A Surprising Twist of Fates (Sierra and Theo)

Chater 9 Sierra spun around quickly, startled to see Theo standing behind her. She hadn't even noticed when he'd arrived.

"Uncle Theo, what are you doing here?"

His sharp eyes took in her tear-streaked face and red-rimmed eyes. In a deep, steady voice, he asked, "Who upset you?"

"No one. I just got something in my eye," Sierra stammered, her tone flustered as she hurried to explain.

She raised her hand to wipe her tears, but the motion tugged at her injury, and she gasped sharply in pain. The wound on her arm reopened earlier when Sophie had deliberately squeezed it.

Before she could react, a hand holding a tissue appeared in front of her. Theo had already stepped closer, so close that they stood toe-to-toe. Without a word, he wiped the tears from her face.

Sierra's heart tightened, and her body went rigid. The sudden closeness was overwhelming, and the faint, cool scent of pine on him filled her senses.

Even this gesture—his hand brushing against her skin as he wiped her tears—felt far too intimate.

"Uncle Theo, I can do it myself," she protested softly, taking a small step back.

She reached out to take the tissue from him, but before she could, Theo caught her hand.

want

pressed against her wrist, their warmth seeping into her skin, and she could feel the

her face, his gaze lingering on her swollen eyes and damp lashes. His lips pressed into

it Benson

shifted. She looked up at him, meeting his deep, penetrating gaze, and quickly shook her head. "No. Really, I just got some sand in

you're going to lie to me, at least come up with a better excuse. Where would sand even come

words sliced through her

what had happened between her and

she told him, wouldn't he

Theo, this is a private matter. I don't want to talk about it," she

if I insist on

forward, closing the distance between them in

measured, like the still surface of a deep lake untouched by

and his tall frame loomed over herm enveloping her completely. It was as though she had been pulled into his orbit,

She had always been careful to maintain boundaries with others, but Theo's deliberate step forward had crossed every unspoken line she had

though she called him "Uncle Theo", the truth was, he was only five years older

moment before forcing herself to remain composed. "Uncle Theo, I respect you as an