Theo gripped his glass of scotch so hard his knuckles turned white. Jason was on the dance floor with Eleanor grinding against him. They were laughing as if both of them were having the time of their life.

But maybe they were because this was their third date. And Theo felt like murdering them both. Jason had done what they'd agreed on but he was having too much fun. He wouldn't admit to being jealous but he was. So much so that he'd insisted on inviting himself to this date. The first time they'd gone out he had stayed at home counting down the minutes until they got back. Eleanor had worn a sexy red dress and it had been driving him crazy thinking if she was going to let Jason take it off her. When they got back they were a laughing mess, signs that the dinner had gone extremely well. Only before leaving Jason had looked at him straight in the eyes then bent his head and kissed her. He would have killed him at that moment. They had been friends ever since they were children but Theo would have killed him without second thoughts.

He felt that way right that second too. He pictured how easy it would be to actually kill his friend for having his hands all over her. Fuck! He cursed loudly sipping his drink. This was his idea. He'd come up with this plan but it wasn't going as planned if he wanted to kill his friend every time he saw him. "Hey handsome" a woman with big fake breasts approached him smiling like a cat. He looked at her noting how fake everything was about her. Lashes, breasts, lips, he was sure her ass was not God given like Eleanor's. He flashed his ring dismissing her then went back to watching Jason. He was alone talking to some guy on the dance floor and Theo panicked momentarily. Where was she? His eyes strained around the dim place and he caught her back disappearing to a corner.

Getting up he followed her but failed to notice Jason's eyes on him. Rounding the same corner she had, he saw that she had gone to the bathroom. Theo stood in the corridor waiting for her. He wouldn't risk barging in there knowing she wasn't alone. Besides he didn't know if he could control himself in an enclosed place with her. Audience or not. The door opened and two ladies came out giggling with Eleanor behind them. They did a double take and looked at him but his attention was on her. God that dress did something amazing to her chest. He couldn't decide which view was better. The cleavage or the legs. She didn't see him. All she felt was her arm being yanked back almost coming off it's socket moments before her back was slammed against a wall with a body pressing her further into it.

"What the...." she didn't finish her sentence. Theo's lips were on her cutting off whatever she was going to say. Her body tensed for the first few seconds readying itself for battle but she caught a whiff of his perfume. Eleanor melted into him kissing him back. She'd almost forgotten how soft his lips were. Her hands  caressed his chest making way to his neck while she pressed herself closer. It's like her body knew it's way around his. She felt one of his hands snaking down to her ass then he hiked her leg up winding it around his, while the other one was in her hair. It was crazy how her body reacted every time he touched her. Theo groaned pressing her closer into his erection. They were so taken with each other that they didn't see a second figure lean in beside them.

"Are we done here?" Jason asked startling them. Eleanor looked guilty but Theo had a smug face on.

"Jason...." she started but Theo beat her to it

"Do you understand now?" he asked his friend.

"No. I don't really understand anything Theo. Care to explain?"

"She's not worth your time. If she's going to make out with someone else while you're in the next room what does that say about her?" Eleanor gasped pushing him away. She ran off leaving the two men alone.

"What the hell Theo? I thought this was my show"

"It is." Theo's mind was running looking for an explanation.

"Then why are you making moves on her?"

"It's not what you think..."

"Then tell me what it is because from where am standing it looked like you were busy shoving your tongue down her throat. Did I miss something?"

"No. Look I-I was.... I was playing bad cop."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah. Look at it this way. She hates me for trying to discredit her but since you like her so much you don't care about what I said." Theo said nodding. Thank God for quick thinking.

"Oh. You could have just told me before putting this plan in motion"

"I was counting on the shock being real. See it worked. Now go get her" he slapped him on the back.

Jason wasn't buying that but right now he had to get to Eleanor before she left "You're a genius. See you later man" he left in search of Eleanor.

