Page 9 of The Right Guy
“He is single—most of the time. Anyway, I can’t help how I feel about him.” I shrugged casually. “My heart picked him, and who am I to argue with it?”
“You’re wasting your time.” Calm ocean blue eyes narrowed ever so slightly, hinting irritation.
“I appreciate you’re just looking out for me. We can’t help who we fall for.” I knifed the gooey chocolate mush, cutting the top one into equal parts.
“You’ve fallen in love with him?” He gave me an incredulous look. “Ada, let's be honest here, when have you had a proper conversation with the guy? And what’s with him and Fia? He runs back to her every time.”
“Hold on here, Theo. I didn't say I was in love with him. I figured Fia and him have a weird relationship, but maybe one day, he’ll see past her wiry hair and thin lips and find me.”
“Right.” For a silent second, his mouth tightened, and he glared at the stack like he wanted to kill it. Just as quickly, he looked up and popped a piece of pancake into his mouth. “It just seems like—" He chewed. “You’re in a rush tobe loved, and it has to be him.”
We both knew Ro Huxley was my hot obsession—even though the guy called mekid. It was a term of endearment. Realistically, he either liked me or couldn’t care less what my name was. I believed it was the first option because I’m his little sister’s roommate.
I couldn’t control my inane giggle when he was near, and that crooked smile of his stirred all sorts of wicked daydreams. With one fleeting glimpse of his striking green eyes, my entire body would vibrate. The way he spoke with cocky articulation could pull me under the surface of rationality. That was the ideal recipe for marriage, right?
“What about you?” I changed the subject. “Why can’t you keep a girlfriend? You’ve always got an excuse to dump them.”
He shocked me by dropping his fork, clanking it on the porcelain plate as it landed. His fingers lock together, matching his knitted brows. “I’m waiting for—” He stared at me for a beat. “The right woman to find me.”
“I’m surprised you haven’t found her yet, after all the testing you’ve done.” I offered a cheeky grin when his eyes widened.
“That’s just fun, Ada.” There was a ghost of a smirk playing on his lips. “Anyway, I want a woman like…” He trailed off and split the pancake with his fingers.
“Like?” I asked, leaning in. “Tell me the dirt.”
The floppy half pancake hovered in the space between us, held in place by ringed fingers. “It doesn’t matter. I’m happy to play around. I’m in no rush for a serious girlfriend right now.” Theo was hiding something. “No strings. No commitment.”
I tipped forward, quickly biting a chunk out of the floating pancake and shoving it past my lips.
“Ada!” he roared playfully. “I can’t believe you just stole my breakfast.” Theo rose from his side of the booth, rounded the table, and crashed down beside me. “Here, if you really want it. Open up!” he ordered.
I sucked in a timid breath, enjoying the spark of excitement jolt through me. Theo’s body pressed tightly to my side. Warm and manly, spicy and—close.
“What exactly are your plans for that?” I hitched an inquisitive brow and directed my fork to the leftover pancake.
“Open up, Ada,” he growled. “You wanted it, so I’m going to give it to you.”
The rumble in his tone made my pulse judder. It bordered on carnal, or dare I think it—erotic. “Don’t choke me, Theo.” I slowly lowered my jaw and watched his pupils flash.
“Close your eyes, Ada,” he instructed, a little more huskily than before.
On his command, by body relinquished, and my eyelids drifted shut. First, I felt the drag of my lower lip as he swiped it with the pad of his thumb. “You have syrup on your—” he mumbled, and I could’vesworn he gulped.Then he paused, like he was studying my face. A crumb landed on my tongue. “Chew.”
I loved our usual banter, yet,right then, it became intimate and sensual. That’s not to say I wasn’t enjoying the confusing signs, or that Iwasn’t highly stimulatedwhen his warm breath heated my cheek. I opened my eyes to find him staring at me with pensive eyes. The buzz powering through my veins made me grin uncontrollably, and I naturally reached out to him. With the gentle contact, I generated a wish to press my nose into the crook of his neck, just to be closer to him. But friends don’t do that. I gulped back the longing and ruffled his beard instead, watching his cheek slant into my palm. “What would I do without you, Theo,” I mumble-chewed.
His hand covered mine, and his eyes brightened with a loving sparkle that amazed me. “You cando betterthan him, Ada.”
And there it was.Again,with the Ro put-downs. I rolled my eyes to the ceiling, irked by his persistence. “I’m not stupid, Theo. I’m aware he fancies Fia. Sometimes people can’t see what’s meant for them. I can’t help it if I lust after him. I want him to be my first.”
Theo’s muscles stiffened. His palm slid away, and he shifted in the booth, visibly putting space between us. “I’ll pay for breakfast,” he announced.
Perched at the far end of the booth, he waved over to the waitress, keeping as far away from me as possible.
“Theo?”
“Uh, huh?” He concentrated on the redhead who sashayed to our table.
“We haven’t finished.” I’d only eaten one of my own and a few bits of his.
