Mira stood frozen in the center of Theo’s bedroom, the sheet still clutched around her trembling body. The weight of his words pressed down on her, suffocating in their honesty.
*He wants this to be real.*
But how could she trust that? How could she trust *him*?
She had spent so long guarding her heart, building walls to keep out the kind of pain that came with loving someone who didn’t love you back. And now, Theo—this impossibly powerful, infuriatingly stubborn man—was asking her to tear them all down.
She exhaled sharply, her fingers tightening around the fabric of the sheet. She needed answers. She needed to *understand* him.
And if he was going to walk away unless she gave him something real, then she had to know *why* he was so afraid of being hurt.
---
### **The Search**
Mira dressed quickly, pulling on one of Theo’s discarded button-down shirts—it smelled like him, like sandalwood and something darker, something that made her pulse quicken. She padded barefoot through the penthouse, her steps silent against the polished marble floors.
She didn’t know where he had gone, but she had a feeling she knew where to look.
The study.
Theo’s sanctuary. The place where he retreated when he needed to think, to work, to *escape*.
The door was slightly ajar, and Mira hesitated before pushing it open. The room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of the city skyline outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. Theo stood with his back to her, one hand braced against the glass, the other holding a glass of amber liquid—whiskey, probably.
He didn’t turn around.
“You shouldn’t be in here,” he said, his voice low, rough.
Mira swallowed. “I know.”
A beat of silence. Then, “You should go back to bed.”
“I don’t want to.”
Theo finally turned, his dark eyes burning into hers. He looked wrecked—his hair disheveled, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar, his jaw tight with tension. “Mira,” he warned.
She stepped forward. “Tell me about her.”
His expression shuttered. “Who?”
“The woman who broke you.”
Theo’s grip tightened around his glass. For a moment, she thought he might refuse. But then he exhaled sharply, setting the glass down on the desk with a sharp *clink*.
“Her name was Elena,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion. “We met when I was twenty-five. She was a socialite, the daughter of a shipping magnate. Beautiful. Charming. *Perfect*.”
Mira’s stomach twisted.
Theo’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “She played the part well. Made me believe she loved me. Made me believe I was enough.” He turned back to the window, his reflection haunting in the glass. “I was young. Stupid. I thought I had it all figured out.”
Mira’s chest ached. “What happened?”
Theo’s jaw clenched. “I proposed. Six months later, I found out she had been sleeping with my business partner. Not just sleeping with him—*plotting* with him. They had been skimming money from my accounts for months. Millions.” His voice dropped to a dangerous growl. “She didn’t love me. She loved my *money*.”
Mira’s breath hitched. “Theo…”
“She laughed when I confronted her,” he continued, his voice hollow. “Told me I was a fool for ever thinking she could love someone like me. That I was *boring*. Predictable. That no one would ever want me for *me*.”
Mira’s heart shattered.
Theo turned back to her, his eyes burning with a pain that made her chest tighten. “So you see, Mira, I *know* what it’s like to be used. To be betrayed. To have someone look at you like you’re nothing more than a paycheck.”
Mira’s throat closed up. She had known Theo was guarded, but she hadn’t realized just how deep those scars ran.
“I’m not her,” she whispered.
Theo’s expression darkened. “Aren’t you?”
Mira flinched as if he had struck her. “What?”
“You’re here because of the contract,” he said, his voice cold. “Because I *paid* you to be here. How is that any different?”
Mira’s hands curled into fists. “That’s not fair.”
“Isn’t it?” Theo stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. “You admitted it yourself—you don’t know how to trust this. You don’t know how to trust *me*.”
Mira’s breath came faster. “I’m trying.”
“Are you?” His voice was a low, dangerous purr. “Because right now, it feels like you’re looking for a reason to walk away.”
Mira’s heart pounded. She wanted to scream. She wanted to *hurt* him the way he was hurting her. But she also wanted—*needed*—him to understand.
“I’m scared,” she admitted, her voice breaking. “I’m scared of getting hurt. I’m scared of *failing*. But I’m not her, Theo. I’m not Elena.”
Theo’s eyes burned into hers, searching. For a moment, she thought he might push her away. But then, slowly, his expression softened.
“Prove it,” he murmured.
Mira’s pulse spiked. “How?”
