The rain hammered against the floor-to-ceiling windows of Theo’s penthouse, the storm outside a perfect mirror to the chaos inside him.
Mira was gone.
Not physically—her scent still lingered on the sheets, her favorite mug sat half-empty on the kitchen counter, the dress she’d worn last night was draped over the back of a chair. But the space she’d filled in his chest was hollow, an aching void that pulsed with every breath.
He’d let her walk away.
No—*he’d pushed her away.*
Theo dragged a hand over his face, his fingers trembling. He’d spent the last twenty-four hours replaying their fight in his head, the way her voice had cracked when she’d said, *“You don’t trust me.”*
And she was right.
He didn’t.
Not really.
Because trust meant vulnerability, and vulnerability meant weakness, and weakness meant losing control—and Theo Sterling *never* lost control.
Except with her.
Mira had slipped past every defense he’d spent a lifetime building. She’d seen the cracks in his armor, the parts of him he kept locked away, and instead of running, she’d stayed. She’d *fought* for him.
And he’d thrown it back in her face.
Theo exhaled sharply, his chest tight. He’d spent years accumulating wealth, power, influence—everything the world told him he should want. But none of it mattered if he didn’t have *her.*
The realization hit him like a physical blow.
He was about to lose the only thing that had ever truly mattered.
And it was his own damn fault.
---
### **The Plan**
Theo stood in the center of his office, the city sprawled beneath him like a glittering kingdom he no longer wanted to rule. His assistant, Daniel, hovered in the doorway, looking uncharacteristically hesitant.
“Sir, the car is ready. But—are you sure about this?”
Theo didn’t answer. Instead, he adjusted the cuffs of his shirt, his jaw set.
He wasn’t sure about *anything* anymore.
But he knew one thing: he wasn’t letting Mira go without a fight.
Not this time.
---
### **The Location**
He’d spent hours tracking her down.
Not through security footage or private investigators—no, this wasn’t about control. This was about *her.*
He knew her habits, her routines, the places she went when she needed to think. And right now, he was willing to bet she was at the one place that had always been her sanctuary.
The old bookstore on 5th and Maple.
The one with the creaky floorboards and the scent of aged paper and vanilla candles. The one where she’d taken him once, months ago, when they were still pretending this was just a game.
Theo’s chest tightened at the memory.
He’d been so damn arrogant then. So sure he could keep her at arm’s length, that he could walk away unscathed.
He’d been wrong.
So fucking wrong.
---
### **The Arrival**
The rain had lightened to a drizzle by the time Theo stepped out of the car, his shoes splashing through puddles as he approached the bookstore. The neon *Open* sign flickered in the window, casting a warm glow over the sidewalk.
He hesitated for only a second before pushing the door open.
The bell above the door chimed, and the scent of old books and coffee wrapped around him like a familiar embrace.
And then he saw her.
Mira stood behind the counter, her dark hair pulled into a messy bun, her fingers tracing the spine of a well-worn novel. She wore an oversized sweater, the sleeves pushed up to her elbows, and even from across the room, he could see the faint smudges under her eyes.
She looked exhausted.
And heartbreakingly beautiful.
For a moment, Theo just stood there, drinking her in—the way her lips parted slightly when she was deep in thought, the way her nose scrunched when she was concentrating, the way her shoulders tensed when she was trying not to feel.
He knew her.
Every inch of her.
And he’d almost lost her.
The thought sent a jolt of panic through him.
Mira finally looked up, her gaze locking onto his.
And then she froze.
---
### **The First Words**
Theo didn’t move. Didn’t speak.
He just stood there, soaking in the sight of her, his heart hammering against his ribs.
Mira’s fingers tightened around the book in her hands. “Theo.”
His name on her lips was a punch to the gut.
He swallowed hard. “Hi.”
She didn’t smile. “What are you doing here?”
Theo exhaled, his hands flexing at his sides. “I needed to see you.”
Mira’s eyes flickered, something raw and vulnerable flashing across her face before she shuttered it. “We said everything we needed to say.”
“No.” Theo stepped forward, his voice low, urgent. “We didn’t.”
Mira’s breath hitched, but she didn’t back down. “Theo—”
“I was wrong.”
The words hung between them, heavy and unyielding.
Mira’s lips parted, but no sound came out.
Theo took another step closer, his pulse roaring in his ears. “I was wrong about everything. About the contract. About us. About *you.*”
Mira’s fingers trembled around the book. “Theo, don’t—”
“I don’t trust easily,” he cut in, his voice rough. “I never have. But that’s not your fault. It’s mine.” He dragged a hand through his hair, his chest aching. “I spent my whole life building walls, Mira. And then you came along and *smashed* through them like they were made of fucking paper.”
