The Gray Effect - Chapter 47: Chapter 47

S O P H I A H O N E Y
HIS KISSES grow hungrier, more demanding-like he's trying to devour every piece of me. I can barely breathe, barely think. My fingers tangle in his hair, still slicked back perfectly from the gel, but even that's starting to come undone.
I bite his bottom lip, just enough to pull him back to reality before we lose it completely.
"Shit," he mutters, pulling back slightly, running a hand through his messy hair now, his chest heaving. His pupils are blown wide, his lips pink and swollen. "It's too much, right?"
He sounds like he's trying to be considerate, but his eyes say something else entirely-they say he wants to tear this dress off me and claim every inch of my skin.
I shake my head, breathless. "Uh... no, it's just-"
"Good."
And just like that, his mouth crashes into mine again and I let him. God, I want him to.
I gasp into his mouth when I feel his hand drift lower, brushing over the slit of my dress where my bare thighs are exposed. My body tightens in response, breath catching in my throat-before I can even process what's happening, his hand slides beneath the fabric, fingers grazing skin that hasn't been touched in far too long.
"Theo," I manage to mutter between kisses, voice shaky. "We can't... we can't..."
"Why?" he growls against my cheek, trailing kisses down to my jaw, then lower to my neck, where he bites my earlobe gently, his voice like sin. "Why not, hmm?"
That voice. Rough. Deep. Drenched in lust. It makes my knees weak and my brain foggy.
"The party..." I breathe out, barely able to form the words as I realize we're moving-my feet stumble backward, his body guiding mine, lips still on my skin.
And then-thud-my ass hits something hard.
"Fuck the party," he groans, his hands gripping my hips as he lifts me like I weigh nothing. My dress hikes up automatically, and I feel the cool surface of a table-or maybe a counter-beneath me.
I don't know. I don't care.
All I know is his body is pressed between my thighs, and the heat in his eyes says he's ready to fuck me. Hard.
He pushes me closer, his hands spreading over my thighs as he steps between them, pulling me flush against him. My legs wrap around his waist like muscle memory, like I was made for this exact moment.
And that's when I really feel him.
His cock presses against me, undeniable and growing with each slow grind of his hips. It makes my stomach tighten and my breath hitch.
Oh god.
I shouldn't be thinking this-especially not now-but my brain wonders anyway.
How big is he?
His lips leave mine, trailing down the curve of my jaw to my shoulder. The off-shoulder dress gives him easy access, and he takes full advantage, dragging his mouth across my bare skin.
"You taste so fucking good," he growls, breath hot against my collarbone.
Then lower. I suck in a breath as he kisses the top swell of my chest, and his fingers roam up my thighs-skin to skin now, sliding up with sinful ease. He trails them slowly, like he's memorizing every inch-until one of his hands starts to move between them.
He touches like he knows exactly what he's doing.
And then-one hand starts to shift between my legs. Right where I want him.
Right where I'm aching.
A gasp slips out, my body practically begging for more. I almost give in. I almost beg him to keep going.
But then-
Laughter. Loud and sudden from the other side of the corridor.
Reality hits like a slap.
I jolt and push Theo lightly, breath catching in my throat. "Theo, we really have to stop."
He blinks, the lust in his eyes slowly fading as more laughter echoes from the other side of the room. He clenches his jaw, then mutters under his breath, "Fuck."
His head falls forward, resting against my shoulder as he exhales hard. "I apologize," he says quietly, voice still a little rough.
"Why?" I ask, tilting my head toward him.
He pulls back just slightly, though his hands are still warm and steady on my thighs. "You dressed up so well, and I ruined it."
That makes me laugh, the tension between us easing just a little as I look at him properly for the first time. His hair-once so perfectly styled back with gel-is now a mess, tousled and wild from my fingers. And there, plain as day, is my lipstick smeared across his mouth.
"I think I should be the one apologizing," I giggle, biting back a grin. "You look like a mess."
I lift my hand to fix his hair, pausing for just a second-unsure if I should-but then he leans forward slightly, dipping his head like he already knows what I'm about to do.
God, why is even that hot?
"Let me just..." I trail off, trying to smooth the strands back the way they were, but it doesn't exactly cooperate. After a few seconds of fussing, I sigh in defeat. "I think you'll have to bear this look for now."
He lets out a breathy chuckle. "Okay then."
But then his gaze dips-just for a moment-and his eyes widen slightly before he quickly looks away, clearing his throat.
"Uh... you might also want to, uh, you know..."
