Page 22 of Botched

“I’m escorting you to your room, Roo,” he says matter-of-factly. “It’s late. There’s no telling what sort of creeps are roaming the hallways of this hotel. Can’t have anything happening to my partner.”

I suck in a breath. “The only creep roaming the hallways is you, Theo.”

“Better the creep you know than the one you don’t, huh?”

It’s late. I’m tired. I don’t want to stand in the hallway and argue with Theo. I want to crawl into my bed and not think about him for a few hours. I groan, hoping he sees the displeasure painted on my face.

“Fine,” I say through gritted teeth. “Walk me to my room, Theo.”

It’s a three-minute walk max. I can handle him for three minutes.

Suddenly, I feel a warm, calloused hand sliding over mine. My eyebrows raise in shock, confused; I do not want to hold his hand. I’m not going to hold his hand. But all he does is gently pry my bag from my hand. “Let me get that for you.”

“I don’t know if I like you when you’re trying to be nice.”

“You don’t like me at all, Roo.”

Most people would probably sound a little bitter when saying that. Not him. He soundsacceptingof the fact. It’s like he’s stating something everyone knows. The sky is blue, the grass is green, and Aurora Bennet does not like Theodore Abrams.

I tilt my head to the side, agreeing. “Fair.”

I would be perfectly content walking in silence. My room is right ahead of us. Theo has other plans.

He clears his throat. “You were amazing tonight,” he says. Something sounds different in his voice. Normally, Theo’s loud. He could be heard down a hallway; he also speaks quickly. Now, it’s softer, the accent that I can’t quite place comes out a little moreobvious. He lives in New York, but it sounds more west coast, like Jules.

I wait for the backhanded compliment.

And nothing comes. So, I momentarily concede my dislike for him and let a smile appear on my lips. “Thank you.” I hate how much his stupid compliment means to me. I like knowing he thinks I did well. I tell myself it’s because I want to feel like I did a good job on my first big moment, and obviously my partner who’s been doing this for a while and is at the top of his game, complimenting that is a good thing.

“Also, I gotta say it—that kneeling bit? Instant boner.”

Andthereit is. The expected comment from Theo. “Not my intention,” I say as I roll my eyes.

“Doesn’t matter if it was your intention or not, baby doll. It was hot. Face it, you’re hot.”

That’s never been anything that I’ve doubted. I’ve never thought I wasn’t pretty. I’m not insecure. I don’t think I’m the hottest woman in the world, but I also don’t shy away from my sexuality. Unless that sexuality involves Theo. I don’t respond, choosing to click my tongue instead. My room is right there. I come to a stop by the door, fishing in the pocket of my sweats for the key.

Theo wheels my bag to a stop by the door, waiting for me to wrangle the key out of my pocket.

“You’re not coming in.”

“Wasn’t planning to.”

The look I give him portrays my disbelief. Theo always comes off as entitled. I’m sure he was expecting me to drop to my knees for him the second he started to wheel my bag behind him. I get the key and press it to the little lockbox. It lights up green, the door unlocking with a soft click.

“No, seriously. I’m a lot of things, Roo. I’m the biggest asshole that I know, but I’m not going to force myself into your room.” He stops me as I open the door. “Give me your number.”

“Theo—”

“For work, promise. We’re working together. I want us to be able to communicate in case we have ideas. I promise that I won’t send you any dick pics.”

“If you send me a dick pic, I’m sending it to your mother.”

Something different flashes across Theo’s face. Before I have time to take in the emotion, it’s gone, replaced by his expected reaction. He cringes. “Ouch. Mama Abrams would not love that. Threat received.”

I don’t question what that emotion on his face was. Decide that maybe it’s better if I don’t think too much into things with him.

With a slightly amused snort—I don’t want Theo to think I’m enjoying being around him —I give him my number.

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