steamy kiss, moving his lips roughly against hers as he increased his movements against her clit. The more he rubbed her, the wetter she became until he could almost feel her body stiffening. She matched the energy in his kiss, her mind completely fogged and clear of all her previous doubts. This man made her feel things she had never felt before, and Abigail was eager to know what more he could do. As if hearing her silent thoughts, Theodore slid his finger past the wetness of her femininity, filling her with just his index. Abigail was forced to break the kiss as she gasped in delight, and Theodore pumped his fingers in and out in a rhythmic movement. Finally, the song ended, and the room was now filled with Abigail’s moans and the sounds of Theodore fucking her with his finger. She tried to meet his every thrust with her hips until it suddenly wasn’t enough for her anymore. She fumbled desperately with the strings of his sweats, and Theodore eagerly slipped his finger from her to help slide the pants from his waist. His erection was firm and ready as soon as the confinement of clothing was out of the way. Abigail stared at it for a while before meeting his questioning eyes again. She could see the hesitation behind them because as much as Theodore wanted this, he needed to know that she wanted it too—that she was ready. Without saying a word, Abigail buried her fingers in his hair and lifted herself from his lap, slowly positioning herself above him. Theodore held her waist in his iron grip. He gently shifted her panties aside and lowered her onto his erection. From the second she stretched over him, it was heaven on earth, and slowly he filled her entirely until she was resting against his thighs. Abigail’s fingers tugged at Theodore’s roots as she slowly lifted herself up before sliding down against his shaft again. It had been quite some time since she had sex, so the pain lasted a few seconds before she was completely engulfed in raw, unspeakable pleasure. Theodore would’ve been lying if he said he hadn’t imagined himself doing this with Abigail on many occasions, but it had never been something he crazed so much until tonight. And now, to relish in the feeling of being inside her, having her take control over the moment as he left trails of love bites against her neck was complete and utter bliss. Abigail met his every thrust with a moan and twirl of her hips. Never in her life had she imagined that one day, she’d be dressed as a blond having hot, wild sex with one of the richest men in the city. Hell, it wasn’t even her intention when she proposed her dance session. But being in Theodore’s arms, having his touch and appreciating her body pushed her over the edge, and she couldn’t contain her desire. There were no more second thoughts. She was confident that this was the right thing. The pressure in her stomach grew as she moved faster against him. Sweat dripped from both their bodies until she felt herself being broken, opened and exposed as she rode her climax to the clouds and back. She screamed his name and gripped his shoulder as the complete euphoria of her orgasm swallowed her whole, and Theodore was close behind her only seconds after. Swiftly, he pulled out of her and emptied himself all over her chest and stomach. He held onto her back, so she didn’t fall as he finished himself all over her glistening, sexy body. They caught their breaths silently, resting against each other as the high of the moment wore off. Theodore found himself smiling as he snaked his arms around her waist, not caring that their cum and sweat was everywhere. “That was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life,” he mumbled, causing Abigail to chuckle a bit. “Yeah, me too.” And just like that, she crashed her lips to his once again, initiating the start of something spectacular