Page 51 of Snow, Ice, and Spice
But I hold back. Instead of all that, I say, “I just don’t like the thought of you two together.”
She purses her lips, like she’s disappointed. Like she could tell I had more to say but lost my nerve.
She exhales and stomps off to her bedroom. And I stay standing there, regretting everything I said and didn’t say.
Chapter19
Maya
Itake one last look at my reflection in the full-length mirror in my bedroom. My boobs are spilling out of this black lace top. If I lean over too quickly, they’ll fall out for sure. Perfect.
I grab my purse, walk out of my bedroom, and head for the front door.
Yeah, this is petty. And immature. I don’t care.
When I think about what Theo said to me yesterday, when he acted like a jealous psycho after I mentioned wanting to go out with Xander, anger surges through me like a flame.
Where the hell does he get off telling me who I can and can’t date? Especially after that conversation I overheard between him and Xander at the arena the other day. I heard him say that he sees me as nothing more than a friend. Why the hell was he acting like the thought of me going out with Xander would send him over the edge? He had zero right. Even though I hate it when my older brothers pull that overprotective bullshit on me, at least it kind of makes sense. I’m their little sister. They just want me to be safe. But Theo? We’re just friends.
I’m just trying to look out for you, Maya. Xander is a good guy overall, but no way in hell would I ever let any woman in my life within fifty feet of him.
Just thinking about the condescending way he spoke to me last night has me in a fury. He treated me like I was some helpless, defenseless damsel, like I can’t navigate my own dating life without him intervening to save me.
I shake my head, annoyed. Whatever. I’m done being mad at Theo for his ridiculous and completely unreasonable jealousy. It’s time to show him I don’t need his advice.
When I walk into the main part of the house, Theo is standing at the kitchen island clad in sweats and a t-shirt, eating an apple and frowning at his phone. When he looks up, his eyes bulge out of his head. His jaw plummets to the floor, and a chunk of apple falls out of his mouth.
I mentally high-five myself. Just the reaction I was hoping for.
“Whoa…” he murmurs, his gaze fixed on my chest.
“I’m going out,” I say without even looking at him as I head to the coat closet and fetch my coat. “With Xander.”
Behind me, I hear a choking noise. I bite back a smile.
“Dressed like that?” His voice hitches up and I laugh. He’s about to blow a gasket.
“Yeah. Do you have a problem with that?” I cross my arms, pushing my boobs up even more. Theo’s peaches-and-cream complexion turns red as he glares at my tits.
“Nope. No problem,” he mumbles as he glowers at his phone.
“You sure? Because you seem a little testy,” I taunt.
His gaze cuts to my face. “I’m fine,” he bites.
I purse my lips to keep from grinning. Yeah, it’s a cheap shot to wear the most revealing top I own on a date that Theo doesn’t want me to go on. But I don’t care. I want to make it clear as fucking day to him that he doesn’t get to dictate what I do or who I date.
I walk over to where he’s standing in the kitchen. I’m so close that he stumbles back from me. “Do you think this top is too revealing?”
His jaw bulges, he’s biting down so hard. He huffs out a breath. “Nope. You’re actually pretty dressed up for a date with Xander. He prefers the women he goes out with to wear as little as possible. Naked is best, honestly.”
Anger flashes through me. He wants to play dirty?
I grin at him. “Good. I like being naked.”
A choking sound rips from his throat and his gaze is a crystal blue bonfire. Satisfied, I turn to walk away, but he catches me by the wrist and pulls me back to face him. In a flash, my ass is against the edge of the countertop and Theo is caging me in, his hands gripping the counter on either side of me. Our faces are barely two inches apart.
“What the hell are you trying to pull here, Maya?” he growls.
