Page 4 of Boyfriend Material
Theo shifted in his seat and pulled his hand out from under hers. Then he pulled her as close as he could with the armrest between them and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. He took her hand in his and laced their fingers together. “I’ve got you, baby. It’ll be okay, I promise.”
Livie’s gaze met his. Only a tiny rim of blue was visible around her dilated pupils. She was panting, like she’d run a marathon, and trembled against him.
Theo squeezed her tighter against his side. He hoped once they leveled out, she’d relax.
It didn’t take long for them to reach altitude, though it seemed to take forever. As he’d hoped, Livie relaxed against him, and her shaking stopped.
Two bright patches of color stained her cheeks as she realized she’d been clinging to his hand. She leaned back in her seat and pulled as far from him as possible. “I’m so sorry I turned you into a life preserver. I really, really hate flying, and try to avoid it when I can. It’s stupid being so afraid.”
“Hey, it’s not. Besides, it’s not every day I get to rescue a damsel in distress.” Theo tried to make his voice light and teasing. He hated she’d gone from terrified to mortified and wouldn’t meet his gaze.
“I appreciate the sentiment, but it’s okay if you want to laugh. I know it’s ridiculous to be so scared.”
“No, it’s really not. Everyone is afraid of something, Livie, and there are probably millions of people afraid of flying. You’vegot nothing to be ashamed about. And for the record, I’d never laugh at your fear or anyone else's.”
Livie turned to look at him finally and seemed surprised. “I…I don’t know what to say. You’re not what I expected.” She slapped a hand over her mouth and muttered, “oh god.”
She was adorable.
“I’m not? What did you think I’d be like?” He’d debated on whether to ask, but curiosity got the better of him.
“Oh, good lord. Can we just forget I said anything?”
Theo chuckled. He wanted to touch her again. Once she’d let go of his hand, he’d missed the warmth, the feeling of home. That was the ridiculous part. They barely knew each other. Who was he kidding? They didn’t know each other at all except for the Ready Room. He’d never spoken to her except to place his food and drink his orders.
“My parents raised me to be a good man. I do my best to live up to their expectations.”
Livie mumbled something. It sounded something like, “a really hot guy.”
“I didn’t catch that.”
“You weren’t supposed to.”
“Aww, c’mon. We’ve seen each other in the Ready Room for months. We’re not complete strangers. I think you can give me an honest assessment, beautiful.”
Livie’s gaze darted to his as she absorbed his words, and she looked shocked. Didn’t she realize she was gorgeous?
Theo had been talking himself out of asking her out for months. He’d even started going to the Ready Room more on the off chance she’d be working. It had been almost impossible to keep from touching her long ponytail as it swayed over her shoulder when she’d brought his orders. He was dying to know if her thick auburn hair felt as soft as it looked. She looked so sweet, innocent. But when her creamy skin, dotted withfreckles, flushed with color when he was near, he had a hard time remembering why he shouldn’t ask her on a date. And her curves? Mouthwatering. What he wouldn’t give to have free rein to slide his hands over them and wrap her thighs around his waist.
As he sat next to her now, he wondered why he’d held back. Other than the obvious, she was too young for him. He knew she was in medical school, but her innocence shone like a beacon in the dead of night. He wasn’t a player, but relationships didn’t appeal to him. His career came first, at least for now.
CHAPTER THREE
Livie
Theo thought she was pretty. She couldn’t wait to text Patience later. It would give them giggle material for weeks. Ugh, now her inner self sounded like a teenager.
“So, are you going to tell me? What did you think I’d be like?” Theo asked again.
Livie twisted in her seat and leaned against the window. She needed space. His beachy, citrusy scent made it difficult to think. Unable to put off his question any longer, she tried to come up with an honest answer. What did she think of him?
Theo wasn’t cover model good looking. His cheekbones were a bit too sharp, but his lips were so kissable. His eyes were hazel but sometimes looked green like today. Eyes she could get lost in. Eyes that seemed to really see into her, to uncover her secret hopes and dreams. But this was silly. She couldn’t tell him that.
Livie needed to focus, to tell him something that didn’t make her sound like a horny teenager. What had she noticed about him first? He was tall. She’d have to up on tiptoes to kiss him, and it might still be a struggle to reach. He kept his dark brownhair short, like the Navy required, but he had a close-cropped beard. She’d love to drag her fingers through. As she’d told Patience, he checked off all her boxes and was perfect boyfriend material.
Theo wasn’t asking about his looks, though. He wanted to know what she thought of him.
“You’re sweet—” she stopped when he flinched. “I mean, you just took care of a practical stranger though a panic attack. Most people would have ignored me or looked on in horror as I melted down. You went over and above.”