Mira’s eyes glistened, but she didn’t look away.
Theo’s throat tightened. “I pushed you away because I was scared. Because the thought of losing you—” His voice cracked. “It terrifies me.”
Mira’s breath hitched, her knuckles white around the book.
Theo closed the distance between them, his hands reaching for hers. “I don’t want to lose you. I *can’t.*”
Mira’s lower lip trembled. “Theo—”
“I love you.”
The words tore from him, raw and unfiltered.
Mira’s eyes widened, her breath catching.
Theo cupped her face, his thumbs brushing away the tears spilling down her cheeks. “I love you,” he repeated, his voice breaking. “And I’m so fucking sorry I made you doubt that.”
Mira’s hands flew to his wrists, her fingers digging into his skin. “Theo—”
“I don’t care about the contract,” he said fiercely. “I don’t care about the terms. I don’t care about *anything* except you.” His forehead pressed against hers, his breath ragged. “Stay with me. Not because of some piece of paper. Not because of the money. Because you *want* to.”
Mira’s tears fell faster, her body trembling against his. “Theo—”
“Please,” he whispered, his voice raw. “I can’t do this without you.”
For a heartbeat, neither of them moved.
And then Mira surged forward, her lips crashing against his.
Theo groaned, his arms wrapping around her, pulling her flush against him. She tasted like salt and coffee and *home,* and he never wanted to let her go.
When they finally broke apart, Mira’s forehead rested against his, her breath coming in short gasps. “You *idiot,*” she whispered, her voice thick with tears. “I never wanted to leave.”
Theo’s chest ached. “Then don’t.”
Mira’s hands slid up to grip his shoulders, her nails digging into his skin. “I won’t.”
Theo exhaled shakily, his lips brushing hers. “Good. Because I’m never letting you go.”
Mira laughed through her tears, her hands sliding into his hair. “You better not.”
Theo’s mouth claimed hers again, slow and deep, sealing the promise between them.
And for the first time in his life, Theo Sterling felt *whole.*
---
### **The Aftermath**
They didn’t leave the bookstore for hours.
Theo sat in one of the overstuffed armchairs, Mira curled in his lap, her head tucked under his chin. The rain had stopped, the city outside bathed in golden afternoon light.
Mira traced idle patterns on his chest, her voice soft. “You really came here to grovel, huh?”
Theo chuckled, his fingers tangling in her hair. “I came here to *fight* for you.”
Mira tilted her head up, her eyes searching his. “And what if I hadn’t been here?”
Theo’s thumb brushed her lower lip. “Then I would’ve torn the city apart until I found you.”
Mira’s breath hitched, her lips parting.
Theo’s gaze darkened. “I’m not letting you go again, Mira. Not ever.”
Mira’s fingers curled into his shirt, her voice a whisper. “Good. Because I’m not going anywhere.”
Theo’s mouth found hers, his kiss slow and deep, a silent vow.
And as the sun set outside, painting the sky in hues of gold and pink, Theo knew one thing for certain.
This wasn’t the end.
It was only the beginning.
---
### **Epilogue: The New Contract**
Later that night, back in Theo’s penthouse, Mira sat cross-legged on the bed, a fresh sheet of paper in front of her.
Theo leaned against the headboard, watching her with amusement. “What are you doing?”
Mira smirked. “Rewriting the contract.”
Theo’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh?”
Mira scribbled something down before turning the paper toward him.
**TERMS OF AGREEMENT**
1. **No expiration date.** 2. **Unlimited access to each other’s bodies.** 3. **No more secrets.** 4. **Theo Sterling must grovel at least once a month.** 5. **Mira Carter gets to keep the penthouse, the jet, and the credit card. (Non-negotiable.)** 6. **Love is mandatory.**
Theo’s lips quirked. “Love is mandatory, huh?”
Mira nodded, her eyes sparkling. “Non-negotiable.”
Theo plucked the paper from her hands, tossing it aside before pulling her into his lap. “I think I can agree to that.”
Mira’s hands slid up his chest, her voice a purr. “Good. Because I have a few *other* terms in mind.”
Theo’s breath hitched as her lips brushed his ear. “Oh?”
Mira’s teeth grazed his earlobe, her voice a whisper. “Let me show you.”
And as Theo’s hands tangled in her hair, as his mouth claimed hers, he knew one thing for certain.
This contract?
It was *perfect.*
---
**End of Chapter 17.**