Confused, I glance down-and instantly suck in a sharp breath. My dress had shifted way down in all that heat, my bra barely covering me. Half my breast is practically out for the world to see.
"Shit," I mutter, yanking it up fast and adjusting myself with frantic hands.
Before I can even recover from the embarrassment, I feel Theo's arms around me, lifting me off the table like it's nothing.
"I think we should go to the restroom and, uh, arrange ourselves," he says, lips twitching with a smile.
"Good idea!" I say a little too loudly, scrambling down from his hold and smoothing my dress again. "Um, where is it?"
He points past my shoulder, lips twitching.
"Right over there."
I nod and turn, heart still racing as we start walking toward the restrooms. I do not look down. I refuse to look down. Because the devil on my shoulder is whispering that his dick is right there-rock hard, pressing against his pants, practically begging me to take a peek.
Nope. Not doing it.
I slip into the ladies' room like I'm escaping a crime scene, ignoring the soft chuckle that escapes him as he disappears into the men's. As soon as the door shuts behind me, I rush to the mirror to stare at myself.
Jesus.
My lips are swollen, my lipstick smudged like I made out with a ghost in the middle of a tornado. My hair's trying to do its own thing and my chest is still rising and falling like I ran a damn marathon.
I can't believe I was this close to letting him fuck me on a table like it was nothing.
I glance down and blink in surprise. Somehow, I'm still holding my purse. I honestly thought I tossed it to the floor the second we started sucking each other's faces off.
I dig out my backup lipstick and swipe it on with slightly shaking hands, then dab on some concealer around my neck-even though I know he didn't leave any hickeys. Still, my skin burns where he kissed me, so the paranoia wins.
A soft knock taps at the door.
"You almost done, Soph?" His voice is soft, almost sweet.
"Oh-yes!" I say quickly, fluffing my hair even though it's a lost cause now, looking like a bird tried nesting on it.The curls are limp, the volume's gone, and unless someone hands me a curling wand and twenty minutes, I'm screwed.
I groan and finally give up. With a sigh, I step out of the restroom.
He's leaning against the opposite wall like some scene out of a movie-arms crossed, head tilted. His shirt's wrinkled, his lips still tinted red, and his hair looks like he just got out of a very fun fight. It makes him even hotter, somehow. Asshole.
He raises a brow, like he can sense the frustration rolling off me.
"My hair doesn't look good anymore," I mutter.
That sounds so childish.
He stares at me for a second, then presses his lips together like he's holding back a smile."Stand still."
I blink. "What?"
"Just... stand still."
I obey, and he steps forward, lifting his hand gently to the back of my head. I feel the soft tug as he removes the hair tie I'd used to keep it up. My hair falls down my back in loose waves, and I stand frozen, trying to regulate my heartbeat.
He's so close. So focused. So gentle.
He runs his fingers through the strands, adjusting a few pieces until some fall to frame my face. His fingers brush against my neck as he brings some hair over my shoulder, adjusting it like he's done it a thousand times.
I don't move. Don't breathe. I just... stand there and try not to let the moment swallow me whole.
"There," he says, stepping back with a satisfied look. "All better."
I pull my phone out of my purse, open the camera, and glance at myself. "...Not bad."
He scoffs beside me. "Just say it."
"Say what?"
"That I did it right."
I roll my eyes, fighting the smile tugging at my lips. "You did it perfectly, are you happy now?"
He grins, and god help me, it does things to me. "Very."
Stop looking into those sparkly blue eyes of his, Soph. Stay strong.
I clear my throat and glance away. "Uh... my hair tie."
I reach my hand toward him to take it, but he simply shakes his head and starts walking ahead, just like that.
"Nope."
My brows shoot up. "Why?"
"I'll hold it," he says casually, sliding the tie around his wrist like it belongs there. "In case you need it at the party."
"But I could just... put it in my purse," I argue, though my voice dips as I hear the growing hum of voices nearby. We're getting close to the entrance again. Back to reality.
I turn my head to look at him-and the easy, flirty smile he wore earlier? Gone. His jaw's a little tighter now, his eyes scanning ahead with a distant sort of calm. Like he's already pulling away from me before we even step into the room.
He exhales softly. "Let's just say I need some good luck right now, and this is the closest I can get to it." He lifts his left wrist, showing me the tie. "Besides... it fits my suit. All black."
He tries to smile.
But it doesn't reach his eyes. Not like before.