Theo expelled the breath he was holding. He didn't know what he was doing. Eleanor was really scrambling his brain and he didn't like it. Now he was lying to his oldest friend because of her. Running his hands through his hair he walked towards the exit. He had to put some distance between him and her before she got him in trouble with Jason. Whatever lust he felt for her wasn't going to cost him his friendship. Because that's all it was. Sheer unadulterated lust. All he had to do was find someone who would help him get rid of the tension he was feeling. Bridget was out of the question. Even thinking about sleeping with her made his dick go slack. That's how much she disgusted him. He wouldn't pick someone on the streets so his hand would have to do. Damn you Eleanor. He cursed her over and over. Before she showed up he had no sexual problems. Now his dick got hard just at the thought of coming all over her tits. Not helping. He chastised himself.

Eleanor sat at the bar cursing herself and him. Herself more because her body had no control when it came to him. One touch was all it took to turn her bones to mush. He hadn't touched her ever since the office incident but he threw her glares every time she went out with Jason. She'd tried to ignore him but he was always there trying to irritate her. When she came from her dates with Jason, Theo was at the door like he was waiting for her. No matter the time, he was always awake. Of course she'd told herself maybe he'd changed his mind about her, and started to like her after what happened in the office. But tonight he'd just reminded her what kind of a person he was. It confused her how one minute he couldn't keep his hands off her and the next he was looking at her in disgust. She couldn't figure out what he wanted with her.

"There you are" Jason's whispered in her ear startling her.

"Jason....."

"Don't." he snapped then sighed taking the seat next to her at the bar. "Listen I don't know what's going on between you and Theo. What I know is that I like you and if I have to fight for you then so be it"

That was shocking. "You really shouldn't. Like Theo said am not worth it......"

"Don't demean yourself like that. Theo can be a real son of a bitch when he wants to so don't listen to him. Like I said I really like you Ella. And you will come to realize that nothing fazes me." he said reaching for her hand and kissing her knuckles.

She realized how nice Jason was. He was funny, charming, witty, and had a really good sense of humor. He also didn't make her feel like she was unworthy. "I like you too Jason" Eleanor told him and he rewarded her with his killer smile. After settling things between them, they got back to partying and having fun. Theo was nowhere to be seen and that was for the best. At least that's what she told herself. But deep down she knew that as much as she liked Jason, his touch did nothing for her. It felt more friendly like Brad's. Theo's touch lit her body on fire. The chemistry between them was as maddening as it was breath taking. But she couldn't keep wanting someone who degraded her every time she was in front of him. She looked at Jason who smiled crookedly at her and sighed. This wasn't going to end well. Of that she was sure of.

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Someone was cleaning her face. She wasn't sure who would take it upon themselves to clean her face so early in the morning but she wouldn't be thanking them any time soon. Turning Eleanor buried her face in the pillow. It was way too early for her to even open her eyes. "Artie" Marjorie's voice called giving Eleanor an inkling of who was bathing her. "Artie where are you?" the dog barked way too close to her ear setting off pounding drums in her head. "Artie let's go before you wake up princess Ella" the little girl tried to whisper to the dog but it was useless. Artie wouldn't stop barking excitedly.

"Too late" Eleanor mumbled into her pillow.

"Sorry. He didn't mean to" Marjorie said sounding fearful. Groaning Eleanor looked at her.

"What's up with you today? Why so sad?" Marjorie hesitated. "What's going on Marj" Eleanor sat up sensing something was bothering the child.

"Mom said he'd take Artie back if he found her in her room again. Am really sorry Ella, I promise to keep him in my room but please don't send him back. He's my friend"

"Okay jump on up" she said patting her bed. "Artie is my friend and I wouldn't send him back so stop worrying. Besides if your mother sends him to God knows where we would just go and get him back. Okay?"

"Okay. I like you too. Do you want to be my friend?"

"Ah" Eleanor fake gasped. "I thought we were friends already Marj. We are raising a dog and we're not even friends?"

Marjorie laughed. "No. If you want someone to be your friend you have to ask first."

"Says who?"

"Daddy. He's very clever and knows everything" the little girl boasted

"I bet he does. Now off you go. I need to go back to sleep, it's too early to be up on a weekend"

"It's almost lunch time Ella." Marjorie said getting off the bed and pulling Artie with her.