Theo stepped closer, his hand coming up to cup her face. His thumb brushed over her lower lip, sending a shiver down her spine. “Show me that I can trust you,” he said, his voice rough. “Show me that this is real.”
Mira’s breath hitched. She knew what he was asking.
And God help her, she wanted to give it to him.
---
### **The Offering**
Mira didn’t hesitate.
She reached up, tangling her fingers in Theo’s hair, and pulled his mouth down to hers. The kiss was desperate, hungry—two people starving for something they had been denying themselves.
Theo groaned against her lips, his hands sliding down to grip her hips, pulling her flush against him. She could feel how hard he was, how much he wanted her, and it sent a thrill of power through her.
She broke the kiss, her breath coming in sharp gasps. “Let me show you,” she whispered.
Theo’s eyes darkened. “How?”
Mira dropped to her knees.
Theo’s breath hitched as she reached for his belt, her fingers deftly undoing the buckle before sliding down the zipper of his slacks. She could see the outline of his cock straining against the fabric of his briefs, and she licked her lips in anticipation.
“Mira—” Theo’s voice was strained.
She looked up at him, her eyes locking onto his. “Trust me,” she murmured.
And then she pulled him free.
Theo’s cock was thick, heavy in her hand, the tip already glistening with pre-cum. Mira leaned forward, her tongue darting out to lick the sensitive underside, earning a sharp hiss from Theo.
“Fuck,” he groaned, his fingers tangling in her hair.
Mira didn’t tease. She took him deep, her lips stretching around his girth as she hollowed her cheeks, sucking him in as far as she could. Theo’s hips jerked, a low growl rumbling in his chest.
“That’s it,” he murmured, his voice rough. “Take me, *baby*. Show me how much you want this.”
Mira moaned around him, the vibrations making Theo’s grip on her hair tighten. She worked him with her mouth, her hand stroking the base of his cock as she bobbed her head, taking him deeper with each pass.
Theo’s breath came in sharp gasps, his hips rolling forward, fucking her mouth in shallow thrusts. “You’re so fucking good at this,” he groaned. “So fucking *perfect*.”
Mira’s core throbbed at his praise, her own arousal soaking through her panties. She wanted him—*needed* him—to know that she was his. That she would never betray him the way Elena had.
She pulled back, letting his cock slip from her lips with a wet *pop*. Theo’s eyes burned into hers, his chest heaving.
“Mira,” he growled.
She stood, her hands going to the buttons of his shirt. “I want you inside me,” she murmured. “I want you to *use* me. I want you to know that I’m yours.”
Theo’s control snapped.
He grabbed her, spinning her around and bending her over the edge of his desk. Mira gasped as he yanked her panties down, his fingers sliding between her folds to find her already dripping.
“Fuck, you’re soaked,” he groaned, his voice rough with need.
Mira whimpered as he teased her entrance, his fingers circling her clit before dipping inside. “Theo, *please*—”
He didn’t make her beg. With a sharp thrust, he buried himself inside her, filling her completely.
Mira cried out, her fingers scrambling against the polished wood of the desk as Theo set a punishing pace. He wasn’t gentle—he was *claiming* her, his cock driving into her with deep, relentless strokes.
“You’re mine,” he growled, his hand tangling in her hair, pulling her head back. “Say it.”
Mira’s vision blurred as pleasure coiled tight in her core. “I’m *yours*,” she gasped.
Theo’s grip tightened. “Again.”
“I’m *yours*, Theo,” she moaned, her body trembling as he fucked her harder, deeper. “Only yours.”
Theo’s breath came in sharp gasps, his hips slapping against hers. “That’s right,” he growled. “And I’m *yours*. Only yours.”
Mira’s heart clenched at the words, her body tightening around him as her orgasm crashed over her. She screamed his name, her walls clenching around his cock as pleasure ripped through her.
Theo followed her over the edge with a guttural groan, his release spilling inside her as he buried himself to the hilt.
For a long moment, neither of them moved. Theo’s chest pressed against her back, his breath hot against her neck as he held her close.
Mira’s heart pounded, her body still trembling from the force of her orgasm.
Theo pressed a soft kiss to her shoulder. “Mira,” he murmured, his voice rough.
She turned her head, meeting his gaze. “I’m not her,” she whispered.
Theo’s expression softened. “I know.”
