Done Deal

Thea and Seth returned to the estate. The quiet hum of the G-Wagon was replaced by the low murmur of the maids who had gathered to receive them. They took the numerous bags and boxes of clothes and shoes from the car, their movements quiet and efficient.

“Welcome, Mr and Mrs Blackwood.” Butler John said.

Seth sent a nod his way.

“Would you like something to eat?” Butler John asked.

“A drink will be fine. Thank you.” Thea said with a small smile.

“Mr Blackwood?” Butler John asked.

Seth's eyes flickered over to Thea and then back at Butler John. “Yes, that would be fine. Thank you.”

Thea went up the stairs with Seth walking right behind her. His eyes fixed on every of her movements almost in pure fascination.

Thea pushed the door to Seth's quarters open, her eyes scanning the maids in the room, rearranging the rather lonely room into something less…dark and lonely.

Seth pulled a stop right behind her, his hands behind his back. “If you need something changed…”

Thea turned to face him only to trip on her own leg and Seth grabbed her arm just in time, pulling her closer to his body.

“You okay?”

She nodded, relief washing over her. “Yes.” She managed.

She steps away from him as the maids make their way out of the room, leaving them alone.

Thea stepped in and Seth went shut behind him. She scanned the room in silence, it all felt new. She was comfortable but there was so much more that needed to be spoken about.

Seth made his way across the room, pulling off the buttons of his shirts and ready to call it a day.

“I need to take a shower.” She said, stripping out of her clothes and heading straight into the bathroom.

She knew Seth was watching and he had passed mid way of taking off his clothes, stunned.

She walked over to the bathroom and closed the door behind her. She began to run the shower, the sound of the water filling the silence.

One….two…three..

The door swings open just as when she had expected. She smirked, knowing Seth was now standing right behind her with hungry eyes.

He stepped closer, she could feel the heat radiating from his body despite the distance between them. “You knew I would come, didn't you?” He asked, his lips barely an inch away from her ear.

Thea felt her breath catch in her throat. The water ran down their bodies. The small space of the shower became filled with an electric tension.

“I don't know what you're talking about. Besides, it seems you enjoyed the attention Steph was giving you.” She blurted out before she could control herself.

Thea bit her lip, what on earth is wrong with her?! What was she thinking? Saying that out loud?!

Thea felt Seth's body against hers, his warm skin touching her cold one. She closed her eyes, trying to calm herself. She could feel his eyes on her, and she knew that he was watching her, studying her.

“Steph?” He asked, his tone laced with disbelief. “I was paying attention to you. No one else..”

Thea tuts, she could tell from his tone that he wanted more than anything for her to believe him and for some reason, she liked it.

“ That didn't seem like that case..”

She reached for the soap, her hand brushing against his. Seth shuddered, his hand slightly reaching for hers before her hand moved away from the soap holder.

“I mean Steph is pretty.”

“I didn't notice.”

Thea turned to face him, realising what little space was left between them. “What did you notice then?”

“That you were curling your toes? And you bit your lips a couple times. And you glared at Steph..”

Thea opened her mouth but words failed her. He noticed all that? Hell, she almost forgot the number of times she crossed her legs, curling her toes just by looking at Seth but he noticed.

“You noticed..”

“Yes.”

“It doesn't matter. You pretty much made it clear what our relationship is about. It's a contract. Nothing else..”

“Thea..”

Thea felt a sudden rush of courage. She had to know. She had to ask. "Why are you doing this, Seth?" she asked, her voice a low whisper. "Why are you making our marriage public? We had a contract. It was supposed to be a business deal."

Seth did not answer immediately. He reached out and took the soap from her hand. He began to rub it over her back, his movements slow and gentle.

Thea felt her body begin to tremble. His touch was not a touch meant to get her wet but it did.

“It's not anymore,” he muttered.

Thea’s breath caught in her throat. She felt a shock go through her body, a complete and total surprise that left her speechless. She turned to face him, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"What do you mean?" she asked. “The contract..”

"It is no longer needed. I have already instructed my lawyers to void the contract. It will be officially canceled tomorrow."

Thea felt her mind reel. The contract was the foundation of their relationship. Without it, they were just two people. Two people who had married, two people who had a past, and a future that was now uncertain.

"Why?" she asked, her voice a little breathless. "Why are you doing this?"

Seth reached out and gently cupped her face in his hands. His thumbs caressed her cheekbones. "I care about you, Thea. A lot. I don’t know what it is but I want to see how it goes. I want to see where it will lead us."

Thea felt tears begin to well up in her eyes. She had been so afraid of him. She had been so sure that he was a man who only cared about power and money. She had been so wrong.

"Do you have feelings for me?" she asked, her voice a low whisper.

"Yes," he said. "I do. I want to be a part of your life. A real part. I want to be your husband. Not just on paper, but in every way."

Thea’s mind was a whirlwind of emotions. She had been so focused on her own feelings, her own pain, that she had not even considered him.

He leaned in, his mouth finding hers in a slow, searing kiss. He was telling her everything he had not said before. He was telling her that he had feelings for her. He was telling her that he wanted to be with her. He was telling her that he was going to be with her for real.

Thea wrapped her arms around his neck, her hands tangling in his wet hair. She kissed him back, her body responding to his with a sudden, desperate hunger. She had been so lost for so long. She had been so alone. But she was not alone anymore. She was with him. And she was going to be with him forever.