My chest twists a little, but I nod and play along. "Fine," I sigh. "You can hold it."
"Thanks."
His voice is low, grateful in a way that makes my stomach tighten for an entirely different reason.
"So," he says softly, tilting his head toward me with a gentler smile this time, "shall we?"
He bends his arm at the elbow, holding it out in a gentlemanly way.
For a split second, my heart dips. A small part of me had hoped he'd take my hand again like before but I guess not.
I sigh, quietly, and nod. "Yeah."
I slip my arm around his, feeling the fabric of his suit brush against my skin as we walk forward, side by side. The moment we step out of the hallway, the warm Miami night hits us-humid, salt-kissed air swirling around like it's trying to seduce everyone in the city.
Outside the resort, the party is alive and glowing. Fairy lights are strung above the palm trees, their reflections glittering off the massive outdoor pool that looks like it's been poured straight from a movie set. It stretches wide and clear, lit from beneath with soft, shifting colors-blue, violet, gold-like liquid jewels.
People are gathered around cocktail tables, the sound of music and laughter thick in the air. Champagne flutes clink. Dresses sparkle. Somewhere in the distance, a DJ is spinning smooth tracks that blend with the ocean breeze and the soft hum of the night.
"It's so beautiful," I mutter to myself, completely awestruck. I honestly can't believe I almost passed this up.
Screw lectures.
This. This right now is twenty times better than sitting in a dull class pretending to understand something I'll end up googling anyway.
Theo guides me gently through the crowd. Every few steps, someone stops him.
"Congratulations to your father! By the way, where is he?"
"I'm glad you made it, boy-it's nice to see you. But where's your father?"
Each question makes the muscles in his jaw twitch. The polite smile he wears starts to slip, the more people mention his dad. I watch his eyes dim slightly, but he keeps moving forward.
I lean a little closer, nudging him with my elbow. "Where's Miles?" I ask, hoping to pull his attention away from whatever storm is brewing in his head.
He scans the area and then nudges his chin toward the far end of the pool. "There," he says.
Sure enough, I spot Miles seated with a group under a huge umbrella, all of them lounging like royalty with drinks in their hands. The space is softly lit with a hanging lantern above them, casting a gold glow over their table.
As we near the group, a woman in her forties spots us and rises with a bright smile. Her dark hair is pinned up in a twist, and her jewelry clinks as she walks forward.
"There's Theo!" she exclaims, and before he can say a word, she pulls him into a tight hug.
Theo releases my hand-unfortunately-and lets her embrace him. "Aunt Jane," he says, his tone polite but a little flat. "It's nice to see you."
She pulls back, eyeing him fondly. "Uh, how's my hockey baby doing?"
I bite my tongue to keep from bursting out laughing.
Hockey baby?
I glance at him, half-expecting him to roll his eyes. But he just nods calmly and says, "Still skating."
His aunt doesn't stop there. "Still breaking hearts, huh?" She finally notices me and her eyes practically sparkle. "And who is this pretty thing?"
Theo moves closer and rests his hand casually on the small of my back. "This is Sophia," he says, and for the first time in a while, there's a pauss in his voice. "She's... a friend."
Friend.
The word hits harder than it should, slicing clean through the buzz I was riding. My smile flickers.
Friend, yeah right. Friends definitely don't know how each other taste... and feel... and sound when they're grinding against one another in a dim hallway like it's the end of the world.
I shouldn't feel bad. I mean, I did the same thing to him earlier with Miles. But this? This feels different.
Aunt Jane raises a perfectly plucked brow at me, giving me a long, calculating look. "Oh, just a friend, huh?" she repeats, then turns back to Theo. "Well, she's certainly beautiful. I'm sure Miles won't mind being her date for the night, since you'll be hanging out with me."
I open my mouth, about to say something-anything-to stop the growing awkwardness, but Theo beats me to it.
"I don't think-"
"He won't mind at all," Miles cuts in smoothly, appearing like he's been waiting for this cue the whole time. He steps between us and grabs my hand suddenly. "What do you say, pretty lady? Are you my date for tonight?"
I turn to look at Theo, expecting... I don't know-something. A twitch of his lip, a flicker in his eyes, anything. But his face is unreadable. Completely neutral and yet, I still feel the heat of his stare.
"Um, I guess... why not," I say, trying to match Miles' energy.
"You hear that, Theo?" Miles grins like a devil who just won the jackpot. "She's mine for the night."
I should feel weird about it, and maybe I do. But what really grabs me is the way Miles says it. Like he's toying with Theo or something.
