Page 21 of Reckless
He’s so close, all tequila and tangerines and deep, chocolatey eyes. “I saw you tonight. The way you went rigid when you got called a lady-killer.”
His gaze bounces between my eyes, and god, I feel seen. My skin itches under the pressure of his gaze. No one ever looks at me this closely. This discerningly.
“Changing your stripes isn’t always easy.”
“I think the saying is literally that a tigerdoesn’tchange its stripes.”
His tongue presses down on his bottom lip as he gives his head a minute shake. “Then let’s call it a Dalmatian changing his spots. They’re born without them, you know.”
“So, you’re not a total manwhore?”
His mouth twists. “I’m outgrowing that phase. But people see what they want. Imagine if I gave them all my fucks over that when I know deep down what kind of man I am?”
Man. Yes. Man.
My brain stutter-steps on that. Because Theo is all man, all masculine lines, dark swirling colors, gentle touches—gentlemanly behavior.
Okay, he’s charming as hell.
“When I didn’t win at the end of this season, I made it a goal to redouble my focus. Grow up a notch. That’s why I’m here, training with Rhett and Summer. More workouts, less...play. All work and no play makes Theo a dull boy.”
Play.Does every word this man says have to sound sexual? I swear he isn’t even trying, but his words scrape against my skin like the edge of his teeth might, the way his stubble might. There isn’t a single dull thing about Theo Silva.
In fact, he might as well be a gigantic neon sign, flashing at me to back away. Because people have hurt me, my capacity for trust is practically nil. And yet...
“I could really use some play.” My knee bumps into his as I turn to him, an idea blossoming in my mind.
Averybad idea.
“Less fucks and more play. I like this strategy for you.”
The way his lips part when he saysfuckhas my stomach clenching and my inhibitions flapping in the wind. What if I let go of them and turned my brain off for a bit? What if I did something just for me? Something that feels good.
God knows Rob has never been effective at making me feel good. Not the way it appears in movies or sounds in books. When the woman’s heart races and her skin prickles just because a man is looking at her.
Theo looks at me like that. Like I might be his next meal.
“Maybe what I really need is more fucks?” Oof. That sounded a lot cooler in my tequila brain than it does out loud.
“You only get ten for the purpose of the example.”
I bite down on my bottom lip. “That’s not what I meant.”
He must see it on my face because he rears back, full lips parting even as his eyes smolder. “Are you propositioning me?”
I scoff and blink away. “No.”
He says nothing and when I drag my attention back to him, I confess, “Okay, maybe. Just for fun. I want to know what that’s like.” An image of Rob pops up in my head and I toss it away. He’s not allowed here in this moment. I need to be myself. I need to be free of him if I’m going to do this. “I don’t think I know what it’s like to be properly fucked.”
Amusement and shock war on his face. “You’ve officially had too much to drink.”
“I have not. You’re just using that as an excuse. If you aren’t interested, just be direct. I’m a doctor. I understand how the biology of attraction works. You can’t force it. I get it.”
When I glance back up, the expression on his face is primal. He’s beautiful, and I’m instantly struck by the realization that I’m an idiot. This man is out of my league. He’s too good looking. Too experienced.
“You know what? Forget I said anything. I’ve got this whole uptight spinster thing happening and I don’t blame you for—”
“Winter. I’d have properly fucked you in the back room of that gas station if you’d asked me.”
