Page 86 of Snow, Ice, and Spice
Never in a million years would I have thought that the word “serious” would have come out of the mouth of playboy Theo Thompson. But it did.
And the way he said it. His tone was eager. And urgent. It matched the look in his eyes as he stared at me. It all caught me completely off guard.
“Do you?”
I cringe as I think back on how the words sputtered out of my mouth. My tone bordered on incredulous. Because could a guy who has never had a relationship as an adult really commit to something serious? He’s spent his entire adult life hooking up. Am I supposed to believe that he could give that all up for me?
My chest aches at just the thought, at how uncertain I feel even thinking about it.
Maybe we could have actually talked about it had my parents not stumbled out there like two horny teenagers sneaking around, interrupting us.
I press my eyes shut and shake my head, willing away the visual. Yeah, I know it’s childish for me to cringe at seeing them kiss. But come on. No one wants to see their parents make out in front of them.
But that’s not even the worst part. Just thinking of my mom taking back my dad after the way he treated her makes my blood boil.
I huff out a breath, my thoughts a mess. I focus back on the dance party unfolding in front of me. Tyler tries to get Gage to join him on the dance floor but no surprise that Gage isn’t up for it.
“Fine, fine. You don’t wanna dance, I get it,” Tyler says in his signature taunting tone. “How about a push-up contest?”
Gage purses his lips like he’s seriously considering it. I’m certain he’ll take Tyler up on it. Given how much they both work out together and how competitive they can get, this is the perfect opportunity for them to throw down.
Gage nods once. “I’m in.”
Everyone cheers. Gage sheds his chef’s jacket and Tyler shrugs off his suit jacket right as Theo walks back in.
“Theo! You have to join the push-up contest!” Tori hollers. “I wanna see if these two can hang with a pro athlete.”
Theo’s cheeks flush pink and a shy smile tugs at his face. My knees go weak yet again. Good lord, my body is shameless. Anything this man does—smile, touch my hand, lick his lips, kiss me, grab me—and my body is aching for more.
Theo agrees to join and everyone cheers once more. He takes a few seconds to shed his suit jacket and roll up the sleeves of his dress shirt, and I swear, saliva pools in my mouth.Holy forearms. I’ve seen them plenty and no question they’re muscle-y and sexy…but to see him pull that panty-dropping move of rolling up his sleeves in real time? Pure hotness…
The three of them get set up on the floor.
“Ready, set, go!” Tori yells.
The crowd counts along as the three of them pump out push-ups at an impressive speed.
“Damn. Look at your man go.”
I turn to see Austin at my side, beer in hand, looking amused at the scene unfolding a handful of feet in front of us.
I roll my eyes. “He’s not my man.”
Austin scoffs. I elbow him.
He tilts his head at me before tugging his tie loose with his free hand. “Come on, Maya. I’m not blind. It’s clear as day two you are sleeping together.”
I wrinkle my nose at him, annoyed. “You don’t have to be so crass about it.”
Austin shakes his head and his thick black hair, which is starting to fall out of its slicked-back style, sways with the movement.
I look away until he says my name in that familiar tone.
“Maya, he really, really likes you. I can tell.”
“Seeing as we’re hooking up, that’s kind of a given. I like him too.”
I focus back on the push-up contest. Counting has slowed down now that Tyler, Theo, and Gage are slowing their pace. They’re tired, but none of them have run out of steam as they knock out pushup after pushup.