Miles loops his arm around mine and starts guiding me back to his group. I glance over my shoulder, just once, and I see them-Aunt Jane chatting away as she walks beside Theo. But Theo... Theo's eyes are locked on Miles' hand wrapped around mine.
He doesn't say a word. Doesn't blink. But his jaw tightens, just slightly.
"Miles..." A man dressed in a suit similar to the rest of the men here, seated with the older group, says. I notice he shares some features with Miles-he looks older though, so I guess he must be his dad. "Who are you with?"
I sit down on a cushion, and Miles sits next to me as he hands me a glass of drink. From the way it looks, it could be champagne or not.
"Her name is Sophia. She's a friend of Theo," Miles says, then turns to me. "Say hi to my dad."
Knew it.
Miles's dad looks at me with a curious expression, and I greet him.
I smile and offer a polite nod. "Good evening, Sir. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Pleasure is all mine, dear." He says and a warm smile form in his lips. "I'm curious how do you know my nephew? I didn't think he has female friends since I hear he's busy with hockey."
"Uh, um..."
"Soph and I know it from way back." Theo cuts in. " She's from Pinehill." He says my home town and Miles Dad turns to him with a frown.
"Isn't that not where..."
"Yes. that's where Mum and Dad got married." He reveals with a tone I have never heard before.
There's silence after that and Miles's Dad clears his throat and looks back at me then gets up. "Lovely meeting you dear, hope you enjoy the party." he pulls a smile before he walks away and a group of men stop him and he walks aside them.
"Well that was tough." Miles says beside me and I turn. "Don't worry about it. My Dad isn't exactly thrilled about this wedding too."
"I see." I say, taking a gulp from the drink. It's sweet.
"Yep." Miles sighs, then relaxes on the cushion. He crosses his legs and grabs a drink from the table in the middle. "So how was the make-out session with my cousin?"
Cough. Immediate cough. I hear Miles chuckle, and my eyes dart to Theo, who's already watching me, concern in his gaze.
You good? Should I get you water? he mouths, and I shake my head quickly before looking back at Miles.
"I have a female friend too," Miles says, eyes on me. "But I don't do that kind of shit with her in public. I gotta say, I respect the boldness."
Kill me. Seriously, kill me.
"You... you were watching us?"
Miles laughs and shakes his head. "No way. I don't need to see to know you two had a good time. For one, your hair was in a bun-and now it's down."
"So? I could've taken it out myself."
"And I know how long it took me to gel that fucker's hair, and now it's all roughed up. Don't deny it. I already saw how one side of his shirt is all wrinkled-so I'm guessing you were the one who started it. Right? Or am I right?"
My face burns. I open my mouth to say something-deny, defend, anything-but nothing comes out. Because he is right. God, I did start it.
I look away, pretending to focus on the glass in my hand like it suddenly became the most interesting thing in the world.
"I knew it," Miles says smugly, leaning back with a satisfied sigh. "You've got that post-kiss guilt written all over your face."
"I do not."
"Sweetheart, you're blushing so hard I could use you as a heater."
I clench my jaw and glance at Theo. He's not looking at us anymore. He's talking to Aunt Jane, nodding to whatever she's saying, but I notice how stiff his shoulders are-how tightly his arms are crossed.
Great. Just great.
Miles leans closer, lowering his voice. "You know... I don't think I've ever seen him like that before."
"Like what?"
He shrugs. "Protective. As long as I've known Theo, he doesn't bring girls to any function we have-and that's only when he visits, which is rare."
I narrow my eyes. "So? Your point?"
He presses his lips together and glances at Theo. "I don't really have a point. I don't want to get ahead of myself, because I don't even think Theo knows what he's doing. If he did, he wouldn't have brought you here."
I pause, then sigh. "Don't think too much of it."
Miles raises a brow, sipping his drink. "Too late."
Before I can reply, I hear clapping. People are standing, and I follow suit, confused. I wonder what's going on until I see an older man-grey hair, tall, sharp presence-walking in with a young woman in a red dress that hugs her slim figure like it was made for her.
At first, I think he might be her dad or something, but when I squint, I catch a hint of resemblance in his face.
Is that...
"Uncle always goes for the young ones," Miles mutters beside me, watching them. "I just hope Theo keeps calm right now, because if he makes a scene-he's fucked."
I look over at Theo, watching how he hasn't said a word. His face is completely neutral-too neutral. A part of me wants to reach out to him, but it's already too late. His father is standing right in front of him.
