Page 5 of The Right Guy
Kim’s voice was a distant murmur as she said, “I’ll ask her for tickets. Everyone will be there. We’ll go together if you promise to wear something other than those baggy ass jeans.”
“They’re a classic fit.”
“They’re mom jeans.”
“I like them that way,” I lied. “Don’t worry, I have a sexy bikini.”
“I’ll need to see you wearing it first, just to be sure.”
The second my lashes fanned my cheeks, Theo’s friendly face appeared. Right there, prime focus, as if he was thinking about me too and sending vibes. My tummy lifted, nudging my intestines out of the way. Then a curious pitter-patter flickered in my chest, like particles floating around my ribcage, colliding and bursting with bliss. It was odd because Theo had that inquisitive smirk he always offered.
I smiled inwardly, adoring the tiny heart explosions. I loved the guy. Then I shirked off the idea that our relationship was more than friendly and visualized Ro with his ass hugging sports shorts. That vision was a gift for any woman. Tight. Hugging. Revealing. The perfect image to crank up the temperature gauge. With my conscience clear, and my thoughts firmly on Ro, I drifted off to sleep.
Three
What a stunning view
True to his word, Theo was waiting for me outside my dorm. A bright orange sun rose over the trees, kissing the sky to life and fracturing light on the dewy lawn. The world was bright and beautiful, and Theo was center stage, molded into a worn biker jacket with a roguish grin stretching the edges of his mouth. It always amazed me how a big guy like him could drive an unsafe machine without toppling over. He patted the seat at the rear of his motorcycle when I reached his side.
“I see you brought the Wasp.” I tossed him a playful smile. He hated my pet name for his Honda CBR. I didn’t pick the name because of its noisy engine or even the speed; it suited the black body and sunset yellow trim. Secretly, I loved it. For a girl who couldn’t face water, I sure had a buzz for speed.
“Hop on, Ada.” He removed my glasses, pausing for a silent second as our eyes locked, then he plonked a helmet on the crown of my head and tapped it down. “You suit helmets.” A wide smile broke up the dark hair on his cheeks. His ruggedly handsome features softened.
“Right, I have a face for helmets,” I scoffed, with squished up cheeks. A few months ago, he bought me a matching helmet so he could run me home after work. “Are you telling me I have a face for radio?”
A throaty chuckle met the mild breeze. “It frames those big brown eyes.” Before I could answer, he pocketed my glasses and hitched his leg over the bike. “Let’s go.”
This should be the part when I nimbly pop on the back of the Wasp like an athlete. However, being so short meant raising my leg high to drape over the seat. It resulted in a total disaster. I grasped his thick leather-clad arm, tipped forward and tried ever so elegantly to fling myself on. After two or three—more like four attempts—I successfully straddled the seat and wrapped my arms around his wide torso. His chest sank like he absorbed the contact. The engine growled, and we took off toward the coast.
As the Wasp picked up speed, I knew I was safe with my boobs pressed to his back. My fingers barely linked because his bulk was so broad and masculine. He smelled amazing, all spicy and yummy and familiar. When I squeezed tighter, I noticed the sensation of his every breath. There was something about Theo that made my heart calm and content. He was thetype ofguy my mother would love for me to bring home, if there were a few extra zeros at the end of his monthly salary. Besides that, he looked at me with friendly eyes. Then there’s the white elephant in my brain—the fact that I was head over heels in lust with Ro.
Riding down the quiet streets was like a scene from the apocalypse movie we watched together a few nights ago. It was just him and me. Me and him, on the back of his motorcycle, chasing the sunrise together.
Thick wheel treads agitated the dry dirt track, leaving a dust haze in our wake as we pulled off the main road at Siren beach. A clear sky hung over the sprawling horizon. The ocean was still and obscure, perfectly flat like a ruler.
My throat tightened. The dryness in my mouth was akin to packing my cheeks full of crackers, chipmunk style, without liquid to wash them down. I knew we’d driven all this way to battle my fear of open water, and with Theo by my side, I’d be happy to try, but the reality was still daunting.
After he pulled up yards away from a secluded white sandy beach, his sturdy legs dropped, and he planted worn boots to the ground, anchoring us to a standstill. It’s lucky I wasn’t trying to impress him because my dismount was far from sexy, or even ladylike.
“You neverfail toamuse me, Ada.” He chuckled into the padding of his helmet as I staggered, regaining my footing.
“I’m small, Theo, and you’re a giant. You have the advantage with those long legs.” I dusted down my tee as he propped the bike on its stand.
When I wrenched the helmet off, static flyaway hair mapped my face like a spider’s web. With an upward puff, I merely agitated the disheveled mess. Just as I hooked the helmet onto the handlebars, Theo brushed the hair free in one large-handed swipe.
“My gallant giant.” I squinted up at him with a cheeky smirk. “So, what’s the plan. I’m not getting into the water today, or any day, okay?”
“Do you trust me?” His voice was low, making the shortest hairs on my neck prick.
“With my life.” It was true. I smiled and batted my lashes, slowly and purposefully.
The little black dots in his eyes flared, and his fingernails raked over his gruff beard. “Then grab on, sweetheart. We’re going for a walk on the wild side.” He jutted out his elbow and nodded for me to latch on. Without thought, I nestled into his side and slid my palms around his wide bicep. The leather was buttery but manly, and his breath was fresh like peppermint.
“I’ll need my glasses back unless you’re going tocarry me?” I caught a hint of amusement dancing over his lips.
“Well, if you’re asking—” In a flash, he spun around and swung me off my feet, supporting me like precious cargo with the backs of my knees draping his forearm.
“Theo!” I squealed. “You’ll drop me.”
