You never thought a party and too many firewhiskeys would rewrite the rules between you and Theo. But one reckless night unfolded into something else entirely. But, by the next morning, he’s back to shrugging like nothing happened. In person he’s cool, distant, immune. In his voice notes he is something else entirely: tender, rough, private, the kind of man who remembers which word makes you falter. Especially when he speaks in Italian.

But that’s not enough for you. So, you decide to provoke him. Your phone buzzes almost immediately.

Have you lost your mind?

You type back as if you don’t know any better

What now, Theo?

A voice note arrives moments later. He exhales a scoffing laugh, sharp and incredulous. “Mattheo? Out of every guy in this place? My best friend? He lets out a short chuckle that smells of annoyance and something dangerously amused. You must really want to see me lose my mind.”

He scoffs. “I know exactly what he’s thinking when he looks at you. The way his eyes drop, the way his grin gets cocky. He’s picturing his hands where mine already were.” You hear it in the way his voice tightens. “And that? That makes me want to tear the whole world apart.”

There’s a long, heated breath, like someone who’s trying to keep from snapping. “Don’t play with me, bella.” He stammers as memory floods him. “I remember the way you came undone for me. The way your thighs clenched, the way you took every inch of me…” He groans. “The way you screamed my name like it was the only one you knew. That wasn’t for him. That wasn’t his. That was mine. IS mine…”

He snaps. “You think I’ll let him taste what I’ve already had? Feel you wrapped around him the way you wrapped around me? F*ck that. I’d sooner burn everything between us before I let that happen.”

He ends quieter than he started, softer and closer, as if he’s right beside you though he’s miles away. “Non sei sua. Non sarai mai sua. Sei mia, solo mia…” His words fall like a promise. “Il tuo corpo, il tuo respiro, i tuoi gemiti...tutto appartiene a me.” He chuckles again. “...and only me.”