"Dad," Theo says with a polite nod, and I catch the way his father looks at him-like he's sizing him up.
"Thought you wouldn't actually come," his father says, then glances at the young woman beside him before looking back at Theo. "Meet Patricia-my soon-to-be bride and your new mother."
Theo's jaw clenches, and honestly, I don't even blame him.
"He's joking, right?" I mutter under my breath, already feeling the heat of annoyance rise in me, because-this is seriously fucked up.
"Sadly, he's not," Miles sighs beside me. "But don't worry, I give him three months before he finds another one. It's always been that way. Everyone was surprised when he said he wanted to get another wife after cheating on his second wife. He usually date young women, then boom-breaks up or pulls some shitty stunt. It was worse when he was still married to his first wife, Theo's mum. I'm glad they divorced though."
I glance at Theo again. He gives Patricia a stiff nod, but she stretches out her hand, and he reluctantly shakes it-only for a second before pulling away.
"Your son is handsome, sweetie," Patricia says, and his father laughs.
"Well, he gets it from me, at least. He could've had even more if he actually followed my instructions about his future.
Theo's jaw tightens again, but his face remains unreadable. He doesn't even spare his father a glance-his eyes flicker to the side, toward the crowd, then briefly to me. There's something in that look. Something guarded. Hurt, maybe. But it disappears just as fast.
"I'm doing fine on my own," he says, voice calm, low. Too calm.
His father snorts. "Sure. Playing around on ice with a stick. Real brilliant career choice."
I blink, stunned by how casually cruel that was.
I clench my fists, nails digging into my palms as I stare at Theo.
He hasn't said a word. Not even blinked. His face is stone cold, but I can see it-the way his jaw shifts, how his fingers curl slightly at his sides. He's not fine. No one could be fine hearing that from their own father.
"I always wondered what I did wrong with you," his father continues, voice loud and condescending. "I made sure you were surrounded by the top businessmen from the moment you turned sixteen. Hoping you'd learn the real way to make money. But you disappoint me-again and again. My son on skates. Fucking madness, I tell you."
This... this is so wrong.
"Don't say a word," Miles whispers beside me, his voice tight. "It's been like this for years. No one talks when he talks, and I know it's painful to look at... but don't say anything. Theo will be fine. He's used to this."
This is nothing like the way my father talks. I know he's not happy with my choice and I use to think he's words broke me but looking at this here, this is so much worse.
"Anyways," Theo's Dad sighs, straightening his suit, "today is not about you. I'm celebrating my soon-to-be marriage, and I expect no drastic behavior from you. I don't want a repeat of last time. You hear me?"
This is nothing like the way my father talks.
I know he's not happy with my choices, and I used to think his words were enough to break me. But watching this-hearing this-it's so much worse. It's cold. Cruel. There's no disappointment masked with care. Just pure control.
Theo's expression doesn't change. He just nods once, his lips tight. Silent.
But something in me burns.
His father smiles and pats Theo's cheek like he didn't just humiliate him.
"That's my boy. I'll see you tomorrow. Enjoy the party," he says, then turns to Aunt Jane. She looks just as upset as Theo-but says nothing.
He walks off with Patricia hanging on his arm, and I swear I see the tension drain from Theo's body the second they're out of sight. But it's not relief-it's something darker. His eyes... there's something distant in them. Like he's two seconds from falling apart but forcing himself not to.
He's standing on the edge of something. I can feel it
"Theo..." Aunt Jane says softly, reaching out to touch his cheek.
He flinches away before she can.
"I need some time alone. I'm sorry." His voice is tight, clipped. He turns and walks off, fast and quiet, like staying another minute might choke him. He shrugs off his suit jacket mid-step and lets it fall to the floor without a second thought, like it's burning him.
I watch him disappear into the resort.
"Where do you think his going?" I ask, already clutching my purse, ready to follow.
"I don't think you should follow him," Miles says quietly. "He might snap."
"He won't," I say, sharp, giving him a hard look. "Where is he going Miles? Tell me."
Is this how they all are? No one chases him. No one checks. Maybe they've tried. Maybe he's pushed them away so many times, they just let him go now. by now-but that doesn't mean he should have to.
He's not alone this time.
I'm here. And I'm not leaving until I know he's okay.
"There's a pool inside the resort," Miles finally says. "He could be there."
"A pool?" I frown. "Why a pool?"
"Because it's quiet there." He says softly."Quiet enough to make him forget the voices in his head."