And for the first time, Mira believed him.
---
### **The Aftermath**
Theo pulled out of her slowly, his hands gentle as he helped her stand. Mira’s legs were unsteady, her body still humming from the intensity of their coupling.
Theo cupped her face, his thumb brushing over her cheekbone. “I’m sorry,” he murmured.
Mira shook her head. “Don’t be.”
“I shouldn’t have said those things,” he continued, his voice tight. “I was just—”
“Hurt,” Mira finished for him. “I know.”
Theo exhaled sharply, pulling her into his arms. Mira melted against him, her head resting against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
“I don’t want to be like her,” she whispered.
Theo’s arms tightened around her. “You’re not.”
Mira closed her eyes, letting his warmth seep into her. “I want this to be real,” she admitted. “I want *you* to be real.”
Theo pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I am.”
Mira’s heart swelled. She believed him.
And for the first time, she let herself hope.
---
### **The Confession**
They moved to the couch, Theo pulling a blanket around them as they settled into the soft leather. Mira curled into his side, her fingers tracing idle patterns on his chest.
“Tell me more about her,” she murmured.
Theo stiffened slightly, but then relaxed. “What do you want to know?”
“Everything.”
Theo exhaled, his fingers playing with a strand of her hair. “She was beautiful,” he said quietly. “Long dark hair, green eyes. She had this way of making you feel like you were the only person in the room.”
Mira’s stomach twisted, but she forced herself to listen.
“She was always *perfect*,” Theo continued. “Always dressed in the latest designer clothes, always saying the right thing. I thought she was the one.” He let out a bitter laugh. “I was such a fucking idiot.”
Mira pressed a kiss to his chest. “You’re not an idiot.”
Theo’s arms tightened around her. “I should have seen it. The way she always wanted to go to the most expensive restaurants, the way she *never* let me pay. She was always ‘treating’ me, but really, she was just making sure I was the one footing the bill.”
Mira’s heart ached. “How did you find out?”
Theo’s jaw clenched. “I got a call from my accountant. He noticed some discrepancies in my accounts. At first, I thought it was a mistake. But then I started digging.” His voice dropped. “I found emails. Texts. *Photos*.”
Mira’s breath hitched. “Theo…”
“I confronted her,” he said, his voice hollow. “She didn’t even deny it. She just… laughed. Told me I was a fool for ever thinking she could love someone like me.”
Mira’s eyes burned. “She was wrong.”
Theo looked down at her, his expression softening. “I know that now.”
Mira’s heart swelled. She reached up, cupping his face. “You’re not boring,” she whispered. “You’re not predictable. You’re *mine*.”
Theo’s breath hitched. “Mira—”
She kissed him, slow and deep, pouring every ounce of emotion into it. Theo groaned, his hands sliding into her hair as he kissed her back, his tongue tangling with hers.
When they finally broke apart, Mira rested her forehead against his. “I’m not going anywhere,” she murmured.
Theo’s eyes searched hers. “Promise?”
Mira smiled. “Promise.”
And for the first time, Theo let himself believe her.
---
### **The Turning Point**
Theo carried Mira back to bed, his arms wrapped tightly around her as he laid her down on the soft sheets. She curled into his side, her head resting on his chest as his fingers traced lazy patterns on her back.
“Stay with me,” he murmured.
Mira looked up at him, her eyes soft. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Theo’s heart swelled. He had spent so long guarding himself, keeping everyone at arm’s length. But Mira—she had slipped past his defenses without him even realizing it.
And now, he never wanted to let her go.
Mira pressed a kiss to his chest. “I want this to be real,” she whispered.
Theo’s arms tightened around her. “It is.”
Mira smiled, her fingers tracing the lines of his abdomen. “Good.”
Theo rolled her onto her back, his body covering hers as he kissed her deeply. Mira moaned into his mouth, her legs wrapping around his waist as he settled between her thighs.
“Again?” she gasped, her breath hitching as he ground against her.
Theo smirked, his hand sliding between them to tease her already sensitive clit. “I’m not done with you yet.”
Mira arched into his touch, her body already responding to him. “Then don’t stop.”
Theo growled, his cock already hardening again. “Never.”
And as he slid inside her, slow and deep, Mira knew—this was real.
And she was never letting him go.
---
**End of Chapter 11**