Chapter 248

I treaded the pavement alongside Timothy as we made our way back to his apartment. He held my hand, giving it a light squeeze every so often. I leaned into him, relishing in the warmth that emanated from his body.

"Thanks for coming to practice with me," Timothy said, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between us.

"Of course," I replied, a soft smile gracing my lips. "I enjoyed watching you play. You were amazing out there."

Timothy chuckled modestly, rubbing the back of his head. "I was a little nervous. Scared I was going to fall on my face while you were watching."

I laughed, nudging his arm. “I wouldn’t tell anyone if it happened. Except maybe Aria. Or Lucas…”

“So the whole town?” he said with a snort as he pulled out his keys.

As we entered his apartment, a sense of ease washed over me. The space felt familiar, filled with traces of Timothy's presence that felt oddly comforting.

"Make yourself at home," Timothy said, gesturing towards the couch as he disappeared into the kitchen.

I settled on the couch, feeling the weight of the day slowly dissipating. The soft glow of the lamp illuminated the room, casting a warm hue over everything.

Duke came over and rested beside me, more calm than usual. Probably just as tired as I was. I scratched him behind the ear, just the way he liked it, and his tail wagged with a familiar vigor.

Timothy returned with a couple of glasses and a bottle of wine. He poured us each a glass and settled beside me, the air thick with a quiet intimacy.

After he poured me a glass, I held it to my lips. He stared at me for a moment, his expression sincere, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“What?” he asked, a smile emerging as he tilted his head.

“I don’t know…” I cupped the glass in both my hands and grinned. “It’s just really nice. This is nice.”

He took sip of his drink and began swirling the liquid around his glass. “Finish your wine. I’ll make it even nicer.”

There was a heat in his eyes and a raspiness in his voice that made my skin tingle all over. I was a bit hastier about finishing my wine, and by the time I got to the last sip, he was already scooping me up in his arms.

Timothy's gaze lingered on me, his eyes conveying a depth of emotion that stirred something within me. I felt a surge of anticipation mingled with a hint of nervousness. He carried me into his room and laid me out on the bed beneath him, pinning down between his arms.

The atmosphere crackled with an unspoken desire as Timothy leaned in, his touch tentative yet deliberate. His fingers brushed against mine, sending a shiver down my spine, igniting a rush of warmth that coursed through me.

Our hearts beating in synchrony as our lips met in a tender kiss. It was a gentle exploration, like we’d both discovered something new and meaningful. His tongue swiped at my lower lip, and I invited him in, tasting more of the bitter-sweet wine.

I forced his shirt over his head and planted kisses down his chest and onto the expanse of his abs, which rippled under my touch. Just when my hands found the rim of his jeans, he grabbed my wrists and forced them back onto the bed.

“So impatient,” he whispered into my neck, and his teeth grazed my skin. I shuttered before it even happened, and nearly screamed when he nipped at my neck.

“You’re always torturing me,” I whined as he began lapping at the area with his tongue.

“You want me to go faster?” He lifted my shirt and traced delicate patterns along my skin, igniting a fire within me that burned fiercely. “Where’s the fun in that?”

Without warning, his hands dipped below the waistline of my panties, and I nearly melted when one of his fingers teased at my folds. My back arched and my legs quivered, and I was already losing my resolve just as he cupped the back of my neck and pulled me into another heated kiss.

I whispered his name between kisses, and he simultaneously pumped into me with his fingers, adding more digits until I was puddy in his arms. Just as I was at the brink, he pulled them away, leaving me to whine in protest.

Meeting his gaze, I peeled away my shirt, already drenched with sweat, and unclasped my bra. For a moment, he paused to take me in, his eyes trailing over me. Then his hands found my breasts and he began kneading them gently before leaning into to suckle at my erect nipples.

My nails were clawing at his skin as I barely hung on.

“Are you ready for me?” he said into my ear, already tugging my panties away. I nodded eagerly.

It didn’t take long before the brief emptiness within me was filled with him. I threw my head back, his name barely escaping my lips when he slipped into me with ease.

When morning came, I stirred, the warmth of the blankets cocooning me. My gaze wandered to Timothy, who slept peacefully beside me. There was a tenderness in the way he slept, an air of vulnerability that added to his charm.

Just as I began to contemplate the serenity of the morning, my phone buzzed insistently on the nightstand. I reached for it, surprised to see an incoming call from Mia. I debated hanging up, but that would delay the inevitable.

"Mom, hi," I answered, trying to stifle a yawn. I drew the blankets over my barren breasts, as if she could see me through the phone. “What’s going on?”

"Evie! How are you, darling?" Mia's voice sounded cheerful, but there was an undertone of eagerness in her tone.

"I'm good," I replied, sitting up in bed. "What's up?"

"Well, I was thinking we could hang out tonight. Maybe have dinner together? It's been a while since we had some quality mother-daughter time."

I hesitated for a moment, glancing at Timothy, who began to stir. "Actually, Mom, I have plans tonight."

There was a brief pause on the line before Mia's voice turned slightly disappointed. "Oh, I see. With whom, if I may ask?"

I swallowed, feeling a pang of guilt. "It's... with Timothy."

Silence stretched between us, and I could almost feel Mia's disappointment through the phone. "Oh, I understand. Well, maybe some other time then."

"Yeah, maybe," I said softly.

"It's okay, Evie. Enjoy your new beau!" Mia replied, trying to sound upbeat before bidding me goodbye.

As I hung up, I turned to find Timothy awake, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Morning, beautiful."

"Morning," I replied, leaning in to kiss him.

Timothy stretched, his gaze locking with mine. "Was that your mom?”

I nodded grimly. “Yeah. So, about our plans tonight..."

Before I could finish, I felt his arms encircle me from behind, pulling me into a warm embrace. His closeness sent a flutter through my chest, but his next words caught me off guard.

"You know what? Why don't you hang out with your mom tonight? We can move our date to some other day," he suggested, his voice gentle.

“What?” I gasped.