"How do you know that? I didn't know you knew how to read the clock?"

"I don't. Daddy said to meet him downstairs for lunch after I finished what I was doing. Are you coming with us?"

"Nope. Tell Brad to bring me a plate. And Marj? Tell him I said its an order" giggling the girl left leaving Eleanor alone. She wondered what she was going to do with Bridget. She really hated confrontations but if it came down to it she could hold her own. That woman was beautiful but she didn't have a heart. Who threatens a kid? And a dog? She closed her eyes willing herself to go back to sleep. Later she would talk to Bridget privately. Maybe give the woman a piece of her mind.

"Hey princess. Where are you going looking so happy?" Brad asked his niece.

"Am looking for daddy. Have you seen him?"

"Yeah. He's in the office. Why are you looking for him? Something I can help maybe?"

"Nope." she started to leave but remembered Ella's orders. "Uncle Brad Ella said to take her lunch in her room"

"Yeah. Tell her she can dream on."

"She said it was an order" Marjorie skipped away without waiting for his answer. She'd delivered the message and if Brad didn't follow Ella's orders he was going to be in trouble. Brad looked at Marjorie's back and shook his head. If Ella wanted lunch then she would have to come down and get it herself.

"Hey Daddy am done. Can Artie eat with us?"

"Yes. But don't sneak your food to him or he will get sick"

"Okay." she replied and sighed.

"What is it princess? Why the sigh?"

"It's Uncle Brad. Ella said to tell him to take her lunch but I don't think he's going to. And I don't want her to get sick because she missed her lunch. Can you do it daddy?"

"Honey Eleanor is a big girl. If she's hungry she'll get her own food" Theo told her inwardly scoffing.

"But she looked so tired. Please? She's my friend and I really don't want her to get sick"

"Marjorie she won't be sick just because she missed lunch. Stop worrying"

"But you tell me all the time that if I don't eat I'll get sick"

Now it was Theo's turn to sigh "That's different"

"No it isn't. Daddy please?"

"Okay. I'll do it. Happy now?"

"Yes. I love you so so much"

"I love you too pumpkin"

Eleanor rolled out of bed since it was likely she'd fall asleep again. Last night had ended nicely with Jason kissing her even though he'd caught her making out with Theo. Another man would have kicked her to the curb but he'd told her they weren't exclusive. Yet. He wasn't her boyfriend so he had no right to be mad but he was jealous. She had apologized profusely and promised him another date where she would make it up to him. Smiling she walked to the bathroom shedding her clothes on the way. The shower was one of the things she liked about the Sullivan's mansion. It was grand and classy like one of those you'd find in five star hotels. She took her time standing under the warm water for a few more minutes than necessary.

Getting out she remembered she had forgotten to bring the clean towels that were still in the hamper by the door. Eleanor cursed when she opened the door and the cold air from the windows hit her body. Shivering she bent down to pick a towel when from the corner of her eye she saw a figure sitting on her bed. She sprung upright, towel forgotten and came face to face with Theo who was lounging on her bed like it was normal for him. "What are you doing in here?" she asked. Instead of answering her his eyes roamed all over her leaving goosebumps in his trail. Her modesty came a minute too late and she stood her ground fighting not to cover herself.

Theo looked to his fill. God that body dripping water to the floor was every man's dream. Her breasts were firm with perky nipples that had hardened due to the cold air. Or maybe it was him. He sat there frozen picturing his tongue drying every part of her. Then delving between her legs to make her wet  just to lick her dry again. His mind was on overload and he didn't know if he was thankful that she hadn't made a move to cover herself or if he should be cursing her for tempting him with that body. "Lunch" he said nodding to the tray sitting next to him then got up and left before he did something they would both regret.

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So fun fact I just learned that porridge is known as Mush. Not porridge like we say. And this has nothing to do with this chapter.

Theo's conflicted about his feelings for Eleanor. What happens next? Come back tomorrow to find out.

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